Chandigarh, June 29
In the matter of the important legislation related to the Sikh faith, the “Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026,” Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon has raised serious questions over Punjab government ministers and legislators giving their consent to the bill without reading it. He said this clearly shows that the Bhagwant Mann government, its ministers, legislators, and AAP leaders—especially Arvind Kejriwal—are merely indulging in politics over the issue of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and are playing with Sikh sentiments.
Dhillon said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself did not appear along with the ministers and legislators, even though Akal Takht had directed all legislators to appear. He said Bhagwant Mann, before becoming Chief Minister, is also an elected legislator. By not appearing in this crucial matter concerning Sikh sentiments, he has once again attempted to disrespect Akal Takht Sahib.
Dhillon also questioned AAP legislators seeking permission from Arvind Kejriwal before appearing before Akal Takht Sahib. He said that on one hand, the Aam Aadmi Party claims to regard Akal Takht Sahib as supreme, while on the other hand, its legislators need approval from Arvind Kejriwal, who came from Delhi, before appearing there. He asked whether Kejriwal has become greater than Akal Takht Sahib for AAP legislators.
Dhillon said that it was only due to the gross incompetence and legal flaws of the AAP government that Akal Takht Sahib had to intervene directly. He said that before passing any Sikh religious legislation, the government should have obtained the consent of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Akal Takht Sahib, but intoxicated by power, the government ignored all established religious norms and protocols.
Dhillon further said that now, after the government has bowed before the directives of Akal Takht Sahib and given a written assurance to amend the law within one month, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should also abandon his stubbornness and arrogance. For the Sikh community, nothing stands above the supremacy of Akal Takht Sahib. No Chief Minister or politician can be greater than Takht Sahib. Bhagwant Mann should learn from Sikh history and, instead of creating direct confrontation with the supreme institution, should immediately appear before it and accept his mistake; otherwise, the people of Punjab will never forgive him.