New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has revived the general house of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) which was election in 2011.
After the amendment of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 by Indian Parliament few months back the pending related to voting rights of so-termed Sehajdhari Sikhs in Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee elections was taken up by Supreme Court of India on Thursday (Sept. 15). The court of Chief Justice Sh. TS Thakur revived the SGPC house.
As per information the SC has not disturbed the Judgment dated 20.12.2011 of the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashing the notification of Government of India dated 8.10.2003 in view of the fact that the Parliament has passed a law by amendment of the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925. The Court held that the question is academic as the Parliament has passed the bill and enacted the law.
The SC held that the HC in its judgment has not expressed any views directly or indirectly as to who constitutes a Sikh and or whether a Sehajdhari Sikh who trims or shaves his beard can also be a Sikh.
The Court passed special observation that the respondent Sahijdhari Sikh Party can challenge the Amendment Act 2016 on all grounds. The SC has disposed off the appeal of the SGPC by reinstating the elected House of 2011.