Chandigarh: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal Friday appealed to Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to retain the autonomous character of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board in Nanded, Maharashtra, and withdraw the draft law seeking to fill it with govt nominees.In a letter to CM Fadnavis, she said the Sikh community was anguished that widespread changes were being made to change the character of the board on the recommendations of a state-appointed committee without taking into account the sentiments of the Sikh community, its premier institution Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) or the Hazuri Sachkhand Diwan. She said as no consultations were held with the Sikh bodies, there was a growing impression that this move was an attempt to end the autonomy enjoyed by the board. “Sikhs worldwide also perceive this as an attempt to take complete control of the shrine to the detriment of the community,” Harsimrat said. She said there was unanimity in the community that any decision affecting the ‘maryada’ (code of conduct), management and religious autonomy of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib should not be taken unilaterally. She said earlier in Feb 2024 the Maharashtra govt amended the Act governing the shrine by giving the go-ahead to nominate 12 out of 17 members of the board through direct nomination by the govt. “The representation of the SGPC was reduced and that of the Chief Khalsa Diwan and Hazuri Sachkhand Diwan was abolished altogether. Though this amendment was taken back after massive protests by the SGPC and local Sikh organisations, the govt seems to have decided to bring similar changes in the structure of the Board in the new Act,” Harsimrat said. Harsimrat informed that the management of the Takht also issued a ‘gurmata’ (collective edict) against the Maharashtra govt’s decision to repeal the old Act. “Accordingly, the old Act should be allowed to remain in force by withdrawing the new draft law. This will serve to diffuse the tension which has risen in the Sikh community, which feels the Maharashtra govt should desist from interfering in their religious affairs,” she added. MSID:: 132014853 413 |
