SGPC Elections 2024: A total of 142 votes were cast in the House of 146 members, with two votes rejected.
With the election of Harjinder Singh Dhami as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president for the fourth consecutive time, the Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Sukhbir Singh Badal, has breathed a sigh of relief; it is no exaggeration. The revolt within the ranks of the Akali Dal and the bans imposed on Sukhbir Singh Badal by the five Jathedars had raised the possibility of a tough challenge for the Badal faction this time.
However, the ease with which Dhami was victorious has proven the claims of Sukhbir's opponents to be unfounded. A total of 142 votes were cast in the House of 146 members, with two votes rejected. Dhami received 107 votes, while his opponent, Bibi Jagir Kaur, garnered only 33 votes—down from 42 in the 2022 election.
Most leaders of the now-rebel faction, which calls itself the plaintiff of the Akali Dal reform movement, were previously allies of Sukhbir Singh Badal. Despite her separation from Sukhbir, Bibi's electoral performance was extremely disappointing. This suggests that most Shiromani Committee members view the rebel leaders as 'paper lions.'
In-the-know constituencies also believe that the policy of sparing (at least) two Jathedars to the rebel faction has not proved fruitful. It remains to be seen how this result will affect their future decisions.
The ruling faction has immediately expressed its intentions by getting the House to pass the proposal for the establishment of an 11-member advisory board for the 'assistance' of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht. However, it is clear that the role of Jathedars, revered as 'Singh Sahibs,' has been disputed on many important occasions.
They have previously been accused of playing into the hands of politicians, and the current scenario is not much different. The Akali Dal and Shiromani Committee rank-and-file have claimed that the party is indulging 'anti-Sikh forces,' including the Aam Aadmi Party, BJP, Congress, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which have been successful.
Such claims are more about vanity and less about truth. None of the parties named have launched an organized campaign to defeat Dhami. Those who represent the Sikh religion should be gentle in their speech, not boastful and sarcastic. But Halimi is no longer part of the cult character, perhaps.
The Shiromani Committee was established to protect the interests of Sikhs and promote the Sikh religion. During its early decades, it lived up to these beliefs. It has been a century since its establishment.
During the first half-century, its performance and character were more intense; however, it has warmed over the next half-century. Now the situation is that a dual culture is emerging in the families of many committee members: if you want to visit religious places, wear a turban; otherwise, what is the harm in looking like a bride! As for the promotion of Sikhism, the SGPC does not even discuss the salons that are 'styling' the beards and mustaches of Sikh youth.
Immense money coming to shrines is being spent on laying stones and making decorations, rather than on preparing military officers or producing chemists and doctors. How well the interests of Sikhs are being protected in such a world is evident before us.
