Delhi Cabinet gives nod to include Damdama Sahib in Sikh Gurdwaras Act

The Delhi Cabinet on Thursday approved an amendment in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1971, for the inclusion of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab) as the fifth 'Takht' (seat) in the Act.

The Cabinet gave the nod in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after receiving a demand from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee regarding inclusion of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, in Bhatinda as the fifth Takht in the Act.

As per the present act, there are four Takhts.

"According to Section (4)(b)(ii) of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1971, the Committee shall consist of four members, each being the head priest of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar, Sri Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur, Sri Takht Patna Sahib, Patna and Sri Takht Hazur Sahib, Nanded," the government said in a statement.

Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, in Bhatinda has already been included as the fifth Takht in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 (Punjab Act VIII of 1925) by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

There are five holy 'Takhts' - the seats of temporal authority - in Sikhism. IANS