Maharashtra Government has withdrawn the bill to amend the Act related to Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchal Nagar Sahib located in Nanded. This claim has been made by Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson RP Singh.
What is the Gurdwara Sachkhand Board, Nanded?
Takht Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, is one of the five Takhts (higher temporal seats) of the Sikhs and has historical significance as the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, died here. As per the 1956 Act, the Gurdwara Sachkhand Board, Nanded looks after the management of Takht Hazur Sahib. Its annual budget is around Rs 100 crore and assets worth crores.
History of Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara
Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara is in Nanded city of Maharashtra. The name of this historical Gurudwara Sahib also appears in the five Takht Sahibs of Sikhism. Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib is also called Abichal Nagar. The history of this Gurudwara is connected to the tenth Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It was at this very place that Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj Jyoti Jot took birth on 7 October 1708 AD.Guru ji spent the last part of his life at this place. It was at this very place that Guru Gobind Singh Ji handed over the Guru Granth Sahib and declared Guru Granth Sahib as the next Guru.
What will change with the amendment?
As per the 1956 Act, the 17-member Takht Hazur Sahib Board consists of four nominated SGPC members, four members of the Sachkhand Hazur Khalsa Diwan, two Sikh members of Parliament, one from the Chief Khalsa Diwan, three members directly elected from seven districts of Marathwada . One member each from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and Nanded Collector.
As per the new amendment, of the 17 members, 12 will be directly nominated by the Maharashtra government, three will be elected and the SGPC can now nominate only two. There will be no representation from Parliament or other organizations.