Full text of the letter:

The President
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee,
Amritsar


Dear Jathedar Avtar Singh Ji,

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa!
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

We, the Sikhs have been facing the challenges posed by anti-Sikh lobby and more specifically by Hindutva elements questioning our unique and distinct identity since long. Recently, the RSS was in the forefront in painting the Sikh identity with a Hindu brush. Now they have found a friend who by default happens to be a Sikh, at least from his outer appearance. NCM deputy chairman H S Josh’s utterance that “Sikhs are part of Hindu society” is nothing but absurd.

We should understand that the root cause of the problem lies in the Indian Constitution that dubs Sikhs as Hindus. The Sikhs have expressed their concern and agony on the issue to all successive governments in the past but none has come forward to correct the constitutional wrong. Kindly convey the community’s anguish and dismay to Dr Manmohan Singh - Indian Prime Minister on this sensitive issue.

With the elevation of Dr Manmohan Singh to the post of the prime minister, the identity of Sikhs may have got a exposure worldwide but it is ironic that within India itself the Constitution is ambiguous about their distinct identity. We have had a President and now a prime minister from the Sikh community but even then the Constitutional discrimination continues.

Since the past 56 years of Indian republic, the Sikhs have strived to find an independent and dignified place in the Indian Constitution so as to uphold their unique and distinct identity. Although the Sikhs on their own have managed to climb on to the highest Constitutional posts, yet they have failed to remove the Hindu tag from their individual and community’s identity.

Jathedar Sahib, you are well aware that the Sikhs are a complete nation having their own scriptures, history, culture, traditions, language, script and all that defines a ‘Nation’. There are many nations including the Sikh nation residing in the United States of India. The struggle to attain independence is also based on the realization that we as a ‘complete nation’ have a right to define our own destiny.

History and events have taken the Sikhs beyond the boundaries of the Indian Constitution to which the world is a witness. The Sikhs are recognized by the international community as a people striving for political independence. And this happened because of the struggle Sikhs waged during the past three decades. This is a glorious chapter in the struggle for freedom of the Sikhs and we should not shy away from owing it up, as the Shiromani Akali Dal has done.

While the struggle for independence continues, if you can use your good offices, there are certain issues with the Indian government that need to be addressed immediately.

We urge you to take a firm stand on the issue of resolving the identity crisis of the Sikhs. We are proud of our distinct and separate identity. Like the formation of separate (Nanakshahi) calendar, the Sikhs need their own personal law, Anand Marriage Act and separate cremation grounds. The above three issues are Constitutional matters that relate to our distinct identity and to get them implemented a Constitutional amendment is required. Serious and continued efforts need to be initiated by you in this regard.

Guru Rakha.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa !
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!


Jaspal Singh Dhillon  ( Vice-President )
Kanwar Pal Singh ( General Secretary )


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