SGPC Opposes Shillong Gurdwara Demolition; Sikhs Demand Govt. Action

On 25 Sep, a delegation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met Meghalaya Chief Secretary Donald Phillips Wahlang, to oppose the proposed demolition of the recently rebuilt 200-year-old Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Panjabi Lane, Shillong. SGPC said Sikhs have been living in the city for over 175 years and the govt. must protect their housing rights and preserve the religious site. Jagmohan Singh, convener of Save Shillong Sikhs, emphasized that SGPC’s presence was not to cause disruption but to help resolve the matter peacefully. Meanwhile, in Dhubri, Assam, preparations for Shahidi Purab in December were disrupted at Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. On 22 Sep, Bhagel Singh, interim President of the Sikh Pratinidhi (representative) Board Eastern Zone alleged that Bhupinder Pal Singh and Parminder Singh Manchanda, President of Manipur Shiv Sena, disrupted the Board meeting. Community members faced police harassment, including vehicle checks, detentions, and the confiscation of member Gurbhej Singh’s licensed revolver. The Sikh community is filing multiple First Information Reports in various districts of Assam. In Karnataka, Baljeet Singh, a member of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission said that despite a Sikh population of around 200K in the state, the community lacks govt. support. The govt. has not responded to the community’s proposals for Sikh-managed schools, colleges, hospitals, and a residential colony. The Sikh community plans to collaborate with the SGPC to press the Karnataka govt. for action. In Mumbai, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has filed a complaint with the police against Maitri Park Cooperative Housing Society and Shoden Developers for not rebuilding a Gurdwara demolished during redevelopment of the housing society.