Punjab government has been given one month by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to amend Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 after objections were raised by Sikh Panth over some provisions of law and the decision came after Punjab's Sikh MLAs and Cabinet Ministers appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Monday to explain their stand on law which had become centre of a controversy after it was passed by Punjab Assembly without taking consent of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
The meeting was held before five Sikh high priests led by acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and since the present Akal Takht Secretariat did not have enough space the proceedings took place in a specially arranged hall at under-construction new secretariat building opposite existing Akal Takht Secretariat.
The controversy began after Punjab Assembly passed Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 on April 13 and objections were later raised by Sikh Panth saying that some provisions of the law interfered with authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sikh religious matters and earlier during a Panthic gathering held at Bhai Gurdas Hall on May 30 these objections were discussed and according to Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj the Punjab Assembly Speaker was informed about the concerns and the government was asked to remove objectionable provisions within 15 days. Since no changes were made Sikh MLAs and Cabinet Ministers were asked to appear before Sri Akal Takht Sahib and explain their position.
Addressing media after the meeting Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Punjab government has now been given one month to amend the law according to Sikh sentiments and said all Sikh MLAs and Cabinet Ministers who attended the meeting agreed that the law should be amended in line with Sikh sentiments, he also said discussion was held in a very cordial, peaceful and sincere atmosphere where everyone was given enough opportunity to express their views.
After appearing before Sri Akal Takht Sahib Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said a long and meaningful discussion took place between the MLAs, Cabinet Ministers and Jathedar and he said he believes Guru Ji's blessings will continue to remain with everyone and Sandhwan however, did not reveal details of the discussions. He said that out of respect for dignity and decorum of Sri Akal Takht Sahib it would not be appropriate to discuss everything that took place during the meeting.
The Jathedar made it clear that there is no disagreement over giving strict punishment to people who disrespect or desecrate Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and also said anyone found guilty of sacrilege should face severe punishment however he added that some provisions of amended law interfere with authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and rights of Sikh Panth and these parts of law cannot be accepted.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the government made a mistake while bringing the amended law and said whenever there has been interference in Sikh religious matters the Sikh Panth has never accepted or tolerated it, he added that Sikh community has always opposed such interference and will continue to do so in future and according to him matters related to Sikh traditions and religious practices should remain under authority of Sikh Panth.
One of the major objections raised during the meeting was regarding the use of the word "custodian" in the law, Giani Gargaj said these clauses should be removed because Sikh Panth has its own religious vocabulary for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and explained that Sikhs traditionally use words such as "Saroop" and "Bir" while referring to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
He said it is not acceptable for Punjab Assembly to define or decide religious words used by Sikh community.
During the discussion, Giani Gargaj claimed that some MLAs admitted they had not even read the law before it was passed in the Assembly and said this showed that the Bill was passed in a hurry without proper study or discussion and according to him such an important law should have been examined carefully before being approved.
Jathedar said 87 Sikh MLAs and Cabinet Ministers attended the meeting and said the discussion was open, peaceful and sincere and every participant was given enough time to explain their views he also stated that all the points raised by five Singh Sahibs during the discussion were accepted by Sikh MLAs and Cabinet Ministers present at the meeting and he further said issues related to uploading information on a website were also discussed during the meeting.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj also issued a warning regarding comments made against Sri Akal Takht Sahib on social media and said Sri Akal Takht Sahib is Takht of Guru and no one should make disrespectful or insulting remarks against it, he added that those who have spoken against its dignity on social media will have to answer for their words.
The Jathedar strongly repeated that there can be no compromise with dignity and authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and said every possible step would be taken to protect the honour and authority of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and interests of Sikh Panth "If necessary we will even sacrifice our heads to protect honour of Sri Akal Takht Sahib" he said.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also spoke after the meeting and he said the respected Jathedar has given the Punjab Government one month and has proposed certain amendments and measures and according to Cheema these suggestions will be conveyed to government through Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, he said once the official guidelines are received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib the government will study them carefully, discuss them and take a decision within one month.