Sikhs from Nanded protest alleged takeover of religious institution in Maharashtra

Weeks after a major protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, Sikh representatives from Nanded and Delhi staged a sit-in at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, against what they termed alleged “takeover” of Sikh religious institutions in Maharashtra.

The protest, led by the Gurudwara Bachao Sangharsh Samiti president Jarnail Singh Gaddiwale and its members, was supported by senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), who strongly condemned the BJP-led government’s repeated amendments to the governance structure of the Nanded Gurudwara Board.

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The protest came in response to the controversial amendment in 2024, to the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board Act, 1956, the second such amendment in nine years, the protestors said.

The NCP (SP) leader and MP Supriya Sule who also arrived at Jantar Mantar in support of the protestors said that Nanded is one of the holiest sites for Sikhism, and lakhs of pilgrims visit every year, and added that the party stands in solidarity with the Sikh Sangat’s cause.

Party leader and MP Fauzia Khan also arrived at Jantar Mantar in support of the Sikhs who came from Nanded.

NCP (SP) Delhi Minority Wing President Amandeep Singh Sawhney, who was also present at the protest, alleged that the BJP was trying to use such religious institutions to take control of things.

The demonstration at Jantar Mantar was similar to the one held at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan in the past, where NCP (SP) leaders including Rohit Pawar and Jayant Patil extended strong support to the Sikh community.

The NCP leaders alleged that despite growing cross-party pressure and concern from religious leaders, the state government has not yet responded to calls for repeal of the controversial amendments.