Chandigarh: The Akal Takht, the Sikh faith’s highest secular physique, summoned Punjab Vidhan Sabha Chairman Kurtar Singh Sandwan on Might 8 to clarify its stand within the Home on passing essential amendments to the Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008.
Talking at a press convention after a gathering of representatives of a number of Sikh organizations, Jathedar of Akal Takht mentioned: Gianni Kuldip Singh Gargazimentioned the legislation was handed in a “whole bypass” of the Akal Takht, though the advert hoc physique and the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) had recommended consultations with the Punjab authorities.
“Nevertheless, the federal government has chosen to disregard the Akal Takht, the central establishment that protects Sikhism and Islam. one time (code of conduct). That is unacceptable. A lot of the representatives of Sikh organizations who met at present had been of the view that this legislation ought to be rejected by the Akal Takht. It has been determined to summon the audio system to the Akal Takht to clarify their stand earlier than any motion is taken as per the calls for of the Sikh our bodies,” Gargazi mentioned.
On April 13, the Punjab Meeting, throughout a particular session convened by Mr. Baisakhi, handed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Modification) Invoice, 2026, which offers for: extra strict Punishment for blasphemy in opposition to Guru Granth Sahib, thought of by Sikhs to be their residing Guru. Every week later, the invoice obtained approval from the governor.
2008 Act and its amendments
The unique 2008 Act was primarily regulatory in nature and geared toward regulating the printing and distribution of the Guru Granth Sahib by events aside from the SGPC, the regulatory physique for Sikh Gurdwaras. The 2026 modification turned this right into a prison legislation to discourage those that flout it.
The legislation, which was introduced in June 2008 when the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP alliance was in energy within the state, offers for a ban on “printing, publication, storage or distribution of the Guru Granth Sahib by any authority or entity past the SGPC” and the one penalty was two years’ imprisonment and a tremendous.
The amended legislation introduces a blasphemy factor into the legislation and offers for a graduated however harsh penalty regime with penalties starting from seven years to life imprisonment and fines starting from Rs 200,000 to Rs 2.5 million.
The modification additionally introduces a custodianship regime, defining a “custodian” because the individual or establishment answerable for the custody of the saroop (approved copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib, and imposing a authorized obligation to make sure its safety.
“We aren’t against the federal government introducing provisions associated to blasphemy and imposing harsh punishments on the culprits. Nevertheless, on the problem of regulating the printing and distribution of Guru Granth Sahib, who’s our residing guru, the federal government ought to have consulted us after which proceeded with the modifications. The Speaker has been requested to look on Might 8 to clarify the federal government’s motives behind the transfer,” Gargazi mentioned on Sunday.
The Jathedar additionally objected to the usage of the time period “custodian” for many who: his (Religious service) of Guru Granth Sahib.
“Nobody may be the custodian of the Guru. He’s our custodian. We’re the Sevadars. The federal government can’t even be anticipated to make use of the proper phrases to check with the Guru on this legislation. Additionally, how can they set up monitoring units within the Guru Granth Sahib? Is he our Guru? And the federal government is asking us to publish the data of everybody who has been supplied the Guru Granth Sahib. Does not that info promote blasphemy? The federal government and its representatives do not know the right way to keep it. Mariada Guru’s,” he added.
On Thursday, SGPC suspended the supply of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. very (Commit) and Gurdwara Sahib until Might twentieth in view of the 2008 amendments to the legislation.
political affect
The Akal Takht’s summoning of the Speaker can also be politically essential. The passage of the amended legislation has been hailed as a “recreation changer” by the ruling Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) forward of parliamentary elections scheduled to be held early subsequent yr.
Throughout a particular session of the Vidhan Sabha on Friday, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s treasury bench handed a decision praising itself for efficiently enacting laws to ban blasphemy, a difficulty that has dominated state politics for greater than a decade. Mann additionally introduced that he’ll lead a four-day ‘Shukrana Yatra’ throughout Punjab beginning Wednesday.
The Akal Takht’s summoning of the Speaker in the midst of the yatra is anticipated to weaken the ruling social gathering’s self-congratulatory stance.
(Edited by Manat Chu)
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