Operation Bluestar anniversary: Akal Takht Jathedar slams Punjab anti-sacrilege law
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said Sikh religious matters fall under the authority of the Panth, not the state, and reiterated concerns over government interference in Sikh affairs
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj on Saturday (June 6) criticised what he termed attempts by governments to regulate Sikh institutions through legislation and administrative control. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Amritsar to mark the 42nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar.
Referring to Punjab's anti-sacrilege law, Gargajj said no legislation concerning Sikh religious affairs should be enacted without the consent of the Sikh Panth.
Sacrilege law sparks row
“Today, there are attempts to bring the Guru Granth Sahib and the Guru Panth under the ambit of law. There are conspiracies to weaken Sikh institutions. Sikhs have consistently said that the law should target those responsible for sacrilege, but instead it has been framed in a way that affects Sikhs themselves,” he claimed.
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He maintained that the priority should be to ensure stringent punishment for those involved in sacrilege cases and to secure justice for the Sikh community.
The remarks assume significance as the Punjab Assembly had unanimously passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, on April 13. The legislation provides for stricter penalties, including life imprisonment, for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. However, Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, rejected the Act on May 8, terming certain provisions objectionable.
Sikh clergy to deliberate
The Jathedar had earlier warned the AAP government of “strong action”, accusing it of encroaching on the religious authority of the Sikh Panth and ignoring concerns raised by the community.
He also said that the matter will be discussed in the Sikh clergy meeting to be held after Operation Bluestar anniversary. He had alleged that under the pretext of protecting the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib, the government was seeking to institutionalise interference in Sikh religious affairs.
“The issue is not punishment for sacrilege. The Sikh community has always demanded the strictest action against those responsible. The concern is that the government has tried to regulate matters relating to Sikh maryada and religious functionaries, which fall solely within the jurisdiction of the Panth,” he said.
The Jathedar also asserted that the Punjab Assembly has no authority to define Sikh religious doctrines or practices. “Governments are temporary, but Akal Takht Sahib is permanent. No government can impose religious regulations on Sikhs without the consent of the Panth,” he said.
Call to protect Sikh identity
Jathedar Gargajj said governments must always remember that Sikhs are equal citizens in India and not second-class citizens. Policies perceived as discriminatory towards Sikhs are not in the country’s interest, he said in his Bluestar anniversary address.
He expressed concern that Sikh identity and religious symbols "were increasingly being targeted globally through various pretexts under deep-rooted conspiracy".
He urged Sikh organisations worldwide to remain vigilant and appealed to Sikhs living abroad to maintain strong ties with Punjab, ensure their children remain connected to their roots, avoid permanently leaving Punjab and refrain from selling ancestral lands.
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He condemned the targeting of Sikh identity, articles of faith and the turban and cited recent incidents in Himachal Pradesh. He said people from across the country live and work freely in Punjab without being targeted because of their identity.
He stressed that Sikhs would not tolerate treatment that undermines their distinct identity. "Those who are at the helm should know that we are equals and we are not second-class citizens in the country," he said.
The Jathedar said Sikhs have established a unique identity around the world through service to humanity and adherence to the principle of “Sarbat da Bhala” (welfare of all).