Sikh gurdwara panel finalises co-opted members, oath ceremony tomorrow

In a significant step towards strengthening the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), nine members were co-opted into the body today during a meeting chaired by Justice HS Bhalla (retd), Commissioner for gurdwara elections. The oath ceremony for all 49 members, including the 40 elected earlier, will take place at 11 am on May 13 at the PWD Guest House, Panchkula.

The co-opted members represent various statutory categories, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Backward Classes (BC), Sikh women, Registered Singh Sabhas, and general Sikh tenets. Balkar Singh (Ambala) and Sewa Singh (Sirsa) were nominated from the SC category, while Bhupinder Singh (Panipat) represents BC. Simranjeet Kaur (Karnal) and Kartar Kaur (Shahabad Markanda) were selected under the women’s quota. Gurmail Singh (Fatehabad) and Harinder Singh (Ambala) represent Singh Sabhas. Baljit Singh Daduwal (Sirsa) and Dilbag Singh (Ambala) have been chosen from the general category.

The selection followed a consensus among six diverse groups, marking a rare moment of unity in the committee’s history.

“This is the first time such a descriptive and peaceful procedure has been followed. All nine selections were accepted unopposed,” said Jagdish Singh Jhinda, head of Panthak Dal (Jhinda). “Thanks to the Haryana Government for letting the process remain independent and inclusive. Despite differing affiliations, there was no tussle.”

Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal also praised the smooth process, saying, “We are happy that five of the nine co-opted members are from our group — two general category, two women, and one BC representative.”

The HSGMC elections were held on January 19, and co-option was delayed due to the absence of government-notified rules. These were issued on April 29, after which a five-member panel was constituted on May 5 to finalise nominations. The five-member panel had failed to reach the consensus.

The full committee of 49 members will now meet after the oath ceremony to elect a chairman and other office-bearers, concluding the long-awaited formation of the new HSGMC.

Haryana Tribune