The management of Sikh shrines of Delhi was given in the hand of Delhi Sikh electorate through the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1971. After Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is the 2nd largest Sikh religious body in India constituted in April 1975 in which out of 55 total members, 46 are elected from various gurdwara wards and 9 members are co-opted including Jathedar Sahiban of 4 Takhats excluding Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Punjab.
As per gurdwara rules, the main objective of the DSGMC is to look after and control the affairs of the Gurdwaras and Gurdwara’s properties in Delhi, whereas any political interference is strictly prohibited in this religious institution. As such, it is expected from the office-bearers and members of this Committee that they will work for the promotion of the Sikh religious philosophy only. But the ongoing conflicts in recent times have created a new history in the 50 years old journey of DSGMC.
It is pertinent to mention here that after the general elections held in August 2021, Badal group had 30 members and its opponent groups were having 21 members in all, hence the Badal group was successful in taking control of the DSGMC in the Executive Board elections held on January 22, 2022. But, it surprised everyone when all the members, who won over the election symbol of Shiromani Akali Dal, formed a new party called ‘Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi State’ thereby jointly leaving Badal Dal.
This new party also arbitrarily got control of the office of the Badal Dal situated in the premises of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, which was again taken back on April 18, 2022 by the Badal Dal by breaking locks under the patronage of newly elected Delhi State President of Badal Dal Jathedar Avtar Singh Hit and his supporters.
An Akhand Path Sahib was organized on this occasion and in its Bhog ceremony on April 20, 2022 the national President of Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal and Delhi Unit incharge of the Party Balwinder Singh Bhunder apart from members and supporter of Sarna group participated.
Though the President of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi Paramjit Singh Sarna and JAGO Party’s President Manjit Singh G.K. did not attend this function thereby keeping distance from Sukhbir Singh Badal even supporting the move of Jathedar Hit for taking back possession of office. But, an office-bearer of Sarna Party announced that the Sarna group will always stand by the Badal Dal in every religious matter, whereas taking control of office was not a religious matter.
Now question arises whether the Sarna brother and Manjit Singh G.K. have changed their stand and have given clean chit to Badal family for their alleged role in the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and their involvement in the Bargadi episode because they did not hesitate to give and take Siropas from Sukhbir Singh Badal in this function ? Whether the allegations of corruption levelled against Manjit Singh G.K. and Avtar Singh Hit by the Sarna brothers and Gurmeet Singh Shunty were false ?
If not, why they participated and supported Badal group in a petty affair of taking control of its own office ? What message these so called Sikh leaders want to give to Sangat whereas they left no stone unturned by criticizing each other and now embracing each other by giving certificate to each other as neat and clean ? Whether their double standard can be beneficial to the Sikh Community ?
The dubious stand of a lady DSGMC member Ranjit Kaur is not clear where she says that she stands with Shiromani Akali Dal in religious affairs but has joined Aam Aadmi Party in political matters and over all she joined as Executive Member in the DSGMC headed by the rival President Harmeet Singh Kalka ? In view of the activities of opposite groups, it cannot be denied that all these factions are joining hands with each other just to get control of DSGMC due to their lust of Chair and nothing else.
Whether these groups had ever jointly raised any issue regarding the acts of desecration of Gurbani and manipulation in Sikh History by the present office-bearers of DSGMC or their failure to save the educational and other Institutions which are on the verge of closure ? It is an earnest appeal to all these parties that they should declare their agenda and shun away from misguiding the Sangat for their personal benefits.
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