Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Act amendment row; SGPC, Akali leaders protest against Maharashtra govt

Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Act amendment row: Protests have erupted outside Nanded Sahib gurdwara over the Maharashtra Government's decision to amend the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Apchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956. The amendment aims to increase the number of government nominees on the religious body's board. The 'sangat' of the gurdwara staged a demonstration against this move.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and SGPC general secretary Rajinder Singh Mehta expressed their strong disapproval of the modifications made by the Maharashtra Government. They deemed the changes as "uncalled for" and described them as a direct interference in Sikh affairs that cannot be tolerated. 

SGPC chief Advocate Dhami had earlier written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, vehemently objecting to the arbitrary amendment to the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Parbandhak Board Act by the Maharashtra Cabinet. He said including members of Sikh organisations in the Nanded Gurdwara Board aims to ensure transparent and religious functioning while respecting the sanctity of Takht Sahib. Advocate Dhami warned that any alteration in the Act would deeply hurt Sikh sentiments.

Advocate Dhami stressed that direct intervention in Sikh gurdwaras is unacceptable, especially without prior consultation with representative of Sikh organisations. The Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956, serves as the regulatory framework for the management, maintenance, and operation of Sikh gurdwaras in the region, with a particular focus on Takht Sri Hazur Sahib.