In view of the directives of the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhism) and the sentiments of the Khalsa Panth, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh Dhanaula has called a gathering on May 17 at the Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district to deliberate on the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, passed by the state government.The Jathedar said that alleged interference by the state government in the internal religious affairs of the Sikh community would not be tolerated under any circumstances.He stated that the law, passed by the government without taking Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) into confidence, appeared to be an attempt to impose unnecessary responsibilities on Sikh institutions and gurdwara managements while also creating obstacles to Sikh religious propagation.He informed that Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami would also attend the gathering.He further said that along with the panthic personalities attending the gathering, legal experts and scholars would also present their views on various provisions of the controversial Act.They would explain clause by clause the shortcomings and concerns associated with the legislation before the ‘Sangat’, the Jathedar said.He further emphasised, “The ‘maryada’ and respect of Guru Granth Sahib are internal matters of the panth. The government should enact strict laws to punish those guilty of sacrilege, but interference in the care, management and propagation related to the ‘saroops’ of Guru Sahib cannot be accepted.”The Jathedar appealed to all ‘granthis’, representatives of gurdwara management committees and panthic organisations from the Malwa region to participate in the gathering in large numbers and demonstrate panthic unity “so that the anti-panthic policies of the government could be strongly opposed”.