BJP caught between Akali, Sena

Sources said the legislation, that is likely to be called the 8216;All India Gurdwara Bill8217;, had been drafted by the Centre and circulated among state governments for their views.

The first protests against the proposal have been raised by the Sikh community of Nanded in Maharashtra which has a 300-year-old gurdwara built in memory of Guru Govind Singh who had spent his last days there. Sources said Sikh leaders of Nanded, led by 10 Shiv Sena MPs, met the Prime Minister here last week and lodged a complaint against the proposal.

Kulwant Singh, head jathedar of the Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchainagar Sahib of Nanded, said, 8216;8216;The rituals that we follow in our gurdwara are different from the ones followed by Sikhs in Punjab. The legislation would only eliminate our traditions and our distinct identity as Maharastrian Sikhs.8217;8217;

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Satish Pradhan and Chamdrakant Khaire, leaders of the Shiv Sena in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively, said: 8216;8216;This is a highly emotive issue that involves the sentiments of the local Sikh community and other devotees. We, therefore, request that the status quo of the Gurdwara Sahib in Nanded and its governance be maintained.8217;8217;