Sehajdhari to lose voting rights after Parliament passed Sikh Gurudwara Bill 2016
The Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill, 2016, on Monday secured parliamentary approval with the Lok Sabha unanimously adopting the measure -- but only after a heated debate involving members of the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Congress and the AAP. Introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh on March 15, the bill was passed by the upper house on the next day. According to the amending bill, every Sikh above the age of 21 years and registered as a voter will be entitled to vote in Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and various gurdwara management committee elections. However, no person who trims or shaves his beard or hair will be entitled to vote in these elections. The bill, in this manner, seeks to amend the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which regulates the administration of gurdwaras in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
