Ignored for too long various organizations launch massive protest campaign
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: The Sikh community has launched a major campaign to draw attention to the long-standing issues faced by Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir. As part of this initiative, the community has decided to send one lakh letters to Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) from all states, and other political representatives.
This decision comes in response to what Sikh leaders describe as continuous neglect by both the central and state governments.
For years, the demands of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir have remained unaddressed, despite repeated assurances from successive governments. Frustrated by this indifference, Sikh organizations have become increasingly vocal.
The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee has taken a lead role in the movement, with its chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, actively raising the issue.
Raina has accused the present administration of ignoring Sikh concerns and has vowed to take their grievances directly to the highest levels of government. “We are not being heard,” he stated, emphasizing that he will write to the Prime Minister to seek answers regarding the government’s inaction on Sikh issues in Jammu and Kashmir.
If the Prime Minister does not respond, the community will escalate the matter by sending one lakh letters to MPs, MLAs, and other key representatives nationwide.
Among the major demands of the Sikh community is the long-pending request for minority status in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, they are seeking official language status for Punjabi, political reservation, and other community rights. Efforts are also underway to arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss these pressing concerns.
Jagmohan Raina pointed out that while the Anand Marriage Act has been passed, Sikh couples are still unable to obtain marriage certificates under this law. Another unresolved issue is the lack of investigation into the 2000 Chhittisinghpora massacre, in which 35 Sikhs were killed.
The community has also been demanding political representation, advocating for two reserved seats—one in Jammu and one in Kashmir—but no progress has been made on this front.
National Sikh Front Chairman Virendra Jeet Singh echoed similar sentiments, stating that none of the community’s demands have been met over the years. “Every government has ignored us, and our struggle will continue until our voices are heard,” he asserted.
District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Jammu Vice-President and Sikh leader Balwinder Singh also criticized the government’s failure to act on crucial demands. He noted that despite repeated appeals, there has been no movement on granting official language status to Punjabi, political reservation for Sikhs, reservation in jobs, or recognition of Sikhs as a minority community in Jammu and Kashmir.
Moreover, despite the formal notification of the Anand Marriage Act, marriage certificates have not been issued under this provision.
The Sikh community makes up approximately two percent of Kashmir’s population, with around one lakh Sikhs residing in the Valley and an additional three and a half lakh in Jammu division. While numerically small, the community holds considerable electoral influence in several constituencies.
Sikh voters play a key role in determining the outcome of elections in four assembly constituencies spanning the districts of Pulwama, Srinagar, Budgam, and Baramulla in Kashmir. In the Jammu division, they are crucial in Kathua, RS Pura, Vijaypur (Samba district), Gandhinagar (Jammu), and Poonch constituencies. Additionally, significant Sikh populations are present in Suchetgarh and Bishnah (Jammu district) and Hiranagar (Kathua district), making them a decisive factor in many electoral battles.
The growing discontent within the Sikh community signals a demand for concrete action rather than mere political assurances. With their letter-writing campaign, Sikh organizations aim to ensure their voices are heard and their rightful demands are addressed without further delay.
