Reacting to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar’s statement asking the Prime Minister and the Centre to issue directions for holding elections of SGPC office-bearers, Sehajdhari Sikh Party president PS Ranu accused Makkar of using pressure tactics.
“He (Makkar) should realise the SGPC’s legal status before speaking in the media. It was the BJP-led NDA government in 2003 that interfered in Sikh affairs by issuing the notification debarring Sehajdhari Sikhs from voting in the SGPC polls,” Ranu said.
Holding the SGPC responsible for the crisis, Ranu said as per Section 51 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, the term of the board was for five years or until the new board was constituted.
“Going by the Act, the old House should have continued as the newly-constituted House was notified by the central government on December 17, 2011, but was subject to the judgment of the Punjab and Haryana high court in the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation case,” Ranu said.
“After the HC judgment of December 20, 2011, the House stood nullified, due to which the Centre could not allow holding a meeting of the House, as was mandatory under Section 54 of the Act. This fact was concealed by the SGPC in the Supreme Court, which passed the interim order,” Ranu added.
Ranu said the HC order had not been stayed by the apex court.
“After the HC judgment of December 20, 2011, the House stood nullified, due to which the Centre could not allow holding a meeting of the House, as was mandatory under Section 54 of the Act. This fact was concealed by the SGPC in the Supreme Court, which passed the interim order,” Ranu added.
Ranu said the HC order had not been stayed by the apex court.
“The Sehajdhari Sikh Party has already written to the PM, union ministry of home affairs, union law minister, Gurdwara Election Commission, secretary, home affairs, and the Amritsar deputy commissioner, clarifying the SGPC’s status.
Reacting to Ranu’s statement, Makkar said the SGPC was the supreme body of the Sikhs, and a Patit Sikh like Dr Ranu had no right to comment on its functioning. “I represent the SGPC and have every right to fight for its interest,” he said.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjeet Singh Sarna said, “Makkar should not complicate the issue by writing to the PM and other authorities.”