Denying Entry to Amritdhari Candidates in Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge Exam a Major Constitutional Violation and Anti-Sikh Discrimination: Jathedar Gargajj

-Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee should form a joint delegation and raise matter with Governments India and Rajasthan for permanent resolution – Jathedar Gargajj

 -Ex-Chairman of National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, must take up issue with Prime Minister and Home Minister and send a detailed report to Sri Akal Takht Sahib – Jathedar Gargajj 

Sri Amritsar, July 27, Nazrana Times Beuro

 Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has strongly condemned the denial of entry to an Amritdhari Sikh candidate Gurpreet Kaur from village Pheloke, district Tarn Taran, for wearing a kirpan while appearing for the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur) Civil Judge recruitment exam in Jaipur on Sunday. He termed the incident a grave violation of the Indian Constitution and an act of religious discrimination against Sikhs. Questioning the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan Government, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj asked how the BJP, which claims to be working in the interests of Sikhs, is safeguarding Sikh interests in practice. He emphasized that the entire world knows that Amritdhari Sikhs wear the kirpan as a mandatory article of faith, yet Sikhs are repeatedly targeted in India for their distinct identity and beliefs. He pointed out that similar discrimination had occurred during the same recruitment process last year in Jaipur and Jodhpur, and despite written communication from the SGPC and other Sikh bodies to the state government, the same injustice is being repeated this year. He referred to Article 25 Explanation I of the Constitution of India, which clearly affirms the right of Sikhs to wear the kirpan, and criticized how discrimination is occurring in a judiciary exam despite this constitutional protection. Highlighting the irony, Jathedar Gargajj said that while the nation is commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Teg Bahadar, the protector of Tilak and Janjhu (sacred mark and thread of Hindu faith), who sacrificed his life for religious freedom and human rights—the Sikh symbols are simultaneously being questioned and denied. He challenged whether such discrimination is a true tribute to the Guru’s martyrdom by the governments. He directed the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC to immediately form a high-level joint delegation to meet with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Rajasthan Chief Minister, and Registrar of the Rajasthan High Court to register strong protest and ensure such discrimination is permanently resolved. If necessary, he added, the SGPC should consider filing a petition in the present case and collecting the past cases, in the Rajasthan High Court to seek a judicial remedy to protect the future of Amritdhari Sikh candidates. Jathedar Gargajj warned that if such challenges to Sikh identity and beliefs continue, the consequences will be more serious in future. Therefore, resolving this issue urgently and permanently is essential, he said. Following the incident, an official of Secretariat, Sri Akal Takht Sahib also shared details of the present incident with the Ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, who confirmed that the Commission has already issued directions that Amritdhari Sikh candidates are allowed to appear in competitive exams with the kirpan. Lalpura assured he would raise the matter again with the Rajasthan High Court Registrar. Jathedar Gargajj said that Iqbal Singh Lalpura held an important constitutional authority and as a Sikh, he has a primary duty of talking to BJP leadership to ensure that no Sikh faces such discrimination in any part of the country. The Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib has directed Iqbal Singh Lalpura to ensure that Amritdhari Sikh candidates are never denied entry to any competitive exam for wearing the kirpan. He further directed that Iqbal Singh Lalpura shall hold special meetings with the Prime Minister and Home Minister regarding this issue and submit a detailed report of the efforts made for the issue’s permanent resolution to Sri Akal Takht Sahib without delay.