By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 31 Jan: Amarjit Singh, social media advisor to the Uttarakhand Congress President, has in a press release demanded rights for Sikh society from all the political parties that have entered the electoral fray. He has reminded that the glorious history of Sikh Gurus is associated with the holy land of Uttarakhand.
He has pointed out there has been a big contribution of Sikhs and Punjabi society in creating a progressive Uttarakhand at every level. Sikh society has made a significant contribution during the disasters and various crises in the country and the state. He has reminded that important demands of the Uttarakhand Sikh community have been pending for many years.
Political parties want the votes of Sikhs and Punjabis but their demands are never seriously considered, he has stated. The governments of various parties that were in power in Uttarakhand have given only verbal assurances to the Sikh community and have not done any concrete work on the ground he has alleged.
According to him, these demands have already been conveyed through a memorandum to Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal and Election Steering Committee President Harish Rawat. In this election season, he has sought a written assurance from the Congress party on these demands, through inclusion in its 2022 manifesto.
The demands include: Settlement of the Gurudwara Gyan Godadi Sahib land allotment dispute in Haridwar. The Anand Marriage Act should be implemented in Uttarakhand as passed by the Central Government and other states (Delhi, Himachal, Haryana and Punjab). The promise of establishing a Punjabi Academy in the state of Uttarakhand should be fulfilled. After sanctioning the Sri Guru Nanak Dev University in Dehradun, land should be allotted for its establishment. Land should be made available to Sikh society to establish a world class hospital for public service. Ensuring employment in government departments and institutions for children educated on the basis of minority quota. Loans should be made available from banks at affordable rates under the self-employment scheme on the basis of minority quota. Like Haryana, Punjab, the Rai Sikhs should be given Scheduled Caste status in Uttarakhand. Sikh society should be given proper representation in government and organisations.
