Akal Takht Panel Refuses Talks Until Punjab Stays Sacrilege Lawਅਕਾਲ ਤਖ਼ਤ ਕਮੇਟੀ: ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ’ਤੇ ਰੋਕ ਤੱਕ ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਨਹੀਂ

The Akal Takht-appointed expert committee has told the Punjab government it will hold no further talks on the anti-sacrilege law until the state completely stays its implementation. The panel took the decision at a meeting in Anandpur Sahib on Saturday, November 7.

What did the Akal Takht panel decide?

After what it called detailed deliberations, the committee said the government must fully stay the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, in line with the Akal Takht's June 29 directions, and submit details of the action taken so far. Only then, it said, can dialogue move forward.

Who attended the meeting?

Acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, retired justices Rupinder Singh Sodhi and Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi, senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh and Prof Jagmohan Singh, according to the Times of India and Hindustan Times.

Why did the panel meet now?

On October 23, the nodal officer of the coordination committee set up by the Punjab government wrote to the Akal Takht secretariat seeking a meeting with the expert panel. The letter was forwarded to the panel's coordinator, who convened Saturday's meeting.

What is the panel's complaint against the government?

Members said the panel had asked for a compliance report through a press statement on August 7, but none has been submitted. They also said the state took no concrete steps despite Akal Takht directions to Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on May 8 and to cabinet ministers and MLAs on June 29. The Punjabi Tribune reports the panel said the Act should not be implemented until consensus is reached with the Akal Takht.

What does the law say?

Passed unanimously by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha at a special session on April 13, the amendment tightens punishment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, including life imprisonment and fines of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, Hindustan Times reports. The Akal Takht has objected to its Sikh terminology, the definition of the text's custodian, numbering of holy Birs and a lack of prior consultation. The government formed a seven-member coordination committee on September 16 to hold talks.

Has the government responded?

None of the reports opened for this story carried a government response to Saturday's statement. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has earlier said the Akal Takht is supreme but the law against sacrilege will not be diluted, as Hindustan Times has reported.

What did the Akal Takht panel ask the Punjab government to do?

It asked the government to completely stay the Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 and submit a report on action taken on the June 29 directions before any talks.

Who is on the Punjab government's coordination committee?

It has seven members, including former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa and retired justices Jaspal Singh and Gurbir Singh.