LAHORE, Pakistan—Over 20,000 Sikhs residing in Pakistan are disappointed over the non-inclusion of Sikhism as a distinct religion in the first census being conducted in Pakistan for 19 years.
Speaking with Sikh24, the Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Sikh Council S. Ramesh Singh Khalsa informed us that the census authorities of Pakistan have included the names of five religions but the Sikh religion is not mentioned anywhere. The census authorities there simply offered the ‘other’ option for Sikh masses wishing to select their religion.
Sources have confirmed that an appeal has been lodged with the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Apex Court, seeking the court’s direction to the census authorities to mention Sikhism as a distinct religion on the form.
On being contacted by Sikh24, a spokesperson for census authorities in Pakistan admitted that the blunder took place in the forms printed for census. He clarified that the forms were printed in 2007 due to which the Sikhism was not included as the population of Sikhs was marginal at that time. He further said that only five religions had been included on the recommendation of a 120-member technical committee in 2007.
