“The coalition government has failed to redress grievances of Sikh community in the state,” APSCC Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina in a statement issued to Global News Service (GNS) on Wednesday said. He said that despite many orders and reminders, the State Government has failed to implement the National Commission for Minorities Act in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Despite written orders from Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and President, Pranab Mukherjee the State Government has not extended the National Commission for Minorities Act in the state,” Jagmohan said, adding that Chairman, National Commission for Minorities, Wajahat Habibullah met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and asked him to get the Act implemented in Jammu & Kashmir, but of no use.

Raina said that today’s programme was first of its kind in the state and the same would be followed by many such programmes. “APSCC does not believe in confrontation but wants to get the issues redressed in a peaceful manner without causing any distress.”

He said, as the day coincides with Gandhi Jayanti (birthday of Mahatma Gandhi), it is important that concerned stakeholders listen to the message of peace and get the issues resolved. “We have been open for dialogue and reconciliation with respect to our issues and have carried parleys with the State Government many a times but the concerned people are not taking us seriously,” he said.

Jagmohan Raina said that APSCC shares grief and sorrow of the majority community during the times of trouble. He said the committee would not tolerate any further bullying by the State Government and will fight for their rights in a just as well as peaceful manner.  

Appealing all the members of Sikh community to get united and fight against elements who want to create a wedge among them Jagmohan said the committee would endeavor to forge unity during the public contact programme. (GNS)