A breakthrough has been achieved in our Representation with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), regarding the shocking incidences of caste-based segregation in the historic
gurdwaras of Punjab.
The Commission has taken the matter into cognizance and decided to investigate further, in accordance with the powers conferred to it under the Article 338 of the Constitution of India. The Director General of Police, Punjab, has been asked to pursue the cases and submit a satisfactory reply within 30 days, failure of which may prompt the exercise of powers of the Civil Courts.
I would like to remind my dear readers of the strenuous efforts that have went behind the unraveling of these cases of extreme perversity and prejudice happening right under the nose of the mainstream Sikh establishment, pointing towards a systemic affliction.
Crisscrossing the dirt-tracks of Punjab’s rural heartland, we found that some of the most historic gurdwaras were so bereft of humanity and compassion that even God seemed to have abandoned them. A 350-year old Sikh seminary, under the auspices of Khalsa Army, dispensing Amrit
to Mazhabis (Dalits) in a segregated utensil; a highly celebrated Sikh cleric, who had the good fortune of leading the SGPC-sanctioned kar seva of Golden Temple’s holy tank and at Nankana Sahib, barring the low-castes from performing langar seva at one of his gurdwaras — such have been the wounds of humiliation that run right through the hearts of the downtrodden.
You can indulge in the complete, horrid saga by following this link:
http://abroo.in/?p=3127.
Lastly, Abroo may be down, but not out. We are incubating some really contrarian ideas that would see the light of the day very soon, and alter the socio-religious discourse of Punjab forever!
Warmly,
Pukhraj Singh
Founder, Abroo (ਆਬਰੂ)
Convener, Punjabi Subaltern Summit
www.abroo.in
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectabroo
Twitter: @projectabroo
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