Senior Advocate H. S. Phoolka has raised serious concerns over the sacrilege-related bill recently passed by the Punjab Legislative Assembly. In a strongly worded statement, Phoolka alleged that the proposed legislation could allow the government to interfere in matters related to Sikh religious affairs.
Phoolka expressed gratitude to the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, for summoning Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8 to discuss the controversial legislation. According to him, the decision to call the Assembly Speaker reflects the seriousness with which the Sikh religious leadership is viewing the issue.
Speaking about the matter, Phoolka claimed that the Punjab government appears to be trying to gain control over Sikh religious affairs through the proposed law. He questioned why the bill was introduced without consultation with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the statutory body responsible for managing Sikh gurdwaras and religious matters.
Phoolka referred to the historic Nehru–Tara Singh Pact and said the understanding clearly stated that any law affecting Sikh religious affairs should not be introduced without consulting the SGPC. According to him, bypassing this process raises serious questions about the government’s intentions.
He also expressed concern about a specific provision in the bill related to the “custodian” clause. Phoolka explained that under the proposed framework, even a non-Sikh employee working in someone’s household could potentially file a complaint regarding the prakash of the Guru Granth Sahib. Once such a complaint is made, an FIR could be registered and the investigation might be handled by a police officer of DSP rank.
Phoolka argued that this provision could create room for unnecessary legal action and interference in religious practices. He also pointed out that the investigation could be conducted by any DSP-level officer, irrespective of religion, which he believes could lead to complications in sensitive religious matters.
During his remarks, Phoolka also criticized the state leadership and indirectly targeted Bhagwant Mann. He alleged that the Chief Minister had earlier made remarks that were perceived by some members of the Sikh community as insensitive. However, the state government has not yet issued any official response to these claims.
Phoolka further urged the SGPC to start an awareness campaign to inform the Sikh community about the implications of the proposed legislation. He said people should understand that, under the guise of law, there could be attempts to interfere with matters related to the Guru Granth Sahib.
The issue has now sparked a wider debate in Punjab, with religious bodies, political leaders, and community members closely watching the developments. Supporters of stronger anti-sacrilege laws argue that strict measures are necessary to protect religious sentiments. At the same time, critics fear that vague provisions could result in legal misuse and unwanted intervention in religious affairs.
With the Akal Takht leadership stepping in and the Assembly Speaker being summoned for discussion, the controversy surrounding the sacrilege bill is likely to remain at the center of political and religious discourse in Punjab in the coming days.