Dharmendra Rataul explains

•What is the SGPC? How is it constituted?

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, a representative body of Sikhs that manages the gurdwaras (Sikh shrines) in northern India, was constituted by an act of Parliament in 1925. It was preceded by the reform movement to free gurdwaras from the clutches of the mahants. Its 180 members are directly elected by Sikh voters for a five year term. Its annual budget is about Rs 350 crore.

•Why is the SGPC opposing a separate SGPC in Haryana?

The SGPC is of the view that a separate SGPC in Haryana will reduce its influence and control over the gurdwaras in the region. Its revenue, collected from ‘Golak’ (offering boxes) put up at the shrines, would also come down, affecting the religious body financially.

•Why is the Haryana Congress keen on having a separate SGPC?

Sikhs constitute a significant chunk of Haryana’s population — about 9 per cent — and the Congress evidently hopes to woo the community’s votes. During the last assembly elections in 2005, the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee included the promise of creating a separate SGPC in the state in its election manifesto. A section of Haryana’s Sikhs wants the money collected from the ‘Golak’ to be spent on Harayana’s gurdwaras only.

•What are the implications for the SGPC if a separate body is formed in Haryana?

Apart from the financial losses, the SGPC’s claim of being the only paramount body of Sikhs will be severely undermined. The SGPC is already fighting for control over gurdwaras in other states of the country and even wants the Centre to help it to get permission for the maintenance of Sikh shrines in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and in Pakistan which already has a separate Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), formed in 1997.

•Is the SGPC also opposed to a separate Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee?

The ground situation relating to the formation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) in 1973 was different. The SGPC and Shiromani Akali Dal had not opposed its creation then. Rather, it had organised a massive agitation in support of its formation as the gurdwaras in the national capital were under the control of local leaders and the government.

•What are the political affiliations of the SGPC and DSGMC?

The SGPC is affiliated closely with the SAD(B) headed by Parkash Singh Badal who chooses its head in the annual general session. One hundred and fifty five of the total 180 members of the SGPC are with the SAD(B). The DSGMC is headed by Paramjit Singh Sarna whose closeness to the Congress is well-known.

•What happens next?

The ensuing parliament elections on their mind, the SAD-controlled-SGPC is organising a show of strength at Karnal on August 30. On the same day, Haryana’s seven SGPC members out of the total 11, having the backing of the Congress, are organising a parallel gathering.