Introduction
Gurdwaras are crucial in developing Sikh religious traditions and shaping Sikh history. They are also important in Sikhs’ spiritual, social, and political lives. In Punjab, the one who heads the gurudwara committee strongly influences state politics, so there has always been a tussle over managing gurudwaras.
The gurudwaras in Punjab and adjoining areas are managed by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) headquartered in Amritsar, Punjab which has continued its legacy for over 100 years. However, due to the demand for autonomy and independence, the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) was established to manage the sikh shrines in the state. After years of legal challenges over its formation which threatened the supremacy of SGPC, The Supreme Court upheld its validity in 2022 paving the way for a pivotal shift in the socio-political dynamics of Punjab and Haryana.
Historical background
The year 1920 was one of the most eventful years for Sikhism. The prevalence of non-sikh practices, misappropriation of funds, and disgrace of core Sikh values due to widespread corruption by the mahants and British managers led to the degradation of these divine spaces. With the gradual rise of the Akali movement and the Gurudwara reform movement, the SGPC was established in 1920 aiming to remove the corrupt priests and managers from Gurudwaras. The legal framework for its functioning was provided under the Sikh Gurudwara Act of 1925 which shifted the control of historical shrines to the SGPC ensuring the preservation of the spiritual heritage of the Sikhs and the protection of the Sikh identity. The SGPC throughout the years played an important role in the Sikh community and in shaping the broader political landscape of Punjab. The leadership of notable presidents like Master Tara Singh and Sant Chanan Singh were instrumental in guiding the religious and political affairs of the sikh during the period of upheaval.
The Punjabi suba movement, led primarily by Akali Dal and backed by SGPC, advocated for creating a Punjabi-speaking state characterized by protests, strikes, and arrests. this led to the establishment of the Punjabi-speaking state of Punjab in 1966 marking a significant victory for SGPC and Sikhs in particular.
In the years following the SGPC continues to be a central figure in sikh religious and political spheres. It has navigated internal politics, interactions with the Indian government, and various community issues maintaining its position as a key stakeholder in advocating Sikh rights.
However in Haryana with the rising local governance issues and demands for establishing autonomy, there was a call for a separate Gurudwara management committee solely focussing on the diverse needs of Sikhs in Haryana. To address this issue the HS Chatta Committee was created under the leadership of Bhupinder Singh Hooda to look into the legality of the separate management committee. And so in 2014, under the INC government in Haryana, the Haryana Sikh Gurudwara (Management) Act,2014 was passed. However, this decision received strong criticism from the SGPC and Akali Dal, the two dominant institutions looking after the sikh governance leading to several legal challenges. despite the legal issues, finally, in 2022, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the act marking it to be a landmark event that led to a change in the socio-religious and political fabric of Punjab and Haryana.
The historical evolution underscores the struggles for representation and autonomy within the Sikh community.
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