Jammu, 25 February (H.S.): Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) J&K, JK Sikh Council, International Sikh Federation and Sikh Students Federation have strongly opposed the demand of separate Jammu State and said united Jammu Kashmir is more viable for economic and political stability.
“We the people of Jammu Kashmir share a historical and cultural unity, but unfortunately certain communal elements, under the guise of separate Jammu demand are initiating the politics of hate, which will badly harm the collective and secular character of the region,” said leaders of these organizations, while addressing a joint press conference, here today.
“Consequently people of Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley have voiced their demand for divisional status and our minority Sikh community in J&K is worried about its identity and future in the wake of such voices for communal demographic changes as Sikh community is scattered in different regions of Jammu Kashmir and the recent delimitation process has already badly diluted and dismantled our vote bank in J&K,” they added and appealed to people of all regions to initiate a peaceful united movement for the restoration of statehood status, as of 5th August 2019 in Jammu Kashmir.
The Sikh leaders hailed the UGC Act 2026 and described the same as an historic milestone which seeks to operationalise the constitutional vision of Dr B R Ambedkar for social justice, equality and particularly focuses on protecting students from SC, ST, OBC & minority communities, and establishment of Equal Opportunity Cells (EOC) and Anti- Discrimination Communities in higher education institution.
“We strongly condemn the opposition of this act by a section of communal elements and now the stay in Supreme Court has lead to widespread disappointment and sense of uncertainty among the marginalized beneficiaries. We hope that appropriate constitutional and administrative measures may kindly be taken to ensure early vacation of stay in Supreme Court of India,” they said.
Reiterating their demand for official language status to Punjabi in J&K, political reservation and minority status to Sikhs, the Sikh leaders also highlighted the issues of refugees and, discrimination in SRO-425.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
