Intense lobbying among Sikh groups, Independents for control of HSGMC

A day after elections for the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), prominent Sikh organisations and Independent members began intense lobbying to secure control of the committee.

The Haryana Gurdwara Election Commission released an updated list of results, confirming 22 Independents were elected, followed by nine members from Panthak Dal (Jhinda), six from the Akali Dal-affiliated Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal and three from Sikh Samaj Sanstha led by Didar Singh Nalvi. Earlier, reports listed 21 Independents and 10 members from Jhinda’s group.

Didar Singh Nalvi, a veteran Sikh leader and former senior vice-president of the HSGMC ad hoc committee, expressed his willingness to ally with Jhinda’s faction. “I, along with the Sikhs of Haryana, have struggled greatly for a separate committee to manage gurdwaras across the state. I want the HSGMC to function as per the Haryana Committee Act. For this purpose, I am prepared to extend my cooperation and support to Jhinda’s organisation,” Nalvi said. Nalvi also claimed the support of four Independent members.

In a dramatic turn, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, former HSGMC ad hoc president, resigned from his membership on Monday due to dissatisfaction with the results but withdrew his resignation hours later. “Nalvi ji is my elder brother and we have both worked hard for the creation of the separate committee. I am thankful to him,” said Jhinda, who also claimed support from several Independents. Jhinda reiterated his agenda, including protecting gurdwara sanctity, preventing sacrilege, establishing a Sikh University in Jind and strengthening Dharam Parchar initiatives across Haryana.

The Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal, which won six seats, emphasised its commitment to serving as a non-political, religious body. Baldev Singh, president of the Panthak Dal, claimed support from 12 Independents. “We will approach all groups for better management of gurdwaras in a transparent manner. If our office-bearers are elected, we will ensure the release of income and expenditure reports on a monthly basis,” he said.

An Independent member, speaking anonymously, stated that the Independents held sufficient support to influence the formation of the governing body.

Justice HS Bhalla (retd), Haryana Gurdwara Election Commissioner, said, “All 40 members have been elected and their oath ceremony will be organised following the issuance of the notification. Nine additional members will be nominated by the House, after which the office-bearers will be elected.”

The intense jockeying reflects the significance of the HSGMC in shaping Sikh religious affairs in Haryana.