NEW DELHI: Under the amended Sikh law, those who trim or shave beard and hair, smoke or drink alcohol, cannot cast vote in the elections for Sikh religious bodies. President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 2016, which alters provision of the 91 year old law that regulated the administration of Gurdwaras in Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Earlier,the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, said that any Sikh aged above 21 and registered as a voter was entitled to vote in the elections to the Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee constituted to look after the overall administration and management of the religious shrines of the community. The amended, new law, has made it clear that "no person shall be registered as an elector who trims or shaves his beard or 'keshas', smokes and takes alcoholic drinks."
The new Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 15, and passed the next day. The Lower House passed it on April 25. During a debate in the Parliament, Singh had said the demand for not giving voting rights to Sahajdhari Sikhs, those who shave their beard or hair, was made by SGPC members and office bearers. The Sahajdhari Sikhs have no religious sanction as per the fundamental tenets of the religion are concerned. The Bill has proposed to remove the exception given to Sahajdharis in 1944 to vote in elections to select members of the Board and the Committees constituted under the Act.
The development assumes significance as the law, which fulfils the long-pending demand of the Sikh community to bar Sahajdhari Sikhs from voting, comes ahead of Assembly elections due in Punjab next year.
