Samajwadi Party Leader Launches Statewide Sikh Justice March
In a significant political move, Samajwadi Party national general secretary Kuldeep Singh Bhullar officially launched the Sikh Samajik Nyay Yatra from Pilibhit on Monday. This extensive march is strategically designed to amplify and address critical issues affecting the Sikh community throughout Uttar Pradesh.
Route and Culmination of the Yatra
The meticulously planned yatra will traverse through 11 key districts of Uttar Pradesh, creating a broad platform for engagement. The route includes major stops at Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Bareilly, Meerut, and Saharanpur, among others. The journey is scheduled to culminate in a major Sikh convention in the state capital, Lucknow, on June 6, where the gathered demands are expected to be formally presented.
Inaugural Ceremony and Spiritual Prelude
Before formally flagging off the yatra, Bhullar engaged in a series of preparatory activities. He held detailed consultations with local Sikh leaders in Pilibhit to understand grassroots concerns. The launch was preceded by a spiritual ceremony where Bhullar offered prayers at the historic Chhebi Patshahi Gurdwara, seeking blessings for the initiative's success. In a formal political gesture, he also submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India through the local district administration, outlining the core issues.
Core Issues and Historical Context Highlighted
Addressing supporters and the media, Bhullar articulated the central grievances driving the yatra. He emphasized the historical contributions of the Sikh community to India's freedom struggle and its pivotal role in the nation's agricultural development. Despite these contributions, Bhullar argued, the community suffers from severe underrepresentation in legislative bodies and key governmental institutions.
He brought specific attention to the plight of Sikh migrants who settled in Uttar Pradesh following the Partition. A significant number of these families, Bhullar stated, continue to face legal and bureaucratic hurdles, lacking formal ownership rights to the agricultural land that was allotted to them decades ago.
Key Demands of the Sikh Community
The yatra aims to rally support for a comprehensive set of demands. These have been compiled into a formal charter that includes:
- Restoration of Religious Sites: The restoration and recognition of Haridwar's Gyan Godari Gurdwara.
- Political Empowerment: Demands for greater and more equitable political representation for Sikhs in state and national bodies.
- Institutional Support: The establishment of a separate Sikh commission to address community-specific issues.
- Educational Development: The creation of dedicated educational institutions to serve the community.
- Financial Aid: Provision of financial support and pensions for gurdwara priests (granthis and ragis).
The Sikh Samajik Nyay Yatra represents a concerted effort by the Samajwadi Party to consolidate support within the Sikh electorate by directly championing their long-standing socio-political and economic concerns across Uttar Pradesh.
