Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 23: Senior BJP leader and former Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha S.S.Ahluwalia, said though the Sikhs have made several sacrifices for the nation but history and the rulers have not done justice with the community. He said that Sikhs have shed their blood in Kashmir valley for the integration of the country.
Mr Ahluwalia was addressing a one day Sikh Sammelan here today organised by the BJP to interact with the community and have stock of their problems and grievances.
Referring to the 1994 resolution of the Parliament, he said that the follow up of the same should be carried out adding that claim on evacuee property in PoK by refugees should be entertained and possession be given to them.
Announcing to support all the genuine demands of the Sikhs in the State, Ahluwalia said that the party has always been serious towards their grievances and assured to further accelerate BJP’s efforts to raise them at the highest level and seek their redressal.
Terming the surrender policy as an instrument to appease a particular section in Kashmir, he said that the Sikhs in the State are in minority and need to be extended all the benefits enjoyed by minorities in other parts of the country.
On the issue of reservation in professional colleges of the country to displaced people from PoK whose majority belongs to Sikh community, he said the issue will be taken up at Party’s National Executive meet on September 26 by the State leaders so that the same is taken by Party national chief Nitin Gadkari with the Chief Ministers of BJP ruled States.
He also advocated for implementation of Anand Marriage Act in J&K with appointment of a Sikh as the chairman of the Minority Commission.
Shamsher Singh Manhas said that the plight of the Sikhs in J&K is indeed miserable despite their supreme sacrifices from time to time. He said that at present if any non-Muslim is living in Valley, it is Sikh only, who has a firm resolve in mind to serve the nation and take care of nation’s interest in J&K at any cost. He said that many grievances of Sikh community in J&K are a part of regional discrimination practised by Kashmir-centric ruling political parties and re-iterated BJP’s unstinted support to the cause of Sikh community.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed grave concern over growing disenchantment among the members of Sikh community living in Jammu & Kashmir and raised the question as to why a community known for its patriotism, nationalism and bravery should feel let down in this part of the country on account of a sense of discrimination suffered by it. Citing references from history and post-partition literature by renowned authors like Sadat Hasan Monto and Khushwant Singh, he said the Sikh community has set highest traditions of sacrifice for country and compassion for humanity.
Dr Jitendra Singh cautioned that Jammu and Kashmir is a heterogeneous State with a composite culture and therefore it is not possible to expect peace and prosperity if there is a general impression that a particular community or section of society is being favoured at the cost of other communities.
S. Surinder Singh(Advocate) while speaking on “ PoK refugees in Jammu & Kashmir, said that the Government has no concern for the families from PoK and the same is clear from the fact that they have not been granted “refugee’ status even after 65 years. He said that the Government claims PoK as part of India but neither it has been got vacated nor any of us send there to settle again. “we do not accept the tag of displaced persons” he said and added that our community has no place in Government’s schemes and the same is clear from the fact that not even a single problem of ours has been taken seriously and resolved”, he alleged.
S. Varinderjeet Singh, Co-Convenor of the sammelan, spoke on condition of Sikh community in J&K and said that the community constitutes two percent of the country’s population but has the distinction of making 85 per cent of sacrifices when there is a danger to the nation and the people. He put forth his community’s vies on Anand Marriage Act and various other subjects besides giving a lengthy presentation of the living conditions of Sikhs here.
S. Rajinder Singh, who highlighted the problems of Sikh families in Kashmir, said that right from Kaballi attack in 1947 till date Sikhs have always remained in front line to give a befitting reply to all such forces who pose threat to the unity of the country.
Ahluwalia was also presented a book titled “Kashmir layee qurbani” by its author S. Jagjit Singh Sudan.
BJP leader Sardar H.S.Pummy conducted the proceedings of the sammelan while BJYM National Executive Member Aseem Gupta presented vote of thanks.
The Sammelan was attended by prominent members from Sikh community.
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