Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 1: Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has expressed its serious concern over the continuous neglect of Sikh community, politically as well as economically by successive Governments in Jammu and Kashmir and said that only the united voice and strong leadership can serve the interests of the Sikh community in the State.
Addressing a press conference here today, senior leaders of State unit of SAD (B) said that since long genuine issues and problems of minority Sikh community are not being properly addressed and consequently community is being pushed back in every sphere of life. Unfortunately, the neglect of Sikh representatives in State cabinet has further shaken the hopes and faith of Sikh community in the State, despite the fact that since 1947 up to Omar Abdullah Government there was some representation in Cabinet as well as in Legislature.
They pointed out that the Sikhs being a minority community in J&K State are continuously fighting for minority status despite the fact that they are considered as minority in India under the Minority Commission Act and both the present coalition partners had promised in their election manifestos to grant minority status to Sikh community in J&K.
Similarly, till 1981 Punjabi language was compulsory subject like Urdu in J&K State but unfortunately the Punjabi language is being gradually deleted and the posts of Punjabi teachers have been converted to other subjects.
“We demand that financial package announced by Government of India for refugees of J&K State should be disbursed as per recommendations of Joint Parliamentary Committee in letter and spirit and Government of India must come up with some educational and rehabilitation schemes for the children of refugees of 1947. We also demand that members of Sikh community should be appointed in Services Selection Recruitment Board & other recruitment and important bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Mohinder Singh, president Shiromani Akali Dal Badal , Surinder Singh and Suchwant Singh addressed the conference
Janak Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Jagjeet Singh and Ranjeet Singh were also present.
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