Sikh Progressive Front Unleashes Fury: Demands Unmet, Threats of Political Campaign Against BJP.
April 24,2024
||Black and White Digital News||
In a fiery press conference titled “Why Should Sikhs Vote for BJP,” the president of the Sikh Progressive Front, Balwinder Singh, unleashed a torrent of grievances against the BJP-led administration in Jammu and Kashmir, igniting a storm of controversy and threatening to disrupt the political landscape ahead of the assembly elections.
Singh, a prominent RTI activist, acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s positive initiatives but decried the lack of tangible progress in addressing the demands of Sikhs in the region, asserting that the community’s concerns have been consistently overlooked.
### Key Grievances Exposed:
1. **Absence of Political Reservation:** Despite reservations being extended to other communities, Sikhs have been denied political representation, a glaring inequality Singh condemned vehemently.
2. **SRO 425 Vacancies:** Promised vacancies for non-migrant Sikhs under SRO 425 have failed to materialize, underscoring a pattern of broken assurances.
3. **Exclusion of Punjabi Language:** The exclusion of Punjabi from the official language bill, rationalized by Dr. Jitendra Singh citing demographics, was slammed as a betrayal of Sikh heritage and identity.
4. **Non-Implementation of National Minority Commission Act:** Singh highlighted the non-implementation of critical legislation meant to safeguard minority rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
5. **Delayed Compensation for Anti-Sikh Riots:** Families of victims from the 1989 anti-Sikh riots continue to await promised compensation, a poignant reminder of unaddressed historical injustices.
6. **Underrepresentation in Key Institutions:** The absence of Sikh members in crucial bodies like the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission and the High Court raised serious concerns about inclusivity.
7. **Denied OBC Status:** Despite assurances, Sikhs in the valley have been denied OBC status, perpetuating systemic marginalization.
8. **Controversy over Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Statue:** Singh condemned the relocation of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur statue, accusing BJP leaders of disrespecting Sikh heritage.
### Condemnation of BJP Leadership:
In a dramatic denouement, Singh lambasted BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s recent visit to Jammu, criticizing his deferential remarks to PM Modi and Amit Shah regarding the statue’s relocation. Singh likened the situation to Banda Singh Bahadur’s historical imprisonment under the Mughal rule, urging Sikhs to ponder before voting.
### Impact on Jugal Kishore Sharma’s Campaign:
The impassioned press conference threatens to cast a shadow over Jugal Kishore Sharma’s political campaign. As the BJP candidate in the upcoming assembly elections, Sharma faces intensified scrutiny and potential backlash from disillusioned Sikh voters mobilized by Singh’s rallying cry. The looming threat of a campaign urging Sikhs not to vote without thinking underscores the urgent need for the party to address these grievances and restore faith among marginalized communities.
The press conference, resonating with the echoes of historical injustice and present-day neglect, promises to reverberate through the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, injecting unprecedented fervor and volatility into the electoral arena.
https://fb.watch/rEX3knJq5R/
