Chandigarh, June 28. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said all Sikh MLAs and ministers will appear before the Akal Takht in Amritsar on Monday (June 29) over the issue of sacrilege law. Mann’s statement came after a closed-door meeting with party MLAs in Amritsar to decide the future course of action in view of the instructions of the highest Sikh body Akal Takht.
CM Bhagwant Mann gave information to the media in Amritsar
Bhagwant Mann held a press conference in Amritsar after the meeting, in which Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who was on a three-day visit to Punjab, was also present. Mann informed that the party’s Sikh MLAs and ministers will appear before the Akal Takht.
With National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal during an important press conference, LIVE from Amritsar.
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With National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal during an important press conference, LIVE from Amritsar.— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) June 28, 2026
MLAs and ministers will present their views in writing
However, Kejriwal limited himself to the construction of a grand temple dedicated to Luv-Kush and Mata Janaki near the Lord Valmiki temple in Amritsar. Mann told reporters, ‘Our MLAs and ministers will go there and present their views in written form.’
The Jathedar of Akal Takht had summoned Sikh MLAs and Sikh ministers of all parties.
It is noteworthy that on June 15, Akal Takht’s Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj had summoned Sikh MLAs and Sikh ministers of all parties to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29 on the issue of sacrilege law. Non-Sikh cabinet ministers have been asked to submit their views on the matter in writing before June 29.
‘Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar’ (Amendment) Act2026 But Akal Takht has objection
Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee have raised objection to the sacrilege law ‘Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar’ (Amendment) Act, 2026. He says that this law has been made without consulting the Sikh sect. Akal Takht, the supreme religious body of the Sikhs, had earlier asked the state government to remove provisions from the sacrilege law that are against the Guru Granth Sahib, the Khalsa Panth and the sentiments of the ‘Sangat’ (Sikh community).
The Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was passed unanimously by the Punjab Assembly on April 13. In this, there is a provision for strict punishment including life imprisonment for any act related to sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.
Sikh MLAs from other parties have already confirmed to appear before the Akal Takht
Sikh MLAs from other parties have already confirmed that they will appear before the Akal Takht. Asked whether he would appear before the Akal Takht, the Chief Minister said he had not been summoned. Mann said, ‘Our MLAs and cabinet ministers will present the government’s side. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan will also go there.
He said, ‘Whatever suggestions come from Akal Takht or Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), we will discuss them.’ Responding to a question related to a purported video, the Chief Minister said that he would send the video clip to Akal Takht, in which a person is seen wearing a mask resembling him.
Mann said – Fake video was prepared by making someone wear his mask
Mann said that he will present his stand in writing before the supreme body of the Sikhs and will also tell that a fake video has been prepared by showing someone wearing his mask. He said that Akal Takht Sahib is at the top. The Chief Minister said that his reverence for it could be gauged from the fact that when he was earlier called to appear before the Akal Takht, he appeared there instead of attending the President’s programme.
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