Amritsar, October 29 – Rejecting notification of Haryana Government’s Law and Legislative Department dated October 24, 2022, regarding 41-member ad-hoc panel of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) and making provision to appoint ‘Patron’, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that this is direct government interference into the Sikh affairs.
Dhami was speaking to the media at Amritsar on Saturday, before the departure of a special jatha going to attend 100 year centenary congregations of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Panja Sahib at Pakistan.
“The SGPC had already expressed its apprehension that the government wants to take control of managements of Gurdwaras through HSGMC and the fresh notification of Haryana, is its confirmation. I caution the Sikh Sangat to strongly oppose this intention of government possession on the Gurdwaras”, said Dhami.
SGPC President said that in its notification, the Haryana government notified that besides forming a 41-member ad-hoc committee for 18 months, if the election of HSGMC is not held within the stipulated time, then the government will increase the tenure of the ad-hoc committee for next 18 months.
“This means, for 3 years, the management of Gurdwaras would be in the hands of the government”, he said.
SGPC President said that by passing an ordinance, Haryana government has also made a provision of appointing a ‘Patron’ of the ad-hoc HSGMC.
“No person is Patron of Sikh Qaum (community) and Sikh bodies, but only Guru Granth Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib. In 1920, even the British government had attempted to keep the management of Gurdwaras in its own hands through a government appointed committee but after the Panthic opposition, the government had to back down. Today, the Haryana government is doing the same, which will not be accepted by the Sikhs”, said Harjinder Singh Dhami.
He appealed to the Sikh leaders of Haryana to understand the intention of the government and strengthen the SGPC, an organization of the Sikh Panth working under the patronage of Akal Takht Sahib. He also warned the governments to stop interfering in Sikh issues and not to play politics for Gurdwaras.
Meanwhile SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami has crossed over to Pakistan to participate in the 100 year centenary congregations being organised regarding Saka Panja Sahib. He led a jatha to Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Pakistan which departed from SGPC office in Amritsar, was accompanied by Granthi (priest) of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Gurminder Singh, SGPC executive members Jarnail Singh, Sarvan Singh, members Bhai Rajinder Singh, Ajmer Singh, Khushwinder Singh, Bhai Pritpal Singh.
In addition to the above, SGPC additional secretary Balwinder Singh, Bijai Singh, in-charge of Yatra Department Rajinder Singh Ruby, raagis, dhadis, kavishars and pracharaks are departed to attend the centenary congregations in Pakistan.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that marking 100 year centenary of Saka Panja Sahib by the Khalsa Panth is a tribute to the martyrs of this massacre.
He said that after two day congregations related to Saka Panja Sahib at Amritsar, now events are being held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib. This event is being jointly organized by Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the SGPC.
He said that the visas of a large number of members of the SGPC jatha were rejected, but 14 other members of the group received visas late last night on Friday. He said that although the cancellation of visas has affected the SGPC jatha, he is still grateful to the management for giving the visas. He said that a jatha of SGPC had reached Gurdwara Panja Sahib yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Saka centenary congregations started at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, and a Gurmat Samagam (religious congregation) was organised at the Hasan Abdal railway station, the place where the massacre took place 100 years ago on October 30, 1922. The raagi jathas performed Gurbani Kirtan and discourse related to history. On this occasion, the SGPC members were also present at the Hasan Abdal railway station, said SGPC official Jaskarn Singh.
