SGPC fumes as baptised Sikhs harassed in exam

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 2

The SGPC has criticised the incident in which baptised Sikh students were forced to remove religious symbols like ‘kara’ and ‘kirpan’ before appearing for an exam at a government polytechnic institution in Ambala.

Two students were barred from entering the exam centre by Haryana Staff Selection Commission officials to take the patwaris’ entrance examination as the duo wore ‘kirpan’ and ‘kara’. Later, after the intervention of the SDM, they were allowed entry.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the matter would be brought to the notice of the Prime Minister and the Haryana Chief Minister, seeking action against the officials concerned.

“We have been fighting to get the identity of Sikhs recognised in foreign lands, but similar instances are happening in our own country. We demand that the Centre and Haryana Government should initiate action against the officials so that such instances do not recur,” he said.