Punjab Assembly Session Ahead, Akal Takht Edict Sparks Political Debate Over MLA Attendance

The controversy surrounding the Akal Takht’s directive against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann intensified on Saturday after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia sought guidance from the Sikh body on whether she should attend the upcoming Punjab Assembly Monsoon Session.

Majithia, in a letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, said she was facing a dilemma between her responsibilities as an elected representative and her religious commitment as a Sikh. She sought the Jathedar’s direction after the Akal Takht’s June 15 edict declared Mann “guru dokhi” (anti-Guru) and against the Khalsa Panth over an alleged objectionable video.

The SAD MLA, who is the wife of party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, said that while she holds the constitutional position of an MLA, she remains “first and foremost a humble Sikh”. She argued that maintaining a balance between her legislative duties and ‘Gurmat’ (Guru’s teachings) was possible only by following the guidance of the Akal Takht, considered the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.

Majithia also raised concerns over the Punjab government’s alleged failure to implement the Akal Takht’s directions regarding amendments to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026. She claimed that the government’s continued disregard for the religious body’s instructions had added to the conflict.

In her letter, Majithia said attending the Assembly session in the presence of a person declared “guru dokhi” would go against her conscience and religious faith. She stated that the Akal Takht’s decision would remain her final guidance and that she would accept whatever direction was issued by the Jathedar.

The development has triggered a fresh political debate in Punjab, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government facing questions over its response to the religious controversy, while the opposition has highlighted the issue as a matter of faith and governance.

The Punjab Assembly’s Monsoon Session is scheduled to begin on August 3 and continue till August 10, making Majithia’s request significant as the state legislature prepares to meet amid the ongoing dispute.