Dear Editor, as you may know the Richmond Hill Gurdwara election dispute was in the court since July 94, In March 95, the court gave the decision to hold new elections under court supervision. Four members of Election Committee from Sikh community and » judge were appointed to prepare the membership list and conduct the election according to the Constitution of Sikh Cultural Society of New York. In July 95, after three months of secret meetings the Election Committee issued anew membership form {Blue}, imposing conditions for membership which were in gross violation of the Constitution of Sikh Cultural Society. Large majority of Sikh community boycotted the election when repeated requests by responsible members. Jailed to persuade Election Committee to make the membership form according to the Constitution, matter had to be taken to the court. On Oct. 5, 1995 court ordered the Blue membership form to be cancelled and new membership form [Yellow] to be printed according to the Constitution. Court also ordered Nov. 16, would be the last date for membership enrollment.

The new membership form [Yellow} were printed and were made available toward the end of October, Noteworthy is that 3,500 members enrolled with new yellow forms in this short period of about two weeks while only 1,500 members had en rolled with the blue form in circulation since July 95.

Election was held on Nov. 1995, Members were allowed to vote after checking photo LD, bearing their names, D.0.B., address and signature. There were 2,837 valid voters that were certified. However Election Committee abused their authority to disqualify the valid voters of 1,001 members, most of whom had filled yellow membership form on the pretext that these members did not attach a photocopy of their 1.D. with membership application. Final result was tabulated only out of 1,836 votes. This gross injustice was inflicted by Election Committee on Sikh community of New York Community is now waiting for July 96 to undo this injustice when election for whole committee will be held again.

Dr. Satnam Singh Dhami NY

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 6, 1996