M A I N   N E W S

Haryana wants Centre to withdraw HSGPC letter
Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, July 19
Volunteers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today heightened vigil at gurdwaras managed by the body in Haryana. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC), on the other hand, has decided to hold peace marches from tomorrow.

Even as the Haryana Government chose to adopt a “wait and watch” approach, Haryana minister Randeep Singh Surjewala urged Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to withdraw the ministry’s communiqué asking the Governor to withdraw his assent to the Bill for the creation of a separate SGPC for the state.

In a letter to Rajnath Singh, Surjewala urged him to rein in the Punjab Government which was disturbing the law and order situation in Haryana by deputing its leaders at gurdwaras to prevent the HSGPC from taking control of the shrines after the passage of the Bill.

As SGPC volunteers continue to keep vigil at Haryana gurdwaras, including Nada Sahib. The HSGPC, at a meeting at Dera Karsewa chaired by Jagdish Singh Jhinda, decided to organise peace marches over the next four days beginning tomorrow from Ambala.

The HSGPC members said similar marches would be held in Fatehabad, Karnal and Kurukshetra to press for ouster of SGPC employees controlling gurdwaras in Haryana. A memorandum to this effect would be submitted to Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts.

Haryana Director General of Police SN Vashistha said the police had been deployed and the situation was being closely monitored. “A number of people from Punjab are holding fort at gurdwaras in the state. No violence has been reported so far. We are keeping a watch on developments. We will ensure the peace is not disturbed,” he said.

Meanwhile, putting the ball back in the Centre’s court on the directive of the HSGPC, Surjewala accused Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Shiromani Akali Dal of putting unwarranted pressure and playing politics on the governance of gudwaras in Haryana.

Quoting provisions under which the Haryana Assembly was empowered to pass the Bill for a separate Sikh body to manage gurdwaras, Surjewala urged the Union Home Minister against being swayed by Punjab’s “pressure tactics”.

Ground reports from Yamuna Nagar, Panchkula, Cheeka and Jind suggested that the “build up” of the SGPC task force in Haryana gurdwaras over the past two days has affected the mood at religious shrines.

Meanwhile, SAD MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, who is camping at Manjhi Sahib Gurdwara in Ambala, has sought the removal of Haryana Governor Jagannath Pahadia for failing to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution.

SGPC activists hold fort

• SGPC volunteers continue to keep vigil at Haryana gurdwaras
• Surjewala writes to Rajnath, says Punjab Govt trying to disturb law and order in Haryana
• Starting from Ambala, HSGPC to hold marches from today
• Haryana DGP says situation under control
• Chandumajra demands Haryana Governor’s removal.