Acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Monday he expects the Punjab government to address objections to the proposed Satkar Sodh Act within the one-month deadline set by Sikh religious authorities.

Speaking to reporters, Gargaj said about 84 members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from all political parties who attended a meeting expressed support for amending the legislation by raising their hands. He added that several legislators acknowledged they had neither read nor heard the bill before approving it.

Gargaj said the Akal Takht has already conveyed its objections to the government through Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan. He also said Sikh leaders have recommended expanding the proposed law so that, in alleged sacrilege cases involving anti-Sikh deras, the head of the dera and other responsible individuals could also be held liable under the legislation.