Mr Badal has convened a congregation of Sikhs in Amritsar on July 27 to devise a strategy to counter the Hooda government's move to split the SGPC.
Punjab's ruling party and BJP ally Akali Dal today cancelled a planned congregation of the Sikhs, opposing the Haryana government's plan to take over the running of Gurudwaras there, after the highest religious body of Sikhs, the Akal Takht stepped in.
The Akal Takht had called for truce between the Akali Dal and the Hooda-led Congress government in Haryana over the issue of management of Gurudwaras. (
Confrontation Looms Between Akali Dal and Haryana Government Over Decision to Split SGPC)
The Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Act, 2014, allows Sikhs of Haryana to manage shrines in the state. All Sikh shrines in India are currently managed by the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee or SGPC, controlled by the Akali Dal.
"We will obey Akal Takht, we have to follow their directions. Our workers were on their way to the venue but they are now been asked to stop," Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Akali Dal Parkash Singh Badal told NDTV.
Mr Badal has convened a congregation of Sikhs in Amritsar on July 27 to devise a strategy to counter the Hooda government's move to split the SGPC. However, the Akal Takht directed that the meeting as well as another rally in Karnal in Haryana be called off.
The Akal Takth had said that the situation in Saharanpur, where three people were killed in violent clashes over a disputed piece of land, warranted that people concentrate on bringing peace in the Uttar Pradesh town.
"We have put no pressure on the central government on this issue, but we firmly believe SGPC should not be bifurcated," Mr Badal said. He added that his party would meet and discuss the issue with Akal Takht, but also insisting that the religious body or the Centre must intervene to resolve the issue. (
As Two States Fight Over New Sikh Body, Centre Nudged by Ally Akali Dal)
"SGPC is not a market or municipal committee... it's an institution for which we have sacrificed," he added.