‘Hry govt has virtually taken over HSGMC’

Chandigarh: The SAD on Friday reacted strongly to a notification issued by Haryana on nominating 41 members and patron of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), saying that the state government had “virtually taken over” the Sikh body.SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said new developments were not surprising. “It vindicated our stand that the state government wanted to usurp the powers of HSGMC,” he said. The new gazette issued by the government has made it clear that all 41 members, including patron of HSGMC, will be appointed by the state and the Sangat has no role to play in electing their representatives, said Cheema. “We have been saying from Day 1 that the BJP wants to assert its power on gurdwara committees. After the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, its assertion on the HSGMC was in line with its policy,” claimed Cheema. tnn