09/07/2026
Srinagar, July 9: A meeting of representatives of the Sikh community from across Jammu and Kashmir was held today at the Nawa-i-Subh Party Headquarters. The meeting was presided over by Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah. Additional General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan, Provincial President Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, and MLA Hazratbal, Salman Ali Sagar, were also present on the occasion.
The representatives highlighted the issues and hardships faced by the Sikh community over the past decades. They reiterated their long-pending demand for granting minority status to the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir, sought the protection and preservation of the community's historical and religious sites and urged intervention to safeguard historic Gurdwara lands from commercial exploitation.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that all their genuine demands would be taken up with the appropriate authorities. Appreciating the Sikh community, he described them as a brave and resilient community and paid tribute to the immense sacrifices made by Sikhs for the peace, progress and composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr. Abdullah said that Member of Parliament Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan would raise the issue of granting minority status to the Sikh community during the upcoming session of Parliament and also take up the matter with the Union Home Minister and Provincial President Kashmir, Advocate Showkat Ahmad Mir, would pursue those issues that can be addressed at the local level in consultation with the party leadership.
Speaking on the occasion, Chowdry Mohammad Ramzan highlighted the historic association of the Sikh community with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, recalling the contributions of Sardar Budh Singh. He noted that Sardar Budh Singh was among the founding member of Jammu kashmir National Conference and played a significant role in the strengthening of the Party since its formative years in the late 1930s. He said that the Sikh community has remained an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir's pluralistic ethos and has consistently contributed to the region's social and political development.
Acknowledging that Jammu and Kashmir is passing through difficult times, the delegation pledged its support to the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, expressing confidence that the party has always stood by the people and remained a pillar of strength for the Sikh community. They also reaffirmed their faith in Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's enduring vision of Hindu-Muslim-Sikh Ittehad and called for unity, collective efforts and cooperation .
The meeting was also attended by Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, District President Peer Afaq Ahmad, Youth President Kashmir Province Mir Mustaq, and Amit Kaul.
The meeting was organised by Minority Cell Convener Jagdish Singh Azad
Chowdry Ramzan Omar Abdullah National Conference Handwara official Youth National Conference Handwara Jknc Hazratbal
Chowdry Ramzan J&K National Conference Youth National Conference Handwara J&K National conference Handwara JKNC Zadibal JKNC Handwara -Unofficial Jknc North Kashmir Jknc Zindabad Jknc Hazratbal
