The seven-member coordination committee constituted by the Punjab government on Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act has convened a meeting here on October 6 for a detailed discussion on the anti-sacrilege law.
The government committee comprises former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Damdami Taksal chief Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa, Sant Baba Sewa Singh of Rampur Khera, retired justice Jaspal Singh, retired justice Gurbir Singh, retired IPS officer and former Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) chairman Jatinder Singh Aulakh and law officer Preet Inder Pal Singh. In a letter, the home department informed the Jathedar about the constitution of the committee and its mandate. The response was subsequently rejected by the acting jathedar.
The seven-member panel was set up by the state government on September 16 to coordinate and hold discussions with the Akal Takht-constituted panel on the anti-sacrilege law and give suggestions for further action. The Akal Takht secretariat said the two-month period granted to the government on July 31 to make further amendments in accordance with Sikh sentiments expired on September 30. He said the government had earlier also submitted its response to Akal Takht’s June 29 directive only on the last day of the one-month period, July 29.
The committee will also discuss further action with regard to coordination with the five-member panel formed by the Akal Takht, according to a notice issued by Harjit Singh Sandhu, nodal officer of the government panel. Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the government is delaying the process and its approach is “irresponsible”. Bagicha Singh, in-charge of the Akal Takht secretariat, said the government had merely communicated the constitution of its committee on the last day of the deadline and had not taken substantive action on the objections raised by Akal Takht. Bagicha Singh said the government should issue a notification keeping the law in abeyance until a consensus is reached on the proposed amendments.
On Tuesday, the Punjab government formally informed Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj about the constitution of a seven-member committee to hold consultations on the anti-sacrilege law.
