Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today opposed the decision of Maharashtra government to appoint a BJP MLA as chief of management board of the Takhat Sri Huzoor Sahib, Nanded, saying the decision is against the Sikhs' code of religious ethics.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Badal apprised him that this move on the part on the Maharashtra government was in complete violation of the highly venerated 'Sikh Maryada' (code of religious ethics) and was to hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs across the world.
He described this decision as "extremely unfortunate, anti-Sikh" and direct interference in the religious affairs of the Sikhs.
Seeking personal and direct intervention of Prime Minister, the Chief Minister urged Modi to direct the Maharashtra government to review and completely reverse its decision to appoint a non-baptised person, Tara Singh, (a BJP MLA) as the chief of management board of the Takhat Sri Huzoor Sahib, Nanded, immediately.
Badal said there was neither religious sanctity nor administrative logic behind the move.
"As a matter of fact, this was completely avoidable provocation that could have a bearing on the precious ideals of communal harmony in the country," he said.
Against this backdrop, Badal apprehended that the decision to appoint a non-baptised Sikh as chief of a board to manage the affairs of the holy Takhat associated with the life and teachings of the Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, was fraught with danger as it seriously offends the basic religious 'Maryada of the Khalsa panth', according to which only a baptised Sikh can hold such a sensitive assignment.
It was unthinkable for the Sikh masses to see a non- baptised person heading a holy religious Takhat of their community, added Badal.
