Demands clarification on actual number of Sikhs in the List
New Delhi / 20 August 2016
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today welcomed the decision of Government of India to remove 225 names from the black list. DSGMC also demanded for making the list public.
DSGMC President Manjit Singh G.K. thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on behalf of entire Sikh Panth.
G.K. elaborated on his vehement efforts of getting democratic rights for those in the back list because for past 32 years they were denied entry into India and were forced to take political asylum in the foreign countries. DSGMC President Manjit Singh G.K. said that on his visit to United States of America In 2015 he was approached by Sikhs asking him to take up the matter with Indian Government, after which he started political and legal efforts on war footing.
In this connection, G.K. said he met Indian ambassador in United States Arun Kumar Singh on 1 June 2015, on 12 June same he filed application under right to information for seeking names of those in the black list, on 20 August 2015 he met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and filed a petition in Delhi High Court seeking directions for the Government of India to give information under RTI on the matter.
“Due to vehement efforts from time to time by Punjab government and DSGMC, 225 names from the black list were removed leading to long awaited relief for the families”, said G.K.
Manjit Singh G.K. said that some confusion over the matter continues because in February 2011 Home Ministry of Government of India revealed that there are 169 names in the black list out of which 142 were removed, but as per fresh information the number of Sikhs in the list have gone up by 298 and response on the matter is awaited. He demanded that remaining 73 names should also be cleared from the black list.
“The government should clarify how 129 new names have been added in the list”, G.K. demanded. He raised apprehensions that previous congress party led UPA government in its tenure added new names. G.K. who is also President of Shiromani Akali Dal in Delhi said that next hearing in the High Court in the matter is fixed for 26 September 2016 and hoped that Government of India would clarify on the confusion by then.
With Thanks : Media DSGMC
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