Amid concerns over the violation of Sikh religious autonomy, the Maharashtra Government has agreed to place a controversial new law around the affairs of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in abeyance and constitute a committee for wider consultations.
The decision was conveyed in Delhi after a meeting between BJP leaders and Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, deputed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to resolve the concerns.
After the meeting where Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon also shared his concerns, party leader RP Singh said the state government had agreed to form a panel and conduct discussions with stakeholders before introducing the legislation.
“I conveyed my concerns to CM Fadnavis and he promptly deputed Chandrashekhar Bawankule to meet us. We had a fruitful discussion, with Kewal Dhillon also joining. We requested that wider consultations be held before the Bill is introduced in the Assembly," RP Singh said. He said Bawankule had accepted the suggestion.
Dhillon also welcomed the development regarding the constitution of a committee of Sikh scholars before introducing the Act. “We conveyed to the state government that consultations must be undertaken with the Sikh Panth before any legislative framework concerning the administration of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib is finalised. We are thankful to the Maharashtra CM for responding with sensitivity to the concerns of the Sikh community," Dhillon said.
He said Takht Sri Hazur Sahib was not merely an institution but a living symbol of Sikh faith, sovereignty and heritage, revered by Sikhs across the globe.
The controversy stems from the Maharashtra Government’s decision to repeal The Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Abchalnagar Sahib Act-1956 and replace it with a new law called Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Act.
Earlier this week, the caretakers of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib asserted their religious autonomy and issued a ‘gurmata’ (collective religious edict) rejecting the government’s repeal proposal.
Scrap draft law: Harsimrat
Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has appealed to Fadnavis to retain the autonomous character of the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board and withdraw the draft law that seeks to fill the Board with government nominees.
