Akal Takht deadline a week away, govt panel yet to contact its panel
Chandigarh: The seven-member panel constituted by Punjab govt on Sept 16 is yet to establish any contact with the Akal Takht -formed five-member panel even as the two-month deadline given by Akal Takht to address objections to certain provisions in the anti-sacrilege law approaches in a week’s time on Sept 30.
Also, even after the lapse of one week since it was formed, there has been no meeting among the members of the govt-constituted panel.
While constituting the panel a fortnight ahead of the Akal Takht deadline, Punjab home department had noted that the panel will establish continuous coordination, hold discussions and remain in touch with the Akal Takht-formed panel. The seven-member panel is mandated to submit a report to Punjab govt giving suggestions for further necessary action in the matter.
Wishing not to be named, a member of the govt-constituted panel on Wednesday told TOI that there has been no meeting so far nor any date fixed for any meeting in the coming days. “Someone has to coordinate with all members for a meeting. But, no such exercise has been done so far,” said he.
The seven members in the govt-constituted panel are former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa, Baba Sewa Singh of Rampur Khera, Justice Jaspal Singh (retd), Justice Gurbir Singh (retd), retired IPS officer and Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) ex-chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh and law official Preet Inder Paul Singh.
Giani Raghbir Singh was not available for comment nor was Punjab home secretary Alok Shekhar.
The members of Akal Takht-formed panel are Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi (retd), Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi (retd), senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh Patiala, and Ludhiana-based Professor Jagmohan Singh. Advocate Hundal on Tuesday (Sept 22) said, “The govt formed the committee close to the Akal Takht deadline and the panel has not contacted us so far. On our own, we cannot ask them to talk to us. They should take the initiative.”
An SGPC official on Wednesday said, “Neither anyone from the govt or the govt constituted panel has established any contact with the Akal Takht panel so far.”
After the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 was enacted in April, Akal Takht objected to several provisions of the amended law, particularly those relating to the terminology and treatment of Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops, the definition and role of a custodian, and the proposed centralised record of saroops, while arguing that such matters required consideration from the Panth and could not be determined by the state. Akal Takht then summoned Sikh ministers and MLAs who had supported the legislation to appear before it, and following their appearance on June 29, directed Punjab govt to address the objections and make corrective amendments within a month. Govt submitted its response on July 29, a day before the deadline, but Akal Takht rejected it on July 30, terming it unsatisfactory.
The same day it formed the five-member panel. The next day, on July 31, the Akal Takht secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh shot off a letter to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan , copies of which were also marked to Punjab chief secretary and Amritsar deputy commissioner, asking the govt to establish contact with Akal Takht-formed panel, build consensus regarding the law, and complete the process within two months.
Also, even after the lapse of one week since it was formed, there has been no meeting among the members of the govt-constituted panel.
While constituting the panel a fortnight ahead of the Akal Takht deadline, Punjab home department had noted that the panel will establish continuous coordination, hold discussions and remain in touch with the Akal Takht-formed panel. The seven-member panel is mandated to submit a report to Punjab govt giving suggestions for further necessary action in the matter.
Wishing not to be named, a member of the govt-constituted panel on Wednesday told TOI that there has been no meeting so far nor any date fixed for any meeting in the coming days. “Someone has to coordinate with all members for a meeting. But, no such exercise has been done so far,” said he.
The seven members in the govt-constituted panel are former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa, Baba Sewa Singh of Rampur Khera, Justice Jaspal Singh (retd), Justice Gurbir Singh (retd), retired IPS officer and Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) ex-chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh and law official Preet Inder Paul Singh.
Giani Raghbir Singh was not available for comment nor was Punjab home secretary Alok Shekhar.
The members of Akal Takht-formed panel are Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi (retd), Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi (retd), senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh Patiala, and Ludhiana-based Professor Jagmohan Singh. Advocate Hundal on Tuesday (Sept 22) said, “The govt formed the committee close to the Akal Takht deadline and the panel has not contacted us so far. On our own, we cannot ask them to talk to us. They should take the initiative.”
An SGPC official on Wednesday said, “Neither anyone from the govt or the govt constituted panel has established any contact with the Akal Takht panel so far.”
After the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act 2026 was enacted in April, Akal Takht objected to several provisions of the amended law, particularly those relating to the terminology and treatment of Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops, the definition and role of a custodian, and the proposed centralised record of saroops, while arguing that such matters required consideration from the Panth and could not be determined by the state. Akal Takht then summoned Sikh ministers and MLAs who had supported the legislation to appear before it, and following their appearance on June 29, directed Punjab govt to address the objections and make corrective amendments within a month. Govt submitted its response on July 29, a day before the deadline, but Akal Takht rejected it on July 30, terming it unsatisfactory.
The same day it formed the five-member panel. The next day, on July 31, the Akal Takht secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh shot off a letter to Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan , copies of which were also marked to Punjab chief secretary and Amritsar deputy commissioner, asking the govt to establish contact with Akal Takht-formed panel, build consensus regarding the law, and complete the process within two months.
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