CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Issuing notice to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Punjab and Haryana high court today asked it to give an explanation as to why the appointment of Harcharan Singh as chief secretary was not be stayed.
This is an individual who has been stained with many allegations. Not the least of which includes prominent Ragi Bhai Baldev Singh Vadala, alleging that the chief secretary has close ties with Rastriya Sikh Sangat (RSS), an violent and extremist Hindu nationalist group.
Significantly, the court also added creating the post was against usual norms. It also raised a concern about the age of the appointed individual. Harcharan Singh is of 70 years of age and a former banker.
The next hearing on the petition challenging the appointment will be on November 5.
It is worth mentioning that the SGPC created the post despite stiff opposition of Sikhs across the world. The monthly salary of the chief secretary is a hundered thousands rupees. Many have complained that this is an extortionate amount of donation to be used for one person’s wage.
