‘No law for Guru Granth Sahib’: Akal Takht jathedar warns against govt interference

PATIALA: Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj has said no law can be imposed upon the Sri Guru Granth Sahib as it is the eternal Guru (Jagat Jot Saroop) of the Sikhs.His statement comes a day after the Punjab legislative assembly passed the Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, 2026, modifying the original 2008 Act to introduce more rigorous penalties, including life imprisonment, aimed at deterring incidents of sacrilege. Addressing devotees at Takht Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib on Tuesday on Baisakhi, Giani Gargaj cautioned Sikhs against being driven solely by emotion. He said the govt cannot dictate where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is printed or demand its accounts. "If someone attempts to disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib with malicious intent, laws can be made against the offender. However, no law can be imposed on the Guru Granth Sahib itself," he said. He argued that such matters cannot be subjected to govt control, nor would the Khalsa Panth accept such moves, as they represent direct interference in Sikh institutions. Questioning the govt's progress on past investigations, he asked why the identity of the accused in the 2022 sacrilege incident at Darbar Sahib remains unknown and demanded clarity on the masterminds behind it. He said any decisions regarding the Guru Granth Sahib must be made exclusively through the collective consent of the Khalsa Panth. Referring to the 2022 Darbar Sahib incident—where a person jumped over a barrier with malicious intent—Giani Gargaj cited vigilant guardianship as the only true solution to sacrilege. "The Panth did not allow his plan to succeed because it was present and alert. Wherever the Panth is vigilant, sacrilege cannot occur," he said. The jathedar dismissed narratives claiming that Sikhs are converting to other religions as false. "A true Sikh never changes their faith and is ready to lay down their life for it," he said, suggesting that those who wander toward imposters likely do not fully understand Sikhism or remain entangled in superstition. He called for increased efforts to propagate Sikh teachings rather than blaming the entire community for the actions of a few who go astray. Giani Gargaj also raised concerns regarding the removal of Sikh articles of faith (kakaars) during competitive examinations in Punjab and other states. He questioned whether the Punjab assembly had ever addressed this issue and called on both the central and state govts to explain why these incidents persist despite constitutional protections. He also highlighted the mistreatment of Amritdhari (baptised) Sikh employees at airports, questioning whether such restrictions constitute an infringement on religious freedom.