SGPC Passes Annual Budget Amid Sikh Organizations' Protests

On 28 Mar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) tabled and passed an annual budget of USD 161M for 2025-26. The session, held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall at the SGPC office, was presided over by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, while General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala presented the budget. The budget has increased by 9.95% compared to the last budget. Dhami said efforts would be made to enhance sarais (inns), healthcare, education, and religious campaigns. The Dharam Prachar (religious preaching) Committee’s budget is USD 12.8M; Gurdwaras’ budget is USD 124M. Some SGPC members, especially Bibi Jagir Kaur and Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, raised the issue of sacking of the three Jathedars (leaders) of the Takhts (thrones) and asked on what basis did Dhami take back his resignation? Bibi Jagir Kaur later said, ‘The entire Sikh community is upset. We were not heard and if this continues, we shall hold a general body meeting in 15 days.’ As the budget was being passed, Sikh organizations protesting the sacking of Jathedars attempted to reach the SGPC headquarters but were stopped by the Panjab police. They included activists from Nihangs (traditional Sikh warriors), the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, led by Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminary) chief Harnam Singh Khalsa. They managed to reach Heritage Street and staged a sit-in near Sri Guru Ram Das Ji Langar Hall. Khalsa said, 'The SGPC has violated Sikh maryada (code of conduct) and principles while dismissing the Jathedars, belittling the sanctity of the Takhts, and it has to revoke its decisions.' After the budget session, the SGPC resolution condemned Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah for invoking Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (1947-84, prominent Sikh leader) to taunt jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, condemned Panjab govt.’s action on farmers, welcomed recent judgements against police officials involved in fake encounters, and demanded quota for Sikhs in the Army (earlier coverage).