Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Sukhjinder Randhawa raises issue of SGPC elections in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, August 19, 2025: The long-pending issue of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, often referred to as the “mini-Parliament of Sikhs,” resonated in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Congress MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, strongly raised the matter and demanded clarity from the central government, reviving debate on the delay of the
Randhawa directly asked the government whether any timeline had been fixed for the SGPC elections. He reminded the House that the last elections were held in 2011 and that failure to conduct fresh elections was an “injustice to the rights of the Sikh community.”
He emphasized that timely elections are essential to safeguarding both religious rights and democratic traditions. Replying to the query, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai clarified that under the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, the responsibility of conducting SGPC elections lies with the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections.
The Chief Commissioner has already been appointed and has instructed Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh administrations to prepare electoral rolls. However, the process remains stalled due to several cases pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where stay orders have delayed further progress.
Former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira has welcomed the issue raised by Member of Parliament and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in the Lok Sabha regarding the long-pending Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections.