JAMMU: Members of various Sikh organizations in an emergency meeting in occupied Jammu and Kashmir unanimously called for restoration of statehood and early assembly elections.
The meeting, chaired by S. Mohinder Singh, Chief Organizer of Bhai Kanhaiya Nishkam Sewa Society, J&K, highlighted the need for the restoration of statehood and emphasized that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A had demoted the status of Jammu and Kashmir. The organizations claimed that the authorities’ promises of development in the territory were hollow slogans.
Furthermore, the Sikh organizations demanded the allocation of eight assembly seats and two parliamentary seats out of the 24 reserved seats for the 1947 refugees from Pakistan in Jammu region and Kashmir valley.
Another key demand put forth by the Sikh organizations was the appointment of a High Court Judge from the Sikh community. They emphasized that in the 75 years since Independence, no Sikh had been appointed as a High Court Judge in Jammu and Kashmir. The organizations called for the inclusion of a Sikh representative/advisor within the administration to address the long-standing neglect and discrimination faced by the Sikh community in the territory.
The Sikh organizations called for the establishment of a commission for minorities in IIOJK to address the specific concerns and issues faced by Sikh communities. They also appealed to the authorities to address these demands and ensure the representation, rights, and well-being of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir.
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