Row over using Sikh holy book to halt MC enforcement drive
A controversy has erupted in Abohar after the owners of a vehicle showroom on Hanumangarh Road allegedly used the Sikh holy book to obstruct the Municipal Corporation’s efforts to recover outstanding property tax.
Municipal Corporation (MC) Superintendent Rajpal, who was initially prevented from sealing the building on Tuesday, successfully executed the orders today and sealed the building.
Recitation held in building
On Tuesday, after the MC team was forced to retreat, the showroom operators reportedly arranged a recitation of the holy book inside the disputed building, halting the MC’s proceedings for two days
As soon as the recitation concluded today, the MC team sealed all the shutters of the showroom and reported the action to Deputy Commissioner and MC Commissioner Dr Senu Duggal
On Tuesday, after the MC team was forced to retreat, the showroom operators reportedly arranged a recitation of the holy book inside the disputed building, halting the MC’s proceedings for two days. As soon as the recitation concluded today, the MC team sealed all the shutters of the showroom and reported the action to Deputy Commissioner and MC Commissioner Dr Senu Duggal.
MC officials stated that the showroom owner had not paid property taxes for many years, accumulating a debt of approximately Rs 6.91 lakh. Despite repeated notices, the owner did not respond, prompting the DC to order the sealing of the building.
The incident has sparked anger among Sikhs, with some expressing strong objections to the use of the holy book in this manner. Sikh leader Bakhshish Singh Jamnia, present at the site, emphasised that the SGPC and Akal Takht have issued strict instructions against using the holy book in this way. The Granthi, who was allegedly misled by the showroom operators, has filed a written complaint with the police, demanding action against the businessman.
