It is quite obvious that elections of any kind are the last thing on the mind of any person in these times, anywhere in India and especially in Delhi. Yet, to focus on ensuring that there is no unnecessary wayward action, senior Sikh citizens of Delhi and beyond have written an urgent missive to Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, asking him for deferment of DSGMC elections by a few months. They have called for the postponement of the election of members of the august body for 3-4 months, followed by proper and transparent consultation with all the participating groups and other religious activists taking a keen interest in the DSGMC polls. WSN’s Gurmeet Singh reports.

THROUGHOUT THE LAST TEN DAYS OF ELECTIONEERING prior to the scheduled election day 25 April, there were frequent prayers and petitions for postponement of DSGMC elections by various concerned citizens and Sikh citizens of Delhi but the Delhi administration, including the Delhi CM and LG, acted at the last minute.

Nevertheless, Sikhs in Delhi heaved a sigh of relief that the elections were postponed. The note which was sent by the Directorate to the participating groups on 23 April, had the last line which said, “the fresh election schedule will be announced shortly,” which has caused anxiety to many, forcing the senior citizens to send an urgent appeal to the Delhi government.

The Sikh Collective letter, which has also been sent to Delhi CM Kejriwal, Gurdwara Elections Minister Rajinder Pal Gautam and Director of Gurdwara Directorate Narinder Singh read “With all the deaths and mayhem around, under such strenuous circumstances, even to talk about elections will be inhuman. People are gasping for oxygen and elections should be the last thing on anyone’s mind.”

“With all the deaths and mayhem around, under such strenuous circumstances, even to talk about elections will be inhuman. People are gasping for oxygen and elections should be the last thing on anyone’s mind.”

The letter narrated how DSGMC candidates are still recovering and recuperating from COVID19 and one candidate -Jagtar Singh Jagga of the Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi, from Ward 45 Khureji Khas has succumbed to the virus.

“The AAP government has extended the lockdown to 3 May and given the expectation that the current pandemic is likely to peak in the second week of May, it can easily be concluded that we are seeing a long gap before the DSGMC elections are conducted.”

Expressing deep concern for all, the letter which has stalwarts of the Sikh Forum including Pushpinder Singh, President, Ravinder Singh Ahuja, Vice President, DIG Partap Singh (Retd), Secretary, Maj. Gen PS Malhotra, former President, Gurdwara Sahib, Defence Colony Lt. Gen Dalbir Singh Sidhu Surinderjeet Singh, Chairman, Kesh Sambhal Prachar Sanstha, New Delhi, Baldev Singh, Administrator, Guru Granth Sahib Vidya Kendra, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Dr Preeti Kaur Ahuja, President, Gurdwara Sahib, Defence Colony, New Delhi, Gurpreet Singh Bawa, past President, Gurdwara Sahib, Defence Colony, New Delhi, Air Vice-Marshal P S Bhangoo, Sikh Forum, New Delhi Charanjeet Singh, social activist, Gurpreet Singh, President, Institute of Sikh Studies Jagmohan Singh, Convenor, The Sikh Collective, Gurmeet Singh, Coordinator, The Sikh Collective and Harneek Singh, Sikh Youth Foundation, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi as signatories says, “No one in the government should think of jeopardising the lives of thousands of voters, candidates, party leaders, MCD employees, Delhi government officials, staff of the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections and Delhi police personnel, who will all have to officiate for the conduct of elections. It will be far too risky for the media to report electioneering and the conduct of elections.”

Gurpreet Singh of The Institute of Sikh Studies Chandigarh cautioned that “It is time to come together, support each other, fight the deadly times and get back to a normal life.”

Samir Singh of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce said, “In my view, the elections must be postponed for at least six months. I am even willing to think that the whole process must start afresh, though I am conscious of the concerns that the incumbent group can misuse authority.”

“It is time to come together, support each other, fight the deadly times and get back to a normal life.”

Gurpreet Singh, President, Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh

Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi leader Paramjit Singh Sarna has asked for the appointment of a receiver and Aam Akali Dal chief Gurvinder Singh Saini has sought the appointment of an administrator. Their fears are that the Badal Dal, which is presently governing the DSGMC should be restrained from indulging in “embezzlement of funds, considering that there are many corruption cases pending in court against them.”

However, the research by the WSN team leads us to conclude that there is no such provision in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act and the Rules made thereunder for the appointment of an ombudsman to overview the work of the body when its term is over. . The only rule is that the Director Gurdwara Elections can use his discretion to postpone elections, should his assessment lead him to do so.

“In my view, the elections must be postponed for at least six months. I am even willing to think that the whole process must start afresh, though I am conscious of the concerns that the incumbent group can misuse authority.”

Samir Singh, Founder Sikh Chamber of Commerce

A down-to-earth Sikh activist Amandeep Singh hit the nail on the head expressing the sentiments of the Sikh masses, “I do not understand the legal position but I believe that the Panth must somehow restrain the Sirsa party from making any extraordinary expenditure or starting any big project with Gurdwara funds.”

UPDATE to this story at 2200 Hours IST

The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections has issued a notification today, dated 27 April 2021 saying that “the religious parties, the candidates and incumbent Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee are hereby advised to strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct in letter and spirit. Any violation of MCC shall be dealt with as per rules and action as deemed fit shall be taken in this regard.”

While this is welcome, the Model Code of Conduct is an old document of 2014 and needs improvement and amendments to make it relevant as per current needs.