Gurdwara managers

NOW we come to the question as to how the mahants of notified Sikh gurdwaras and shrines will be affected by the provisions of the new Bill. The Bill is admittedly designed on the principle that the gurdwaras and shrines and their endowments are the common heritage and property of the Sikh community as a whole, and that the income of these places of worship, which in certain cases amounts to lakhs of rupees, is not to be treated as the personal income of the mahants who are in charge of them. The position that the Bill assigns to mahants and managers of gurdwaras and shrines is that of mere trustees and servants of the community, and not that of owners of those places of worship who may do what they like with the income from offerings and endowments attached to the gurdwaras and shrines in their charge. The Bill further takes away from the mahants the right to nominate their successors, and vests complete control over the gurdwaras and shrines in the elected representatives of the community. These are the principles on which the Bill is based; and the recognition of these principles constitutes a glorious victory for the Akalis who have made heavy sacrifices during the last five years for reforming the management of their places of worship. In so far as it is consistent with a due recognition of these principles, the Bill affords ample protection to the present mahants in the enjoyment of their legitimate rights; and ensures that the zeal of the reformer will not be permitted to work itself out in such a manner as to bring undue hardship to those who, in some cases, have been in more or less uncontrolled possession of these places of worship for centuries.