Chandigarh, 26 June (H.S.): Senior Shiromani

Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has appealed to

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to retain the autonomous character

of the Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Board and withdraw the proposed draft law seeking

changes in the Board’s structure.

In a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Harsimrat

Badal said the Sikh community was deeply concerned over the proposed changes,

which according to her, aim to fill the Board with government nominees against

the sentiments of Sikhs. She said the changes were being made on the

recommendations of a state-appointed committee without taking into confidence

the Sikh community, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Hazuri

Sachkhand Diwan.

Badal said no prior consultations had been held with

Sikh bodies, creating an impression that the move was an attempt to end the

autonomy of the Board. She added that Sikhs across the world see it as an

effort to take control of the shrine’s management, which is against the

interests of the community.

The Bathinda MP said there was complete unanimity within

the Sikh community that any decision related to the maryada, management and

religious autonomy of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib should not be taken unilaterally.

She recalled that in February 2024, the Maharashtra government had amended the

Act governing the shrine by allowing direct nomination of 12 out of 17 Board

members by the government. She said the representation of the SGPC had been

reduced and that of the Chief Khalsa Diwan and Hazuri Sachkhand Diwan had been

abolished. The amendment was later withdrawn following protests by Sikh

organisations.

Harsimrat Badal urged the Chief Minister to allow the

Sikh community to manage its religious affairs as per tradition. She also

pointed out that the Takht management had issued a gurmata against the

Maharashtra government’s decision to repeal the old Act.

She said the seven-decade-old Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur

Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956, had ensured autonomy in the management of the

shrine associated with Guru Gobind Singh Ji. She appealed that the old Act

should continue and the new draft law be withdrawn to ease tension among Sikhs.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH