Hardliners stake claim to SGPC gurdwara in Moga

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Moga, May 22

Sikh hardliners today set up a committee to manage the affairs of an SGPC-run gurdwara at Dagru village in the district. They also claimed to have wrested control of the shrine, even as the district administration refuted their claim.

Earlier in the day, “Sarbat Khalsa”-appointed Takht Jathedar Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala entered Gurdwara Tambu Mall Sahib along with his supporters. Many residents of Dagru and its adjoining villages also accompanied him.

Ajnala and his loyalist, Devinder Singh Hareawala, announced Satpal Singh Khalsa as the president of the managing committee and Kulwant Singh, Rajinder Singh, Milkha Singh and Vikram Singh as its members.

Recently, senior Akali leaders Tarsem Singh Rattian and Gurlab Singh Jhandeana had announced their own managing committee, which was rejected by a majority of the villagers.

Today, none of the Akali leaders or local SGPC members were present at the gurdwara.

Sukhjinder Singh, a former sarpanch, said the tenure of the previous managing committee had expired recently. “Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, with the support of a majority of the villagers, has constituted a new committee,” he said.

Ajnala claimed that villagers unanimously proposed the names of members of the new panel. Local SGPC member Jaswinder Kaur was not available for comment.

A heavy police force was deployed. SSP Raj Jit Singh Hundal reached the spot to monitor the situation.