Chandigarh: A seven-member Coordination Committee constituted by the Punjab Government will meet in Chandigarh on October 6 to discuss the provisions of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, including suggestions received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The meeting is scheduled for noon.
The committee will examine the legislation in detail and discuss ways to coordinate with a separate committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib to review the provisions of the Act. According to the Punjab Government, the consultation is intended to ensure that the suggestions and viewpoints received during the process are considered.
Seven-Member Panel to Meet in Chandigarh
The Punjab Government’s seven-member committee comprises:
- Former Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh
- Damdami Taksal head Sant Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa
- Sant Baba Sewa Singh Rampur Kheda
- Justice (Retd.) Jaspal Singh
- Justice (Retd.) Gurbir Singh
- Jatinder Singh Aulakh, IPS (Retd.)
- Law Officer Preet Inder Paul Singh
The committee has been tasked with examining the legislation comprehensively and discussing the way forward in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Focus on Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s Suggestions
A key part of the October 6 meeting will be consideration of suggestions received from the committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
The Punjab Government has said the discussions will focus on the provisions of the amendment law while respecting its underlying purpose and the sanctity associated with the legislation. It also plans to work out mechanisms for effective coordination between the two committees.
The consultation follows a meeting held between Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and members of the high-level committee on the issue.
What Is the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Amendment Act?
The legislation deals with offences involving Beadbi, a term used for acts regarded as desecration or disrespect toward the Guru Granth Sahib.
According to statements attributed to the Punjab Government, provisions involving life imprisonment and heavy fines for those responsible for Beadbi are regarded by the government as central provisions of the law. Mann has said that discussions with the Sri Akal Takht Sahib-appointed panel should continue while retaining what he described as the core purpose of the legislation.
Government Seeks Consultation and Coordination
The upcoming meeting is expected to focus not only on the substantive provisions of the amendment but also on how the state-appointed committee and the Sri Akal Takht Sahib committee can coordinate their work.
The government has described the process as an effort to facilitate dialogue and ensure that relevant suggestions are examined before decisions are taken on the way forward.
The development is significant because the legislation concerns an issue involving the protection and sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib, an especially important matter for the Sikh community. The consultation process could provide a structured forum for the government and religious representatives to discuss the amendments and any proposed changes.
October 6 Meeting to Shape Next Steps
The Chandigarh meeting will provide the seven-member committee an opportunity to examine the suggestions received so far and determine how discussions with the Sri Akal Takht Sahib-appointed panel should proceed.
The Punjab Government has reiterated that the consultation will be conducted while maintaining what it describes as the core purpose and spirit of the legislation. The outcome of the committee’s deliberations is therefore expected to inform the government’s subsequent approach to the amendment law.
For now, the focus remains on consultation, coordination and examination of the suggestions received from Sri Akal Takht Sahib ahead of the October 6 meeting.
