Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Sikh Progressive Front (SPF) has expressed strong concern over the continued exclusion of the Sikh community from recent recommendations for appointment of judges to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
Addressing a press conference, SPF president Balvinder Singh, along with DGPC Jammu vice president, and other office bearers including general secretary Manjit Singh, Tejinder Singh and joint secretary Rajinder Singh Sudan, said that despite a list of eleven names being proposed for elevation, no candidate from the Sikh community was included.
The leaders emphasized that the Sikh community, though a micro-minority in J&K, has a considerable number of senior and competent lawyers eligible for elevation. Ignoring such talent, they said, reinforces a sense of exclusion and alienation.
While acknowledging that the Constitution does not provide reservation in the higher judiciary, the SPF stressed that it upholds equality and equal opportunity, and institutions must reflect the country’s diversity. They also cited Supreme Court observations highlighting the importance of inclusiveness in judicial appointments.
The Front urged the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Justice of India, and the Union Law Minister to review the recommendations and ensure fair representation of all sections, including minorities, while maintaining merit as the primary criterion.
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