Ensure safety of Sikhs in Kashmir: Parkash Singh Badal to PM

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal sought prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh’s intervention on Friday to ensure safety of Sikhs in Kashmir.

In a letter, Badal apprised PM of the gravity of the situation in the Valley and said the Sikh community was feeling unsafe following incidents of stone-pelting and public humiliation of a Sikh youth recently.

“It’s a clear attempt to mount an assault on our religious sentiments. The government has failed to protect Sikhs,” he said.
Badal demanded a security cover for Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir so that they “stay back and do not leave the Valley”.

“The Sikh community in the Valley believes in peace, tranquility and harmony, but is feeling unsafe on account of these unfortunate incidents. The community has always stood like a rock against all odds and maintained the social fabric at the peak of militancy,” he said.