A number of MLAs from Punjab throughout get together strains admitted in Akal Takht on Monday that they handed the anti-blasphemy invoice with out studying its contents and claimed that copies of the invoice have been distributed solely on the final minute.
The Akal Takht, the momentary apex of Sikhism, has summoned Sikh MLAs and ministers over varied objections to the provisions of the lately enacted legislation, Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Modification) Act, 2026. Takht claims that the invoice was handed with out consulting the ruling Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP) authorities, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and others. Sikh officers.
A number of specialists mentioned that in a vibrant democracy, it’s “prison and irresponsible” for lawmakers to cross legal guidelines that have an effect on folks’s lives with out studying them. Additionally they expressed concern that delicate payments are being handed “inside minutes and sometimes with out significant debate.”
“Each invoice has to undergo three rounds of debate – introduction, detailed debate, scrutiny and at last a vote. Broadly talking, the method is similar in each Parliament and Parliament. However these constitutional ensures are not often adopted,” mentioned Ashutosh Kumar, a political science professor at Panjab College in Chandigarh.
Elaborating, Mr. Kumar mentioned that the primary studying is the formal introduction of the invoice, whereas the second studying is crucial stage and contains detailed dialogue, clause-by-clause scrutiny and, if essential, referral to a choose committee for wider session. Third studying is the ultimate vote earlier than the invoice goes to the president or governor for approval, he added.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann speaks at a ‘public assembly’ held at Gajwas village in Patiala. (@BhagwantMann X/ANI picture)
“Now, second studying, which is the guts of the legislative course of, is now not taken significantly. Payments, together with in Punjab, are handed inside minutes with none debate. Many MPs now take into account constituency work as their main duty relatively than laws. It’s a good larger circus on the state degree, the place a number of payments are handed in fast succession with out an MLA studying a single phrase,” Kumar mentioned.
He additionally criticized the rising observe of passing payments within the absence of opposition events. “It’s prison and irresponsible to cross the invoice with out studying or discussing it… It was a grave mistake to not seek the advice of the Akal Takht on such (anti-blasphemy) invoice,” he mentioned.
“No response to inquiries”
Paramvir Singh, a professor on the Division of Sikh Encyclopedia at Punjab College in Patiala and a member of the SGPC’s Sikh Historical past Analysis Committee, mentioned he’s a part of the 15-member SGPC committee constituted to advise the Punjab authorities on a separate proposed anti-sacred legislation, the Punjab Crimes In opposition to Bible Invoice, 2025, which covers all non secular texts. religion.
The All Faiths Invoice, 2025 continues to be into consideration after it was referred by the state meeting to a particular committee headed by AAP MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar in July final yr.
“First, the federal government didn’t reply any of our questions or share any particulars concerning the proposed new legislation in 2025 to guard scriptures of all faiths, together with the Gita, Ramayana, Quran and Bible. “With out consulting the SGPC or the Akal Takoot, they’ve secretly launched the 2026 amendments which can be particular to the Shri Guru Granth Sahib, which is separate from the earlier 2008 legislation. Legally, our committee was by no means consulted concerning the 2026 amendments,” he mentioned.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargazi. (Categorical picture)
Singh termed the MLA’s approval as “extraordinarily disappointing” and mentioned it had set a improper precedent by permitting lawmakers to cross such a delicate legislation with out studying it.
Dr Kehar Singh, former professor and head of the political science division at Punjab College, mentioned the episode mirrored a “disturbing nationwide pattern”.
“It has grow to be an unhealthy observe for MPs and MLAs to cross legal guidelines with out studying them. This duty has successfully fallen to a choose few. The anti-sacred invoice was handed in haste. It was by no means circulated prematurely and MPs weren’t given time to think about it. The federal government appeared extra involved in scoring political factors than making certain correct legislative scrutiny,” he mentioned.
Referring to the Akal Takht proceedings, he added, “For Sikhs, we can not lie in entrance of the Akal Takht. That’s the reason the MLA admitted that he didn’t learn the invoice.”
Former Punjab Congress president Rana Okay.P. Singh additionally echoed such views. “What occurred right this moment exhibits how significantly members of Congress deal with delicate laws. Members of the Home should be given ample time to check and suppose by proposed laws earlier than voting on it,” he mentioned.
“Anti-defection Regulation Hyperlink”
Senior Congress chief and MP Manish Tewari argued that whereas MPs have a constitutional and ethical obligation to learn the total textual content of a invoice earlier than supporting it, the anti-defection legislation considerably curtails the unbiased judgment of the legislature.
“Each time a invoice is launched within the Home of Commons, it’s obligatory for all MPs and MLAs to learn it phrase by phrase earlier than saying ‘sure’. However the issue lies within the Tenth Schedule of the Structure, generally often known as the anti-defection legislation. As soon as the get together whip is issued, In consequence, MPs are sometimes unable to train their conscience, signify the considerations of their constituencies, and train unbiased judgment, as disobedience to the whip may result in disqualification. That is very unlucky,” Tewari mentioned.
