Akal Takht Directs Sikh MLAs to Isolate CM Bhagwant Mann in Punjab Assembly Over Sacrilege Law

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh faith, has directed all Sikh legislators and ministers in the Punjab government to distance themselves from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the upcoming Assembly session. The directive, issued on Thursday, marks an escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-affiliated religious body and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over proposed amendments to the state's anti-sacrilege law.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj stated that Sikh MLAs and Cabinet ministers must not interact with Mann or participate in any discussion on the proposed anti-sacrilege legislation until a consensus is reached with the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The directive follows the government's response to the objections raised by the Akal Takht, which Gargajj described as 'unsatisfactory'. He accused the government of backtracking on assurances given by Sikh legislators during their appearance before the Akal Takht on June 29.

According to Gargajj, the government's reply accepted only one of the objections and maintained a rigid stance on others, without consulting the Akal Takht. To break the deadlock, the Akal Takht has constituted a six-member committee comprising retired judges, legal experts, and Sikh scholars. This committee is tasked with holding discussions with the government and reaching a consensus on the legislation within two months.

The Jathedar reiterated the Takht's objections, asserting that the government has no jurisdiction to define the custodian of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, assign unique identification numbers to holy copies (Birs), or maintain a central digital register. These matters, he argued, fall exclusively under the religious and administrative domain of the SGPC. He also demanded that provisions for fast-track courts be included directly in the legislation rather than left to executive action.

Gargajj further emphasised the need for justice in sacrilege cases, particularly those from 2015. He called for the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in connection with these cases, action against those involved in the Maur bomb blast, and efforts to bring back cases transferred outside Punjab. In response to questions about the conduct of Sikh legislators given that Bhagwant Mann has been declared 'Guru Dokhi' and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi', Gargajj said Sikh MLAs should act according to their conscience, avoid engaging with the chief minister inside the House, and address only the Speaker during proceedings.

The Punjab government has not yet issued an official response to the Akal Takht's latest directive. The Assembly session is scheduled to begin on Monday, and the standoff is likely to dominate proceedings.