Friday, December, 14 2012 - 14:01
NEW DELHI: The
Supreme Court has rejected Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee
(DSGMC) plea to extend the deadline for extending the deadline for
elections by six months. The polls will be held by December 31 as
ordered by the Apex Court earlier.
A bench of Justices Anil Dave and RM Lodha ordered for the elections saying there “is no justification now for granting extension of time” adding that the Gurdwara Committee had already been granted three months earlier on September 17, 2012.
DSGMC’s counsel senior Advocate Soli Sorabjee urged the bench to postpone the election till June 30 as the Delhi Government was in the process of amending the Delhi Gurdwara Act 1971.
It may be recalled that after the amendments come to effect, the tenure of the DSGMC president will increase from two to four years and the Sikh community will be able to elect the president directly. The move will put an end to the horse-trading and corruption prevalent in the committee as the President will be accountable to the electorate and also be able to work on the developmental agenda of the committee.
Meanwhile, counsels Gurbaksh Singh and Abhinash Mishra appearing for Dashmesh Sewa Society argued that the DSGMC plea was nothing but a ploy to retain control over gurdwara affairs.
The Bench directed that ‘elections must be held’ by December 31 adding that the amendment can continue as it is.The Court also said that the amendment of the Gurdwara Act cannot be cited as an explanation for seeking relaxation in time.
DSGMC pleaded that as the poll procedure will take at least six weeks, however, the Apex Court was not persuaded, the applicants withdrew the application.
Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron and his son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal have ever since opposed the amendment in the Gurdwara Act terming it as interference of the Congress in the religious affairs of the Sikh community.
It needs no mention here the proximity of DSGMC and Delhi Akali Dal president Paramjit Singh Sarna to Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit.The Badals’ opposition to the amendment is being seen as their fear that a similar demand might gain momentum in Punjab where Sikhs might seek direct election of SGPC president who is till now decided by the Badals.
A bench of Justices Anil Dave and RM Lodha ordered for the elections saying there “is no justification now for granting extension of time” adding that the Gurdwara Committee had already been granted three months earlier on September 17, 2012.
DSGMC’s counsel senior Advocate Soli Sorabjee urged the bench to postpone the election till June 30 as the Delhi Government was in the process of amending the Delhi Gurdwara Act 1971.
It may be recalled that after the amendments come to effect, the tenure of the DSGMC president will increase from two to four years and the Sikh community will be able to elect the president directly. The move will put an end to the horse-trading and corruption prevalent in the committee as the President will be accountable to the electorate and also be able to work on the developmental agenda of the committee.
Meanwhile, counsels Gurbaksh Singh and Abhinash Mishra appearing for Dashmesh Sewa Society argued that the DSGMC plea was nothing but a ploy to retain control over gurdwara affairs.
The Bench directed that ‘elections must be held’ by December 31 adding that the amendment can continue as it is.The Court also said that the amendment of the Gurdwara Act cannot be cited as an explanation for seeking relaxation in time.
DSGMC pleaded that as the poll procedure will take at least six weeks, however, the Apex Court was not persuaded, the applicants withdrew the application.
Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal patron and his son and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal have ever since opposed the amendment in the Gurdwara Act terming it as interference of the Congress in the religious affairs of the Sikh community.
It needs no mention here the proximity of DSGMC and Delhi Akali Dal president Paramjit Singh Sarna to Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit.The Badals’ opposition to the amendment is being seen as their fear that a similar demand might gain momentum in Punjab where Sikhs might seek direct election of SGPC president who is till now decided by the Badals.
with thanks : Punjab newsline : LINK
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