SAS Nagar, March 26- Former President of Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha Phase-11 S. Harpal Singh Sodhi alleged that as the elections of Gurdwara Sahib are approaching, the management committee has made such amendments in the constitution which are against the basic spirit of democracy and are illegal, causing resentment among the Sangat, while the current President of the Management Committee of Gurdwara Sahib, Mr. Harjeet Singh termed these allegations as baseless and said that the amendments in the constitution have been made as per the resolutions passed in the general meeting held last year.
Mr Harpal Singh Sodhi said that the committee has amended the rule whereby no person can contest re-election after becoming president twice, noting that the second amendment prevents residents of House No. 1-2700 from contesting president election once and blocks 1300-1400 the next time, claiming that the amendment stamps out the democratic rights of the Sangat allowing any person to contest election from the occupied area of ??Gurdwara Sahib, insisting that the elections are conducted as per the current constitution effective from 2011.
He pointed out that the constitutional amendments are illegal as according to the current constitution the amendments require approval by a two-third majority during the general body meeting which has not happened, claiming that the entire management committee is unaware of the amendments and only the chairman Harjeet Singh and two others have written an application seeking approval of the amendments from the registrar of firms and societies.
He informed the Registrar in writing on October 4 that the amendments of the Management Committee have not been approved by a two-third majority in the General Body Meeting, leading to significant resentment among the Sangat, leading to a large gathering of members of the Gurdwara Sahib, wherein it was decided to apprise the Mohali Administration of the matter and the matter was also brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar.
He said that there are more than 2500 voters (members) of the Gurdwara Sahib who are expressing discontent and warning that law and order may deteriorate in Phase-11 if the Administration neglects the sensitive issue, alleging that the Management Committee is manipulating the votes of opponents by making various excuses and creating bogus votes, which is supported by documentary evidence. When contacted, the present President of the Gurdwara Sahib, Shri Harjeet Singh, refuted the allegations of Harpal Singh Sodhi, claiming that the amendments in the constitution were made as per the resolutions approved in the General Body Meeting of the Sangat.
He said in this regard it was decided during the General Ijlas on 21st April 2024 that any person who has served as president twice will not contest the election again, similarly during the Ijlas the Sangat demanded that this time the residents of Kothiyan once quarters should be elected as president, according to which amendment has been made, Harpal Singh Sodhi is making this issue a political issue, while during his tenure there were allegations of embezzlement of funds of Gurdwara Sahib, regarding which a complaint was lodged with the police.