No rules for co-opting add’l members has Sikh gurdwara body in limbo

IT has been three months since the elections for the elected body of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), but, the newly elected members are still to take oath and assume charge. As many as 40 members have been elected by the Sikh community members and nine additional members are to be co-opted by the House. After co-opting of these members, the oath-taking ceremony will be held, and thereafter the new body will be eligible to manage the gurdwaras in the state. Until the rules are framed and the newly elected body takes charge, the vision behind the creation of a separate HSGMC — ensuring autonomous, transparent and accountable management of gurdwaras in the state — will remain unfulfilled. However, an ad-hoc committee continues to look after the management of gurdwaras.

What is the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC)?

The HSGMC is a body created by the former Congress government in Haryana in 2014 for independently managing 52 historical gurdwaras and their properties within the state. It was formed under the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014. The Haryana Assembly passed the HSGMC Bill on July 11, 2014, and it became an Act on July 14, 2014. A 41-members ad-hoc committee was formed by the Congress government led by former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Act faced opposition and legal challenges. However, the Supreme Court ordered a status quo on August 7, 2014. After eight years of litigation, the Supreme Court upheld its constitutional validity of the HSGMC Act 2014 on September 20, 2022. Earlier, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) managed the affairs of gurdwaras in Haryana.

Why is the HSGMC important for Sikhs in Haryana?

The HSGMC manages 52 historical gurdwaras, as well as seven educational institutions and healthcare facilities across Haryana. Its proper functioning is crucial for maintaining religious, cultural and community services for the Sikhs in the state.

Why were the first elections of the HSGMC considered historic?

The elections held on January 19, 2025, marked the first time the Sikh community in Haryana directly elected 40 HSGMC members, which resulted in a fractured mandate. The newly elected members include 22 Independents, nine from the Panthak Dal (Jhinda), six from the SAD-affiliated Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal and three from the Sikh Samaj Sanstha led by Didar Singh Nalvi. Subsequently, 19 Independent members formed a group named the Akal Panthak Morcha, which secured the support of six members from the Sikh Panthak Dal, bringing its total strength to 25 out of 40. Despite the election, the 40 elected members have been left waiting due to the absence of necessary rules.

What led to the current deadlock after the elections?

Although 40 members were elected, they have not yet taken the oath because the rules for co-opting the additional nine members have not been framed by the government. The Act mandates the co-option of two Sikh women, three persons from the Scheduled Castes/Backward Classes, two Sikh intellectuals,and two presidents from registered Singh Sabhas. The delay in framing the rules has caused resentment among both community members and elected members.

What controversies have rocked the committee in the past?

There was infighting among prominent leaders since the committee’s inception, affecting its functioning. Persistent internal disputes, delays in rule-making and lack of administrative clarity have kept the HSGMC in the news. To address these issues, the government initiated the process to elect a new body instead of continuing with the ad-hoc committee. A Gurdwara Election Commission led by Justice (retd) HS Bhalla was constituted, which oversaw the election process. The state was divided into 40 wards, and proper voter lists were prepared.

Why is the co-option rule crucial for HSGMC’s functioning?

Without framing the co-option rules and completing the 49-member body (40 elected +nine co-opted), the committee cannot legally convene the oath-taking ceremony or begin formal management duties. The Gurdwara Election Commission has written to the Haryana Government, urging the framing of rules. Two meetings for co-opting members were scheduled on February 2 and 14 but were postponed due to the absence of rules.

Haryana Tribune