HSGMC leaders to meet Hooda seeking control of Sikh shrines

Chandigarh: Alleging that Amritsar-based SGPC and SAD supporters are "occupying" Sikh shrines in the state, Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee leaders today said they will meet Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda tomorrow seeking control of the Gurudwaras and eviction of their Punjab counterparts.

"We are meeting Chief Minister tomorrow. We will urge him that the state government should facilitate handing over the control of Gurudwaras to the separate Committee at the earliest.

"We will also tell him that the SGPC and the Akalis, who are forcibly and illegally occupying the shrines should be evicted," HSGMC senior leader Didar Singh Nalwi said today.

The HSGMC leaders and supporters continued their 'dharna' outside the Chhevin Patshahi Gurudwara in Kurukshetra, demanding control of Gurudwaras in Haryana.

Nalwi said that their agitation will continue till the state government evicts those who are forcibly occupying the Gurudwaras and hand over the 'Sewa' to the HSGMC.

"We have also had a meeting with Kurukshetra's Deputy Commissioner and senior police officials. We told them that the SAD supporters were openly entering and leaving the Gurudwaras, which should be restricted," he said.

Nalwi said that elections in Haryana are drawing closer and "peaceful atmosphere is a pre-requisite for holding the polls".

"If handing over the control of the Gurudwaras to the HSGMC gets delayed, this may cause unrest among the Sikhs of Haryana," he said.

Nalwi also said they want to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi government that SAD may be a key ally of the BJP, "but the Centre should not accept any interference by the Akalis in Haryana's affairs which may lead to disturbing the state's law and order".

"As far as BJP, INLD and Badals are concerned, they are all political allies and their understanding is to garner Sikh votes," he said and hit out at these parties for not supporting the Haryana Sikhs.

Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, which had earlier ordered to maintain status quo, has appealed for peace.

The Akal Takht Jathedar, Gyani Gurbachan Singh, has said in Amritsar that both groups -- the Haryana SGPC and SGPC -- must exercise restraint.