The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) has postponed till November 20 its move to take over charge of gurdwaras in the state from October 8. However, the HSGPC has warned that if by then no decision on their demand for a separate SGPC for Haryana is taken by the Haryana government and the Centre, they would resort to an agitation again.

The move has come as a big relief to both the Haryana and the Punjab governments, as the takeover threat could have sparked off tension in both states. Talking to The Indian Express, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, president of HSGPC, said SGPC general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash

Singh Badal, met them today, requesting them to sort out the matter through talks.

“We have decided to postpone the takeover of gurdwaras in Haryana, provided talks on the issue between SGPC members from Punjab and Haryana begin by November 10 and some concrete solution is reached by November 20,’’ said Jhinda.

The HSGPC had given a one-month ultimatum to the Haryana government and the Centre on September 7 at its rally in Karnal to create a separate SGPC for Haryana, warning that otherwise they would take control of gurdwaras in the state.

Welcoming the postponement of the HSGPC move to take over control of gurdwaras in Haryana, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said it has come as a big relief to everyone. “I welcome the move. We can sit and talk in a cordial atmosphere now,’’ said Makkar, when contacted.

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