Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the state government will discuss suggestions made by Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 and mentioned that the matter will be placed before Punjab Assembly after suggestions are reviewed.
Speaking to the media about the same, Mann said Sri Akal Takht Sahib is above everything for him and its directions are supreme and when asked about the next step, CM Mann said the government will carefully consider the suggestions received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and then present the matter before the House.
Earlier, Punjab government had 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.
