SAD(Badal) Vs SAD(Delhi) is Sad

DSGMS elections

SAD (Badal) Vs SAD( Delhi ) is Sad

Sikhs should amicably settle the issue keeping aside self interests

 

 

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee ( DSGMS) elections to be held on January 27 is going to have a close fight between the SAD(Badal) and SAD(Delhi) – Badal and Sarna group – as Sarna group projects SAD as outsiders represented by the dominant Jats of Punjab.  In fact it is a fight between the Punjab and the majority trader’s community of Delhi .

 

In fact, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, are making efforts to take over management gurudwara affairs and in other words, it is the safe path, to have Sikh vote bank in the capital.

 

But it is sad and one expect the intention of the political leaders that the community has not been able to maintain the unanimous choice over the religious body.

 

It is both way working while the Punjab CM has blamed the Delhi government of interference in management of gurdwaras. The Delhi government is also accused of delaying elections to DSGMC currently led by Akali Dal (Delhi), which enjoys the support of the ruling Congress in Delhi. 

 

While Badal has pointed out to Home Minister, Shinde that this amendment Bill violates the letter and spirit of the agreement reached between former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Master Tara Singh, known as the Nehru-Tara Singh Pact, "which specifically stated the commitment of the government of India not to take any steps with regard to the affairs of the Sikh community without consultation with and consent of the representatives of the Sikh community through the apex body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at Amritsar. Also, there is no provision for a direct election of a president in any of the elected constitutional bodies in the country right from the office of the president of India , prime minister and municipalities. 

 

The Dikshit government's plans to amend the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act 1971 to allow direct election to the post of president is emerging as a bone of contention between the two states. 

 

Whatever may be the outcome, the move is an attempt to divide the community in the name of elections.  It would be better if the community sit a across the table the decide the issue amicably without exploiting the community people by keeping aside the vested interests.