Institutionalization of any religion is fraught with dangers, but within the democratic set up that prevails today, we are yet to evolve another alternative. Sometimes one feels that it is better that the two Takhts are not infected with the virus of corruption and mismanagement that has become the hallmark of SGPC in all its functioning. However the Tercentenary celebrations at Takht Hazur Sahib have showed that the functioning of Takht Hazur Sahib is no better. The forthcoming Guru Gobind Singh celebrations at Takht Patna Sahib are not likely to be any better.
Two of the main Takhts of the Sikh nation are outside the purview of the management of the SGPC in its present form –Takht Hazur Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib. Though through the electoral collage and Management committees of these two Takhts, the SGPC has some say in the management of these Gurdwaras, the SGPC does not intervene much, even in the positive way, for it realizes its limitations.
This however has led to a situation where the Code of Conduct, with all its pitfalls and weaknesses, has yet to be implanted in Nanded and Patna.
It is ironical that the SGPC grudgingly and stealthily denies democratic participation rights to Haryana-based SGPC members, but seeks inclusion of non-resident Sikhs as members.
Panthic thinkers fed up with the working of the SGPC are skeptical about any possible changes in case the All India Gurdwara Act is formulated and implement. First of all, today there is no Justice Harbans Singh to pursue the formulation and implementation of the Act. Second, there is hardly any enthusiasm in the present SGPC leadership for democratization of its functioning.
It is ironical that the SGPC in its last session at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall was not only slow but grudging to give democratic participation rights to the members of the SGPC elected from the state of Haryana, which form part of the original jurisdiction of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, but on the other hand have passed a resolution for inclusion of non-resident Sikhs as members of the SGPC? While the later proposal is welcome, how can we condone the denial of rights to Haryana members?
The experience of Sikhs in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, London, California, Dubai –almost anywhere in the world, with respect to management of Gurdwaras requires newer ideas and thoughts. The international Sikh community may start using the internet for exchange of views and opinion, SGPC notwithstanding.
Opinion by Jagmohan Singh