(Samaj Weekly)- New York (February 9, 2024): In a Joint Statement today, the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (AGPC), the apex Sikh bodies representing US Sikhs vehemently condemned the overreach by Maharashtra Government in India to amend the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act of 1956. The decision of Maharashtra Council of Ministers is a direct interference in Sikh Gurdwara affairs and will not be tolerated by 30 million strong global Sikh community.
Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib is one of the five Sikh temporal seats and is situated in Southern part of India in Maharashtra State. “This is a brazen attempt by communal RSS-BJP-Shiv Sena Government to take control of Sikh Gurdwaras and Institutions and install the Hindutva led Brahminical agenda,” said Himmat Singh, the Coordinator of SCCEC. He further added it is no surprise that Sikhs want sovereign Khalistan to have religious freedom and liberty to practice their faith in line with their Sikh teachings.
Hindu extremist political party Shiv Sena led State government of Maharashtra is paving the way to take over Sikh Gurdwaras in other States of India. Dr. Pritpal Singh, Coordinator of AGPC implored upon the SGPC, Sri Akal Takhat and Sikh scholars to challenge this unilateral act of Maharashtra Government in the Supreme Court of India. SCCEC and AGPC will be raising this gross violation of religious rights with United Nations Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF), and United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We call upon Sikhs across the world to remain vigilant and stay unified in the face of such challenges. Let us walk the path of Truth and Righteousness, as shown by our Gurus, and ensure that our Gurdwaras remain free and sovereign despite the heinous attempts of Indian State. Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) stand united in our commitment to the Sikh struggle for achievement sovereign Khalistan and the teachings of our Gurus.
Issued by:
Himmat Singh – Coordinator, SCCEC
Dr. Pritpal Singh – Coordinator, AGPC
