Akal Takht Panel Seeks Complete Stay on Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act

The expert committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to examine the Punjab Government’s Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, has demanded a complete stay on its implementation before proceeding with further discussions with the state government.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the committee held at Sri Anandpur Sahib on Saturday, where members deliberated on a communication seeking dialogue with the Punjab Government’s coordination committee constituted in connection with the legislation.

The meeting was attended by Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Justice (Retd) Rupinder Singh Sodhi, Justice (Retd) Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh and Prof Jagmohan Singh.

The committee decided that the Punjab Government must first completely stay the implementation of the Amendment Act in compliance with directions issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 29, 2026. It also sought details of action taken by the government in accordance with those directions.

Members recalled that the expert committee had, through a press statement issued on August 7, 2026, asked the state government to submit a compliance report on the June 29 directions. However, they said the report had not been submitted so far.

The committee maintained that the legislation should not be implemented until a consensus was reached with Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Members also pointed to directions issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8, 2026, and subsequently to Cabinet ministers and MLAs on June 29, 2026.

They alleged that the state government had not taken concrete steps to incorporate the sentiments and concerns expressed by Sri Akal Takht Sahib regarding the Amendment Act.

The committee members described the government’s failure to act in accordance with the directions as evidence of a lack of sincerity and alleged ulterior intentions.

They said the government’s sincerity in resolving the issue would be demonstrated only through a complete stay on the implementation of the legislation as a first step.