Pastor Narula’s Aide on Minorities Commission; Majithia Bail Rejected

The Panjab government has appointed Christian pastor Ankur Narula's close aide, Jatinder Masih Gaurav, as chairman of the Punjab State Minorities Commission (PSMC). He is the first appointee to the post from the followers of the Pentecostal churches which have emerged in Panjab in recent years and generated many controversies over conversions of Sikhs and Hindus to Christianity. Coming from a Balmiki (marginal caste)-Protestant family in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur district, Jatinder Randhawa became a follower of pastor Narula around a decade ago and took the name Jatinder Masih Gaurav. He was earlier appointed president of the Ankur Narula Ministries Management Committee. He also became president of the Global Christian Action Committee. The appointment to PSMC indicates the govt sanctioning the Pentecostal churches and perhaps drawing their followers. Meanwhile, on 18 Aug, a Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar sessions court dismissed the regular bail application of former Panjab cabinet minister, Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Bikram Singh Majithia in a vigilance probe that alleges disproportionate assets of around USD 61M accumulated during his ten-year tenure as Member of Legislative Assembly and minister between 2007-17. At the same time, the has filed a 40K-page charge-sheet against Majithia. This has increased SAD’s woes as Panjab readies for state elections in February 2027. Concurrently, ending a legal battle that spanned over 26 years, on 19 Aug, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (PHHC) directed the Panjab govt to extend to former employees of the defunct Punjab State Leather Development Corporation the same benefits granted under its 20 Apr 1992 policy for absorption of surplus staff. PHHC held that the employees’ 'rightful claim cannot be denied' by a 1995 amendment. In other news, on 20 Aug, the PHHC Chief Justice Sheel Nagu administered oath to Justice Ramesh Kumari as an Additional Judge. With Justice Kumari's appointment, now PHHC has a record 18 women judges. PHHC also has 60 judges against the sanctioned strength of 85 (earlier coverage).

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