Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Disaster Management: SC to hear plea over gurdwaras in Haryana

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 Aug, 2014 08:21 AM
    The Supreme Court will Thursday hear a petition seeking the quashing of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act, 2014, contending that it was ultra vires of the Constitution and interferes in Sikh religious affairs.
     
    The bench of Chief Justice R.M. Lodha, Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph agreed to hear the matter after counsel Harish Salve said the ground situation was serious as both the sides - Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar and Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee - were trying to take over the gurdwaras in Haryana.
     
    Persuading the court to hold an early hearing, Salve said the problem was serious, otherwise he would not have asked for an early hearing.
     
    Salve told the court the Haryana law stipulates that all gurdwaras in the state will come under the control of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
     
    He said the SGPC Amritsar was an inter-state body for the management of historic gurdwaras.
     
    The court was told that Haryana could not have enacted the law without a nod from the central government.
     
    As Salve repeatedly drew the attention of the court towards the serious situation on the ground, Chief Justice Lodha said: "Whatever may be, they (state government) can't allow the law and order to be disturbed. It is state government's constitutional obligation to maintain law and order."
     
    Petitioner Harbhajan Singh - an SGPC member from Kurukshetra - contended that the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act, 2014 was not only a hasty enactment but also against the constitutional provisions and the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
     
    The petition said a wilful attempt was being made by Sikhs of Haryana, prompted by the state government, to wrest control of gurdwaras from the rightful members of SGPC by use of force.
     
    Urging the court to intervene in the matter, the petition said the situation in Haryana was so acute that it could emerge as a new battle ground over who controls the gurdwaras in the state.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    'Israel not to end Gaza offensive for global pressure'

    'Israel not to end Gaza offensive for global pressure'
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday his country would not bow to international pressure to halt the offensive on Gaza.

    'Israel not to end Gaza offensive for global pressure'

    Modi accepts Obama's invite, seeks result-oriented visit

    Modi accepts Obama's invite, seeks result-oriented visit
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted President Barack Obama's invitation to visit the US in September and said he looked forward to a "result-oriented visit" with concrete outcomes that impart new momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

    Modi accepts Obama's invite, seeks result-oriented visit

    Akali Dal terms Haryana gurdwara bill unconstitutional, illegal

    Akali Dal terms Haryana gurdwara bill unconstitutional, illegal
    Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal Friday termed the passing of a bill by the Haryana assembly for a separate Sikh board for gurdwaras in the state as "totally unconstitutional" and "illegal".

    Akali Dal terms Haryana gurdwara bill unconstitutional, illegal

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC
    Amid stiff opposition from the opposition benches, a bill for creating a separate body for managing Sikh gurdwaras in Haryana was passed by the state assembly Friday.

    Haryana assembly passes bill for separate SGPC

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans
    A group of South Asian Organizations says it's deeply troubled by reports that US government agencies have engaged in surveillance of Muslim American civic and civil rights leaders, including Indian and Pakistani Americans.

    South Asian bodies troubled by spying of Muslim Americans

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions
    A new smartphone app being tested at St Louis Children's Hospital in the US is turning out to be a life-saving experience for children with heart conditions.

    Smartphone app to save kids with heart conditions