CHANDIGARH — Sikh bodies, religious figures, advocates and intellectuals have submitted a memorandum to the Government of India seeking the initiation of formal talks with the Sikh community on what they described as “long pending issues which can be sorted out within the legal framework of Constitution of India.” The memorandum, addressed to the Union Government through the Home Department, argues that several Sikh concerns remain unresolved despite decades of rule by different political parties at both the Centre and in Punjab.

The signatories stated that many of the issues raised could be resolved “through dialogue and discussion, without involving political wrangling or incurring economic costs.” They added that the concerns relate not only to religion, but also to Sikh identity, social values and legal justice, and warned that failure to address them has created “avoidable adverse feelings among the community towards the Centre and the ruling dispensation.”

The memorandum was signed by several Sikh personalities and representatives, including Advocate Navkiran Singh, former SGPC acting president Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, former Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh, Kendriya Singh Sabha secretary Khushhal Singh, Institute of Sikh Studies vice-president Gurpreet Singh, and others.

Concerns Over Sikh Identity and Religious Rights

One of the primary issues raised in the memorandum concerns the right of Sikhs to wear the Kirpan. The signatories recalled the historical sacrifices made by Sikhs and noted that the right to wear the Kirpan is protected under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. However, they informed that Sikh students wearing the Kirpan are increasingly being stopped from appearing in examinations and are viewed with suspicion.

The memorandum stated that “Amritdhari students wearing a Kirpan as part of their religious mandate are being stopped and debarred from entering and sitting for examinations.” It urged the Government of India to issue strict guidelines preventing restrictions on Sikhs wearing the Kirpan during examinations both within and outside Punjab.

The signatories also emphasized that Sikhs possess a distinct religious identity and expressed concern over Sikhs being “clubbed with the Hindu majority or mistaken for other turbaned Asians belonging to different religious denominations.”

♦ RELATED: A COPY OF MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY SIKH BODIES TO UNION GOVT OF INDIA

Demand for Separate Sikh Legal Frameworks

The memorandum called for the expansion of the Anand Marriage Act, originally enacted in 1909, to include provisions relating to divorce and other matrimonial matters. It further sought separate legislation for Sikhs dealing with succession, minority rights and related legal issues.

According to the signatories, recognizing Sikh sensitivities regarding identity requires legal mechanisms specifically tailored to Sikh religious and social traditions.

Political Prisoners and Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar

The memorandum also raised the issue of Sikh political prisoners. It demanded a review of all such cases and sought “a one-time general amnesty” for political prisoners who have already undergone their sentences or a substantial portion of them. In particular, the signatories referred to the case of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, stating that he and has spent much of his life in imprisonment.

Historic Gurdwaras, Punjabi Language and Kartarpur Corridor

The memorandum further demanded that historic Sikh shrines such as Gurdwara Mangu Math and Gurdwara Gyan Godri be vacated from the control of what the signatories described as trespassers and handed back to Sikhs for preservation and rebuilding as Sikh memorial sites.

Another issue highlighted was the status of Punjabi language in states adjoining Punjab. The signatories demanded that Punjabi be introduced and protected as a second language in neighbouring states with sizeable Punjabi-speaking populations.

The reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor also figured prominently in the memorandum. The signatories urged that the corridor be reopened immediately and remain functional even during future periods of hostility between India and Pakistan.

Sikh Diaspora Issues and Blacklists

The memorandum sought liberal visa policies for diaspora Sikhs to facilitate visits to Punjab, Darbar Sahib and other religious places. The signatories argued that easier travel would help diaspora Sikhs remain connected to their heritage and native land.

They also demanded the complete abolition of blacklists containing the names of NRI Sikhs, claiming that such a move would help end anti-India propaganda abroad and allow unhindered visits to India.

SGPC Elections and Sikh Gurdwara Act

The memorandum criticized the delay in elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, noting that the last polls were held in 2011, nearly 15 years ago. The signatories demanded that elections be conducted immediately.

It also stated that the century-old Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, has “long lost its relevance” and should be updated and amended in accordance with present-day needs.

1984-Related Demands

Sikh Reference Library: Among the major demands was the return of artefacts, books and manuscripts allegedly taken into custody by the Indian Army during the June 1984 attack on Darbar Sahib. The memorandum stated that these materials should be returned to the Sikh Panth.

Unqualified and Unconditional Apology for 1984: The signatories also sought “an unqualified apology” in Parliament for the June 1984 Army attack on Darbar Sahib and the anti-Sikh violence that followed in November 1984. They described such a gesture as necessary “as a closure of tragic events happened four decades ago.”

Notably, the memorandum comes at a time when the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly claimed to be working towards addressing Sikh concerns and improving relations with the Sikh community. However, critics and Sikh groups continue to argue that despite public statements and symbolic outreach, little concrete progress has been made on many long-standing issues raised in the memorandum, including Sikh political prisoners, SGPC elections, legal reforms, 1984-related matters and diaspora concerns. Many within the community view the government’s approach as largely limited to assurances and symbolic gestures rather than substantive resolution of unresolved Sikh issues.

The memorandum has once again brought these longstanding demands into public discussion and renewed calls for structured dialogue between Sikh representatives who act within the Indian system and the Union Government of India.