>>BADALS BANK ON LOYAL LONGOWAL IN TOUGH TIME
Move shows Akali Dal still holds sway on the apex gurdwara body, helps party stave off dissent and criticism
CHANDIGARH: The re-election of Gobind Singh Longowal as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president on Tuesday reaffirmed that the Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal continues to hold sway on the SGPC despite facing dissent from within and without over the handling of the sacrilege incidents of 2015.
Longowal, a die-hard loyalist of the Badals, proved to be the safest bet for the SAD that wrested control over the 191member body.
During his last tenure at the helm, he managed the smooth exit of controversial Akal Takht jathedar (head priest) Giani Gurbachan Singh, who pardoned Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for imitating Guru Gobind Singh, in 2015 and withdrew it a month later due to backlash from the Sikh community. Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh took charge as the Akal Takht jathedar in October-end.
By ensuring a smooth change of guard, Longowal managed to stave off criticism of the Akal Takht jathedar from the panth (community), particularly the anti-sacrilege protesters in Bargari led by parallel acting jathedar Dhian Singh Mand.
Most of the 170 members elected to the general house belong to the SAD. Six members are from the clergy and 15 are nominated. Today’s election proved that the flock stands firmly behind the party and its president, Sukhbir Singh Badal.
Majha leaders Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Rattan Singh Ajnala and Sewa Singh Sekhwan, who have been criticising the party’s top leaders, couldn’t do much to dent the party’s hold on religious affairs.
Unlike his predecessors Avtar Singh Makkar and Kirpal Singh Badungar, Longowal has proved that he strictly toes the party line. Despite the name of Tota Singh cropping up, the Badals reaffirmed their faith in Longowal, who they believe can manage religious affairs as the SAD faces tough times.
Longowal’s re-election is seen as a setback and signal for Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who quit all party posts recently. With both leaders hailing from Sangrur, it is a signal to workers that the leadership stands by its loyalist Longowal.
THE MAJORITY OF THE 170 MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE GENERAL HOUSE BELONG TO THE SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
A political master decides who will head the religious body. This is the biggest challenge for the SGPC. There’s urgent need to restore autonomy of the gurdwara body. GS DHILLON, Sikh historian
SGPC is facing a deep credibility crisis as it has failed to do its primary function of ‘dharam parchar’. It should come out of the shadows of Badals. GURTEJ SINGH, Sikh Scholar
Restoring the pride of Guru Granth Sahib is the biggest challenge. Sikhs are agitated due to sacrilege of the holy book and SGPC should assuage them. AVTAR S MAKKAR, ex-SGPC chief
The biggest challenge is to come clean on pardon given to dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. It has become an uphill task for the SGPC to function independently. SUKHDEV BHAUR, ex-acting chief