Bias against Dalit Sikhs: SGPC forms two-member panel

In a viral video, members of the management committee of a gurdwara are seen refusing utensils for langar to a Dalit Sikh man for the bhog of his mother.

With the video of a January 17 incident in which members of the management committee of the gurdwara in the village are seen refusing utensils for langar to a Dalit Sikh man for the bhog of his mother, going viral, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has formed a two-member committee to probe the matter. Harinder Singh and Bhupinder Singh Bhalwan are on the committee.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal with members of the Dalit Sikh family in Sangrur on Sunday. (HT Photo)

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal also met the Dalit family of Kaka Singh on Sunday. In a statement, Longowal condemdned the incident, calling it against the principles of Sikhism. “Action will be taken after the two-member committee submits its report,” a release from his office said.

Bhalwan, a SGPC member from Amargarh, who is part of the probe panel said, “We will form a new committee of five baptised Sikhs to run the Manwala village gurdwara soon.”

He added, “It was an unfortunate incident. People who violated Sikh principles have tendered an apology in writing. All communities will perform bhogs and weddings at the gurdwara. We have also asked villagers not to make casteist remarks.”

Meanwhile, gurdwara committee members have accused sarpanch Harpal Singh, who is from the general category, of bias. Dalit organisations are also not fully satisfied and have sought an FIR against members of the gurdwara committee under the Schdeuled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities Act).

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