Sikhs protest against ‘desecration’ at gurdwara

Jammu, March 26

Sikhs today protested against an alleged sacrilegious act inside a gurdwara in Kashmir and demanded a proper investigation into the incident.

Under the banner of Sikh Youth Sewa Trust, several community members urged the government to safeguard the religious places of the Sikhs in the Valley and provide security to the community.

“It has been reported that miscreants have stolen money and have desecrated religious items within the temple. It is serious situation as the minority community is feeling threatened by rising militancy incidents. We hope the government will expose the people behind such acts,” said Parvinder Singh, a protester. They alleged that community was living under fear in the Valley since last year when violence erupted after the elimination of militant commander Burhan Wani by security forces, leading to the six-month-long unrest.

“There have been several incidents when the community was targeted by stone-throwers. Sikh families have shifted to Jammu to save themselves. If the government is not able to save minorities in the Valley, they will be forced to leave their homes”, said Harpreet Singh. The Sikh organisations are planning to meet senior police officers to apprise them of problems being faced by the community and demand more security for the religious places. — TNS

Campaign against drug abuse  

Various representative organisations of the Sikhs urged the community to remain united and fight against the drug menace in the state. A meeting of different Sikh organisations was organised on Sunday which was chaired by Dayal Singh Wazir, president, Shiromani Akali Dal (J&K) and it was decided that an awareness campaign would be started among the youth about the ill-effects of drugs. — TNS