Separate Sikh panel recommended for Haryana: Hooda

Amid a growing controversy over the issue, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday said a committee set up by the state government on the issue of a separate managing committee for Haryana gurdwaras was in favour of a separate Sikh body for the purpose.

"The government would take a decision in view of the larger interest of Sikhs of the state," Hooda told reporters here.

The committee, headed by state Finance Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha, who is himself a Sikh from Haryana, has in its report submitted to the state government, recommended the setting up of a separate body to manage Sikh shrines (gurdwaras) in Haryana. The gurdwaras are presently under the control of the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Commitee.

The SGPC and Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal have strongly opposed the move by the Haryana government to create a separate body for Sikh shrines in Haryana.

There are 72 gurdwaras in Haryana under the SGPC and they contribute over Rs.300 million to the SGPC kitty.

Hooda said that the Chatha committee report was being legally examined.

The SGPC has warned that it will drag the Haryana government to court if a separate managing committee was set up in the state.