Addressing the press conference S Balvinder Singh President Sikh Progressive Front, S Manjit Singh Sr V President, S rajinder Singh Sudan V President, S Surinder Singh Wazir Gen Secretary S Sharanjit Singh along with members of other Sikh organizations, Gurudwara Management Committee Sainik Colony strongly condemned the unconstitutional act of the Rajouri Police and Civil administration for not allowing the Amritdari Sikh aspirants (both male and female) wearing Kirpan and Sikh Dress code including five Kakar’s at DPS Public Schools Rajouri on 27th March and similar such incident which occurred at Bhaderwah where Sikh brother and sister from Doda were kept waiting outside Higher Secondary School Sirtingal for more than 15 minutes on the same issue .
Balvinder Singh while narrating the whole episode said it is apparent that it is pre planned attack on the religious freedom of the Sikh community enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution otherwise how could it be possible that on the same day a similar incident occurred at Una District of Himachal Pardesh where also a Amritdhari Sikh aspirant for Sub Inspector Post, namely Balvinder Singh was not allowed to appear in the exams as he was wearing Kirpan and Kada & ultimately he left without appearing in the examination.
All present there narrated another glaring example of hidden agenda of the present dispensation and an apparent conspiracy where one of the renowned Private School namely Heritage Public School Sainik Colony compelled the parents of the Amritdari girl Sikh Child either to accept provocative and unreasonable restrictions imposed by the School administration on wearing Kirpan & Kada and also didn’t allow the girl to cover her uncut hair with dupatta, or to get TC and admit her into another School.
SPF has termed these restrictions as unreasonable and arbitrary as wearing Five Kakars is a essential practice in Sikhism and is also guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. They have also showed strong resentment against the authoritative and unproffesional approach of the School administration. Singh said such incidence are of highly provocative nature & creates humiliation not only to the Sikh Students but also to the whole family & sikh society.
So SPF and all representatives of various Sikh organizations urged upon the LT Governor Sh Manoj Sinha, Director General of Police S Dilbag Singh, Chief Secretary of JKUT & Principle Secretary School Education to take cognizance of all the above stated incidents,initiate proper inquiry and take action against Heritage Public School and other responsible officers at Rajouri & Bhaderwah at the earliest.SPF further urged upon UT adm and issue a Circular to all Schools and Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir informing them that Sikh Student be allowed to wear the Five Kakaars (mentioned above), including the Turban (or Dhumalla/Patka) for both Boys and Girls and KIRPAN (permitted size – less than 9 inches) as the same forms integral and essential practice/part of Sikh Faith. The colour of the Sikh Turban/Dumalla or Patka must be same colour of Uniform Otherwise Various Sikh organizations and prominent persons of the Sikh society will be compelled to launch a massive agitation against this unconstitutional Act and fight for their religious freedom & legitimate rights.
