HSGMC house meeting postponed again

The first house meeting of the newly elected 40 members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) was postponed for the second time, triggering protests by several members. The meeting, scheduled to take place at the PWD Rest House in Panchkula, was intended to co-opt nine additional members. However, citing the absence of rules for the process in the HSGMC Act, the Gurdwara Election Commission deferred the meeting again.

Protesting members staged a dharna and later marched to the Chief Minister’s residence, accusing the government of interfering in HSGMC affairs. They demanded that the government frame necessary rules by February 21 to allow the process to proceed.

“We have the required strength to co-opt nine additional members, but the commission is blocking the process under the pretext of missing rules. The Act was enacted in 2014, and in 11 years, the government has failed to frame the rules. We demand an immediate resolution and a fresh meeting without delay,” said Prakash Singh Sahuwal, an independent member from Nathusari Chopta and leader of the Akal Panthak Morcha.

Didar Singh Nalvi, a former senior vice-president of the HSGMC (ad-hoc committee) and elected member, also condemned the delay. “Since the CM was not present, we met senior officials. We have demanded that the rules be framed by February 21,” he said.

On the other hand the Election Commission cited legal hurdles. Justice (Retd.) HS Bhalla, Commissioner of the Gurdwara Election Commission, justified the postponement, saying that without rules for co-opting members, the Commission is legally unable to proceed. “I have conveyed this legal hurdle to all members. I have also directed the government to frame the rules as soon as possible so that we can move forward.”

Justice Bhalla said the election rules of the SGPC did not align with the Act.