Akal Takht Demands Punjab Repeal Controversial Sacrilege Law
Akal Takht asks Punjab to take back sacrilege law
Hindustan Times
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The Akal Takht in Amritsar has rejected Punjab's new sacrilege law, which imposes life imprisonment for offenses against the Guru Granth Sahib, and issued a 15-day ultimatum for its repeal. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is urged to address concerns over the law's clauses that offend Sikh sentiments.
- 01Akal Takht rejects Punjab's new sacrilege law, demanding its repeal.
- 02The law imposes life imprisonment and fines for sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib.
- 03A 15-day ultimatum has been issued to the AAP government to amend the law.
- 04The SGPC refuses to comply with the law's requirement for digital monitoring of religious texts.
- 05Punjab assembly speaker defends the law, claiming it reflects the sentiments of the Sikh community.
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The Akal Takht, a prominent Sikh authority in Amritsar, has formally rejected the recently enacted Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, which prescribes life imprisonment and fines of up to ₹25 lakh (approximately $30,000 USD) for acts of sacrilege against the Guru Granth Sahib. The Akal Takht issued a 15-day ultimatum to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to remove clauses deemed offensive to Sikh sentiments. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan met with the jathedars to discuss the legislation, which was approved by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on April 17, 2023. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stated it will not comply with the law’s requirement to upload records of the Guru Granth Sahib to a government-monitored website, asserting that management of religious texts should remain within the Sikh community. While the AAP government maintains that the law was enacted in response to community sentiments, the Akal Takht warns of potential consequences if the law is not amended within the stipulated time frame.
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The rejection of the sacrilege law by the Akal Takht may lead to significant political pressure on the AAP government, potentially affecting governance and community relations in Punjab.
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