Chandigarh: Nearly a fortnight before the deadline set by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Punjab govt on Wednesday constituted a seven-member committee to coordinate with the five-member panel formed by Akal Takht to examine objections to provisions of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.The state panel comprises former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa, Sant Baba Sewa Singh of Rampur Khera, Justices Jaspal Singh and Gurbir Singh (retd), former IPS officer and former Punjab Public Service Commission chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh, and law officer Preet Inder Pal Singh.An order issued by the home department said the panel would maintain continuous coordination with the Akal Takht-appointed committee, hold discussions and consultations, and submit recommendations and reports to the state govt for further action.The move follows the enactment of the amended anti-sacrilege law in April. Akal Takht had objected to several provisions, particularly those relating to the terminology and treatment of Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops, the definition and role of a “custodian” and a proposed centralised record of saroops. It maintained that such matters required consideration by the Panth and could not be decided by the state.After Sikh ministers and MLAs who supported the legislation appeared before Akal Takht on June 29, the Sikh clergy directed the govt to address the objections and make corrective amendments within a month.The govt submitted its written response on July 29, but Akal Takht rejected it the next day as unsatisfactory and constituted a five-member panel comprising Justice Rupinder Singh Sodhi (retd), Justice Mohinder Mohan Singh Bedi (retd), senior advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Sikh scholar Dr Kehar Singh Patiala and professor Jagmohan Singh.After a meeting on Aug 7, the panel said the govt’s response had failed to address the fundamental objections and sought a compliance report on Akal Takht’s June 29 directive before further deliberations on the legislation.Akal Takht has proposed at least 10 changes across five clauses of the amended law, including removal of references to a “custodian”.
