The long-standing dispute concerning the management of Gurdwara Bhai Vir Singh in Gulmarg has once again reached the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, the Akal Takht. Both the incumbent management and a faction of dissenting members have formally requested an audience with the officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to present their respective grievances and perspectives on the ongoing controversy.
Paramjeet Singh, the president of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC), indicated his intention to appeal to the officiating Jathedar to issue a global call to the Sikh sangat, urging contributions for the much-needed renovation and restoration of the Gurdwara Bhai Vir Singh. The shrine has been the focal point of significant contention in recent months, stemming from proposals that stirred considerable debate within the community. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the initial flashpoint involved a proposal to rename the gurdwara in honor of the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji. This move, along with another contentious issue surrounding a substantial donation of Rs 50 lakh, which was reportedly channeled through Gurinder Singh Bawa, a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) based in Mumbai, led to widespread disagreement.
Following the intervention of the Akal Takht, both of these contentious decisions were subsequently rescinded. The gurdwara has retained its original name, and a significant portion of the Rs 50 lakh donation, amounting to approximately Rs 48 lakh, has been returned. Paramjeet Singh stated that the Jathedar would be thoroughly briefed on the operational transparency maintained within the gurdwara’s affairs. He asserted that despite these assurances, certain members are allegedly intent on tarnishing the reputation of the DGPC and destabilizing its management by fabricating baseless accusations of financial impropriety and fund misappropriation. It was in response to these allegations that the Jathedar Sahib had previously ordered the return of the donation amount, according to Paramjeet Singh.
Manmeet Singh, an elected member of the DGPC, emphasized the legal framework governing Sikh religious institutions in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed to the Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Gurdwaras and Religious Endowment Act, 1973, which clearly delineates the procedures for managing gurdwara funds. According to Manmeet Singh, Rule 61 of the rules framed under this Act mandates that all donations received must be directly deposited into the gurdwara’s official bank account. He further elaborated that the donation in question was reportedly routed through an unofficial channel, which contravenes the established legal provisions. While expressing no objection to receiving donations from any source, Manmeet Singh stressed that all contributions must adhere to the legal requirement of being credited directly to the gurdwara’s account, rather than being processed through any intermediary or alternative account.
Rajinder Singh, another member, echoed this sentiment, clarifying that the objection was not to the donation itself or its intended purpose for the kar sewa and reconstruction of the gurdwara, but solely to the method by which the funds were being channeled. He stated that the members would have no reservations about accepting the contribution if it were transferred directly to the gurdwara’s account and were free from any accompanying conditions. Rajinder Singh added that if the same donor wished to contribute again, and the amount was deposited directly into the gurdwara’s account without any stipulations, the members would readily accept it. This stance underscores a desire for procedural adherence and transparency in financial dealings related to the religious institution.
The dispute highlights a fundamental disagreement over financial protocols and the perceived integrity of management practices within the Gurdwara Bhai Vir Singh. The involvement of the Akal Takht signifies the gravity of the situation and the community’s reliance on its spiritual authority to mediate and resolve such conflicts. The upcoming hearing is expected to provide a platform for both sides to articulate their positions and for the Akal Takht to issue directives that could potentially bring a resolution to the protracted disagreement, thereby ensuring the smooth functioning and development of the historic Gurdwara Bhai Vir Singh in Gulmarg.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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