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Religion
SGPC Yet to Hold Elections for 15 Years, Mini‑Parliament Operates Amid Legal Battle
✍️ Amar Ujala · Amritsar
🗓 09 Sep 2026, 07:39 AM
👁 7
The Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has gone 15 years without elections but continues to function, prompting a court dispute.
The Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the statutory body that oversees gurdwaras across India, has not conducted an election for the past fifteen years. Despite the statutory requirement for periodic elections, the committee continues to operate as a "mini‑parliament" that makes decisions on religious and administrative matters.
Legal experts say the prolonged absence of elections raises questions about the committee’s compliance with the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, which mandates regular electoral cycles. A petition challenging the status quo has been filed in court, arguing that the current arrangement undermines democratic governance within the Sikh community.
SGPC officials, however, contend that the continuity of the committee is essential for the uninterrupted management of gurdwaras and related institutions. The matter remains pending before the judiciary, with both sides awaiting a definitive ruling.
The controversy has drawn attention from Sikh leaders and the broader public, who are watching closely to see whether the court will order fresh elections or uphold the existing structure.
Legal experts say the prolonged absence of elections raises questions about the committee’s compliance with the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, which mandates regular electoral cycles. A petition challenging the status quo has been filed in court, arguing that the current arrangement undermines democratic governance within the Sikh community.
SGPC officials, however, contend that the continuity of the committee is essential for the uninterrupted management of gurdwaras and related institutions. The matter remains pending before the judiciary, with both sides awaiting a definitive ruling.
The controversy has drawn attention from Sikh leaders and the broader public, who are watching closely to see whether the court will order fresh elections or uphold the existing structure.