SGPC Condemns Harassment of Amritdhari Sikh Students During AIPMT Examination

2014-06-10-Makkar450xPunjab, AMRITSAR—Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar has the reports of baptised Sikh students being denied entry into examination centres of All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) as “disappointing”.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Makkar described the reports as “disturbing” and “against the principles of secularism” that the country adheres to. In this context, he referred to two incidents that occurred in Bathinda and in Jaipur.

In Bathinda, two boys were asked to remove their kirpans and karas outside an examination centre, which they refused to do on the grounds that these were important articles of their faith and hence were sacred to them. After a heated argument with the authorities they were allowed to enter the examination centre, while a girl student had to remove her kirpan and kara before proceeding to take her AIPMT exam.

Makkar also referred to a Jaipur incident, where a student had to take off his kirpan and kara as the authorities refused to allow him entry into the examination centre. “These incidents have deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs,” he added.

Makkar also demanded an inquiry into the two incidents and advised the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) not to frame such rules in the future.

He also called upon the Punjab government to immediately issue directions to the universities and the education boards not to frame such rules.

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