Despite the claims of the SGPC whose leadership converged at Takht Hazur Sahib last week, the leadership of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Mumbai deserves kudos for leading a relentless campaign against the sinister attempt by the present Shiv Sena-BJP government to take full control of Takht Hazur Sahib Management Board. The retraction of the Maharashtra government following legal action and protests in Nanded, Mumbai, and across the Sikh world underscores the power of unified community action and the vital role of dialogue in preserving religious autonomy. WSN Editor Jagmohan Singh analyses the developments.

Takht Hazur Sahib -a major temporal centre of the Sikh faith at Nanded Maharashtra where the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last and ordained the Sikhs to follow Guru Granth Sahib for all times to come has been in the news last week as the State government attempted to overawe and antagonize the Sikhs by approving new legislation in the Maharashtra Cabinet for its governance.

The meeting between Singh Sabha Mumbai and the Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis in the backdrop of the massive protests against the new law in Nanded, including a call for the withdrawal of the new law from the pedestal of the Takht resulted in the Shiv Sena (Shinde) and BJP leadership tweeting for withholding the new Act for consultations with the Sikh community.

Undoubtedly a triumphant victory for the Sikh community, although we await the next move of the state.

The Maharashtra government has publicly rolled back its controversial decision to implement the Takht Hazur Sahib Act, of 2024. This decision came after Singh Sabha Mumbai, a century-old leading Sikh parent body of Sikhs of Mumbai, led a vigorous campaign against the proposed legislation, highlighting the deep-seated concerns of the Sikh community across Maharashtra and beyond.

The proposed Act, which sought to amend the existing Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara Act of 1956, faced widespread criticism for potentially undermining the autonomy of the Sikh community in managing the affairs of the Takht Hazur Sahib, a revered Sikh shrine in Nanded, Maharashtra, where Guru Gobind Singh merged with the Almighty in 1708.

“The key point that is highly bothersome is that the government of Maharashtra has abrogated the right to nominate as many as 12 members to the Takht Board out of total 17 members, which is nothing short of taking over the entire Takht management.”

The memorandum of Singh Sabha Mumbai said, “The key point that is highly bothersome is that the government of Maharashtra has abrogated the right to nominate as many as 12 members to the Takht Board out of total 17 members, which is nothing short of taking over the entire Takht management.”  This provision alone shows the malafide intentions of the government as it amounts to essentially granting the state control over the gurdwara’s management.

Singh Sabha Mumbai spearheaded the opposition, organizing a united front that brought together Sikh Sangat, Gurdwara committees, and Sikh organizations from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, the MM region, and Takht Hazur Saheb, Nanded. Their efforts culminated in a pivotal meeting with Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on February 12, 2024.

In the meeting, representatives of Singh Sabha Mumbai passionately presented the community’s stance, emphasizing the importance of respecting Sikh traditions and the principle of self-governance in religious matters. They called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed Act and the controversial Section 11 amendment to the existing 1956 Act, under which the government abrogated the right to appoint the President of the Board of Takht Hazur Sahib. This provision passed in 2015 has been agitating the Sikhs of Nanded since it was first passed as an ordinance and subsequently when it was regularised into an amendment.

Singh Sabha Mumbai passionately presented the community’s stance, emphasizing the importance of respecting Sikh traditions and the principle of self-governance in religious matters.

Responding to the community’s outcry and the persuasive arguments presented by Singh Sabha Mumbai, the Maharashtra government announced the withdrawal of the proposed Act, until further notice. Additionally, it promised to engage in consultations with the Sikh community on any future legislative changes affecting the management of Sikh religious institutions.

Maharashtra Cabinet today decided to put on hold 5th Feb 2024 decision regarding Takht Sachkhand Shri Huzur Sahib Gurudwara, Nanded.
It was decided to appoint a Cabinet Sub-committee, which will discuss the issue with all the concerned persons & appropriate decision will be taken…

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 14, 2024

This resolution has been hailed as a significant victory for the Sikh community, demonstrating the power of unity and peaceful advocacy. Singh Sabha Mumbai, in particular, has been lauded for its leadership and steadfast commitment to safeguarding the rights and traditions of Sikhs. The organization expressed its gratitude to all who supported the cause, reinforcing the importance of solidarity in upholding the glory of the Guru Granth and the Khalsa Panth.

Placing the matter in perspective, Manmohan Singh, President of the Singh Sabha Mumbai has said, “Singh Sabha believes that there should be no nomination whatsoever by the government of Maharashtra as secular governments should not be interfering in religious affairs.”

Manmohan Singh further emphasized that “We also deem fit to say the elections to the Takht Hazur Sahib Nanded Board are overdue and must be held immediately, about which a petition is also pending in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court.”

“The elections to the Takht Hazur Sahib Nanded Board are overdue and must be held immediately.”

Speaking to WSN, Manmohan Singh said, “If the need arises, we will go to court but will not allow any interference in Sikh religious affairs.”

The political leadership of Maharashtra, till recently, had always held the Sikh shrine at Nanded in great respect and such gross sinister attempts were never made in the past, even though small-time interference in the affairs of the Takht is routine.

If the need arises, we will go to court but will not allow any interference in Sikh religious affairs.

Manmohan Singh, President, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Mumbai

In the aftermath of this decision, the Sikh community remains vigilant, ready to defend its principles, and participate actively in discussions about the governance of its religious institutions. The Maharashtra government’s reversal serves as a testament to the strength of collective action and the enduring value of faith-based communities in shaping public policy.