Sikh community leaders have begun calling for new elections to the ad hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) after the recent revelation of a conflict amongst its members.

During an executive body meeting conducted in Panjokhra Sahib Gurdwara earlier this week, the HSGMC members were reportedly captured on video verbally abusing and otherwise misbehaving.

Former HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda demanded punishment against individuals involved in the incident, saying, “I had resigned from the new committee because the government had ignored community leaders who had struggled for the committee and accommodated its loyalists.” We were concerned about the new committee’s effectiveness since these individuals had no hand in forming it. We strongly disagree with what happened in the gurdwara during the meeting and urge the Akal Takht to punish those guilty.

Repeated disagreements amongst HSGMC members provide the false impression to the public. Elections ought to be called by the administration as soon as possible. The Sikh sangat would be consulted via meetings, and agitation will be initiated if necessary to have elections, he said.

Baldev Singh Qaimpur, senior vice president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), stated, “We condemn the HSGMC members’ behavior and conduct on the gurdwara grounds. The president is also being accused of other significant crimes, including as the theft of public monies. Gurdwaras are having their “maryada” infringed, hence the Haryana government should do rid of the committee.

Leaders from the Kurukshetra community met at the Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi to demand justice for the victims of the violence.