DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Jammu, Aug 21
S Balvinder Singh renowned RTI Activist and President Sikh Progressive Front along with S. Manjit Singh (General Secretary), S. Rajinder Singh Sudan (Joint Secretary), addressed the media today to highlight long-standing issues concerning the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (JKUT). They expressed deep concern over the consistent neglect of the Sikh community’s genuine demands by successive governments in J&K, despite the community’s significant contributions to the secular and social fabric of the region and the nation. S. Balvinder Singh emphasized the community’s dissatisfaction with the “step-motherly” treatment received from the successive governments. In light of this, the Sikh Progressive Front has resolved to support only candidates of those political parties that explicitly commit to safeguarding Sikh interests in their manifestos. The Front reiterated key demands, including:
Introduction of Punjabi as a subject from primary to higher education levels. Inclusion of Punjabi in the JKUT Official Language Bill 2020, which was excluded under the BJP regime.
Political reservation for Sikhs akin to the provisions made for SC, ST, OBC, Pahari, Gujjar, and Pandit communities, either under the Migrant Quota or POJK Quota, to ensure Sikh representation in the State Assembly.
Inclusion of Sikh youths from the valley in the special employment package provided
to Pandits under SRO 412, within the non-migrant quota.
Granting OBC status to 54,000 Sikhs residing in Kashmir. Implementation of the National Minority Commission Act in JKUT. Relocation of the statue of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur from the 4th Bridge to
Kunjwani Chowk.
S. Balvinder Singh, S. Manjit Singh along with other members of SPF present in the press conference unanimously urged the Sikh community to stand united and hold the candidates from previously ruling parties accountable for their failure to address Sikh demands, despite numerous representations to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, LG JKUT S. Manoj Sinha, Chairman NMC S. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, and S. Hardeep Singh Puri. They expressed surprise that the current ruling dispensation, which has been in power since 24 February, 2015, is now seeking input from Sikh organizations about their grievances to be included in their election manifesto 2024. Singh urged the community to vote for Party/Candidate who have demonstrated a genuine commitment to address Sikh grievances and who ensure that the demand of Sikh Community will be incorporated in their party’s election manifesto.
Other prominent members of SPF who were present in the press conference were S Tejinder Singh Member DGPC Jammu, S Kuldip Singh Adv, S T.P Singh, S Iqbal Singh, S Janak Singh, S Harmohinder Singh President Displaced Kashmiri Sikhs Conference, S Jaswinder Singh.
