Despite stiff opposition from the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday announced the decision to set up a separate SGPC for the State.
He said, “A bill to form a separate SGPC will be introduced in the Haryana Assembly session commencing on July 11. The proposed SGPC would be a legal entity.” Hooda while addressing a Sikh Convention (Mahasammelan) at Kaithal on Sunday said that it was a right of the Sikhs of Haryana to have an independent SGPC.
Assuring the Sikhs that there will be no political interference in the affairs of the proposed SGPC, Hooda said that the Haryana SGPC would have an elected body on the pattern of Punjab SGPC.Hooda said that he had been daily going through media statements made by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar. “I have regards for both and hope that these two leaders, who may not show respect to me, will respect the sentiments of the Sikhs in Haryana.”
Reiterating that the separate SGPC for Haryana would not have any political interference, Hooda said, “We shall uphold the dignity of the Sikhs of Haryana who have been demanding their right. The Sikhs of Haryana have full faith in Akal Takht and Sikh Gurus. They want to serve the Gurus and have the management of gurudwaras of the state in their hand.”
The Government had set up a committee under the chairmanship of Finance Minister HS Chatha for setting up a separate SGPC for Haryana.And, about three lakh Sikhs of Haryana had submitted their affidavits to the committee pressing the demand.The State Government had then sought legal opinion on the recommendations of the Chatha Committee before conceding the demand.Hooda said that the State Government had already made it clear that a decision would be taken in keeping with the aspirations of the Sikhs.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister said, ‘Main Darta Nahi Hoon Aur Main Sikhon Ki Bhawnaon Ka Samman Karta Hoon’ (I am not afraid and I respect the sentiments of Sikhs). “I hail from the family of a freedom fighter and have the blood of great freedom fighter running in my veins. Members of my family had rubbed shoulders with the family of Shaheed Bhagat Singh during the freedom struggle of the country,” he added.