The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday came on the front foot urging the Centre to grant full citizenship rights to the minority Hindu and Sikh immigrants from Afghanistan, which was forced to flee to India.
Also, it sought Centre’s intervention for granting minority status to Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir
A delegation of SAD MPs led by Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pressing for citizenships right to the immigrants from Afghanistan.
The delegation comprised of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Naresh Gujral and Prem Singh Chandumajra.
Former MP Tarlochan Singh, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK and representatives of Hindu and Sikh immigrants from Afghanistan accompanied the delegation.
Sincere thanks to Union Home Minister @rajnathsingh ji for his assurance to set up a committee to resolve issues related to citizenship for Afghani Sikhs & Hindus, problems of Sikhs in Shillong and exemption from wearing helmets for Sikh women in Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/mxmXURcOtk
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) August 2, 2018
Making a distinction between the immigrants in Assam, the delegation said Afghanistan Sikhs were forced to flee on account of religious persecution by Taliban.
They settled in India, more than three decades back.
Besides, their parents are from India.
“It is lamentable that even though the Government of India’s standing policy is to welcome people of India- origin if they are forced to leave their adopted countries, the immigrants from Afghanistan are made to run from pillar to post to get citizenship rights,” the delegation said.
A memorandum was submitted to Rajnath Singh in the regard.
Gujral said Rajnath Singh’s attention was also drawn to Sikhs not given minority status in Jammu and Kashmir by the state government.
He was urged to intervene with the Meghalaya Government to ensure safety of life and property of Sikhs residing in the state, and in other north-eastern states.
Raising the issue of Chandigarh Administration amending Motor Vehicle Act making it mandatory on even the Sikh women to wear helmets, SAD urged Centre to intervene.
Gujral said Rajnath Singh assured the delegation to give a sympathetic consideration to the issues.
With regard to granting citizenships rights to the immigrants from Afghanistan, he assured he will convene a meeting of officials, probably on August 14.
