East India era laws should be amended according to Sikhs’ sentiments : Lady Singh Kanwaljit Kaur
Chandigarh, October 25, 2024 – The Global Sikh Council (GSC), representing 31 national-level Sikh organizations worldwide, has unanimously passed a resolution to free two historic Takhats of the Sikh temporal seats, Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Maharashtra, from government control with the active participation of local Sikh sangat and Gurdwara committees.
During the annual general meeting in London, chaired by Lady Singh Kanwaljit Kaur, OBE, the GSC passed this resolution. The GSC president highlighted that the religious practices at both Takhats violate fundamental Sikh tenets according to the ‘Sikh Maryada’. Besides, the Sikhs appointed to the committees of both the Takhats and the board members, have very little say in the governance of the Takhats and over religious worship practices.
Jagir Singh highlighted in his research paper
Jagir Singh, chairman of the GSC legal affairs committee from Malaysia, highlighted in his research paper that 70-year-old outdated laws—the Patna Sahib Constitution and bylaws of 1957, and the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Apchalnagar Sahib Act of 1956—currently govern both Takhats. These archaic legislations allow excessive government interference in the religious and administrative affairs of Takhats.
Emphasising to immediately amend the prevalent legislations according to the wishes of Sikh sangat, he informed that after the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in 1716, these two Takhats had never remained under the control of Sikhs and these old laws and the obnoxious provisions are undermining Sikhs’ autonomy to administer the sacred Gurdwaras.
He categorically stated that the state intervention and judicial overreach in the administration of these religious institutions not only hinder the democratic process but also raise questions about the autonomy of these religious bodies.
Takhats : Council rejected any proposed All India Sikh Gurdwara Act
The Council has rejected any proposed All India Sikh Gurdwara Act, calling instead for reforms that respect Sikh religious tenets and ensure greater autonomy in the governance of Sikh institutions by the local sangat.
The GSC has urged Sikhs worldwide to resist government interference and push for revisions to the East India era laws that return full control of Sikh affairs to the Sikh community as per the motive enshrined in the article 26 of the Indian constitution.
Among others present in the meeting included council advisor Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledon, member of House of Lords, Dr. Karminder Singh Dhillon from Indonesia, Paramjit Singh Bedi from USA, Dr. Jasbir Singh Puri from Ireland, Ram Singh Rathore, Harsharn Singh and Harjeet Singh Grewal from India, and Satnam Singh Poonia from UK and Kirandeep Kaur Sandhu from Nepal.
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