Amritsar : Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has given two memorandums to President of India Excellency Droupadi Murmu here today during her visit to Golden Temple.
SGPC General Secretary Gurcharn Singh talking to media informed that SGPC has heartily welcomed President of India to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib to pay obeisance. During her visit SGPC submitted a letter to her and brought in her notice about the non-release of Bandi Singhs who were languishing in the different jails of the nation for the last more than two or three decades.
Letter signed by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said, “ I want to bring to your kind notice an important issue of Sikh community i.e. who are lodged in different Indian jails for nearly three decades despite completion of their sentences. These imprisoned Sikhs chose the path of struggle in 1984 in protest against the military attack on Central Sikh shrines Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar, named Operation Bluestar by the then Indian government led by Congress party”.
“Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, being the representative body of Sikh community, has been demanding release of Sikh prisoners through democratic means for a long time. The SGPC’s general houses and executive committee meetings have passed resolutions several times demanding release of Sikh prisoners, which were sent repeatedly to the Government of India and concerned State Governments. Recently, to discuss the issue of Sikh prisoners, the SGPC had also sent letters seeking appointments of meetings to the Prime Minister of India, Home Minister of India, Chief Ministers of Delhi and Karnataka states, but we did not receive any positive response or reply from any of the said concerned. This is a big injustice with the Sikh community. If the Government will not listen to the grievance of a Sikh body, then where shall we go? We feel that by not releasing the Sikh prisoners, they are being discriminated against and their human rights are being violated grossly in the world’s largest democracy”. urged Dhami.
Dhami said, “The Sikh prisoners have already served double sentences than life imprisonment. Following are the Sikh prisoners, who are lodged in jails even after completing their life sentences: Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khera-served 32 years – now in Central Jail, Amritsar. Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar – served 28 years now in Central Jail, Amritsar Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana – served 27 years- now in Central Jail, Patiala. Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara-served 27 years – now in Central Jail Tihar, Delhi. Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Lakha- served 27 years- now in Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh. Bhai Gurmeet Singh served 27 years- now in Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh. Bhai Shamsher Singh-served 27 years-now in Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh. Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora-served 25 years-now in Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh. 9 1. 2. 3 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara -served 17 years- now in Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh”.
“We demand from you to take cognizance of this important issue of release of Sikh prisoners and give necessary directions to the Government of India and concerned State Governments for their release” Dhami urged.
In another memorandum, Dhami urged As President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), described that action of ad hoc Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee as unconstitutional. He said Haryana State Legislative Assembly of interfering into the jurisdiction of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 unconstitutionally, by passing a state law namely Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management (HSGM) Act, 2014.
Under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, a Central Act, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) was already managing the historical Gurdwara Sahibs of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. But the State Government of Haryana interfered through its HSGM Act, 2014, which was challenged by the SGPC in the Supreme Court. However, in September 2022, the Supreme Court upheld the recognition to HSGM Act, 2014, maintaining that with the process of election Haryana can form a Gurdwara Management Committee.
The interference by Haryana Government in the jurisdiction of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, is unconstitutional as only the Union Government’s Ministry of Home Affairs through the Parliament of India can make any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. After the Supreme Court’s order of upholding the HSGM Act, 2014, the Haryana government nominated an ad-hoc Gurdwara panel on December 1, 2022. In February 2022, using the police force and administration, Haryana Government’s nominated Gurdwara panel took illegal possession of the historical Gurdwara Sahibs in the state, which are still notified under the management of SGPC under Section 85 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. Nowhere, in its order, the Supreme Court gave liberty to the Haryana Government to forcibly take over the management of Gurdwaras of the state under SGPC management.
Moreover, there are 11 elected members of the SGPC from Haryana state, who are still active. It is grossly unconstitutional that when a Central Act, the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, is in force, how can the Haryana State Government interfere in its area when the Union Government through Parliament of India, has not made any amendment in the Act 1925.
“We have made communications to the Government of India after passing resolutions in the SGPC’s executive and special convened meeting of the members, but no action has been taken. It appears as if the Government of India is also favouring the Haryana State Government in weakening the Supreme Sikh body SGPC”, said Dhami.
“We request you to intervene in this matter and instruct the Government of India to ensure that the managements of Gurdwara Sahibs of Haryana state which are still notified under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, are returned to the SGPC besides repealing the HSGM Act, 2014, considering the same fact”, urged Dhami to President.
