Saryu Roy Advocates for Jharkhand Sikh Voting Rights in Patna Sahib Committee in Assembly

CGPC will strive to protect Jharkhand Sikhs’ rights: Bhagwan Singh, Bringing up the issue in the Legislative Assembly signifies an initial victory, CGPC thanks the MLA: Shailendra Singh

JAMSHEDPUR – During the zero hour of the Vidhan Sabha session on Wednesday, Jamshedpur East MLA Saryu Roy brought up the issue of securing Jharkhand’s representation in the 15-member committee of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna. Roy requested the Speaker to urge the government to take notice of the issue.

Responding to this, Sardar Bhagwan Singh, head of the Central Gurdwara Management Committee (CGPC), assured that the Sikhs of Jharkhand are capable of advocating for their rights and the CGPC will do everything within its power to protect these rights. Singh also expressed gratitude to Saryu Roy for Roysing the issue in the assembly.

Sardar Shailendra Singh, head of the Jharkhand State Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, termed the move an initial victory and committed to continue fighting for the fundamental and religious rights of Jharkhand Sikhs. Both Bhagwan Singh and Shailendra Singh affirmed that they might seek legal recourse to ensure Jharkhand’s representation in the committee of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, Patna.

During the zero hour, Roy noted that the 15-member committee of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib, located in Patna Sahib, the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is governed by a constitution enacted in 1955 and its bye-laws. The committee comprises representatives from North and South Bihar, along with those from Amritsar, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Delhi.

Since Jharkhand was formed following the reorganization of Bihar, it was previously included with South Bihar. However, some individuals are allegedly conspiring to separate Jharkhand from the South Bihar representative and alter the constitution of the Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib, Patna Committee.

In light of this, Roy demanded that the government secure Jharkhand’s position in the Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib Management Committee through discussions with the Bihar government.