HSGPC move ‘interference’ in Sikh affairs, says SAD

Chandigarh: Terming the move of the Haryana Government to constitute a separate committee for managing affairs of gurdwaras in the state as a “direct interference in the affairs of the Sikhs”, the legislature party of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said it was a direct assault on Sikh psyche.

In a unanimously passed resolution, the SAD legislature party, which met under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today, said the step of the Congress was “aimed at creating fissures in the Sikh Panth, thereby weakening its religious and political power”.

The party said this “unwarranted action” of the Haryana Government had led to a “constitutional crisis”. Intervention of the Central Government was the need of the hour, it said. By acting in such a manner, the Congress government in Haryana had “even surpassed the British Raj in meddling in the affairs of Sikhs”.

The move of the Haryana Government posed a “serious challenge to the communal harmony, peace and amity in the region”, it said.

The party was also of the opinion that by constituting a separate committee, the Haryana Government had shown grave disrespect to the mandate given by the Sikhs during the SGPC elections.

The party said the SGPC elections were fought on the issue of a separate committee in Haryana and the Sikh voters of the state had “trounced all protagonists” of the idea. They had given a clear mandate against any such move by ensuring victory of SAD candidates on all 11 seats.

The party said by passing a Bill in the Assembly, the Haryana Government had also “insulted” the Constitution of India. The matter came under the ambit of Reorganization Act of 1966, so only the Government of India and Parliament were authorised to take any action on it.

                                                The resolution

• The HSGPC move aims at creating fissures in the Sikh Panth
• The Haryana Government has surpassed the British Raj in meddling in Sikh affairs
• The move will pose a serious challenge to the communal harmony and peace in the region
• The Haryana Government has also insulted the Constitution of India
• Intervention of the Central Government is the need of the hour

Source: The Tribune