DSGMC claims credit; AAP leader terms it cheap act

GENERAL SECRETARY OF DSGMC HAS CLAIMED THAT HE HAD BEEN RAISING THE DEMAND FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT. FORMER AAP MLA JARNAIL SINGH COUNTERS HIM

AMRITSAR : As lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal has given a nod to the implementation of the ‘Anand Marriage Act’, a longpending demand of the Sikh community, in Delhi, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Sad)-ruled Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is taking credit for this achievement.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, general secretary of the DSGMC, has claimed that he had been raising the demand for the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act in the national capital.

“This is a good news for the Sikh Sangat of Delhi. Thanks to the constant guidance and encouragement by S Sukhbir Singh Badal ji”, posted Sirsa on the Facebook on Saturday. He also shared a video in which Akali workers are seen appreciating him.

Sirsa said he had always been taking up the matter with the authorities concerned. “I am thankful to Union minister of home affairs Rajnath Singh and lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal for meeting the 110-year-old demand of the Sikhs,” he said.

In a communiqué, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which is also under control of the SAD, has also given credit to Sukhbir and office-bearers of the DSGMC.

“The implementation of the Act has become possible with the persistent efforts of Sukhbir Singh Badal, DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK and Manjinder Singh Sirsa. We congratulate them,” said Gobind Singh Longowal, SGPC president.

However, taking a serious note of this, former AAP legislator Jarnail Singh termed it cheap on the part of SAD leaders. “We are happy to see the development, but this is not an Act, but a mere certification. The SAD leaders are misleading the Sikh Sangat and telling lies. The credit they are taking for the same is false”, he said, while speaking to Hindustan Times over phone.

He said, “The Sikhs are able to register their marriages under the Anand Marriage certification, but the Act is the same — the Hindu Marriage Act. This is just a one step ahead to achieve the goal of getting full-fledged marriage Act for Sikhs”.

“For this certification, the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government amended the Hindu Marriage Act and the AAP government has implemented it in Delhi. The lieutenant-governor has just given his nod to the step taken by the AAP government. So, SAD leaders should not indulge in such activities and claim credit for any achievement”, he said.

The AAP leader dared SAD leaders to ensure that a proper marriage Act is passed in Parliament as they are alliance partners in the Union government.