With the extension window to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee till 28 August nearing soon and the Delhi government, reeling under Covid19 second wave severe impact, deciding not to conduct the DSGMC elections as presumed to be held in the second week of July, a precarious legal situation is on the cards with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act 1971 silent on a situation like postponement of elections due to a pandemic. Contesting candidates are worried but the leadership of all parties is engaged in image-building exercises pursuing non-DSGMC affairs. WSN Delhi Desk’s Gurmeet Singh reports.

DSGMC ELECTIONS WERE POSTPONED barely 48 hours before the polling date 25 April citing Covid19 upsurge. Since then, all the contesting parties are engaged in an image-building exercise touching issues which have nothing to do with DSGMC and their duties towards their constituents. Most of the candidates have a worry on their mind with the question of whether if the elections are postponed beyond 28 August, then there is the likelihood of the entire election process beginning afresh.

Under pressure from Sikh Sangat and activists, despite the bravado of contesting parties, recognising the impact of the Coronavirus, the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections of the National Capital Region government of Delhi had notified postponement of the DSGMC elections on 23 April, “till the situation improves.”

Sources in the Delhi government said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is averse to the idea of conducting the DSGMC elections as of now, even though the Covid19 situation in Delhi has shown improvement and there is a drastic reduction in the numbers of those infected with the Coronavirus.  However, as seen in the rising number of tourists in Manali and Shimla, throwing all Covid precautions to the winds, Kejriwal’s cautionary approach is understandable. 

“As of now, no DSGMC elections are happening. The suggestion that elections be held on 18 July has been turned down by Delhi Chief Minister on grounds of the Covid19 pandemic.”

Narinder Singh, Director, Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Govt. of Delhi

Speaking to WSN, Narinder Singh, Director, Directorate of Gurdwara Elections confirmed that “As of now, no DSGMC elections are happening. The suggestion that elections be held on 18 July has been turned down by Delhi Chief Minister on grounds of the Covid19 pandemic.”

As candidates of all parties have spent a lot of money, time and energy on electioneering, they are worried as to how long this uncertainty will continue.  The incumbent president of the DSGMC, without bothering about the model code of conduct, is on a spending spree in an uncontrollable manner. Buried under their own weight and past deeds, the opposition parties have also not questioned Sirsa’s populist measures.

DSGMC elections have to be held prior to 29 August 2021, unless extended again. 

The term of the current DSGMC had expired in February 2021. However, the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections had exercising its special powers under Rule 7A(1) of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (Election of Pro-tempore Chairman, President, other office-bearers and Members of the Executive Board) Rules, 1974 had first extended the term to 30 May and now further extended till 29 August 2021. 

According to this order, a copy of which has been accessed by WSN, elections have to be held prior to 28 August 2021, unless extended again. 

The instability in Sikh affairs in Delhi, especially related to Gurdwara management and schools run by the DSGMC continues.