Amritsar: The Sehajdhari Sikh Party (SSP) has urged the Akal Takht to reconsider its June 15 edict summoning all of Punjab’s Sikh MLAs, ministers and assembly speaker, arguing that the directive could raise constitutional questions by conflicting with legislators’ privileges under Article 194 of the Constitution.Party chief president Paramjit Singh Ranu said they had written to the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, seeking a review of the edict, under which all Sikh MLAs and members of the Punjab cabinet who supported the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, have been directed to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29.Quoting Article 194, Ranu said legislators enjoy immunity for speeches, debates and votes inside the assembly and cannot be held accountable outside the house for actions taken in the legislature. “Summoning all legislators over a legislative decision could lead to a direct conflict with constitutional privileges,” he said.Ranu claimed that in a democratic framework, summoning the entire assembly over a law passed by it could raise concerns about federal propriety and constitutional norms.He said the party had appealed to the Sikh clergy to review the edict after consulting constitutional experts and adopt a path of dialogue and consultation with the speaker and the chief minister. “Instead of direct confrontation between the state and the Panth, a path of dialogue and consultation should be adopted,” Ranu said, adding that such an approach would preserve the dignity of the Akal Takht while avoiding any possible conflict with constitutional provisions.
