The Maharashtra government has agreed to constitute a committee to consult with stakeholders and Sikh scholars before piloting the proposed legislation to replace the Sri Hazur Sahib Act, 1956, which governs the affairs of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded.
Decision Announced After Meeting with Sikh Leaders
The decision was announced in Delhi by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader RP Singh, who met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday to convey the concerns of the Sikh community regarding the proposed law. Fadnavis subsequently deputed Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to meet with BJP leaders, including Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, to discuss the matter.
Following detailed talks, RP Singh stated that the state government has agreed to form a panel and conduct discussions with stakeholders before bringing the proposed legislation to the Maharashtra Assembly. "I conveyed my concerns regarding the Hazur Sahib Act, 2026 to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and he promptly deputed his Cabinet colleague Chandrashekhar Bawankule to meet us on the matter. We had a fruitful discussion, with Kewal Singh Dhillon, president of Punjab BJP also joining. We requested that wider consultations be held before the Bill is introduced in the Maharashtra Assembly," Singh said.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy stems from the Maharashtra government's decision to repeal the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956, and replace it with a new law titled the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Act. The proposed change has sparked opposition from caretakers of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, who recently asserted religious autonomy by issuing a gurmata (collective religious edict) rejecting the repeal proposal.
The gurmata, a binding collective decision taken in the name of the Guru, was read out by Singh Sahib Giani Ram Singh in the presence of Takht Jathedar Giani Kulwant Singh of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib. This edict underscores the community's strong attachment to the existing legal framework and their desire to maintain control over the gurdwara's affairs.
Reactions from Sikh Leaders
Kewal Dhillon, president of the Punjab BJP, welcomed the development and expressed gratitude for the Maharashtra government's responsiveness. "We are thankful to Maharashtra CM for responding with sensitivity to the concerns of the Sikh community. Their assurance of wider consultations is reassuring and reflects genuine respect for the sanctity and spiritual significance of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib," Dhillon said.
The decision to form a committee before introducing the proposed Hazur Sahib Act, 2026, in the Maharashtra Assembly has been seen as a positive step towards addressing the apprehensions of the Sikh community and ensuring that their voices are heard in the legislative process.
