*SGPC special General House session completely rejects Punjab Government’s Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023

*In unity, SGPC members warn to start a strong struggle against Punjab Government

*Government should withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, or be ready to face Sikh resentment: Harjinder Singh Dhami

Amritsar, June 26 – The special General House session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today completely rejected the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, passed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) on June 20, 2023, and called for its strong opposition at all levels.

The special General House session held at SGPC’s office in Teja Singh Samundri Hall, under the leadership of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami was attended by Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Sultan Singh and a large number of SGPC members.

In the house, the SGPC members jointly condemned the Punjab Government’s interference in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, and the management of SGPC and announced that it will not be tolerated.

In a resolution passed on this occasion, a warning was given to start the Morcha (front) after offering Ardas (Sikh prayer) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, as per Sikh traditions, against the anti-Sikh decision of Punjab Government. The resolution presented by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, was approved by the SGPC members present in the house amid the resonance of Jaikaras – Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal. It has been said that the government of Shri Bhagwant Singh Mann should withdraw the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, or be ready to face an intensified struggle.

Presenting the resolution, Dhami said that the amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, is possible only with the recommendations of the SGPC. Referring to the pact between senior Akali leader Master Tara Singh and former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959 and Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, the SGPC President said that before making any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, the approval of two-thirds of the members of SGPC’s General House cannot be ignored. “However, Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is making this interference with the aim of implementing the anti-Sikh ideology of his Delhi-based boss and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal and to usurp the Sikh organization SGPC”, said Dhami.

He clearly said in the resolution that the anti-Sikh intention of Punjab Government will not be allowed to succeed at any cost and a struggle will be fought against it. In the resolution, a public apology has been sought from CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP MLA Shri Budh Ram, for interfering in the Gurdwara management, insulting Kes (unshorn hair) an important part of Sikh Kakaars and hurting the dignity of Raagi Singhs of Harmandir Sahib.

Those who expressed their views in the SGPC House included SGPC junior vice-president Avtar Singh Raya, general secretary Bhai Gurcharan Singh Grewal, former SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur, members Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhai Manjit Singh, Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Bhai Ram Singh, Jaswant Singh Purain, Kulwant Singh Manhan, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, Baba Charanjit Singh Jassowal, Amarjit Singh Bandala, Sarvan Singh Kular, Kaur Singh, Baba Gurpreet Singh Randhawa, Balwinder Singh Bains, Amrik Singh Shahpur, Baldev Singh Chungha, Charan Singh Alamgir, Ranjit Singh Kahlon, Harpal Singh Jalla, and SGPC secretary Partap Singh. The speakers said that the mistake of Shri Bhagwant Mann’s government is unforgivable and a strong response must be given. The view was also expressed that the anti-Sikh comments by CM and MLA were made in the presence of Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who himself is an Amritdhari (initiated) Sikh. It was Sandhwan’s duty to take cognizance of these objectionable comments, but by not doing so, he too has joined the queues with the accused. Therefore, the speaker should also tender an apology to the Sikh community.

Speaking to the media after the house meeting, the SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that all the members present have expressed strong resentment against the government of Shri Bhagwant Mann, for which he is grateful to them. He clarified that in the struggle to be started following the Sikh traditions, the protests will be started from Sri Akal Takht Sahib under the leadership of SGPC members and Shiromani Akali Dal constituency in-charges. But he also made it clear that before starting the protest, adopting the constitutional means, the President of India, Union Home Minister will be approached, about which the communication has been started.

Dhami also clearly said about the Gurbani broadcast that it is the responsibility of the SGPC to deliver the Gurbani Kirtan from Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib to the Sangat and for this progress is being made actively. He said some meetings of the sub-committee have been held and in due course, a decision will be taken in the spirit of the orders of Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the sentiments of the Sangat. 

The SGPC is an independent and representative constitutional body of Sikhs, in which direct interference by the government will never be tolerated. Under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966, any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, will be accepted only after approval in the General House of the SGPC, said Dhami in a resolution passed in the house.

Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann should tender a public apology for interfering in the affairs of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act and the SGPC, insulting Kes (unshorn hair) an important part of Sikh Kakaars and hurting the dignity of Raagi Singhs of Sri Harmandir Sahib, stated in in resolution.

The resolution further said that AAP MLA Buddha Ram should also apologize to the Sikh community for taking the names of respected Bhagat Sahibs and Bhatt Sahibs in a disrespectful manner.

Meanwhile, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur in the       SGPC house  condemned the Punjab Government for Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 said that it was direct interference in the Sikh religious affairs. But at the same time she asked the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhmai to initiate the process to launch own settlel-lite    channel. She didn’t hesitate to repeatedly ask Dhami to give assurance in the house about own channel but her mic (sound system) was turned mute when she became adamant to get assurance from the SGPC president.

Bibi Jagir Kaur without naming Badals said that the move of SGPC to bring special ijlas was not only to protect PTC live telecast but also to protect the interest of one particular family.

Many SGPC members including Kiranjot Kaur, Jaswant Singh Prain and Baba Gurpreet Singh also suggested the Dhami to launch settleite channel by saying that there would be no dearth of funds if once announced publicly by the SGPC. They said that Sikh community across the world would contribute with big hearts for this pious and spiritual cause. SGPC member Jaswant Singh Prain asked the SGPC to make its agreement with the PTC channel public.