No Sikh regiment in Republic Day parade: SAD to raise issue in Parliament

Shiromani Akali Dal on Monday said it will raise the issue of the absence of a Sikh regiment contingent in this year's Republic Day parade in the coming session of Parliament.

SAD Secretary General and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa told reporters.

The absence of a Sikh regiment contingent at the Republic Day parade where French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest, was a setback to the struggle of Sikhs who have been fighting for their rights in France. He said that the issue would be raised in the coming session of Parliament.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in this regard.

Badal had described the absence of the Sikh regiment as "sad and regrettable" while Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh termed it as a "grave omission".