SC says no status quo on Haryana gurdwaras law

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to order status quo on a law passed by Haryana wresting control over gurdwaras in the state from the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC).

A three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice R M Lodha agreed to hear on Thursday the petition challenging legal validity of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act, 2014.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for petitioner Harbhajan Singh, a Haryana resident and SGPC member, sought urgent hearing of the matter, pointing out volatility of the situation. He urged the court to order status quo as the matter related to the state of affairs of about 10 to 12 gurdwaras.

The bench, also comprising Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph, expressed their readiness to examine the matter, saying nothing was going to happen in the meantime. 

“There is duly-elected government in the state to take care of law and order situation. Whatever state does, it would certainly never allow law and order to be disturbed. Every state is obligated under the Constitution to maintain the law and order,” the court said.

The counsel said that Haryana passed the law without taking leave (permission) of the Centre as the matter had inter-state repercussions.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi agreed to clarify stand of the Union government after taking due instructions.