JAMMU, Aug 3: Various Sikh organisations of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday called for the early restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, while also highlighting several issues concerning governance, public welfare, refugee rehabilitation and linguistic recognition during an emergency meeting held in Jammu.
The meeting was chaired by S. Mohinder Singh, Chief Organiser of Bhai Kanhaiya Nishkam Sewa Society J&K and former member of the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC), Jammu.
Addressing the gathering, Mohinder Singh referred to earlier public assurances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Sikh organisations hoped that the long-pending commitment would be fulfilled during the ongoing session of Parliament.
He observed that although an elected government has assumed office in Jammu and Kashmir, several public issues, including unemployment, delays in recruitment and administrative bottlenecks, continue to affect the people. He also expressed concern over differences between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, stating that governance should remain focused on public welfare.
The participants also voiced concern over Jammu and Kashmir’s transition from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory, describing it as an unprecedented development. They appealed to the Central Government to restore full statehood at the earliest and urged the 29 BJP MLAs from Jammu to strongly represent the aspirations of the people before the party leadership and the Government of India.
The meeting also discussed the long-pending issue of the rehabilitation of 1947 refugees from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, urging the government to release the proposed financial assistance of ₹30 lakh per family without further delay.
Another key issue raised during the meeting was the recognition of the Punjabi language. The Sikh organisations demanded that Punjabi be accorded recognition alongside the existing official languages of Jammu and Kashmir—Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri and English—keeping in view the sizeable Punjabi-speaking population in the region.
The participants expressed hope that the concerns raised during the meeting would receive due consideration in the interest of peace, development, communal harmony and inclusive governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among those who attended the meeting were S. Darbinder Singh, President, Shiromani Akali Dal J&K; S. Rajinder Singh, General Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal J&K; S. Gajan Singh, President, J&K Motor Transport Company Association; S. Ravinder Singh, Sarpanch and General Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal J&K; S. Kulwant Singh Khajuria, Joint Secretary, Shiromani Akali Dal J&K; Smt. Kuldeep Kour, President, Istri Akali Dal J&K; Smt. Gurmeet Kour, General Secretary, Istri Akali Dal J&K; S. Charanjeet Singh, retired SDM; Prof. Yudhvir Singh, Corporator; S. Charan Singh Bali, Convenor, Kashmir Province, Shiromani Akali Dal J&K; S. Harpreet Singh Chhotu, President, Youth Akali Dal J&K; S. Surjeet Singh Kukoo, President, Sikh Naujwan Sabha J&K; S. Manmohan Singh, Chairman, Gurdwara Singh Sabha Gole Gujral; S. Jagmohan Singh, President, Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Sector-14, Nanak Nagar; S. Paramjeet Singh, former President, All India Sikh Students Federation (J&K), along with several other representatives of Sikh organisations.