Srinagar, July 23 (KNS): A Sikh delegation, led by Dr Anoop Singh under the banner of Sikh Civil Society (NK) met Lt. Governor at Dak Bungalow Baramulla on Tuesday
According to statement issued to KNS reads, A memorandum of demands on behalf of Sikh minority of J&K was submitted to Hon,ble Lt. Governor.
Several long pending Political and Economic issues, confronting of J&K for over three decades, were thoroughly issued. It was impressed upon Hon,able Lt. Governor that for last three decades, were thoroughly issued it was impressed upon Hon,ble Lt.Governor that for last thirty years of turmoil the grievances and demands of Sikhs Minority kept on accumulating because of insensitive and apathetic attitude of past successive dispensations toward Sikh Minority, and this has led to alienation and isolation of Sikhs from mainstream.
Three Percent reservation in Government Jobs and Professional Institutions. It was explained that the problem of growing unemployment among educated Sikh youth has led to slow migration of Sikh community as a result of which Sikh Population in Kashmir is declining. It was pointed out that every religious group in Kashmir has been benefitted directly or indirectly from reservations provided to different ethnic groups. It is only the Sikh community who has to fzce competition with majority in open merit .therefore a demand for three percent reservation was asked in Government jobs and Professional institutions, Hon,ble Lt. Governer, while giving assurance to look into the matter informed that a new employment policy is being formulated by the government to create the job at local level and as such jobs will be provided all educated youth in U.T.
Inclusion of Sikhs for reservation in Pahari speaking people category. It was emphasized that since the mother tongue of Sikhs living in Kashmir is Pahari and not Punjabi, as it has been made out to be and since the spoken language is the basis for grant of reservation. Hon,ble Lt. Governor agreed in principle to our claim and issued direction to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to take prompt necessary action into the matter.
Regarding the demand for compensation for internally displaced Sikhs Families, Hon,ble Lt. Governor was kind enough to issue instruction to Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to carry out a comprehensive survey for assessment of resultant losses that occurred to the displaced Sikh Families and remove encouragements if found anywhere.
Regarding Political representation of Sikh Minority legislature , it was pointed out that there has been no representation of Sikhs in state legislature and as the community was denied participation in Governance of State and their voice could not reach to the ears of ruling class which is the main reason for continuous neglect and isolation of the Sikhs . A demand for carving out two reserved constituencies for Sikh Minority during the current delimitation exercise was also raised in the meeting Hon,ble Lt. Governor assured that the matter shall be sympathetically considered at the appropriate time.
Regarding demand for nomination of suitable Sikh representative in newly constituted J&K Public Service Commission, Hon,ble Lt Governor assured that needful shall be done very soon.
The Hon,ble Lt. Governor was informed that Anand Marriage Act , already approved by parliament and implemented in the country for registration of Sikh marriages is still not in force in J&K to which Hon,ble Lt. Governor assured that necessary action in this regards will be taken soon.
The demand for the repair of 20 KM Stretch of road from Rohama to Shalkote Gurudwara Tapyana Sahab Rafiabad was accepted and on spot instruction were issued to Worthy D.C Baramulla.
The Delegation included Advocate Karnail Singh (Member J&K Prabandak Board ) , S.Manjitbir Singh (Chairman Sikh Civil Society NK) , Master Karan Singh ( Akali Dal Badal) and Sardar Amarjeet Singh (Vice President Sikh Civil Society NK). It statement (KNS)