Akal Takht Summons Sikh Legislators for Discussion on Religious Law
Akal Takht Calls Sikh Legislators for Meeting
The Akal Takht, the highest religious authority in Sikhism, has summoned all Sikh legislators and ministers in Punjab to appear before it on June 29. Additionally, non-Sikh legislators and ministers have been instructed to provide a written explanation regarding the 'Jagat Jyot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2026'. This legislation stipulates life imprisonment for those who insult the sacred text of Sikhism. This action follows the Punjab Assembly's passage of the law on April 13, which imposes severe penalties, including life sentences and hefty fines, for offenses against the Guru Granth Sahib.
The summons includes 78 Sikh legislators and nine Sikh cabinet ministers, along with five non-Sikh cabinet ministers from the AAP government led by Bhagwant Mann. According to the directives, all 78 Sikh legislators and nine Sikh cabinet ministers, including Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, are required to appear at Akal Takht at 11 AM, while non-Sikh ministers and legislators must submit their written explanations by the same date.
Details of the Summons
The summons has been issued to legislators from all parties, including Congress members Rana Gurjeet Singh and Parghat Singh, as well as AAP ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Harjot Singh Bains, Balbir Singh, and Gurmeet Singh Khudiyan, along with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. Non-Sikh ministers Sanjeev Arora, Aman Arora, Varinder Kumar Goyal, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and Mahinder Bhagat have been asked to provide written responses.
Bagicha Singh, in charge of the Akal Takht Secretariat, stated that official letters were sent to Sikh legislators and ministers via their email addresses and WhatsApp numbers based on contact details available on the Punjab Assembly's official website on June 17 and 18. He also mentioned that a separate letter was sent to the Speaker on June 23 and that officials from the Akal Takht Secretariat contacted the legislators and ministers by phone to inform them.
Discussion on Legal Amendments
All Sikh legislators and cabinet ministers have been requested to present themselves at Akal Takht in Amritsar on June 29 at 11 AM to discuss the legal amendments and share their opinions. Non-Sikh cabinet ministers are expected to provide their written feedback before the same date. This initiative by Akal Takht is significant, as Sikh religious leaders have increasingly intervened in matters involving major political figures in Punjab in recent years. Earlier this month, Akal Takht declared Mann as 'anti-Khalsa Panth' in relation to a viral video linked to sacrilege. Mann has dismissed these allegations, claiming the clip was fabricated and did not feature him.