Despite aggressive attempts by DSGMC President and former BJP Delhi legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa to generate goodwill for himself during the lockdown periods on the basis of the langar service of Sikhs in Delhi, DSGMC has been under fire for misuse of funds and unethical deeds in violation of the teachings of the Gurus. The gross misuse of Gurdwara money for showering gifts to BJP leaders requires legal, social and Sangat’s audit of all those leaders, officials and employees involved in this, says DSGMC elections activist and WSN columnist Gurmeet Singh.

SINCE THE LAST ONE YEAR, DSGMC HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR FINANCIAL FRAUDS AND BUNGLING which have unfortunately not been properly investigated and audited resulting in more audacity to commit such crimes of misuse of Sangat money. The recent case in which a Delhi court has ordered registration of FIR against Manjinder Singh Sirsa and others for financial misappropriation is only the tip of the iceberg.

The public fund of the Sangat received as offerings and donations are meant to be used for upkeep, maintenance and renovation of historical Gurdwaras and other expenses permissible under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act 1971.

Section 24 of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act categorically states that no gift can be given to anyone out of the donations received. In this particular case, Section 26 and 36 have been violated as well. Section 36 deems every elected member of the DSGMC to be a public servant and hence has to discharge his duties accordingly.

Section 24 of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act categorically states that no gift can be given to anyone out of the donations received.

In the 66/2019 case before the ACMM Delhi, false transactions were shown without any goods or services offered to DSGMC. As mentioned in the court order, some of the entities were dummy and did not exist in the real world, like Rising Ball Wedding and Event Planner, Raja Tent and Decorators and Harsh Opticals. Fake bills were made in the names of these entities. Bills were raised on letterheads and no proper bills were furnished without the signatures of the person who has prepared it.

While all of this is still to be proved in the court, prima facie, the charges are alarming and will cause deep consternation in the minds of the devout Sangat, not just in Delhi but across the world.

There should be an immediate call from the resignation of DSGMC President Manjinder Singh Sirsa on moral grounds.

How can such a huge amount of Sangat money get sanctioned without signatures and without bills? What is the process? Does the trillion rupee budget organization have any sense of getting a Standard Operating Procedure -SOP, in place?

When leaders like Manjinder Singh Sirsa spew venom against Pakistan or indulge in expanding their social media base to show a rise in popularity at DSGMC expense and to gain brownie points for allies like the BJP, it hurts the soul of the Sangat.

How can such a huge amount of Sangat money get sanctioned without signatures and without bills? What is the process? Does the trillion rupee budget organization have any sense of getting a Standard Operating Procedure -SOP, in place?

Who can discount the role of then DSGMC President Manjit Singh GK and the entire executive in this particular case? Not only that, what was the role of the other opposition member? Why is there no internal mechanism to nip this evil in the bud and not for an election year to bring it up?

When it comes to using of Gurdwara funds, every single member, irrespective of affiliation must raise his or her voice at a wrong-doing as soon as he learns about it. In fact, every member should be proactive to keep a tab on such developments.

DSGMC membership is not ordinary membership of a social or political organisation. Members are representatives for projection and protection of the interests of the community, protection of religious traditions and a watchdog over the contributions of the Sikh Sangat.

DSGMC membership is not ordinary membership of a social or political organisation. Members are representatives for projection and protection of the interests of the community, protection of religious traditions and a watchdog over the contributions of the Sikh Sangat.

Whether it is proved in the courts or not, how can Man­jin­der Singh Sirsa, Man­jit Singh GK, Harmeet Singh Kalka and the en­tire Badal group ex­plain giving expensive gifts to their nears and dears and sponsoring BJP events on the sly? This is immoral, unethical and downright loot of Gurdwara funds. All such members who were privy to this, before the committing of this crime or after, should stay away from Gurdwara affairs.

The DSGMC election process has begun and elections are likely early next year. It is high time for the Sangat of Delhi to question all these 51 members about what they were doing when they were in power. If this is not done, this rut would continue and perhaps accelerate and multiply in the times to come.

Unless there is a sea-change in the ways the Delhi Sikh Sangat participates and questions the bonafide and role of DSGMC members, change is unlikely. It should begin with a call for the immediate resignation of DSGMC President Manjinder Singh Sirsa on moral grounds.