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JALANDHAR: With the state assembly elections now only months away, all political parties are opening promising prominence to communities and castes. With Jat Sikhs already assured dominance in state politics, BJP is pledging power to Dalits, which SAD is countering with Hindu and Dalit deputy chief ministers. Even with internal strife bubbling over, the Congress too is trying to strike communal balance.
While parties talk like they are inventing social engineering in Punjab, the fact remains that these safety valves already exist. For example, heads of two most important and highest Sikh institutions come from so called lower castes. Giani Harpreet Singh, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, comes from scheduled caste (SC) background. Similarly, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur comes from backward class (BC) background.
Allege the order was political and flawed.
MOHALI – Sikh bodies led by former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh today announced to burn the copies of the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s verdict in the Kotkapura firing incident, alleging it was “political, biased and flawed”.
The decision was taken during a meeting held today by prominent Sikh personalities led by Bhai Ranjit Singh. Sukhraj Singh, son of victim of the Behbal Kalan firing incident, was also present.
Bhai Ranjit Singh appealed to the community to register their protest and anger against the “flawed” judgment by burning its copies on April 30. Claiming that the organisations would burn the copies of the verdict at all district headquarters, the ex-jathedar said the main event would be held at Kotkapura Chowk.