Nanded Gurdwara Bill row: Maharashtra government assures BJP of status quo

New Delhi, February 14

Amid concerns over alterations in the management of Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib through a controversial bill, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday assured the BJP of status quo in the matter.

BJP spokesperson RP Singh on Wednesday said that further to his earlier request to the Maharashtra government on the issue, he had received a call from state deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who has assured of status quo.

“The Maharashtra Government has decided to withhold the Nanded Sahib Gurudwara Amendment Act bill for broader consultation before its presentation to the assembly. During this period, the status quo will be maintained, and the existing Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Act, 1956, will continue to be effective,” said Singh.

Protests had erupted over the Maharashtra Government’s decision to amend the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Act, 1956 to increase the number of government nominees on the religious body’s board.

The move was opposed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the Akali Dal and several MPs from Punjab.