SGPC objects to J&K court’s verdict on ‘Singh’ and ‘Kaur’ surnames

Amritsar, January 17

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has objected to the recent decision of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court where it clarified that having ‘Singh’ or ‘Kaur’ as surnames was not mandatory to be recognised as a Sikh.

This judgment was in context of a petition challenging the poll of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) in Akhnoor on the ground that certain non-Sikh voters were added to the electoral rolls.

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said the identity of Sikhs is incomplete without ‘Singh’ or ‘Kaur’ as these surnames were blessed by the Gurus.

“We believe that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s decision was directly against the Sikh values. It was improper on the part of the court to make a comment on a matter related to the religious conduct of Sikhs without taking suggestions from Akal Takht or the SGPC,” he said.

The SGPC chief added that they would take assistance of legal experts in this matter.