Punjab CM Mann: All Sikh MLAs, Ministers to Appear Before Akal Takht Over Anti-Sacrilege Law
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Sunday that all Sikh MLAs and Sikh cabinet ministers will appear before the Akal Takht in Amritsar on June 29, in connection with the anti-sacrilege law.
Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, Mann said, 'Our MLAs and ministers will go there and present their views in written form.'
The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, had summoned all Sikh MLAs, irrespective of party affiliation, and Sikh ministers to appear on June 29 to discuss the anti-sacrilege legislation. Non-Sikh cabinet ministers have been asked to submit their written views on the matter before June 29.
The Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had earlier objected to the 'Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026,' stating it was enacted without consulting the Sikh Panth. The supreme temporal body of Sikhs had requested the state government to remove provisions from the Act that it deemed contrary to Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth, and the sentiments of the Sikh community.
When asked whether he would personally appear, Mann clarified that he had not been summoned. 'Our MLAs and cabinet ministers will present the government's side. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan will also go. Whatever suggestions come from the Akal Takht or SGPC, we will discuss them,' he said, adding that he would present his own views in writing to the Akal Takht.
Mann also addressed a question about a purported video in which a person resembling him could be seen. He stated he would send the clip to the Akal Takht, reiterating that he was not in the video and that the person was wearing a mask resembling his face. He emphasized that he could never think of confronting the Akal Takht.
On June 15, the Sikh clergy had declared Mann as 'Guru Dokhi' (anti-Guru) and 'Khalsa Panth Virodhi' (anti-Khalsa Panth) over the controversial video. The edict followed claims by the Akal Takht that two forensic laboratories had found the video to be authentic. Mann had previously appeared before the Akal Takht in January this year regarding the same video, in which he allegedly made comments on 'Guru ki Golak' (gurdwara donation box) and engaged in objectionable activities with images of Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Mann continues to deny these allegations.
