Dhami tells Mann: Drop the Sikh Gurdwara Bill or there would be uproar

Posted On: June 27, 2023
Posted By: Jasveer Singh

SGPC members said that the “Punjab government’s alleged interference in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925” would not be permitted while maintaining their disagreements.
The Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was approved by the Punjab government headed by the AAP in the Vidhan Sabha on June 20, 2023, was rejected by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday and a robust resistance was called for at all levels. Akal Takht Jathedar Raghbir Singh and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh were also present during the special General House session conducted in Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s presence at the SGPC’s headquarters at Teja Singh Samundri Hall.

SGPC members said that the “Punjab government’s alleged interference in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925” would not be permitted while maintaining their disagreements.

A caution was issued to begin the Morcha (front) after performing the Ardas (Sikh prayer) at Akal Takht, in accordance with Sikh custom, in a resolution that was approved on this day. In the midst of the sound of Jaikaras – Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal, the motion put up by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami was accepted by the SGPC members present in the house. The Bhagwant Mann administration was advised to revoke the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, or prepare for a more fervent outcry.

The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, may only be amended with the SGPC’s recommendations, according to Dhami, who presented the motion. Dhami cited the agreement signed in 1959 by Tara Singh, a senior Akali leader, and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as well as Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, when he said that any amendment to the Sikh Gurdwaras Act required the consent of two-thirds of the SGPC’s General House members.

However, the Punjab government is interfering to usurp the SGPC and implement the anti-Sikh ideology of his Delhi-based boss and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, according to Dhami. He also added that the state government’s anti-Sikh intentions would not be tolerated at any cost and that a fight would be waged against them.

In the resolution, Dhami also demanded a public apology from Mann and AAP MLA Budh Ram for allegedly meddling with the administration of the gurdwara, demeaning Kes (unshorn hair), a crucial component of “Sikh Kakaars,” and impairing the dignity of the Raagi Singhs of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

SGPC junior vice-president Avtar Singh Raya, general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, previous SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, members Rajinder Singh Mehta, Manjit Singh, Bhagwant Singh Sialka, and Ram Singh were among those who voiced their opinions in the SGPC House.

After the house meeting, Dhami addressed the media and said that in an effort to express their dissatisfaction, they will launch a demonstration from Akal Takht under the direction of SGPC members and SAD constituency in-charges. Before beginning the demonstration, he said, they will also speak with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and President Droupadi Murmu.

Dhami also said that the Gurbani broadcast was also making progress. The subcommittee has had a few sessions, and in due course, a decision would be made in accordance with the directives of the Akal Takht Jathedar and bearing in mind the views of the Sangat, he stated.