Amritsar-Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has convened a big Panthic conference at Baba Bakala Sahib on May 31, 2026, regarding the provisions in the “Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026” that are against Sikh sentiments.
This information was shared by SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami while addressing the media in Amritsar on Tuesday.
Advocate Dhami said that, under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Panthic meetings had recently been held at various places where the Sikh sangat expressed the need for a large collective gathering of all Sikh organizations to discuss this serious issue. He said many Sikh scholars had also suggested holding such a conference. Following consultations with SGPC members, the programme was finalised today.
He clarified that the Panthic gathering was not being organized for confrontation, but to represent the objections and concerns of the Sikh community. He appealed to all Sikh organizations, including the Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh jathebandis, Nirmala and Udasi Sampradas, Kar Sewa saints, and Sikh federations to participate in large numbers.
Advocate Dhami stated that whenever amendments concerning Sikh-related laws were made in the past, the SGPC had formally passed resolutions and submitted them to the government. He cited the amendments related to reservation for women in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1925 and the 2008 legislation regarding the printing and publication of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, both of which were preceded by SGPC resolutions.
He further said that the government’s amendment concerning Sehajdharis had been struck down because no resolution regarding it had been passed by the SGPC. However, in the present case, the government neither shared the draft amendment with the SGPC nor with Sri Akal Takht Sahib before introducing the law. He said this was the reason several provisions in the amended Act do not align with Sikh principles, as the law was framed without consultation with Sikh organizations.
Clarifying another issue, Advocate Dhami said the provision in the 2008 Satkar Act regarding informing the Deputy Commissioner was linked only to the procurement and bheta of holy saroops from external publishers, since the Act had granted SGPC exclusive authority over the publication of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
He said there was no opposition to punishing those responsible for sacrilege under the amended Act. However, Sikh congregations have objections to certain provisions and terminology relating to Sikh maryada (religious code of conduct), which they believe go against Sikh sentiments.
Advocate Dhami asserted that the government should not adopt an adamant approach in matters concerning Sikh sentiments. Referring to observations made by the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice of India in a petition matter, he said even the judiciary had emphasised that interference in religious matters should be avoided. Governments, he added, should understand this spirit and stay away from Sikh religious affairs.
Among those present on the occasion were SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, former president Alvinderpal Singh Pakhoke, members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhai Amarjit Singh Chawla, Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Bhai Gurbakhsh Singh Khalsa, Jarnail Singh Dogranwala, Mohan Singh Bangi, Kaur Singh, Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan, Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra, Jasmer Singh Lachhru, OSD Satbir Singh, secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, engineer Sukhminder Singh, personal secretary Shahbaz Singh and assistant secretary Harbhajan Singh Vakta.