JAMMU: Apni Party today held a peaceful protest demonstration here demanding the reservation of two Legislative Assembly seats for the Sikh Community in Jammu and Kashmir.
The protest was organized by Provincial President, Jammu, Women Wing, Pavneet Kaur alongwith District President Jammu Rural-B Adv Harpreet Singh, Provincial President, Youth Wing Jammu, Vipul Bali, Provincial President Transport Union, Tirath Singh.
The protesters shouted slogans in favor of their demands i.e., reservation of two Legislative Assembly Seats for the Sikh Community.
“The community has remained neglected regarding their political representation in Govts, and Legislative Assembly while priority was given to other communities,” said Pavneet Kour while speaking at the protest site.
She said that the Sikhs form a large chunk of the population who have contributed to the society as well as J&K and the nation incomparably in defense, police, administration, social works, and education system but the community was not given preference by the Govts.
“The community has a history of contribution and defending the borders of the country, but when it comes to their political representation or reservation of seats for them in both the regions, they face discrimination that needs to be addressed before it is too late,” she said.
Meanwhile, District President Rural-B Harpreet Singh also expressed concern over the discriminatory approach towards the Sikh Community and demanded the reorganization of the Punjabi language as one of the official languages in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Punjabi language is being spoken across Jammu plains, and parts of Kashmir valley with no barrier of caste or community or region. It has rich cultural value and written historical records with reference to J&K during Maharaja times that need to be considered by recognizing the language as one of the official languages in J&K,” he said.
The Punjabi-speaking people’s work and their heritage must be recognized by the Govt, he said, and added that “We are not against anyone being given anything, but Sikhs should be given political reservation. Thus, two Legislative Assembly seats must be reserved for them,” he added.
