Advocate Dhami Re-elected as SGPC President for Fourth Consecutive Term Amidst Badal Faction Dominance

Election of SGPC President: Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami Retains Position Amidst Challenges

The annual election for the President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) concluded uneventfully today (28 October), with Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami being re-elected for a fourth consecutive term. Advocate Dhami secured 107 votes, while his challenger, former SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur, could muster only 33 votes, with two votes declared invalid. Of the 148 SGPC members, 142 participated in the election held at the Teja Singh Samundari Hall within the Golden Temple Complex, Amritsar. The Executive Committee was consequently elected without any contest.

Badal Faction Dominance in SGPC Continues

For those unfamiliar with SGPC’s internal election dynamics, the ease with which Advocate Dhami secured his position again might seem surprising. However, the current SGPC House, elected in 2011 during the tenure of former Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, predominantly comprises members loyal to the Badal faction. Although the tenure of an SGPC House is typically five years, under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925, the current House continues to serve until fresh elections are held. The absence of elections since 2011 has, however, left many young Sikhs, who have since attained voting age of 21 years, without a voice in this vital Sikh institution.

The Challenge from Bibi Jagir Kaur and Political Underpinnings

Last year, Bibi Jagir Kaur also challenged Advocate Dhami, securing 42 votes amid speculation of support from the BJP/RSS, in a bid reportedly backed by Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. Given Sukhbir Singh Badal’s recent controversy with the Akal Takht, where he has been declared a “tankhaiya” and awaits formal punishment, many expected a tougher contest this year. Yet, the vote count reaffirmed that the SGPC’s electoral college remains largely loyal to Badal’s faction, allowing Dhami to sail through comfortably.

Mandate Questions and Calls for Fresh Elections

In an interview with local media, Bibi Jagir Kaur underscored the lack of moral authority of the current SGPC House, given its over-extended tenure. Although Dhami’s re-election for a fourth term wasn’t surprising, it provides respite for the beleaguered Sukhbir Badal. Given that voter registration ended on 16th September, there is now a pressing need for the Sikh Gurudwara Election Commission, under Justice SS Saron, to finalise the electoral rolls and initiate the process for the SGPC general elections. This election would clarify the level of Badal’s current support and indicate which faction resonates with Sikh voters.

Declining Voter Numbers: A Worrying Trend

It’s noteworthy that only 27 lakh claims were registered for the SGPC voter enrolment, down from 52 lakh voters in 2011. Rather than showing a natural increase, voter numbers have significantly decreased. Most of the current claimants are reportedly women, highlighting a concerning trend for the Sikh clergy and SGPC leadership to address. This sharp decline merits introspection and remedial measures to reinvigorate youth engagement with the SGPC.

Exclusion of Sehajdhari Sikhs and Pending Legal Challenges

The 2016 retrospective amendment to the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, which stripped Sehajdhari Sikhs of their voting rights despite their earlier legal victory in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, is now under judicial scrutiny. The Sehajdhari Sikh Party has challenged the constitutional validity of this amendment in the same court. Although no stay has been granted, the outcomes of future SGPC elections may ultimately depend on the High Court's ruling¹.

Summing Up: Awaiting the Litmus Test of General Elections

Advocate Dhami’s re-election, though a temporary reprieve for Sukhbir Badal, is far from a definitive victory. The real test for the Badal faction will come with the upcoming SGPC general elections. The Shiromani Akali Dal’s recent decision to abstain from four crucial Punjab Vidhan Sabha by-elections has raised questions about Sukhbir Badal’s confidence. Transparent and democratic SGPC elections will serve as the ultimate measure of public sentiment within the Sikh electorate, drawing close attention both within Punjab and globally. It is now incumbent upon the Central and Punjab governments, along with the Sikh Gurdwara Election Commission, to expedite these elections. Such an effort would not only uphold democratic principles but also ensure a truly representative body for the Sikh community in Punjab, UT Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh—and, by extension, Sikhs worldwide².

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