Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says all Sikh MLAs to look earlier than Akal Takht over anti-sacrilege regulation
All Sikh MLAs and cupboard ministers will seem earlier than the Akal Takht, which summoned them on June 29 relating to the anti-sacrilege regulation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated on Sunday.
His assertion got here after a closed-door assembly with the social gathering MLAs in Amritsar to determine the plan of action in view of the instructions of the Akal Takht, the very best temporal seat of Sikhs.
Following the assembly, Mann held a press convention in Amritsar the place he was flanked by AAP nationwide convener Arvind Kejriwalwho was on a three-day go to to Punjab.
Mann shared particulars that the social gathering’s Sikh MLAs and ministers will seem earlier than the Akal Takhtwhile Kejriwal restricted himself to talking about constructing a grand temple devoted to Luv-Kush and Mata Janaki close to the Bhagwan Valmiki Temple in Amritsar.
Our MLAs and ministers will go there and current their sides in writing, Mann stated whereas chatting with reporters in Amritsar.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, on June 15, had summoned all Sikh MLAs, no matter social gathering affiliation, and the Sikh ministers earlier than the Akal Takht on June 29 relating to the anti-sacrilege regulation.
Non-Sikh cupboard ministers have been requested to submit their views in writing on the matter earlier than 29 June.
The Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had raised objections to the anti-sacrilege regulation — Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Modification) Act, 2026 — saying it was enacted with out consulting the Sikh Panth.
The Akal Takht had earlier requested the state authorities to take away provisions from the anti-sacrilege Act that are “towards the Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth and the feelings of the ‘Sangat’ (Sikh group).”
Already, Sikh MLAs from different events have confirmed they’ll seem earlier than the Akal Takht.
Replying to a query whether or not he’ll seem earlier than the Akal Takht, the chief minister stated he has not been summoned.
“Our MLAs and cupboard ministers will current the federal government facet. Punjab Meeting Speaker (Kultar Singh Sandhwan) will even go.
No matter options come from the Akal Takht or SGPC, we are going to talk about the identical,” stated Mann, who was accompanied by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
Replying to a different query over a purported video, Mann stated he’ll ship the clip, during which an individual could possibly be seen carrying a masks resembling his, to the Akal Takht.
Mann stated he will even current his facet in writing to the very best temporal seat of Sikhs, mentioning {that a} faux video has been made by placing a masks on somebody.
Stating that the Akal Takht Sahib is above all the pieces, he stated his reverence for it’s evident from the truth that when he was earlier summoned, he even skipped a operate of the President of India to look earlier than it.
Replying to a query that the opposition events are accusing him of difficult the authority of the Akal Takht, Mann stated, “I couldn’t even consider doing it.”
Nonetheless, when political appointees occupying non secular positions begin taking one-sided selections to appease their political masters, questions naturally come up, he stated.
Mann stated hoardings are being put up outdoors gurdwaras “to make the individuals conscious in regards to the order issued by the Akal Takht Sahib”.
He questioned why related boards weren’t put in towards Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal when he was declared “tankhaiya” (responsible of non secular misconduct).
Hoardings calling for his social boycott are being put in outdoors gurdwaras at many locations by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Responding to a query, he stated individuals attend his public conferences in massive numbers and even honour him with ‘sirpoas’.
“Generally in a village the place SGPC has put a board of boycott, villagers numbering 4,000-5,000 gathered (in a ‘Lok Milni’),” he stated.
Mann accused the Congress, Akalis and the BJP of becoming a member of arms to focus on him for political features by making an attempt to offer a spiritual color to the problem.
Replying to a query on the SGPC deciding to carry a gathering on July 5 to unfold consciousness amongst Sikh congregations relating to the Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s directives, Mann stated it will possibly achieve this at any time.
To a query relating to the Maharashtra authorities’s current choice to repeal the 70-year-old Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956, Mann stated it shouldn’t intervene within the affairs of the Sikh group.
