Chandigarh: The Sikh Gurdwara Amendment Bill, 2016 which bars “non-practising” Sikhs from casting their votes during the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) elections, is reportedly approved by the Indian President.
![[File Photo]](https://sikhsiyasat-en.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/SGPC.png)
[File Photo]
The bill was earlier passed by both houses of Indian Parliament- called the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. It is mandatory for a bill passed by the Indian parliament to have Indian President’s accent before it could be notified as an operative law.
The bill, that has taken form of an Act now, bars any “Sikh” who trims beard, cut hairs, smoke or use alcohol from casting his/her vote in SGPC elections.
This amendment now awaits government’s notification. It will turn operative from the date of such notification.
The statutory age for a voter in SGPC elections is 21 years.