SAD Panthak demands fresh elections, warns govt against interference

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) Terming the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna's assertion of his term having been extended to two years a ''fraud'' on the Sikhs, Shiromani Akali Dal Panthak president Manjit Singh today warned the government against any interference in their religious matter.

Addressing the media, Mr Manjit Singh said Mr Sarna's term had expired last month and this arbitrary act of announcing his term's extension to another year was unconstitutional.

''If his term has actually been extended, it should have been endorsed in a general house meeting which has not been done.'' Going by Mr Sarna's claim that his term had been extended by the government, we warn the Delhi government against any such move which would have dire consequences, he said adding that we take it as an interference in our religious affairs.

''We want fresh elections to be held so that those who get the fresh mandate may take steps to improve the lot of the panth and its properties.'' Mr Sarna has brought it to such a pass that the gurudwara committee was facing a financial crisis, he added.

''Any amendment needs to be endorsed by the general house and just declaring that his term has been extended through signatures does not work.'' Stressing that Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had assured him that there was no such move by the government to extend the term, Mr Manjit Singh said even if the government extends the term it would not be applicable on those whose term had expired last month.

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