By Religous Desk I Samvad Patar I Patna I Bihar I The Sikh Collective Flags Non-Sikh Voters in Takht Patna Sahib Rolls as a critical legal and religious crisis, demanding the immediate purging of electoral lists to prevent the disenfranchisement of the Sikh community. In an unprecedented move, the watchdog group has formally petitioned the Bihar State Election Authority (BSEA) and the Patna District Court, alleging that the draft electoral rolls for the 2026 General Elections are “contaminated” with hundreds of ineligible, non-Sikh voters.

The Crisis at Takht Sri Patna Sahib

Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, is one of the five temporal seats of Sikhism. While the shrine is a beacon for all humanity, its governance is strictly reserved for the Sikh community under statutory frameworks. However, the Sikh Collective, led by Convenor Jagmohan Singh, has uncovered a “patterned failure” in the voter registration process.

According to the Collective’s scrutiny:

  • Total Disputed Votes: 287 out of 3,637 voters across three Halkas (constituencies).

  • Category 1: Blatantly non-Sikh individuals (non-Sikh names for both the voter and their parents).

  • Category 2: Individuals with non-Sikh first names linked to Sikh surnames like “Singh” or “Kaur.”

  • Category 3: Illegible or unverifiable entries that lack transparency.

“The electoral roll is the bedrock of democracy,” stated Jagmohan Singh. “If the foundation is illegal, the superstructure of the Prabandhak Committee cannot stand.”

Parallel Crises: DSGPC, Nanded, and SGPC

The issue at Patna Sahib is not an isolated incident; it mirrors a broader trend of administrative decay and “voter theft” within premier Sikh institutions across India.

1. DSGPC: The Fight for “Authentic” Voters

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGPC) has long faced allegations of electoral roll manipulation. Activists have frequently moved the Delhi High Court to purge thousands of “Sehajdhari” or non-practicing individuals from rolls meant exclusively for “Amritdhari” or “Keshdhari” Sikhs. The delay in Delhi elections often stems from these judicial battles over voter eligibility.

2. Hazur Sahib (Nanded): The Governance Tug-of-War

The Takht Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Board in Nanded, Maharashtra, is currently embroiled in a crisis of autonomy. The state government’s amendments to the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act have allowed for increased government-nominated members, a move the Sikh Collective and SGPC view as a direct assault on Sikh religious independence.

3. SGPC: The 13-Year Election Vacuum

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), often called the “Sikh Parliament,” has not seen a general election since 2011. This 15-year delay is largely due to legal disputes over the definition of a “Sikh voter” and the exclusion of Sehajdhari Sikhs. The current “lame duck” house continues to govern despite its expired mandate, creating a legitimacy vacuum that the Sikh Collective warns is now spreading to Patna.

Demands for Accountability

The Sikh Collective has invoked the custodial responsibility of Hon’ble Principal District & Sessions Judge Rupesh Deo, urging the court not to extend judicial recognition to any committee formed through a “tainted” process. They have presented three direct questions to the Takht Committee:

  1. How did non-Sikhs enter the rolls in the first place?

  2. What verification process was bypassed?

  3. What immediate steps are being taken to “purge” the list before the final publication?

Halka Total Voters Disputed Votes Major Category
Halka 1 1,602 168 Non-Sikh linked to Sikh surname
Halka 2 776 45 Blatantly non-Sikh entries
Halka 3 1,259 74 Unverifiable/Illegible entries

The Road Ahead

Should the BSEA and the Takht Committee fail to rectify these “foundational illegalities,” the Sikh Collective has warned of a multi-front campaign involving:

  • Judicial Action: Filing a writ petition to stay the elections.

  • Religious Action: Sharing the summary with the Jathedar of the Akal Takht for a religious edict.

  • Social Protest: Mobilizing the local Sangat of Patna to protect the sanctity of the Takht.

“We seek a mature and democratic response,” concluded Jagmohan Singh. “But we will not allow the governance of a sacred Takht to be hijacked by a contaminated electoral list.”

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