The test of leadership is always in difficult times.  Delhi government seems to be teetering towards a breakdown amidst the 6-day lockdown. Health systems have collapsed and individuals are making desperate arrangements for oxygen cylinders and life-saving drugs. Streets are empty, but despite a lapse of 48 hours, there has been no announcement so far regarding the postponement of DSGMC polls, even though electioneering has stopped and the CM Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has today recommended postponement.   While it is a fait accompli and the Lieutenant Governor’s office will undoubtedly endorse the recommendation of the Delhi government, the snail’s pace at which it is being done is heartbreaking and disgusting.  WSN editor Jagmohan Singh appeals for a quick decision to relieve the contesting parties and candidates to take care of themselves and their loved ones.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, when a petition seeking delay of the DSGMC elections was filed early this month, the government of Delhi should not have given any assurance to the Delhi High Court, on the basis of which the High Court erroneously decided to have the elections notwithstanding the precarious COVID19 situation. The government of Delhi did not wake up when conscientious Sikh citizens, bodies and activists appealed to them to postpone the elections. Even now, a final call has not been taken, yet.

With the recommendation of Arvind Kejriwal for postponement of DSGMC polls till 13 May, from the scheduled 25 April, the contention of Advocate Jagmohan Singh and social activist Manjit Singh Chugh seeking a postponement in their PIL in the Delhi High Court stands vindicated.

The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections of the Delhi government mandated to conduct the DSGMC polls, under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Act 1971 is not reachable since the last 48 hours to prospective voters and journalists. All attempts to call the Directorate office failed as there was no response. There is no official word on anything relating to the DSGMC polls.  There is no person in charge in the Directorate to provide a daily update to the media.

In the middle of a lockdown to fight COVID 2.0 spread, the Delhi government must act with godspeed and postpone the DSGMC elections and not play with the lives of Delhi Sikhs.

With the recommendation of Arvind Kejriwal for postponement of DSGMC polls till 13 May, from the scheduled 25 April, the contention of Advocate Jagmohan Singh and social activist Manjit Singh Chugh seeking a postponement in their PIL in the Delhi High Court stands vindicated. 

Delhi is under complete lockdown for 6 days till Monday 26 April early morning and the elections are scheduled for 25 April.  The hard-working migrant labour, despite the Bollywood-like bravado of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal telling them “Main Hoon Na” -I am there (for you), hundreds of thousands are returning to their homes in UP and Bihar, by buses and trains.  The health system in Delhi is cracking with the CM saying that for the rising 25,000-plus daily cases, he has only 52 beds left. Life-saving drugs, oxygen cylinders are in acutely short supply.

The recommendation of the Delhi Chief Minister to the LG’s office is for postponement for 15 days. Why only 15 days? Within 15 days, will the COVID19 situation improve so much that there will be a turnaround? Who is being naive here?  Will Arvind Kejriwal tell the Sikhs also, “Main Hoon Na” -I am there for you?

It is depressing that the contesting parties have also not said a word regarding the status of the polls and how they think that such an election would be “free and fair.” They have not taken the Delhi government to task for its dilly-dallying nor have they themselves individually or collectively taken a call in view of the deteriorating COVID19 situation in the Indian capital city.

However, after a long silence, Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi President Paramjit Singh Sarna in a Facebook post today has said, “that while the government may be right in postponing the DSGMC polls based on the statistics that they have, but the Directorate Gurdwara Elections must ensure that the incumbent DSGMC leadership of the Badal Dal, whose term has expired, must not take any decision whatsoever on any substantive matter.” Whether one agrees with him or not, he has asked for a Receiver to be appointed as there are huge corruption charges against the present incumbent Badal Dal leadership.

It is comforting that the Delhi government has ignored the ridiculous suggestions of leading Senior Advocate H. S. Phoolka regarding waiting till 23 April and then making a decision.

It is comforting that the Delhi government has ignored the ridiculous suggestions of leading Senior Advocate H. S. Phoolka regarding waiting till 23 April and then making a decision. Clearly since his election and then resignation from the Punjab Assembly as a legislator, H. S. Phoolka is still unable to get his politics straight.  Unquestionably, 2ith severe restrictions on assembly and transport, it would be wise and prudent to postpone the polls.  His tweet has got a befitting reply from Sikh Chamber of Commerce sheet-anchor Samir Singh

NDMA & Election Comm can issue orders that if any Candidate violates curfew guidelines, he will be disqualified. No canvassing be allowed.
If in WB assembly elections can be allowed, then why not small Gurdwara elections. #DsgmcElection https://t.co/4NQBseZkhK

— H S Phoolka (@hsphoolka) April 19, 2021

What about those voters who may be in containment zones/hospital/may not step out because of concern/advise of doctors? Many didn’t even file nominations due to the situation. And who to vote for without campaigning…any random person? That is neither an election nor selection!

— Samir Singh (@singhisms) April 20, 2021

Further, have we become so inhumane that while there are people dying across the country for lack of most basics like #oxygen we want to be focused on an election? This is not Sikhi! This is not what governance is either! Truly saddened to see the state of affairs. #ICantBreathe

— Samir Singh (@singhisms) April 20, 2021

A religious place can stay open without visitors and there shall be no religious or political gatherings, says the Delhi government lockdown. The DSGMC elections are of a religio-political nature and it would impossible to canvass without big or small gatherings.  With strict transport movement, the access of voters to voting booths would be seriously compromised.

Actually, Sikh Sangat in Western Delhi and trans-Jamuna areas are more worried about their lives and arranging medicines and oxygen cylinders. Many candidates and their supporters are COVID19 positive.

Samir Singh of the Sikh Chamber of Commerce has dashed off a fresh missive to Rajendra Pal Gautam -the Minister In-charge of Gurdwara Elections in the AAP government in Delhi seeking postponement of polls.  He wrote,  “Under the given situation campaigning is not possible and many will have to forcibly abstain or will voluntarily abstain from voting. As mentioned in my previous letter the elections if at all held in this atmosphere and environment or anytime soon will not be “free and fair.”  He further rued, the ministers of the Delhi government are playing the Tweet game but are not making substantive decisions of immediate concern.  It is heartbreaking, he added.