JAMMU: A grand Sikh Sammelan was organized to commemorate Shaheedi Diwas, paying homage to the supreme sacrifices of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. The event served as a powerful platform to highlight the aspirations and demands of the Sikh community, particularly regarding linguistic and political representation.
Senior Congress leader and DDC Member Taranjit Singh Tony spearheaded the event, bringing together a host of prominent political figures and Sikh leaders.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader & AICC General Secretary, GA Mir, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Tabish Patel, National Chairman of Minority Morcha Congress & In-charge of J&K and Ladakh, was the Guest of Honour.
The event also witnessed the participation of Rajinder Singh Nathu, Chairman Minority Cell, J&K Congress and Surinder Singh Channi, a senior Congress leader from Kashmir, alongside several distinguished dignitaries.
During the Sammelan, Tony and other Sikh leaders submitted a memorandum to GA Mir, underscoring the community’s pressing demands.
The key focus was on the inclusion of Punjabi as an official language in the Jammu and Kashmir Languages Act, 2020, filling vacant posts in government higher secondary schools, political reservation for Sikhs in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, and granting OBC status to Sikhs in Kashmir.
Additionally, demands were raised for the implementation of the National Minority Commission Act, proper rehabilitation of POJK displaced persons of 1947, compensation for victims of the 1989 anti-Sikh riots, and the recommendation of a Senior Sikh Advocate as a Judge in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
Speaking at the gathering, Taranjit Singh Tony said Jammu and Kashmir is a step toward fostering greater inclusivity, promoting linguistic diversity, and ensuring that all citizens are equally represented in the state's governance.
Tony passionately emphasized the need for Punjabi to be officially recognized and incorporated into the educational curriculum at both school and college levels. He asserted that the fight for linguistic and political rights is far from over and called upon the Sikh community to remain steadfast in their struggle.
“This is just the beginning. Until Punjabi is granted its rightful status, our fight will continue with even greater intensity,” he said.
Surinder Singh Channi, in his address, emphasized that Punjabi is not just a language but a rich cultural and historical identity that binds the Sikh community across regions. “When it comes to the fight for Punjabi language, we all are united—whether from J&K or any other part of the country,” he added.
GA Mir, while addressing the Sammelan, assured the Sikh community of his unwavering support in advocating their cause. “Punjabi language and Sikh representation will receive due attention.
No stone will be left unturned to ensure justice and fulfillment of long-pending demands,” he affirmed. The leaders in attendance collectively urged him to raise these concerns in the ongoing Assembly session, reinforcing the Sikh community’s unwavering resolve for their rights.
The Sammelan saw the participation of notable personalities including Avtar Singh Shunty Ex Sarpanch, Inderjeet Singh (ex-Corporator), Mohinder Singh (Transport Leader), Babu Singh (Kashmir Wale), Dr. Harsimran Singh, Gurdarshan Singh, Balbir Singh, Parveen Singh, Harbaksh Singh Kala, Jitender Singh (Retd XEn) and Kuku Pradhan. Their presence added to the significance of the event, symbolizing a united front for the community’s demands.
This grand Sikh Sammelan not only paid tribute to the martyrs but also sent a strong message to the authorities, urging them to take immediate steps toward recognizing and addressing the concerns of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir.
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