One would like to think that with the omnipresent social media through smartphones, there would be some sense of decorum and dignity in the conduct of religious leaders, elected to be custodians of historic Gurdwaras and Sikh institutions. Sadly, instead of setting an example of exemplary behaviour, they are doing everything possible to wean away Sikhs further from the Gurdwara Election process and show disinterest in Sikh religio-political affairs. The murkier wranglings and expensive litigation at the cost of the Sangat’s contributions warrant serious and sustained action against the errant. WSN is committed to highlighting the acts of members of DSGMC which challenge the image and dignity of the Sikh community. WSN editor Jagmohan Singh delves into the September 9 incidents involving the Badal Dal DSGMC members attacking the Director Gurdwara Elections Narender Singh and appeals for more vigilance, participation and peoples’ action against leaders maligning Sikhs.

The Co-option and nomination of members to the general house of the DSGMC was underway on 9 September at the office of the Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, Government of National Capital Region of Delhi, presided by Director Gurdwara Elections Narender Singh, when unhappy at the Director’s postponement of the decisions in the matter of nomination of former President Manjinder Singh Sirsa and the co-option of two members by vote from amongst the Presidents of Singh Sabhas, Badal Dal leaders resorted to abuse and physical attack on the government functionary.

Narender Singh had no choice but to defer the announcement of results as there was a dispute regarding the right to vote of Preet Vihar newly-elected member Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, in whose case a recount of vote petition is pending. In the case of the nomination of SGPC nominee Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who lost the elections, a fresh objection was moved against his candidature by Jago party member Satnam Singh Kheeva.

 Read also: What do you know of the Co-option Drama of DSGMC elections?

 Read also: Delhi High Court confirms Sarna co-option, Badal Dal choice pending, Sirsa nomination in limbo

This election happens on the lines of preferential voting with each elected member writing his preference and choice as first, second, third and so on. At the end of this process, Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi leader Paramjit Singh Sarna secured maximum votes followed by Vikram Singh Rohini of the Badal Dal, with Jaswinder Singh Jolly a close third. While the two are victors of the co-option process, the announcement of their election has been withheld by the Delhi High Court, as of now. 

Lo and behold, the Badal Dal candidate for the preferential voting round Satpal Singh Chann was disqualified as he could not read and write in Gurmukhi.

Four Jathedars of Takhts are to be present at the oath-taking. It will be interesting to see what they have to say to Atma Singh Lubana and other Badal Dal DSGMC members for their unPanthic, unSikh, uncivil and undemocratic behaviour on 9 September at the Co-option session.

Facing a possible defeat in this round of the polls, Badal Dal leaders started resorting to abuse and fisticuffs. The move was led by a gentleman called Atma Singh, popularly known as Atma Singh Lubana, as he belongs to the Lubana fraternity and has won DSGMC Election twice from the Tilak Nagar ward primarily on that basis. The area has poor Sikhs of various denominations including Sikligar Sikhs. He is sweet-tongued but divisive. 

Atma Singh Lubana was the key figure in verbally abusing and attacking Director Gurdwara Elections -Narender Singh, who was diligently and unbiasedly conducting the co-option process. 

#dsgmc #elections @officeofssbadal @mssirsa @officialdsgmc #elections #gurudwara #violence pic.twitter.com/kgPhhUEYw0

— The World Sikh News (@WorldSikhNews1) September 9, 2021

Well-meaning and conscientious Sikhs in Delhi must take serious notice of this and democratically corner him. 

Speaking anonymously to WSN, a Sikligar Sikh of the area said, “It is unfortunate that he has won again this time. He conducts himself like an overlord and the Badal Dal uses his services for political upmanship resorting to corrupt means to garner people’s support from the poor women of the area.”

 Read also: In Delhi, Badal Dal’s 4 Musketeers face police action for intimidation

Former DIG Po­lice (Retd.) Par­tap Singh and Sikh Forum General Secretary Partap Singh called the incidents very shameful.

Atma Singh’s hold in the Tilak Nagar area is waning, yet he won again this time, although with a narrow margin. In 2017, Atma Singh secured 1800 votes out of 3352 valid votes polled, defeating Pavneet Singh of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi by 1193 votes. In the just-concluded voting in 2021, in a close contest, he secured 597 votes out of the 2164 votes polled defeating Sikh Sadhbhavna Dal nominee Amarjeet Singh by only 86 votes.

Four Jathedars of Takhts are to be present at the oath-taking. It will be interesting to see what they have to say to Atma Singh Lubana and other Badal Dal DSGMC members for their unPanthic, unSikh, uncivil and undemocratic behaviour on 9 September at the Co-option session.

As the DSGMC elections 2021 will see numerous legal battles and probably fisticuffs in the next fifteen days till the general house is officially constituted, we have to assume responsibility to ensure that decorum is maintained and the dignity of the Sikhs is not compromised.

Atma Singh Lubana, elected member from ward number 27 Tilak Vihar, Bhupinder Singh Ginny, elected member from ward number 16 Tagore Garden, Ramandeep Singh Thapar, elected member from ward number 33 Shiv Nagar, Harmeet Singh Kalka from ward number 39 Kalkaji and Gagan Singh an associate of Badal Dal are named in the FIR filed by the Delhi police on a complaint by Narender Singh, DGE.

Sikh circles in Delhi are distraught at the developments which are badly affecting the image of the Sikhs in Delhi and which at the same time are ominous of the things to come in the DSGMC in the near future. 

 Read also: DSGMC member Kalra joins Badal Dal; turncoats cheat Guru and Sangat

Speaking to a section of the media, Narender Singh -Director, Directorate of Gurdwara Elections has said that Badal Dal-affiliated DSGMC members attempted to browbeat and intimidate him during the proceedings. Upon his complaint, a police case has been filed against multiple members of the DSGMC. 

Atma Singh Lubana, elected member from ward number 27 Tilak Vihar, Bhupinder Singh Ginny, elected member from ward number 16 Tagore Garden, Ramandeep Singh Thapar, elected member from ward number 33 Shiv Nagar, Harmeet Singh Kalka from ward number 39 Kalkaji and Gagan Singh an associate of Badal Dal. WSN is in possession of a copy of the FIR No. 0263/2021 under section 186/353/506/188/34 in the I .P. Estate Police Station, with charges relating to some bailable and others non-bailable offences of disobedience to a public servant, assault, criminal intimidation and obstruction of a public servant discharging his duties. 

WSN will constantly stay up with the developments in the DSGMC for the democratisation of the religious polity and ensuring that selfless service and upholding the sanctity of the Sikh religion, as enshrined in the oath and as expected by the Sikh Sangat worldwide, becomes a norm and not an exception.