Amritsar, Feb 7 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
Taking serious notice of Maharashtra government’s action to reduce the number of members of Sikh organisations in Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded Gurdwara Board, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that it is very sad and condemnable.
Expressing strong objection, the SGPC President has written a letter to the Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra Shri Eknath Shinde and asked for an appointment to an SGPC delegation for consideration on this issue from all aspects.
The SGPC President said that the arbitrary proposed amendment in ‘The Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956’, by the council of ministers of Maharashtra Government is in a meeting on Monday, is a direct interference in Sikh Gurdwara affairs, which cannot be tolerated by Sikh community.
He said that the representation to members of Sikh organisations in the Nanded Gurdwara Board has a meaning to ensure functioning of Board in transparent and religious manner in view of the sanctity of Takht Sahib at Nanded, associated Sikh shrines and any distortion in the Act 1956 will damage this sentiment.
“Maharashtra government’s decision to increase the number of government nominated members and reduce the members of Sikh organisations in Gurdwara Board (at Nanded) is an act to take direct control of Sikh shrines. No advance consultation has been done with Sikhs before proposing such an amendment”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami.
SGPC President appealed to Maharashtra CM Shri Eknath Shinde to immediately stop conspiracies to increase government influence in management and concerns of Sikh shrines besides the distortion of The Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956.
He said participation of representatives of Sikh organisations should be ensured in the Nanded Gurdwara Board as earlier.
He said that there is great resentment in the entire Sikh world against this decision of Maharashtra government and the community members are contacting the SGPC to express the same. The community members in Maharashtra are also expressing strong objections regarding this decision.
