Punjab Sacrilege Law Row: Akal Takht Gives Mann Government One-Month Deadline to Amend Controversial Bill

Political and religious tensions have intensified in Punjab after the Akal Takht directed the Bhagwant Mann-led government to amend its recently passed sacrilege law within one month. The directive came after Sikh ministers and MLAs from the Punjab government appeared before the Akal Takht to explain the circumstances under which the legislation was introduced. According to reports, the Akal Takht expressed strong reservations over the manner in which the law was drafted and passed, stating that key Sikh religious bodies, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), were not adequately consulted before the legislation was approved. The religious authority instructed the government not to implement the law in its current form and to incorporate necessary amendments after wider consultation. The Sikh ministers and legislators reportedly appeared barefoot before the Akal Takht and submitted written explanations. During the proceedings, questions were raised about the legislative process, with concerns that the bill was passed without sufficient discussion on religious terminology, traditions, and Sikh maryada. Several legislators are reported to have acknowledged that they had limited time to study the bill before its passage. The Akal Takht also reiterated that defining religious terminology and practices is the responsibility of Sikh religious institutions rather than the state legislature. It urged the government to convene consultations with the SGPC and other stakeholders before introducing a revised version of the law. The controversy comes amid continuing political debate over sacrilege incidents in Punjab and renewed scrutiny of the Mann government. Separately, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also faced criticism over an unrelated sacrilege-related controversy, adding further political pressure on the administration. With the one-month deadline now in place, attention will remain on whether the Punjab government convenes a special legislative session and introduces amendments that address the objections raised by the Akal Takht and Sikh religious bodies.

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