Akal Takht summons 78 Sikh MLAs and 9 ministers over anti-sacrilege law: Here's why its authority matters
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, has summoned all Sikh legislators and cabinet ministers of Punjab to explain their support for the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. The law, passed on April 29, expands the definition of sacrilege to include 'hurt sentiments' and prescribes stricter jail terms. The legislators have been asked to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29.
The summons come two weeks after the Akal Takht declared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann 'panth virodhi' (opposed to the panth) over an objectionable video and issued an edict for his boycott.
Few institutions have shaped Sikh religious and political life as profoundly as the Akal Takht. Here is a look at what it is, how its authority evolved, and why its summons continue to carry weight.
What is the Akal Takht?
The Akal Takht, meaning 'throne of the timeless one', is the highest temporal (worldly/political) seat of the Sikhs, located opposite the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar. It was founded by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru, between 1606 and 1609, after his father Guru Arjan Dev was executed by the Mughals. Guru Hargobind built it on a raised platform as a symbol of defiance and sovereignty, wearing two swords: miri (worldly power) and piri (spiritual authority).
The Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht is the highest temporal religious authority in Sikhism. He can summon any Sikh and issue edicts (hukamnamas). While this authority is not backed by police or courts, it enjoys deep moral and traditional acceptance within the Sikh community.
Role before 1947
Before Independence, the Akal Takht was the political and decision-making hub for Sikhs. Guru Hargobind issued directives from here to resist Mughal oppression. In the 18th century, during the Misl period, it hosted the Sarbat Khalsa, community gatherings where resolutions on resistance and administration were passed. Even Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the most powerful Sikh ruler, submitted to the Takht's edicts—he once appeared before Jathedar Akali Phula Singh for marrying a Muslim dancer and accepted punishment.
The British tried to control Sikh shrines by appointing loyal managers, but the Gurdwara Reform Movement of the 1920s wrested control, leading to the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 1925.
Role after 1947
The Takht has frequently exercised its authority over secular politics. It played a central role in the Punjabi Suba movement of the 1950s and 1960s, censuring leaders who broke pledges during fasts. In July 1975, during the Emergency, the Akali Dal launched the Save Democracy Morcha from the Akal Takht, with daily voluntary arrests after offerings at the shrine.
The current summons highlight the enduring influence of the Akal Takht in Sikh political and religious life, reminding elected representatives of their accountability to panthic (community) institutions.
