DSGMC elections: Jhinda group aligns with Sarna's; to canvass against Badals

The Jagdish Singh Jhinda-led faction of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) (ad hoc) has decided to canvass against the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the forthcoming Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections.

The Jagdish Singh Jhinda-led faction of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) (ad hoc) has decided to canvass against the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the forthcoming Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections.

HT Image

Earlier, Jhinda's rival faction led by Didar Singh Nalwi had announced its support to DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna. The elections will be held on January 27.

"We will be holding meetings in support of the Sarna group from Wednesday," Jhinda told HT on Monday. He appealed to Sikh sangat to vote for the Sarna group to ensure the SAD (B) did not take control of shrines, and educational, health and other institutes being operated by the DSGMC. "Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has always used Sikh panthic committees for his political gains. Sikhs from Haryana have suffered a lot at the hands of Akalis," the HSGPC (ad hoc) president said.

On the discrimination to Sikhs from the state, Jhinda said, "The SAD (B) has denied us the legitimate right to shrines in the state. As per Section 72 of the Punjab Reorgnisaiton Act, 1966, Haryana should have an independent body to manage Sikh holy shrines but we are still struggling to get the right."