March 29: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary today participated in the annual Jod Mela and Gurmat Samagam held at Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji in Khour, R S Pura. The event was marked by religious fervor, community gatherings, and discussions on key issues concerning the Sikh community.
During his address, the Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the concerns of the Sikh community with sincerity and urgency. He emphasized the importance of preserving and following the teachings of Sikh Gurus, highlighting their values of compassion, unity, justice, and selfless service. He also assured the Sangat that their voices would be heard and necessary actions would be taken to address their grievances.
Prominent Sikh leaders, including S. Ranjit Singh Tohra, President of the District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu, and S. Ranvir Singh, Joint Secretary of DGPC Jammu, addressed the gathering with religious discourses. They shed light on prevalent social issues and urged the government to take swift action in safeguarding the rights and cultural identity of the Sikh community.
Among the major demands raised during the event were the recognition of Punjabi as an official language in Jammu and Kashmir, the inclusion of Punjabi as an optional subject in schools, and the recruitment of more Punjabi language teachers. The speakers also stressed the need for amendments to the Sikh Religious and Endowment Act, 1973, to ensure its alignment with Sikh Rehat Maryada.
Furthermore, community representatives called for the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act to facilitate independent Sikh marriage registration. They also emphasized the need to establish a Minority Commission to safeguard the rights and interests of the Sikh population in Jammu and Kashmir.
The gathering witnessed the presence of several distinguished personalities, including S. Avtar Singh, S. Karan Singh Bali, and S. Gurmeet Singh, along with DGPC members and other community leaders such as Rattan Lal Gupta and Rakesh Singh. The event concluded with prayers for unity, peace, and prosperity, reinforcing the cultural and religious significance of the Jod Mela in fostering communal harmony.
