Sikh Gurdwaras Bill removes Sahjdhari voting rights retroactively from 2003

It does so by substituting the provisos in sections 49 and 92 to strictly prohibit the registration of electors who trim or shave their beard or keshas, smoke, or consume alcohol.

Who it concerns: Sikhs residing in constituencies who are over twenty-one years of age and seeking to register as electors for the Board or local committees under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. Specifically, it affects Sahjdhari Sikhs by removing their previous exemption from the disqualification regarding beard and keshas.

What the bill does

• Substitutes the proviso in section 49 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.
• Substitutes the proviso in section 92 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.
• Prohibits registration as an elector for anyone who trims or shaves their beard or keshas.
• Prohibits registration as an elector for anyone who smokes.
• Prohibits registration as an elector for anyone who takes alcoholic drinks.
• The amendment is deemed to have come into force from 8th October, 2003.

Also in the document

• The Bill is retrospective, with effect from 8th October, 2003.
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons notes that a previous Central Government notification (dated 08th October, 2003) attempting similar changes was quashed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on 20th December, 2011.
• The High Court judgment left the decision to amend the Act to the appropriate Legislature.