Former Sikh Leader Warns Against Politicizing Sacrilege Through New Legislation
Paramjit Singh Sarna, the former chief of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, has voiced strong opposition to any fresh legislation targeting incidents of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib. He cautions that such moves risk transforming a deeply spiritual issue into a tool for political calculation if not guided by religious authorities.
Allegations of Political Maneuvering and Lack of Prosecution
Sarna has pointed out that no key perpetrator has been conclusively prosecuted by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the 2015 sacrilege cases. He argues that the renewed push for stricter laws raises serious questions about intent rather than offering meaningful solutions. "The issue is not the absence of law, but the absence of moral clarity and accountability," Sarna stated, adding that repeated attempts to legislate on this matter suggest a pattern of political maneuvering rather than genuine concern for Sikh sentiments.
He specifically questioned why Arvind Kejriwal, as the AAP leader, did not order Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to launch concrete prosecution against Gurmeet Ram Raheem, the Sirsa dera chief. "Clearly, Kejriwal and that convicted criminal struck a political deal," Sarna alleged. He further claimed that elements linked to the AAP were involved in past sacrilege incidents in Punjab, arguing that the charged environment ultimately benefited the party in its rise to power in the state. According to Sarna, these events were part of a larger design to shape political outcomes.
Call for Religious Oversight and Expert Committee
Regarding the proposed anti-sacrilege legislation, Sarna emphasized that any law touching upon Sikh religious doctrine, Gurbani, or the Guru Granth Sahib must not be framed without the consent of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which he described as the legitimate custodian of Sikh religious affairs. "No government, irrespective of its mandate, has the authority to unilaterally legislate on matters that define the spiritual core of the Sikh faith," he asserted.
He added that any such measure must also be carried out under the supervision of the Akal Takht jathedar. To address the issue comprehensively, Sarna proposed the formation of a committee comprising leading Sikh academics, legal luminaries, and retired judges. He suggested that this body should function under the direct supervision of the Akal Takht jathedar to ensure that no aspect is overlooked and that any course of action remains grounded in both legal rigour and Sikh maryada (code of conduct).
