DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, June 24
Today, S. Balvinder Singh, President of the Sikh Progressive Front (SPF) and Vice President of the District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu, alongside S. Surjit Singh, Secretary of DGPC, S Tejinder Singh Member DGPC Jammu, S Harjit Singh member DGPC Jammu, S. Manjit Singh General Secretary of SPF, and S. Rajinder Singh, Vice President of SPF, expressed profound concern over the recent violation of Sikh students’ religious rights during the NEET 2024 examination. Despite clear instructions on the NEET website permitting Sikh candidates to wear their traditional kirpan and kada, several students in Jammu District were compelled to remove these sacred items on May 5, 2024.
Balvinder Singh highlighted a particularly troubling incident at KV Miran Sahib School, where an NTA staff member insisted that a female Sikh student remove her kada. Despite the student explaining the religious significance of the kada and its legal protection, she was denied entry. The staff’s insistence led to the student being taken to the school office where, in a distressing turn of events, a male staff member used a punching machine to forcibly cut off her kada, causing her significant distress and delaying her entry into the examination center by half an hour.
“This is an egregious violation of Article 25(1) of the Constitution of India, which unequivocally recognizes the right to wear Sikh religious symbols,” stated Singh. He referenced the Delhi High Court ruling in W.P (C) DSGMC and ORS vs. Union of India and ORS, which affirms that wearing the kara and carrying the kirpan are essential practices of the Sikh religion.
The Constitution explicitly protects these articles of faith as expressions of religious identity.
Singh praised SP South Ajay Kumar for his prompt response to the incident. Kumar immediately instructed the concerned SHO at Satwari to register an FIR, ensuring that those responsible for this violation are held accountable under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
All leaders present at the press conference called upon the police department to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the guilty parties face appropriate legal action. They also urged the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration to address this serious issue promptly. The leaders demanded immediate directives to prevent such violations in the future, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the legal protections of religious rights.
“We cannot allow such blatant disrespect and disregard for our religious freedoms,” Singh concluded.
“This issue must be addressed decisively to prevent recurrence and ensure the dignity and rights of all individuals are respected.”
Other prominent persons who were present in the Press Conference are S Niranjan Singh, S Satinder Singh, S Jasbir Singh, S Sharanjit Singh, S Manmohan Singh, S Satinder Singh, Principal Pritam Singh, S Tejinder Singh.
