Akal Panthak Morcha gains edge in Haryana gurdwara panel’s power battle
The contest for control over the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has escalated as Independent members consolidate their influence ahead of the newly elected House's first meeting on February 2 in Panchkula. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-affiliated Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal has extended the support of its six members to the Akal Panthak Morcha, a faction led by 19 Independent members, strengthening its position as the leading force in the power struggle.
The January 19 elections, the first-ever for HSGMC, resulted in a fractured mandate, with no single group securing a majority. The House consists of 22 Independent members, nine of Panthak Dal (Jhinda), six from the Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal and three from Sikh Samaj Sanstha, led by former HSGMC senior vice-president Didar Singh Nalvi.
With nine additional members set to be co-opted on February 2, the upcoming meeting will be crucial in shaping the committee’s power structure.
However, the Panthak Dal (Jhinda), led by former HSGMC (ad-hoc) president Jagdish Singh Jhinda, has called for a community gathering on February 1 to seek guidance on his future course of action, adding further suspense to the leadership battle.
Baldev Singh, president of the Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal, confirmed his group’s alignment with the Akal Panthak Morcha. “We have extended support to Akal Panthak Morcha to ensure the HSGMC is run in the best interest of the Sikh community. Our aim is to ensure the working of the body in a transparent manner,” he stated.
Welcoming the alliance, Prakash Singh Sahuwal, an Independent member from Nathusari Chopta and leader of the Akal Panthak Morcha, emphasised their commitment to unity and inclusivity. “We now have 25 members out of a total House of 40. We will co-opt nine members at the February 2 meeting in Panchkula. We will work collectively to serve the Sikh community and uphold the principles of equality in managing gurdwara affairs in Haryana,” he said.
As factions manoeuvre for control, the February 2 meeting will be decisive in determining the leadership and future direction of Haryana’s top Sikh religious body.
