Amritsar-A large Panthic conference was held today at Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Nauvin, Baba Bakala Sahib, under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The conference was convened to discuss the provisions of the ‘Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026’ passed by the Punjab Government, particularly those provisions to which the Khalsa Panth has expressed objections.
The conference was attended by SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Amarjit Singh, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Tek Singh, Giani Baljit Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh, Misal Shaheedan Tarna Dal chief Baba Nihal Singh Hariyan Velan, Dal Baba Bidhi Chand chief Baba Avtar Singh Sursingh, Tarna Dal Baba Bakala Sahib chief Baba Joga Singh, along with representatives of various Sikh sampradas, organizations, intellectuals, and a large number of Sangat from across Punjab.
Speakers unanimously stressed that the flaws and objectionable provisions in the Act must be removed immediately. They stated that the government should abandon its rigid attitude and amend the Act in accordance with the Sikh sentiments.
Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that the law passed by the government is "sweet poison" and cannot be accepted by the community as it endangers the future of the Panth. He described it as an attempt by the government to directly interfere in Sikh institutions, a move that the Sikh community fully understands.
He stated that while the Khalsa Panth supports strict punishment for those guilty of sacrilege, there are serious objections to provisions concerning Sikh religious code (Maryada) and religious functionaries (Sewadars). According to him, the Punjab Legislative Assembly, through this law, has attempted to exercise control over both the Guru Granth and the Guru Panth.
He emphasized that the Punjab Legislative Assembly neither represents the Guru Khalsa Panth nor has the authority to determine religious doctrines and practices. Such actions amount to interference in the Panth’s rights. Governments come and go, he said, but Sri Akal Takht Sahib is eternal, and no government can impose regulations on Sikhs without their consent.
Jathedar Gargajj further remarked that the real issue was to arrest and severely punish those responsible for acts of sacrilege. He urged Sikhs to recognize the forces that have been repeatedly attacking the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji over a long period. The Jathedar also referred to the pattern of past sacrilege incidents of 1978, 1984, 2001 and 2015. He said that in 2015 sacrilege cases head of the Dera Sirsa Gurmeet Ram Rahim was involved, yet the government has neither brought him to Punjab after arrest nor ensured punishment to him. He also said that government lawyers' failure to stop the transfer of sacrilege-related cases outside Punjab has helped protect the accused.
The Jathedar noted that the government had been given 15 days to respond, a period that has now expired, yet no effort has been made to address Sikh objections. He strongly criticized Punjab chief minister for making arrogant statements, which are viewed as a direct challenge to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The Jathedar announced that after the Martyrdom Week commemorating the June 1984 Ghallughara, a gathering of the Five Singh Sahibs would be convened at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to take strict decision on the government's conduct. He added that a firm decision would then be made, addressing not the government but the Khalsa Panth.
Speaking on the occasion, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that no one objects to stringent punishment for those guilty of sacrilege. However, certain provisions in the Act, he argued, could distance Sikh Sangat from Gurbani.
He stated that despite continuous objections from Sikh scholars and the Sikh community, the government's stubborn attitude reflects an anti-Sikh mentality. He said that the large turnout at today's conference demonstrated that Sikhs would not tolerate government interference in their religious affairs.
Advocate Dhami urged the government to understand Sikh sentiments and immediately remove the objectionable provisions from the Act. He also presented a resolution reflecting Panthic sentiments, which was approved by all Sikh organizations and the assembled congregation amid enthusiastic slogans of approval.
On the same occasion, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, Baba Balbir Singh (96th Karori), Baba Nihal Singh Hariyan Velan also addressed the gathering, calling on the government to respect Sikh sentiments and withdraw the objectionable provisions.
Several other Sikh leaders, scholars, religious figures, and representatives of Sikh institutions also addressed the conference. A large number of prominent Sikh personalities and devotees from across Punjab were present.