Amritsar Sahib— Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has convened a meeting of five Sikh high priests on September 8 to discuss the issue of separate Sikh marriage act following the [Indian] government’s decision to drop the proposal.
Criticizing the [Government of India] for its “discriminatory attitude towards the Sikhs”, Gurbachan Singh said, “It is a serious issue pertaining to the distinct identity of the Sikhs and needs to be contemplated at their level.”
He indicated that some subject experts could also be invited to the meeting to give their suggestions in deciding the future course of action.
Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh said, “It is cultural discrimination, which is being heaped on the Sikhs who have their own traditional ways of life.”
Refusing to buy the argument of law minister Salman Khurshid that implementation of the Anand Marriage Act violates Article 44 of the Constitution that aims at bringing a uniform civil code, Dal Khalsa president H S Dhami said the Muslims and the Christians [already have their own laws, meaning Sikhs are specifically being singled out by the Government for discrimination.]
Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has also convened a meeting of legal experts, Sikh intellectuals, representatives of various Singh [Sabhas] and Sikh religious organizations to chalk out the next course of action in getting the Act passed in [the Indian] Parliament.
DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna said Punjab chief minister [Parkash Badal] should convene a special session of the state assembly and pass the Act so it could be implemented in the state.
“Let the Punjab government set an example by passing the Act in the state assembly and then generate pressure on the [Central Indian Government] with its alliance partners,” said Sarna.
