Unity key to protecting J&K’s secular fabric: APSCC

Seeks minority status for Sikhs, recognition of Punjabi language
Srinagar, Feb 19: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina has asked the members of both the majority and minority communities to live in peace and harmony so that the extremist elements are exposed and prevented from fomenting trouble among the different communities.
In a statement issued here after a joint meeting of Committee members of both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, Raina said minority committee members should live in harmony with the members of the majority community. “Any problem being faced by any member of any minority committee can be solved only when the majority community is taken into confidence adding that the same cannot be done in isolation,” he said.
Raina said there is no denying the fact that extremist elements are present in every community and as such it is imperative that such people are exposed. “Once these elements are exposed then the people will become aware of them and the extremist elements will be isolated,” he said, adding that the onus lies more on minorities since they look upon their brothers in the majority community to solve the problems being faced by them.
The APSCC Chairman lamented that the extremist elements are hell-bent on defaming the country and disturbing the secular fabric so that their own interests are served. “The beauty of India lies in co-existence. The people irrespective of their faith and religion should be given due respect in society,” he said.
Raina termed it highly unfortunate that some politicians are exploiting the situation for their ulterior benefits. He said India has always been a pluralistic society where people belonging to different faiths and religions practise their religion without any interference.
“The politicians should stop playing politics of hatred and instead, they should try to unite the people of different faiths,” he stressed.
Raina expressed disappointment that Sikhs have not been recognised as a minority in Jammu and Kashmir despite fulfilling the laid down procedures. He said that like the previous stint, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his second stint continues to ignore the Sikh community and the problems faced by the community.
He said the Punjabi language should be given its due recognition since the same got lost in oblivion following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting, according to the statement, was attended by senior APSCC leaders like Ajeet Singh Mastana, Jaipal Singh, Sardar Rajinder Singh, Sardar Gurdev Singh, Jagjit Singh Sudan, Navtej Singh, Dr Rekhi, Davinder Singh and Lakhvinder Singh.