Pride vs Prejudice
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Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Sukhbir writes to PM Modi expressing concern over instances of disrespect to Sikh religious symbols
Expressing concern over growing incidents of disrespect and discrimination against the sacred symbols of the Sikh religion, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to put an end to these painful events. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Badal specifically drew his attention to the incident in which a devout and baptized Sikh girl, Gurpreet Kaur, from Tarn Taran district in Punjab was stopped from entering the examination centre in Poornima University in Jaipur as a candidate for the Rajasthan Judicial Services on the plea that she was wearing her sacred articles of faith – 'kara' and 'kirpan'. 'This is a gross violation of her constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 25 of the statute and it denied her fundamental right to practice her religion. Article 25 of the Constitution specifically mentions 'kirpan' among other symbols of Sikh religion which are exempt from any bar even in flights,' wrote Badal. 'It is shocking that rules, if any, are framed by lower authorities flouting the sacred Constitution. The government of India should issue, or, if necessary, re-issue clear-cut guidelines to all states and Union Territories about the exemption to the inseparable articles of faith,' said Badal in his letter missive to the Prime Minister. The Akali chief said this was not a one off incident but part of the ever increasing number of examples of religious intolerance towards the uniqueness of Sikh identity. In a similar incident last year, two Sikh girls were stopped from appearing for Rajasthan Judicial Services in an exam centre in Jodhpur. 'Sikhs and their identity are inseparable and this was duly acknowledged and constitutionally mandated for compliance for all purposes in the country by the founding fathers. But some officials at lower rungs deem themselves even above the Constitution. This must stop as this vitiates communal harmony in the country,' wrote Badal, adding: 'You (the PM) are personally aware of the profound spiritual and emotional significance of the Sikh religious symbols and what these mean to our devoutly religious and fiercely patriotic community. I request you to issue immediate directions for compliance to ensure full respect to these symbols at all levels across the country.' Badal also urged the Rajasthan High Court to provide the victimised Sikh girl Gurpreet Kaur a special opportunity to appear for the examination, ensuring her right to uphold her faith is respected.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Wore kirpan…denied entry to Rajasthan judiciary exam', says baptised Sikh candidate; Jathedar Gargaj condemns
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, Officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has condemned the denial of entry to a baptised Sikh candidate for wearing a kirpan at the Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge recruitment exam held in Jaipur on Sunday. The candidate, Gurpreet Kaur, had made a video outside the exam centre claiming that she was denied entry because she had been wearing articles of Sikh faith. 'This is a serious violation of the Indian Constitution and religious discrimination against Sikhs,' said Gargaj. He cited Article 25, Explanation I of the Constitution, which affirms the right of Sikhs to wear the kirpan as part of their religious practice. Questioning the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan government, Jathedar Gargaj said, 'How is the BJP safeguarding Sikh interests in practice, when such incidents are taking place?' He added, 'The entire world knows that baptised Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet Sikhs are repeatedly targeted in India for their distinct identity.' The Jathedar noted that a similar incident took place during last year's recruitment process in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and said written communication from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other Sikh organisations had already been sent to the Rajasthan government. 'Despite that, the same injustice is being repeated,' he stated. Referring to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur being observed this year, Jathedar Gargaj said, 'While the nation commemorates the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, who sacrificed his life for religious freedom, Sikh symbols are being questioned and denied. Is this a true tribute to the Guru's sacrifice?' He called on the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC to form a joint delegation and meet with the prime minister, home minister, Rajasthan chief minister, and the registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to seek a resolution. 'The SGPC should consider filing a petition in the Rajasthan High Court to address the present and previous incidents and secure judicial remedy,' he said. Following the incident, officials from the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib contacted former National Commission for Minorities chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura. According to the Jathedar, Lalpura confirmed that the Commission had already issued directions permitting baptised Sikh candidates to appear in exams with the kirpan. Lalpura reportedly assured that he would raise the issue again with the Rajasthan High Court registrar. Jathedar Gargaj has asked Lalpura to hold meetings with the prime minister and the Union home minister and submit a detailed report on the matter to Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Akal Takht jathedar condemns denial of entry to Amritdhari Sikh candidate in Rajasthan high court exam
Representative Image AMRITSAR : The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj condemned the alleged denial of entry to an Amritdhari Sikh candidate, Gurpreet Kaur, from village Pheloke, district Tarn Taran, for wearing a kirpan while appearing for the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur) Civil Judge recruitment exam in Jaipur on Sunday. Terming the incident a grave violation of the Indian Constitution and an act of religious discrimination against Sikh s, Giani Gargaj asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Rajasthan govt how the party , which claims to be working in the interests of Sikhs, is safeguarding Sikh interests in practice. "The entire world knows that Amritdhari Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet Sikhs are repeatedly targeted in India for their distinct identity and beliefs," he said. He directed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to immediately form a high-level joint delegation to meet with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Rajasthan chief minister, and Registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to register a strong protest and ensure such discrimination is permanently resolved. If necessary, he added, the SGPC should consider filing a petition in the present case and collecting past cases in the Rajasthan High Court to seek a judicial remedy to protect the future of Amritdhari Sikh candidates. Jathedar Gargaj warned that if such challenges to Sikh identity and beliefs continue, the consequences will be more serious in the future. Therefore, resolving this issue urgently and permanently is essential, he said. Following the incident, an official of the Secretariat, Akal Takht, also shared details of the present incident with the Ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, who confirmed that the Commission already issued directions that Amritdhari Sikh candidates are allowed to appear in competitive exams with the kirpan. Lalpura assured he would raise the matter again with the Rajasthan High Court Registrar.
