Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party President Kewal Singh Dhillon has written a special letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging that prominent Sikh scholars and intellectuals must be included, alongside senior officials, in the advisory committee constituted in connection with the proposed “Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Act.”
In his letter, Kewal Singh Dhillon welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to form a committee for extensive consultations with Sikh stakeholders, religious institutions, and scholars before introducing this important Act in the state assembly. He stated that after Punjab BJP raised the concerns of the Sikh community, the prompt action and positive response shown by the Maharashtra government and Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule are highly commendable.
This step reflects the government’s genuine respect for the sanctity of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Takht Sri Hazur Sahib and its commitment to safeguarding the religious autonomy of the Sikh community. BJP President Dhillon further drew the Chief Minister’s attention to the fact that the currently constituted panel is largely dominated by bureaucrats.
He emphasized that Takht Sri Hazur Sahib is one of the five sacred Takhts of Sikhism and a center of deep religious faith for Sikhs across the world. Therefore, along with administrative officials, it is essential to include Sikh scholars of high standing and credibility in society in the committee.
Dhillon added that the inclusion of Sikh intellectuals would ensure that the committee’s deliberations receive full legitimacy and acceptance among the Sikh community, leaving no room for doubt or apprehension about the overall process. This would help produce recommendations acceptable to the entire Panth.
He expressed hope that the Maharashtra government would soon take a positive decision on this sensitive and well-intentioned demand.