The Akal Takht on Monday declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann a “Guru Dokhi” (one opposed to the Guru) and “Panth Virodhi” (against the Sikh community), citing an objectionable video allegedly showing him engaged in conduct that hurt Sikh religious sentiments.
Announcing the decision from the “faseel” (platform) of the highest Sikh temporal authority, the Sikh clergy led by Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj called upon members of the Sikh Panth to sever social and religious ties with Mann. The stern directive followed a key meeting attended by various Sikh organisations amid growing opposition to certain provisions of the recently enacted Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.
Apart from censuring the chief minister, the Sikh clergy also directed all Sikh legislators and cabinet ministers who had signed or supported the anti-sacrilege legislation to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29.
The development marks a further escalation in the dispute after the Akal Takht had earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Punjab government, demanding the removal of what it described as “objectionable clauses” from the law. Observers had anticipated a stronger response from the Sikh religious authority if its concerns remained unaddressed.
The anti-sacrilege legislation, which amended the original 2008 Act, was passed unanimously by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during a special one-day session held on April 13. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria granted assent to the Bill on April 17, following which the state government formally notified it on April 20.
While the law introduces stringent penalties, including life imprisonment and fines of up to ₹25 lakh for acts of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib, controversy has emerged over certain administrative provisions contained in the legislation.
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The disagreement became official on May 8 when the Akal Takht formally rejected the amended law after Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan appeared before the Sikh body to explain the government’s position. Following the interaction, the Akal Takht issued its ultimatum, demanding the removal of provisions it said interfered with ‘Panthic’ affairs and hurt Sikh sentiments.
In a subsequent letter sent to the Speaker on May 11, the Akal Takht outlined its principal objections. Among the most contentious provisions was the requirement that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) maintain a digital registry of all saroops, or copies, of the Guru Granth Sahib.
According to the Sikh clergy, such provisions effectively bring the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh religious institutions, ‘granthis’, ‘pathis’, gurdwara management committees and ‘sewadars’ within the ambit of a state-regulated legal framework.
The Akal Takht has strongly maintained that these measures constitute direct governmental interference in Sikh religious affairs and undermine the autonomy of Sikh institutions.
Despite mounting pressure from religious bodies and the June 29 summons issued to Sikh legislators, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has remained firm in his stand. He has repeatedly defended the legislation and asserted that the Punjab government has no intention of withdrawing, amending or diluting the law.
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