Several agreed changes missing from revised draft; urges no debate in Assembly until consensus is reachedChandigarh, 30 July (H.S.): Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has accused the Punjab Government of showing a lack of seriousness while framing the proposed law against sacrilege. He said that despite an agreement on several key amendments, the revised draft submitted by the government did not incorporate most of the suggested changes.The Punjab Government had submitted the revised draft of the law to the Akal Takht Secretariat on Wednesday, following directions issued by Akal Takht Sahib.Addressing the media on Thursday, Jathedar Gargaj said the Sikh Panth functions in accordance with the command of the Guru and no law concerning religious matters could be enacted without the consent of the Guru Panth.He said Sikhs and followers of Gurbani were present across the world and, therefore, no law could be accepted unless it had the approval of the Panth.The Jathedar recalled that Punjab ministers and legislators had been summoned to Akal Takht Sahib last month to discuss the proposed legislation. The matter was discussed transparently, and legislators from both the ruling party and the Opposition had agreed to address the objections and introduce the necessary amendments.According to him, the meeting specifically discussed removing the word “custodian”, clearly including the word “bir”, and establishing fast-track courts to conduct trials in sacrilege cases. The objective was to ensure speedy punishment for those found guilty.He said the Punjab Government had been asked to submit the revised draft after a consensus was reached on these issues. The government was given time until July 28, but no official communication was received within the deadline. The revised draft was eventually sent on July 29.After examining the draft, it was found that the government had failed to make the expected changes concerning the major objections raised during the meeting.Jathedar Gargaj said the government refused to include the word “bir” and remove the word “custodian”, claiming that these matters did not fall within its jurisdiction. Although the government provided a detailed explanation regarding the word “custodian”, it had not removed the term, which remained in the draft.He claimed that nearly 90 per cent of the suggestions agreed upon during the meeting had not been accepted by the government.The Jathedar further said that until a final consensus was reached on the proposed amendments, no debate or discussion on the sacrilege law should be held during the Punjab Assembly session beginning on August 3.He said the objections and recommendations raised by Akal Takht Sahib must first be addressed through consensus. Only after that should the legislative process concerning the proposed law be taken forward.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH