All Sikh MLAs, Sikh Cabinet Ministers, and Congress MLAs Appear Before Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar

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The political and religious spotlight in Punjab shifted to Amritsar on Monday as Sikh legislators from across party lines gathered before the Akal Takht to explain their position on the controversial Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, a law that has triggered an intense debate over legislative authority, religious sentiment, and the relationship between elected governments and Sikh institutions.

The unprecedented proceedings brought together ministers and legislators from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal inside the Akal Takht secretariat complex, where the acting Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, sought direct answers from lawmakers regarding their support for the legislation passed by the Punjab Assembly earlier this year.

At the centre of the controversy lies the allegation that the Punjab government pushed the legislation through the Assembly without first consulting the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, institutions regarded by many Sikhs as the principal custodians of religious authority and Sikh traditions. Critics argue that any law concerning the sanctity and respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib requires wider religious consensus and consultation before becoming part of the legal framework.

The hearing itself marked a rare moment in Punjab’s political history, with elected representatives being asked to explain their legislative decisions before the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority. Due to space limitations at the existing Akal Takht secretariat, officials arranged the interaction inside a specially prepared pandal located within the premises of the under-construction secretariat building opposite the current complex.

According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the acting Jathedar intended to keep the interaction brief but direct. Each Sikh MLA would be asked whether they personally supported the Satkar Act when it came before the Assembly and whether they continued to support it in view of the objections subsequently raised by the Akal Takht.

The answers, sources said, were expected to be concise and individual rather than collective, allowing legislators to place their personal position on record even if it differed from the official line of their political parties.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, which commands a majority in the Punjab Assembly, arrived at the venue shortly before the proceedings began. Ministers and legislators staying at the Circuit House in Amritsar travelled together to the Akal Takht secretariat amid heavy public attention and media presence.

Leaders from the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal also reached the complex in the morning hours. Among those present were senior Congress figures Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, while the Akali camp included Ganieve Kaur Majithia, senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Manpreet Singh Ayali, who was elected on a Shiromani Akali Dal ticket and is presently associated with Akali Dal Waris Punjab De.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said Congress legislators had arrived with a unified position on the issue and would formally communicate that stand to the Akal Takht leadership through a written submission. He indicated that the contents of the letter would be made public after the conclusion of the meeting.

Congress MLA Pargat Singh echoed that position while maintaining that legislators remained prepared to express their personal opinions if the Jathedar sought individual responses during the interaction. His remarks highlighted the delicate balance political parties are attempting to maintain between party discipline and personal accountability on matters involving religious sensitivities.

Sources also indicated that the Akal Takht leadership may hold separate discussions with Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and members of the state cabinet regarding possible amendments to the legislation. Such a move would signal that the institution is seeking engagement and correction rather than confrontation, while also keeping open the possibility of revisiting contentious provisions of the law.

The composition of the Punjab Assembly has added another layer of complexity to the proceedings. Out of the state’s 117 legislators, 89 are Sikh while 28 belong to non-Sikh communities. The Akal Takht summoned Sikh lawmakers for personal appearance but requested written submissions from non-Sikh legislators regarding their views on the legislation.

Religious protocol also influenced the format of the hearing. Of the Sikh legislators, approximately 50 are keshadhari Sikhs, while 38 are considered patit Sikhs under traditional Sikh norms. Established conventions of the Akal Takht do not permit patit Sikhs to appear in the front courtyard of the institution for such proceedings. As a result, authorities shifted the interaction to the new secretariat building to accommodate all legislators together under a common arrangement.

The developments underline the continuing influence of religious institutions in Punjab’s public life and the unique political landscape of the state, where decisions involving Sikh faith and traditions often carry consequences far beyond the legislative chamber.

For the Bhagwant Mann government, the proceedings represent a politically sensitive moment that could shape both public perception and future legislative strategy. For opposition parties, the hearing provides an opportunity to question the government’s handling of religious issues while positioning themselves as defenders of Sikh institutions.

For the Akal Takht, Monday’s interaction represents an assertion of moral and religious authority at a time when questions surrounding sacrilege, religious respect and institutional consultation continue to resonate deeply across Punjab.

The outcome of these discussions may not only determine the future of the Satkar Act but could also redefine the relationship between Punjab’s elected government and the state’s highest Sikh religious institutions for years to come.