HSGMC to float political wing, says Jhinda

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kaithal, April 25

Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC ad hoc) leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda will float a political wing of the gurdwara panel.

After a meeting of HSGMC district leaders and chairpersons of ‘dharam prachar’ committees of 11 districts, Jhinda today said a five-member committee would suggest the name of the party.

The name of the party would be announced at Akal Takht by August 15, he said. He said a political wing was needed to contest gurdwara elections in Haryana.

He said it was being deliberated if the HSGMC’s political wing would contest Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections in Punjab and Delhi.

“The new political wing will ensure participation of Sikh population in eight countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia and Germany,” he said.

“The outfit will have its presence in 10 states with considerable Sikh population, including Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The prime focus of the political front will be Haryana,” he said.

Asked HSGMC leader Didar Singh Nalvi has called a meeting at Gurdwara Neem Sahib, Kaithal, on May 7 to elect a new executive body, Jhinda denied any parallel faction governing the panel. Only the president or general secretary of the HSGMC could call a metting and he continues to be the HSGMC head, he said.

“There is no final decision on convening a meeting on May 7. Some members may have been misguided by politicians, but all matters will be sorted out amicably,” he said.

“We are fighting together for the formation of an independent gurdwara panel for Haryana. The Supreme Court will hear a case challenging the HSGMC on July 14 and we expect a favourable decision,” he said.