Why India’s biggest elected religious body hasn’t conducted polls in 15 years

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), India's largest elected religious body, has not held elections in 15 years. Despite its status as a statutory organization managing Sikh gurdwaras, the SGPC's General House, comprised of 185 elected and nominated members, has remained inactive. Established under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, the SGPC plays a significant role in Sikh politics and administration.

Elections are typically conducted by the Central government-appointed Chief Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections, but a court dispute over voting rights for Sikhs who have trimmed or shaved their beards has stalled the process. This dispute, combined with a 2016 amendment that disqualified such Sikhs from being SGPC electors, has kept the 2011-elected House in power indefinitely.

The issue resurfaced in August 2025 when Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa questioned the Central government about a timeline for SGPC elections. However, the government's response indicated ongoing legal challenges to the preparation of new electoral rolls, citing pending petitions.