Clamour against anti-sacrilege law grows

Chandigarh: A day after the Akal Takht-led congregation at Takht Damdama Sahib against provisions of the Jaagat Jot Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, a section of Sikh jurists and scholars on Monday demanded complete repeal of both the 2008 law and the 2026 amendment, asserting that no govt had the authority to legislate on matters concerning the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib.Addressing a press conference at Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Justice Nirmal Singh (retd), advocate Puran Singh Hundal, Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian, former IAS officer Gurtej Singh, Paramjit Singh Gazi, journalist Jaspal Singh Sidhu, Prof Davinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh urged Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj not to negotiate amendments to the law and instead press for its repeal.The speakers said matters relating to the reverence and sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib rested solely with the Panth and could not be subjected to "state control, bureaucratic regulation or police administration". They argued that the Sikh Panth should evolve its own internal mechanism to deal with sacrilege cases.Justice Nirmal Singh (retd) said both the parent 2008 Act and the amendment should be declared "null and void". He questioned how the sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib would be maintained if it became "case property" during investigations and trials."The new law appears not to prevent sacrilege, but to commit it," he said, while also questioning why the Akal Takht and SGPC did not oppose the 2008 Act when it was enacted.Paramjit Singh Gazi termed the law's "basic flaw" as "snatching our decision-making" and said failure to seek repeal now would amount to "falling into a well a second time". He called "total abrogation" the only solution and warned that retaining the law would leave scope for further legislation and amendments.Sikh historian Bhai Ashok Singh Bagrian also opposed the law, saying govt interference in matters concerning Guru Granth Sahib could not be tolerated. He too expressed concern over Guru Granth Sahib becoming "case property" in sacrilege cases.Prof Davinder Singh said, "Guru Granth Sahib is not a state subject," while advocate Puran Singh Hundal raised concerns over the possibility of misuse of the law.Former IAS officer Gurtej Singh termed the legislation "liable to misuse" and said it should be "outrightly rejected".