HSGMC polls: Candidates promise reforms in education, healthcare

With consensus eluding Sikh community leaders over the unanimous selection of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) members, various groups have fielded their candidates and are campaigning to strengthen their positions.

The elections for the HSGMC are set to take place on January 19 for all 40 wards in Haryana, and the filing of nominations is currently underway.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Azad), led by Baljit Singh Daduwal and backed by the HSGMC (ad hoc) members, is seeking community support by highlighting its accomplishments. Meanwhile, the Sikh Samaj Sanstha, led by Didar Singh Nalvi, and the Panthak Dal Jhinda Group, led by Jagdish Singh Jhinda, have accused the government-nominated committee members of mismanagement and promised reforms in education, healthcare and gurdwara management.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Azad) president Baljit Singh Daduwal said, “On the directions of the sants and senior leaders, a meeting was held to explore the possibility of selecting members unanimously instead of holding elections. However, consensus could not be reached as some leaders backed out. We are fielding candidates in as many wards as possible and supporting Independents in others.”

Daduwal defended the ad hoc committee’s record, saying, “The committee has been managing gurdwaras efficiently and taken several welfare initiatives, including scholarships for talented students and financial aid for the needy. Development work is ongoing at various gurdwaras and we have focused on dharma prachar. If given the opportunity, we will continue to serve the Sikh sangat.”

Sikh Samaj Sanstha president Didar Singh Nalvi criticised the government-nominated committee, saying, “They failed to manage the HSGMC effectively and allowed direct government interference. We will prioritise better healthcare, improve educational institutions under the HSGMC and ensure the committee functions as per the act and Sikh maryada. So far, we have fielded 24 candidates and are supporting seven Independent candidates.”

Panthak Dal Jhinda Group president Jagdish Singh Jhinda voiced his group’s dissatisfaction with the current administration, saying, “We held talks with the Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal for an alliance, but seat-sharing disagreements prevented it. We are now fielding our candidates independently and will contest the election strongly. The existing committee has not lived up to the expectations of the Sikh community.”

Jhinda also laid out his vision for the HSGMC, stating, “If given an opportunity, we will establish a Sikh university, schools, a hospital and an academy to provide civil services training to talented children.”