STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has asked the members of community to remain vigilant and not to get divided on regional lines after the recent assembly elections in the state. The Committee has asked Sikhs not to get swayed away by statements of politicians who lost in the recent elections.
These views got echoed in a meeting of APSCC which was held in Jammu under the chairmanship of Jagmohan Singh Raina, APSCC Chairman.
Raina said that Sikhs of Kashmir should live in harmony with those living in Jammu. He said since issues of the community are same there is no reason to differentiate between Sikhs of Kashmir and Jammu.
He impressed upon the unity among community members and said that unity at this moment of time.
“The present scenario in the State is very crucial for the larger interests of the people as integration of both provinces being very important. People of Kashmir and Jammu divisions should develop mutual understanding so that polarization witnessed in recent assembly elections does not affect the progress and development of all the regions of the state,” said APSCC Chairman.
Raina said that people of community should rise above their personal interests and work for the betterment of the community as a whole. He said serious efforts need to be taken so that Sikhs are granted the status of minority according to the provisions of National Minorities Act.
Jathedar Mohinder Singh, State President, Akali Dal (Badal) said that Sikhs should not give time to various speculations to arise which will not be in the interests of the State.
Sukhdev Singh, General Secretary, Sikh Progressive Front said that losing parties like National Conference and Congress are trying to create confusion among the people since it suits their vested interests.
Jaspal Singh Mangal, Vice President, Akali Dal (Amritsar) exuded confidence that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Patron Peoples Democratic Party would lead the next government in the state. He said that Mufti would carry along all the other forces for the larger interests of the state which is reeling under the havoc of recent floods.
Daleep Singh, President Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Jammu opined that since PDP and BJP have emerged as the two largest parties in the state it would be prudent for them to form the next government. He said both the parties have got the mandate to rule and they should not miss out this opportunity.
Dr. Joginder Singh Shan Kashmiri, a prominent Sikh leader said that new government should take steps for the promotion of Punjabi language since it has been neglected by the previous government over the past 23 years.
Prominent among those present in the meeting were Ajit Singh Mastana, Paramjeet Singh Bali alias Kanwal Kashmiri, Principal Niranjan Singh, Dr. Jaipal Singh Bali, Parminder Singh, Shiv Ratan Singh, S S Wazir, Dayal Singh, Ram Singh, Suchwant Singh, Kulbir Singh, retired Chief Engineer, Harbajan Singh Raina and retired DIG Inderjeet Singh Chamak.
