Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Committee Chief Jhinda demands All-India Gurdwara Act
Babushahi Bureau
Karnal (Haryana), September 25, 2026: Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Jathedar Jagdish Singh Jhinda has called for the enactment of an All-India Gurdwara Act, saying it would provide a common framework for the management of Sikh gurdwaras across the country.
Addressing journalists at Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Model Town, Karnal, Jhinda said the Panthak Dal Jhinda Group would launch a campaign for the proposed legislation and also approach the Union Home Minister with the demand.
He said the proposed law should bring Sikh gurdwara management bodies across different states under a common framework while allowing state-level committees to manage gurdwaras within their respective jurisdictions.
Jhinda proposed the creation of a Sikh Parliament through the proposed All-India Act, with its headquarters in Amritsar and representation from Sikh members elected from different parts of the country. He said this would help establish common norms for the management of gurdwaras across India.
He also called for amendments to the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, to facilitate recognition of the proposed legislation. He said that until an All-India Gurdwara Act is enacted, the Government of India should conduct elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) at the earliest.
Strengthening the Panthak Dal Jhinda Group, Jhinda announced the appointment of Harpreet Singh Narula as its secretary and Gurdev Singh Ramba as president of its youth wing. Appointment letters were handed over to the two leaders during the programme.
On the issue of Sikh prisoners, Jhinda said the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was holding daily protests in Kurukshetra seeking the release of imprisoned Sikhs. He said a gathering would be held in Kurukshetra on October 1, followed by the submission of a memorandum to the district administration.
He also referred to a protest march planned from Fatehgarh Sahib on October 2, which, he said, would reach Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib) on October 3. He said awareness programmes and protests were being organised in Kurukshetra and Karnal to mobilise participation in the march.
Jhinda said a larger gathering would be held at Damdama Sahib on October 3, where the organisers would decide their future course of action. He also said he had suggested a ‘Jail Bharo’ movement in support of the demand for the release of imprisoned Sikhs.
Representatives of various Sikh organisations, members of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and other Sikh leaders were present on the occasion.