Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: To discuss the socio political problems being faced by Sikh community in the State, a meeting of J&K Sikh Societies Amalgamate (JKSSA) was held under the chairmanship of Gurdeep Singh Sasan, chief patron of Amalgamate.
Addressing the meeting, Sasan expressed his serious concern over Government’s failure in granting minority status to Sikhs in J&K. He said that Sikhs in J&K are deprived of their fundamental rights of availing benefits under various schemes which are being enjoyed by Sikhs in the rest of the Country.
He said that Minority Affairs Ministry runs three major scholarship schemes but the Sikhs of the State are deprived of the benefits of these schemes, as J&K is not covered by NCM Act 1992, which is applicable throughout India.
Sasan urged the State Government to immediately extend NCM Act in J&K and grant minority status to Sikhs along the lines of model act developed by NCM and form Minority Commission which the community has been demanding since long.
He further urged the Government to make Anand Karaj Marriage Act applicable in J&K, as the Act was already applicable throughout India except J&K. He demanded the Government to bring a bill into State Assembly to get Anand Karaj Marriage Act passed and applicable in the State thereby giving opportunity to Sikhs to register their marriages under this Act.
The members expressed their concern over Government’s failure to give representation to Sikhs in PSC and other statutory bodies and urged the Government to stop step motherly treatment with the community, which feels neglected in all fields.
The other demands raised during the meeting include formation of J&K Welfare and Development Board for PoK refugees and release of financial package for their one time settlement, reservation to Sikhs in professional colleges and formation of Minority Financial Corporation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel