Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee
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| − | = Presidents of the SGPC/ Pradhan Sahibs= | + | =Elections= |
| + | ==Procedure + No elections 2011-24== | ||
| + | [https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/how-do-sgpc-elections-work-why-have-they-not-been-held-in-13-years-9628410/ Kamaldeep Singh Brar, Oct 19, 2024: ''The Indian Express''] | ||
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| + | Of the 170 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members elected in 2011, at least 30 have died in the last 13 years. Although elections for the committee are supposed to be held every five years, none have taken place for well over a decade. | ||
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| + | ''' First, what is the SGPC? ''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | The SGPC is the apex governing body of all Sikh gurdwaras in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It was established on November 15, 1920 in Amritsar, originally to administer the Darbar Sahib gurdwara and other historically important gurdwaras. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the 19th century, Punjab, now under British control, saw a rise of Christian missionary activity and the formation of Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. It is in this context that the Singh Sabha movement began among Sikhs to arrest what was termed as the “degradation of Sikh thought and principles” in daily life. | ||
| + | |||
| + | But the control of Darbar Sahib and other gurdwaras remained in the hands of powerful mahants (priests) who enjoyed tacit support from the British. These mahants treated gurdwaras as their personal fiefdoms. They encouraged practices in violation of the tenets of Sikhism, such as idol worship and discrimination against Dalit Sikhs. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The SGPC was created to replace the unpopular mahants, and govern Sikh gurdwaras as per the tenets of Sikhism. In the years after its creation, the SGPC managed to seize control of many gurdwaras, although things would often turn violent. Finally, the British passed the Gurdwaras Act, 1925 which gave the SGPC legal recognition and turned it into a democratic body to govern gurdwaras. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''' How do SGPC elections work? ''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are a total of 170 elected members of the SGPC. In addition, there are 15 nominated members, 5 heads of the Takhts (Sikh temporal seats), and the head granthi (chief priest) of the Golden Temple. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Gurdwara Election Commission is a statutory body under the 1925 Act that is responsible for holding the SGPC elections. The Gurdwara Election Commission Chairman is appointed by the Union Home Ministry to oversee the elections. This person has the authority to hold elections in coordination with the Punjab government, which provides security and other resources. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Centre appointed Justice S S Saron (retired), formerly of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the chairman of the Gurdwara Election Commission in October 2020. However, Saron began the process of preparing electoral rolls only in May this year. SGPC voters are registered in the same manner as voters in general elections, and the elections also take place on similar lines. Any eligible person can approach appointed election officials to register themselves as voters. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''' Who can become a voter in SGPC elections? ''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are four main conditions to become a voter in SGPC elections. At the time of enrolment, a person must sign a declaration saying that: | ||
| + | |||
| + | They maintain unshorn hair; | ||
| + | |||
| + | They do not drink alcohol; | ||
| + | |||
| + | They do not consume halal meat; and | ||
| + | |||
| + | They do not consume tobacco. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Moreover, voters must be Sikhs of the age of 21 and above. This time, Sikhs from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh will be allowed to cast their vote. Voters from Haryana will not participate, as the state now has its own Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. | ||
| + | |||
| + | So far, more than 5 million voters have been registered for the SGPC elections since last October. The 2011 elections had 5.6 million registered voters, most of whom were from Punjab (5.27 million), followed by Haryana (337,000), Himachal Pradesh (23,011), and Chandigarh (11,932). | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''' Why were elections delayed? ''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Many Sikh groups have demanded fresh elections be held since 2016. Still, the house elected in 2011 is still functioning. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A legal issue was behind the initial delay of SGPC elections. In December 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court nullified the SGPC polls held in September that year, and restored the voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs (Sikhs with shorn hair) by quashing the 2003 notification by the Centre. This notification had barred Sehajdhari Sikhs from casting their vote in 2011. During the hearings of the so-called Sehajdhari voting rights case, the court made it clear that the poll results in 2011 would be subject to the verdict in the matter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In February 2012, the SGPC moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court, however, too as long as 2016 — the year fresh elections were to be held — to reinstate the SGPC house from 2011. | ||
| + | |||
| + | That said, even this reinstated house completed its five-year term in 2021. After coming to power in Punjab in 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party government recommended to the Centre that the SGPC elections be conducted as soon as possible. | ||
| + | |||
| + | =Presidents of the SGPC/ Pradhan Sahibs= | ||
Translated from [http://sgpc.net/honble-presidents-of-sgpc/ Honorable President Sahiban, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Sri Amritsar)| SGPC.net] | Translated from [http://sgpc.net/honble-presidents-of-sgpc/ Honorable President Sahiban, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Sri Amritsar)| SGPC.net] | ||
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SGPC’s additional secretary and spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said, “Kaur is a very respectable name given by Sikh gurus to Sikh women. A person who didn’t follow the teachings of Sikh Gurus shouldn’t use the word Kaur as this could hurt Sikh religious feelings. Sikhs will not allow her to use it. She should tender a public apology.” | SGPC’s additional secretary and spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said, “Kaur is a very respectable name given by Sikh gurus to Sikh women. A person who didn’t follow the teachings of Sikh Gurus shouldn’t use the word Kaur as this could hurt Sikh religious feelings. Sikhs will not allow her to use it. She should tender a public apology.” | ||
Echoing similar views, president of the Istri Akali Dal, Bibi Jagir Kaur, said, “She is using the word Kaur for making her biopic a success, unaware of the fact that the same could hurt Sikh religious sentiments.” | Echoing similar views, president of the Istri Akali Dal, Bibi Jagir Kaur, said, “She is using the word Kaur for making her biopic a success, unaware of the fact that the same could hurt Sikh religious sentiments.” | ||
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| + | [[Category:India|S SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE | ||
| + | SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Religion|S SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE | ||
| + | SHIROMANI GURDWARA PARBANDHAK COMMITTEE]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:23, 19 December 2024
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
[edit] Elections
[edit] Procedure + No elections 2011-24
Kamaldeep Singh Brar, Oct 19, 2024: The Indian Express
Of the 170 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members elected in 2011, at least 30 have died in the last 13 years. Although elections for the committee are supposed to be held every five years, none have taken place for well over a decade.
First, what is the SGPC?
The SGPC is the apex governing body of all Sikh gurdwaras in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It was established on November 15, 1920 in Amritsar, originally to administer the Darbar Sahib gurdwara and other historically important gurdwaras.
In the 19th century, Punjab, now under British control, saw a rise of Christian missionary activity and the formation of Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. It is in this context that the Singh Sabha movement began among Sikhs to arrest what was termed as the “degradation of Sikh thought and principles” in daily life.
But the control of Darbar Sahib and other gurdwaras remained in the hands of powerful mahants (priests) who enjoyed tacit support from the British. These mahants treated gurdwaras as their personal fiefdoms. They encouraged practices in violation of the tenets of Sikhism, such as idol worship and discrimination against Dalit Sikhs.
The SGPC was created to replace the unpopular mahants, and govern Sikh gurdwaras as per the tenets of Sikhism. In the years after its creation, the SGPC managed to seize control of many gurdwaras, although things would often turn violent. Finally, the British passed the Gurdwaras Act, 1925 which gave the SGPC legal recognition and turned it into a democratic body to govern gurdwaras.
How do SGPC elections work?
There are a total of 170 elected members of the SGPC. In addition, there are 15 nominated members, 5 heads of the Takhts (Sikh temporal seats), and the head granthi (chief priest) of the Golden Temple.
The Gurdwara Election Commission is a statutory body under the 1925 Act that is responsible for holding the SGPC elections. The Gurdwara Election Commission Chairman is appointed by the Union Home Ministry to oversee the elections. This person has the authority to hold elections in coordination with the Punjab government, which provides security and other resources.
The Centre appointed Justice S S Saron (retired), formerly of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the chairman of the Gurdwara Election Commission in October 2020. However, Saron began the process of preparing electoral rolls only in May this year. SGPC voters are registered in the same manner as voters in general elections, and the elections also take place on similar lines. Any eligible person can approach appointed election officials to register themselves as voters.
Who can become a voter in SGPC elections?
There are four main conditions to become a voter in SGPC elections. At the time of enrolment, a person must sign a declaration saying that:
They maintain unshorn hair;
They do not drink alcohol;
They do not consume halal meat; and
They do not consume tobacco.
Moreover, voters must be Sikhs of the age of 21 and above. This time, Sikhs from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh will be allowed to cast their vote. Voters from Haryana will not participate, as the state now has its own Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
So far, more than 5 million voters have been registered for the SGPC elections since last October. The 2011 elections had 5.6 million registered voters, most of whom were from Punjab (5.27 million), followed by Haryana (337,000), Himachal Pradesh (23,011), and Chandigarh (11,932).
Why were elections delayed?
Many Sikh groups have demanded fresh elections be held since 2016. Still, the house elected in 2011 is still functioning.
A legal issue was behind the initial delay of SGPC elections. In December 2011, the Punjab and Haryana High Court nullified the SGPC polls held in September that year, and restored the voting rights of Sehajdhari Sikhs (Sikhs with shorn hair) by quashing the 2003 notification by the Centre. This notification had barred Sehajdhari Sikhs from casting their vote in 2011. During the hearings of the so-called Sehajdhari voting rights case, the court made it clear that the poll results in 2011 would be subject to the verdict in the matter.
In February 2012, the SGPC moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court, however, too as long as 2016 — the year fresh elections were to be held — to reinstate the SGPC house from 2011.
That said, even this reinstated house completed its five-year term in 2021. After coming to power in Punjab in 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party government recommended to the Centre that the SGPC elections be conducted as soon as possible.
[edit] Presidents of the SGPC/ Pradhan Sahibs
Translated from Honorable President Sahiban, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Sri Amritsar)| SGPC.net
(Before the implementation of the Sikh Gurdwara Act)
1. S. Sunder Singh ji 'Majithia' from 12-10-1920 to 14-08-1921
2. Baba Kharak Singh ji 14-08-1921 to 19-02-1922
3. S. Sunder Singh ji Ramgadia from 19-02-1922 to 16-07-1922
4. S. Bahadar Mehtab Singh from 16-07-1922 to 27-04-1925
5. S. Mangal Singh ji 27-04-1925 to 02-10-1926
After the enactment of the Act
6. Baba Kharak Singh ji 02-10-1926 to 12-10-1930
7. Master Tara Singh ji 12-10-1930 to 17-06-1933
8. S. Gopal Singh ji 'National' from 17-06-1933 to 18-06-1933
9. S. Pratap Singh ji 'Shankar' 18-06-1933 to 13-06-1936
10. Master Tara Singh ji 13-06-1936 to 19-11-1944
11. Jathedar Mohan Singh ji 'Nagoke' from 19-11-1944 to 28-06-1948
12. Jathedar Udham Singh ji 'Nagoke' from 28-06-1948 to 18-03-1950
13. Jathedar Chanan Singh ji 'Urra' 18-03-1950 to 26-11-1950
14. Jathedar Udham Singh ji 'Nagoke' from 26-11-1950 to 29-06-1952
15. Master Tara Singh ji 29-06-1952 to 05-10-1952
16. S. Pritam Singh ji Khunanj 05-10-1952 to 18-01-1954
17. S.: Ishar Singh ji 'Majhail' 18-01-1954 to 07-02-1955
18. Master Tara Singh ji 07-02-1955 to 21-05-1955
19. Bawa Harkishan Singh ji 21-05-1955 to 07-07-1955
20. Sree Gyan Singh ji 'Rarevala' 07-07-1955 to 16-10-1955
21. Master Tara Singh ji from 16-10-1955 to 16-11-1958
22. S. Prem Singh ji 'Lalpura' 16-11-1958 to 07-03-1960
23. Master Tara Singh ji 07-03-1960 to 30-04-1960
24. S. Ajit Singh ji 'Bala' 30-04-1960 to 10-03-1961
25. Master Tara Singh ji 10-03-1961 to 11-03-1962
26. S. Kirpal Singh ji 'Chak Shherewala' 11-03-1962 to 02-10-1962
27. Sant Chanan Singh ji 02-10-1962 to 30-11-1972
28. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, 06-01-1973 to 23-03-1986
29. S. Kabail Singh ji 23-03-1986 to 30-11-1986
30. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra 30-11-1986 to 28-11-1990
31. S. Baldev Singh ji 'Sibia' 28-11-1990 to 13-11-1991
32. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, from 13-11-1991 to 13-10-1996
33. Jathedar Gurcharan Singh from Tohra, from 20-12-1996 to 16-03-1999
34. Bibi Jagir Kaur ji 'Begowal' from 16-03-1999 to 30-11-2000
35. Jathedar Jagdev Singh ji 'Talwandi' from 30-11-2000 to 27-11-2001
36. Prof. Kirpal Singh ji Badungar 27-11-2001 to 20-07-2003
37. Jatha: Gurcharan Singh Tohra, 27-07-2003 to 31-03-2004
38. S. Alwarinder Pal Singh 'Pakheke' 01-04-2004 to 22-09-2004
39. Bibi Jagir Kaur ji 'Begowal' 23-09-2004 to 22-11-2005
40. Jatha: Avtar Singh ji 23-11-2005 to 04-11-2016
41. Prof Kirpal Singh ji 'Badungar' 05-11-2016 to 28-11-2017
42. S. Gobind Singh ji 'Longowal' 29-11-2017 to
[edit] 2017: Longowal ‘heir’ becomes 42nd president of SGPC
The Times of India| 30 November 2017
Gobind Singh Longowal was elected as the 42nd president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) by 154-15 votes on Wednesday. After the opposition members refused to allow the house to elect the president by raising of hands, voting took place. Gobind Singh was the driver of legendary Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal and a former SAD MLA. At the general house session, former SGPC president Jagir Kaur proposed the name of Longowal which was seconded by SGPC member Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala.
[edit] 2020: Jagir Kaur
Yudhvir Rana, November 28, 2020: The Times of India
SAD’s Jagir Kaur wins SGPC chief post for 4th time
Amritsar:
Bibi Jagir Kaur was elected for the fourth time as president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — the Sikhs’ single largest representative body — during its annual general house session at Teja Singh Samundari Hall in Amritsar, reports Yudhvir Rana. She replaces Gobind Singh Longowal, who faced a couple of controversies, including the case of missing saroops, during his three years as the gurdwara body president.
Jagir Kaur, who is also president of the Istri Akali Dal — women’s wing of SAD — was elected thrice as SGPC president before this. Her first tenure was from March 16-November 22, 1999, when she became the first woman to be elevated to the post. She was reelected in November 1999 and resigned from her post in 2000 when she was accused of killing her daughter but was later acquitted. Her third term was from September 29, 2004, to November 22, 2005.
Surjit Singh Bhittewind and Baba Buta Singh were appointed as senior and junior vice-presidents, respectively, while Advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka became the general secretary of SGPC.
[edit] Hukumnâmâs/ edicts/ opinions
[edit] 2018: Sunny Leone can’t use ‘Kaur’ in her biopic
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sikh women leadership have objected to Bollywood actress and one-time porn star Sunny Leone’s upcoming web series ‘Karenjit Kaur: The Untold Story of Sunny Leone’. They are upset with producers using ‘Kaur’ in the series.
SGPC’s additional secretary and spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said, “Kaur is a very respectable name given by Sikh gurus to Sikh women. A person who didn’t follow the teachings of Sikh Gurus shouldn’t use the word Kaur as this could hurt Sikh religious feelings. Sikhs will not allow her to use it. She should tender a public apology.” Echoing similar views, president of the Istri Akali Dal, Bibi Jagir Kaur, said, “She is using the word Kaur for making her biopic a success, unaware of the fact that the same could hurt Sikh religious sentiments.”
