Friday, March 29, 2024

SAD demands citizenship rights for Afghan Sikhs

Date:

New Delhi, August 3: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday urged the Centre to grant full citizenship rights to the minority Hindu and Sikh immigrants from Afghanistan who have been forced to flee to India. Also, it sought Central intervention for granting minority status to Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir.

citizenship
Image Source

A delegation of SAD MPs, led by Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pressing for citizenship rights to the immigrants from Afghanistan.

The delegation comprised SS Dhindsa, Naresh Gujral and Prem Singh Chandumajra. Former MP Tarlochan Singh, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh (GK), and representatives of Hindu and Sikh immigrants from Afghanistan accompanied the delegation.

Making a distinction between the immigrants in Assam, the delegation said the Hindus and Sikhs were forced to flee Afghanistan on account of religious persecution by the Taliban. They settled in India more than three decades back.

Besides, their parents are from India. “It is lamentable that even though the Government of India’s standing policy is to welcome people of Indian origin if they are forced to leave their adopted countries, the immigrants from Afghanistan are made to run from pillar to post to get citizenship rights,” the delegation said.

A memorandum was submitted to Rajnath Singh in the regard.

Gujral said Rajnath Singh’s attention was also drawn to Sikhs not given minority status in the state of Jammu and Kashmir by the state government.

Rajnath Singh was urged to intervene to ensure safety of life and property of Sikhs residing in Meghalaya and in other north-eastern states.

Raising the issue of Chandigarh Administration amending the Motor Vehicle Act making it mandatory for even the Sikh women to wear helmets, the SAD urged the Centre to intervene.

Gujral said Rajnath Singh assured the delegation of giving a sympathetic consideration to the issues. With regard to granting citizenship rights to the immigrants from Afghanistan, he assured he would convene a meeting of officials, probably on August 14.

Source Tribune India

Discussions

Discussions

Punjabi Khurki
Punjabi Khurki
Punjab is no longer just a state but a State of Mind: A way to live!! ...So Let's Burrraaah with Punjabi Khurki!

Share post:

Subscribe

Advertisementspot_img
Advertisementspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

ED chief Sanjay Mishra gets tenure extension from SC till September 15

New Delhi, July 27: The Supreme Court on Thursday...

Patiala tops list of villages hit by recent floods; 27,286 evacuations carried out

Chandigarh, July 27: The State Government machinery has been...

Mann slams Modi govt, seeks President’s Rule in Manipur

New Delhi/ Chandigarh, July 27: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant...

All pet shops, dog breeders in Punjab be registered with Animal Welfare Board

Chandigarh, July 27: In a bid to ensure the...