A delegation of the Sikhs from Kashmir under the aegis of J&K Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha met Dr. Jitender Singh, MOS in the Prime Minister`s office in New Delhi to present the charter of demands which the Sikhs of J&K in general and Kashmir in particular are demanding since the dawn of independence and more so after the turmoil erupted in valley. Among other demands like implementation of central Minority Commission Act, 1992 to the state of J&K, Anand marriage Act, the stress was laid on the controversial and discriminatory SRO 425 of 2017 dated 10th Oct. 2017 issued by the Govt of J&K in which the benefits of employment under Prime Minister`s Special Package of Employment and rehabilitation of 2009 are denied to the Sikh population of Kashmir who stayed back in the valley amid persistent treats and provocations sacrificing their lives and properties. They emphasized that this discriminatory SRO be withdrawn immediately or the Sikhs of the valley be also covered by making necessary amendment in the SRO, so that Sikhs in Kashmir don’t feel alienated and are rehabilitated by providing employment. Gurdyal Singh Bali, State Gen. Secretary said that the policy of the central Govt is to rehabilitate the minorities in the valley, so that there is no further exodus but by issuing discriminatory SRO the Govt of J&K state is encouraging the silent migration of the Sikhs. Randhir Singh Bali, President, Distt. Jammu affirmed that the Sikhs want the Kashmiri Pandits staying back in valley be given all moral,political and financial support to sustain their lives and to keep them tied to their motherland in Kashmir but at the same time the Sikhs in valley be not denied with the same benefits from central Govt welfare schemes. Delegation brought to the notice of Dr. Jitender Singh that only 1738 Sikh families have migrated from the valley which is less than 8% of the total Sikh population and notwithstanding ,more than 92% living there need all support from both the state and central Govts to hold them back otherwise this silent migration will continue unabated. R.P. Singh National Secretary, BJP present on the occasion also apprised Dr. Jitender Singh about the problems being faced by the Sikhs of J&K.
Dr. Jitender Singh listened to the demands and grievances patiently and assured the delegation to take up the matter of controversial SRO with the Chief Minister of J&K and an early solution will be found. Meeting among others was attended by Harpal Singh Bali, State Media Secretary, Gurpreet Singh, Maninderpal Singh, and Raminderpal Singh.
