Our Correspondent /
Parliament today passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill- 2016 . The Bill provides for amendment in some provisions of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. It will disentitle Sahjdhari Sikhs, who trim or shave their beard or hair, from casting their votes in elections to the Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC).
Under the 1925 Act, every Sikh who is above 21 years of age and is registered as a voter, is entitled to vote in the SGPC elections. The Act had created an exception for Sehjdhari Sikhs who trim or shave their beard or hair, and allowed them to vote. The new amendment will come into force retrospectively from 8th October, 2003.
Replying to a brief debate on the bill, in Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the amendment was necessitated in view of complaints received during the SGPC elections that those who do not follow the tenets of Sikh religion also cast their votes.
The Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill in the last session.