Sikh forums call for restraint on separate SGPC issue

Armed SGPC workers sent to prevent takeover of Haryana’s gurdwaras

July 25, 2014 10:50 am | Updated November 16, 2021 07:06 pm IST - CHANDIGARH:

Actiivists of Shiromani Akali Da during a protest in New Delhi. File photo

Actiivists of Shiromani Akali Da during a protest in New Delhi. File photo

Sikhs leaders and socio-cultural organisations have called on Punjab to exercise restraint and withdraw its call for a ‘morcha’ (agitation) at the Akal Takht, against >Haryana’s decision to set up a separate gurdwara management panel , the Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC).

Tensions have escalated between Punjab and Haryana over the contentious decision, leading to fears of violence. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, which has so governed Sikh shrines in Haryana, has sent armed workers to gurdwaras in Haryana.

Despite the discord, the Haryana government on Wednesday constituted a 41-member, ad hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) to manage, supervise and take over the assets of gurdwaras in the State.

An official spokesman said the committee constituted under the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014, passed by the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, would continue to hold charge until a new committee was elected as provided for in the law.

Restraint urged Supreme Court advocate and Aam Admi Party leader H.S. Phoolka has also urged Punjab to seek a legal remedy for its grievance and not ratchet up tensions by provocative action.

Mr. Phoolka said, “Filling up Haryana gurdwaras with armed men by the [ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)] is absolutely wrong. Though the SAD’s opposition to the HSGPC is under the pretext of keeping the Sikh panth united, its action in trying to create violence and disturb peace in the gurdwaras is dividing the panth and is detrimental to it.” Appealing to the Sikh leaders of Haryana not to resort to police action to take over gurdwaras, he warned that this could result in violence.

Calling for restraint, more than a dozen Sikh organisations led by the Kendri Singh Sabha have appealed to the Akal Takht to urge the SAD to cancel the Vishal Sikh Ikath called at the Golden Temple on July 27 to “avoid possible bloodshed and further division in the Sikh panth.”

Gurpreet Singh speaking on behalf of Sabha said, “The Akal Takht Sahib head priest should immediately issue an order for withdrawing these armed people in gurdwaras in Haryana to avoid possible loss of lives.” The Sikh organisations also said that the Akali Dal should be directed to pursue the implementation of the All India Sikh Gurdwara Act, to manage gurdwaras across the country

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