Haryana: No consensus among gurdwara panelists; co-option now left to 40-member House
A five-member panel formed to co-opt nine additional members into the newly elected Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has failed to reach a consensus. The stalemate has now prompted the Gurdwara Election Commission, headed by Justice HS Bhalla (retd), to convene a full House meeting on May 11 in Panchkula.
The co-option process is a legal requirement under the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Act, 2014, which mandates inclusion of two Sikh women, three members from Scheduled Castes or Backward Classes, two Sikh intellectuals, and two presidents of registered Singh Sabhas. Without these nine co-opted members, the 40-member HSGMC cannot take oath or assume official functions.
Formed on May 4, the five-member panel included Panthak Dal (Jhinda) leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda, Akal Panthak Morcha’s Prakash Singh Sahuwala, Sikh Panthak Morcha’s Baldev Singh Kaimpur, and Independents Angrej Singh Rania and Gurbir Singh Radaur. However, despite deliberations held in Delhi on Wednesday, they could not reach a unanimous decision.
“We tried, but no consensus emerged,” said Sahuwala. Echoing the view, Jhinda said, “We made efforts, but the decision now rests with the full House.”
Confirming the May 11 meeting, Justice Bhalla said, “We have invited all 40 elected members to co-opt nine additional members across four mandated categories.”
The HSGMC is responsible for managing 52 historic gurdwaras and several educational and health institutions across Haryana, making its effective formation vital for Sikh community welfare.
In the first-ever elections held on January 19, 2025, 40 members were elected directly by the Sikh community: 22 Independents, nine from the Panthak Dal (Jhinda), six from the SAD-affiliated Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal, and three from Didar Singh Nalvi’s Sikh Samaj Sanstha.
Later, 19 Independents formed the Akal Panthak Morcha, which aligned with six members from the Sikh Panthak Dal, forming a majority bloc of 25. However, several defections have since shifted alliances.
While Sahuwala now claims the support of 18 members, former president Jathedar Baljeet Singh Daduwal claims 25. Daduwal, who contested as an Independent, failed to register his group Shiromani Akali Dal (Azad) due to naming restrictions under the Act.
Haryana Tribune