Gargaj flags ‘pattern’ in sacrilege incidents over five decades

Jalandhar: Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Sunday held a meeting with representatives of gurdwara management committees and Sikh organisations on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, at Gurdwara Dewan Asthan in Central Town. Local leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal also attended the meeting.Addressing the gathering, Gargaj alleged that the Punjab govt had failed to act against those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and instead introduced a new law aimed at controlling Sikh religious affairs.He said the Aam Aadmi Party had promised justice in the 2015 sacrilege cases but "instead of delivering on that promise, brought a law which seeks to interfere in Sikh religious matters". He also referred to allegations made earlier by Sirsa dera follower Pradeep Kler regarding the role of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Honeypreet Insan in the 2015 incidents.Gargaj claimed sacrilege incidents in Punjab over the decades reflected a "larger conspiracy" involving different sects at different points in time."First such incidents took place in the 1970s and culminated in the 1978 clash involving the Nirankari sect. Later, issues emerged around Piara Singh Bhaniarawala, and then the 2015 sacrilege incidents linked to the Sirsa dera surfaced. A pattern is clearly visible," he said.He argued that if followers of any sect were found involved in sacrilege incidents, legal provisions should also hold the heads of such sects accountable. "Instead, the new law creates suspicion around the Sikh sangat itself and imposes restrictions on it," he alleged.Several speakers at the meeting also expressed reservations about provisions of the Amendment Act.Some representatives questioned why the Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had not raised objections earlier when the legislation was being drafted.