Chandigarh, July 8, 2020: Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh has termed the move by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to disband the gurdwara management board in the union territory and replace it with people nominated by it to run gurdwaras in the union territory as an anti-Sikh move which will not be acceptable to Sikhs.
“The term of the board ends on July 8 and elections are due but because of coronavirus the elections can’t be held. If elections are not possible then the term of the board should be extended by six months or one year and elections held. Only the elected members should run the board. But J&K administration is trying to interfere in the working of the board by nominating its own people to run it. The government should not interfere in religious affairs. We will never accept this move,” Giani Harpreet said.
“Another issue which has come to our notice is that at the moment there is no Sikh member in J&K Civil Service Commission. It is for the first time since 1947 that such a thing has happened. J&K has a substantial Sikh population then why hasn’t the Centre appointed a representative of the Sikh community in the Civil Service Commission? We request the government to nominate a person from among the Sikh community of Jammu and Kashmir to the J&K Civil Service Commission,” Giani Harpreet said.
To watch Giani Harpreet Singh speak on the issue, click the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hclx4H_BLJM