Sikhs resent delay in DGPC elections

Excelsior Correspondent

A deputation of Sikh bodies presenting memorandum to Devender Singh Rana on Sunday.
A deputation of Sikh bodies presenting memorandum to Devender Singh Rana on Sunday.

JAMMU, Aug 10:A deputation of various Sikh organizations of J&K called on Devender Rana, MLC and provincial president NC and State Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saif Ullha Mir expressing strong resentment against the coalition Government for delaying elections of Jammu District Gurduwara Parbandhak Committee.
The deputation, led by Avtar Singh Khalsa, general secretary of the Sikh United Front and Surinder Singh Bunty, president Youth NC, comprised representatives of various Sikh organizations like Bhai Kaniya Nishkam Sewa Society, AISSF, Sikh Welfare Society, Sikh Naujwan Sabha, ex-GDPC members and Sikh intellectuals.
The deputation lamented that a non Sikh (Div Com Jammu) was running the affairs of a Sikh religious body DGPC Jammu which is against the principals of Sikhism and directions of Shri Akal Takht Sahib. They alleged that no balance sheet of Sikh donated funds was properly maintained and Gurudwara Golaks were being misused in the different areas as well as in historical Gurudwara of Jammu district. “Many times the complaints of misusing of the Gurudwara funds by the local committees have been submitted in writing but no action has been taken in this regard,” they said.
S Avtar Singh Khalsa further said that the High Court Division Bench had directed State Govt on 11 /07/2013 to conduct the Gurudwara elections within a period of six months following which a notifications was also issued by the Government for holding elections on 10/01/2014 but nothing has been done in this regards.
The Sikh leaders warned that the community would boycott the Congress as well as NC candidates in forthcoming Assembly election if the Government does not conduct Gurudwara elections immediately.
Both Devender Rana and Saif Ullha Mir assured to raise the issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Those who were part of the deputation, included Mohinder Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Ramneek Singh Bijral, Raja Singh Sarpanch, Sukhwant Singh Sarpanch, Kulwant Singh, Surjeet Singh Kukku, Tejpal Singh TP, S Parvinder Singh, Dharminder Singh and others.