Akal Takht Objects to Punjab’s New Law on Guru Granth Sahib
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh faith, has raised strong objections to key provisions in a recently passed Punjab law concerning the Guru Granth Sahib.
Core Objections
The dispute centers on terminology, registration, and custody of physical copies of the Sikh scripture, as well as the overall administration of the law. The Akal Takht argues that these matters fall under the purview of Sikh religious institutions, not the state.
Specifically, the Akal Takht opposes:
- Assigning unique identification numbers to physical copies of the Guru Granth Sahib
- Maintaining a central government register of such copies
Summoning the Speaker
On May 8, Akal Takht head Kuldip Singh Gargajj summoned Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan (AAP) to explain why Sikh institutions were not consulted before the law was enacted.
Sandhwan defended the legislation, stating it was necessary to protect the Guru Granth Sahib from potential desecration or mishandling.
"The law was needed to safeguard the sanctity of the scripture," Sandhwan argued.
Lack of Legislative Scrutiny
In a moment of stark accountability, Gargajj asked lawmakers whether they had actually read the bill before voting on it. Several legislators admitted they had not, with copies of the bill reportedly circulated only shortly before the debate began.
Gargajj called this "serious negligence" on the part of the legislature.
He urged the Punjab government to amend the law within a month and to refrain from implementing the disputed provisions in the interim.
Political Context and Fallout
The Akal Takht holds no constitutional authority, but its directives carry immense religious weight among Sikhs, and political leaders in Punjab have traditionally heeded its rulings on faith-related matters.
Opposition parties—including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP—have accused the AAP government of rushing the law without proper consultation.
The controversy comes ahead of state elections early next year, adding political tension to the religious dispute.
Chief Minister’s Position and Separate Controversy
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has firmly defended the law, stating it will not be withdrawn. However, he indicated openness to considering the Akal Takht's suggestions before deciding on amendments.
Meanwhile, Mann faces a separate controversy: Opposition parties claim a leaked video shows him consuming alcohol and splashing it on photographs of Sikh Gurus.
Mann has dismissed the video as "fabricated" and denied any wrongdoing.
Key Takeaway: The standoff between Punjab's elected government and the Akal Takht highlights the delicate balance between state legislation and religious authority, with potential electoral consequences looming.