Sikhs expressed anger over amendment in Nanded Gurdwara Act by Maharashtra government
Maharashtra: The Maharashtra government’s recent decision to amend the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Shri Hazur Upchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956 has been condemned by the Sikh community, calling it a “regrettable and direct interference” in their affairs.
On Sunday, February 11, the Sikh community in Nanded district took to the streets protesting against the amendment and the Eknath Shinde government.
In #Maharashtra's #Nanded, Protest Against #DevendraFadnavis & #EknathShinde Led #MaharashtraGovt Trying To Take Control Of #Gurudwaras. Protest against decision to make amendment in Nanded Gurdwara Act, 1956.#MaharashtraProtest #SikhProtest pic.twitter.com/cX1Sx2GLIe
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) February 10, 2024
What is the matter?
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) consists of 17 members, including four nominated SGPC members, four members of the Sachkhand Hazur Khalsa Diwan, two Sikh Members of Parliament, one from the Chief Khalsa Diwan, three directly elected members from seven districts of Marathwada. Are. , one member each from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and Nanded District Collector.
However, the new amendment gives the state government the power to nominate 12 of the 17 members. While the SGPC can now nominate only two instead of the earlier 4, three will be elected.
There will be no Sikh representation from Parliament and other organizations.
The SGPC alleges that the new amendment will give more power to the government to decide who comes on the board and thus influence its decisions, which “they will not tolerate”.
What is the Gurdwara Sachkhand Board, Nanded?
Takhat Hazur Sahib Gurdwara in Nanded holds a revered place in Sikhism. This is the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, died. It is also said to be one of the five Takhts (higher temporary seats) of Sikhism.
Gurdwara Sachkhand Board manages the religious place. The Maharashtra government allocates assets worth Rs 100 crore and crores of rupees in its annual budget, reports Indian Express.
‘No respect for Sikh community’
Terming the amendment as ‘misleading’, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami told media persons on Sunday that the Eknath Shinde government has no respect for the Sikh community.
“The truth is that they want to take over the management of the gurudwara. By hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community, a hostile environment is being created in the country, which is not in the interest of the country. The Maharashtra government should seriously consider this issue and hold a meeting with representative Sikh organizations and take a decision according to their opinion.
not the first time
In 2015, the Sikh community in Nanded came out in protest against the interference of the BJP-led Maharashtra government by amending Section 11 of the 1956 Act, which gives itself the power to directly appoint the chairman of the board. This role was previously elected by its members through elections.
Maharashtra government’s interference in the affairs of SPGA resulted in protests in the state following which a government nominee was named as the chairman of the board.
