Fresh rift in Sikh panel as members demand chief Jhinda’s resignation

A fresh rift has erupted within the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) as two members of the committee and the representative of a member levelled allegations against committee president Jagdish Singh Jhinda of corruption, misuse of authority, violation of statutory norms and promoting VIP culture.

They demanded Jhinda’s resignation and the appointment of a new president for the smooth working of the committee, which was formed after the first-ever elections in January. As many as 17 members, who had also earlier supported Jhinda’s elevation, had earlier demanded his resignation.

Bhupinder Singh Laddi, youth state president of Jhinda’s party Panthak Dal and son of committee member Kapoor Kaur Sonkra, along with two other members of committee Gurtej Singh and Rajinder Singh openly accused Jhinda of indulging in financial irregularities and promoting VIP culture despite earlier promises to end it.

They further alleged that Jhinda appointed “corrupt managers” in gurdwaras and gets financial benefits through them.

Out of 40 elected members, 22 were Independents, nine from Jhinda’s Panthak Dal, six from Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal and three from Didar Singh Nalvi’s Sikh Samaj Sanstha. After the election, some Independents formed Akal Panthak Morcha and allied with six members of Sikh Panthak Dal. But later, some of the members left the group and backed another group. Meanwhile, the house had co-opted nine additional members and took the number of members to 49. The general house had elected Jhinda as president in May.

Laddi alleged that no annual budget has been passed so far due to the internal dispute and non-cooperation by the president. He, along with two other members, said that although they had supported him from the beginning, they were shocked by his “arrogant” functioning.

Laddi claimed to have the support of 19 members. He said that they were united against Jhinda and want him removed from the top post. They also accused him of attempting to protect illegal encroachments on gurdwara land in Jind and trying to earn money on the pretext of building a dharamshala in Amritsar for Haryana’s devotees.

Meanwhile, Jhinda denied the allegations and said that he is ready to face any inquiry into the allegations levelled by Laddi and other members. He said that Laddi is working at the behest of others. “The allegations levelled by Laddi and others are baseless and false,” he said, adding that he is working to strengthen the committee.