The face-off over creation of separate SGPC in Haryana today intensified as the state refused to accept the Centre's directive to take back the bill and asked the Home Ministry to "forthwith withdraw" its letter in this regard as well as direct Punjab not to interfere in its affairs.
In its reply to the Home Ministry, Haryana termed the letter written to it yesterday as "an affront to the federal structure and Parliamentary democracy of India" and one which "is an insult of 2.5 crore Haryanvis and their elected legislators".
"I request your goodself to forthwith withdraw the letter dated 18th July, 2014 and issue appropriate direction to Government of Punjab to not interfere into affairs of state of Haryana within its territorial jurisdiction," Haryana Cabinet Minister Randeep Surjewala said in a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Surjewala told Rajnath Singh that the "political stand of either the Akali Dal (Badal) or any other political party/organisation should never colour the judgement of Government of India in being able to decide the issue qua right of legislature of State of Haryana...."
He claimed that the Haryana Legislature has exercised its legislative powers under the Constitution to ensure grant of right of self-governance, self-determination and service of Gurdwaras to sikh community of Haryana. He cited the example of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee that manages the affairs of Sikh shrines in the national capital "with no say of Amritsar SGPC in it".
"To negate this right of Sikh and Punjabi communities of Haryana is to question the honour of every Haryanvi. With humble regards to your goodself and wisdom of your law officers, this is neither acceptable nor warranted," he said.
The Haryana Minister also pointed out that Akali leaders from Punjab were entering many sikh religious shrines (Gurdwaras) of Haryana with armed police personnel from Punjab and questioned the Centre as to why it was silent on the issue and why it had not sought a law and order report from Governors of Haryana and Punjab.
Meanwhile, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in Punjab had a Core Committee meeting today and decided to hold a large congregation of the Sikh community at Amritsar on June 27 for deliberating on further action in this regard.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday petitioned the Centre to intervene in the matter and had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him of the situation.
Badal has said that he will not allow "dilution" of the SGPC and "would go to any extent" to save its sanctity.
The Union Home Ministry had yesterday written to the Haryana Chief Secretary and Secretary to State Governor stating that the legislature of Haryana had no competence to pass the Haryana Sikh Gurudwara (Management) Bill 2014 and assent granted by Governor should be withdrawn.
