Jhinda takes U-turn, retracts resignation, reaffirms commitment to Sikh maryada
Hours after announcing his resignation, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, president of Panthak Dal (Jhinda) and elected HSGMC member from Ward-18 (Assandh), made a U-turn, stating he would not step down. Jhinda affirmed his commitment to ensuring gurdwara management aligns with Sikh maryada.
Of the 40 elected members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), nine belong to the Panthak Dal (Jhinda), six to the SAD-affiliated Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal, three to Didar Singh Nalvi's Sikh Samaj Sanstha and 22 are Independents.
Jhinda expressed dissatisfaction with the election outcome, as only nine of 21 candidates from his group won. "I took an emotional decision without consulting senior members. They advised me against resignation, as it would weaken our group, send a wrong message to supporters and benefit the opposition," he said.
Jhinda emphasised his resolve to oppose government and SAD interference in gurdwara affairs, adding, "We will stand strongly to protect the sanctity of Sikh maryada. A meeting of newly elected members will take place on January 25 and we will decide our future course of action in a preliminary meeting on January 24."
Reflecting on the election, Jhinda said, "We struggled for over 22 years to secure a separate Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for Haryana. People said they would vote for those who fought for the HSGMC, but the results favoured others. Some ineligible candidates even won."
He also criticised the BJP government, claiming, "The government and SAD aim to control gurdwaras, which is unacceptable. I will work for the Sikh Panth and farmers." Jhinda plans to meet farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, currently on a hunger strike against the BJP government’s policies.
