SAD objects to constitutional clause on Sikh identity

SAD objects to constitutional clause on Sikh identity
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, AUG 28: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has demanded changes in a Constitutional provision which clubs Sikhs with Hindus as ``it has put a question mark on the status of Sikhism as an independent religion''. The demand is listed in the memorandum submitted to the Constitutional Review Committee here today .

The objectionable clause, the Akalis say, is Article 25 (explanation II) of the Constitution, in which Sikhs have been clubbed with Hindus, Jains and Buddhists for the purpose of opening religious shrines to every member of these faiths.

``This clause causes a very embarrassing situation as it implies that Sikh institutions were not open to all classes of Sikhs and state assistance is required for the purpose. It also gives a misleading reflection of untouchability in Sikhism, which is the very anti-thesis of the principles of Sikhism,'' the memorandum says.

The Akali memorandum -- submitted by Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal to M.N. Venkatachalaih -- also proposes major constitutional changes for entrusting more autonomy to the states. Interestingly, the Akalis have claimed their demands have origins in the Anandpur saheb resolution of 1978. The rival Dal led by former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president G.S. Tohra has made similar claim.

``The SAD is in favour of autonomous states characterised by decentralisation of power, with the Centre retaining federal functions in respect of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency and general communications,'' the memorandum says. Again, the demands are akin to those made by National Conference in its controversial State Autonomy Committee report.

Badal has also blamed Congress for ``distorting the Akalis demand for federalisation of the polity through Anandpur Saheb resolution and creating misunderstandings in the country''.

The Akalis have also said there was now a greater appreciation of the SAD's stand today. There was need to do review the outdated political model which identifies the unity of the country with unitary mode of governance, the memorandum says.

Criticising the present Centre-state relationship, the memorandum says the the system only helps to make states subservient to the Centre and weaken them politically, economically and culturally. The pace of socio-economic reforms decelerated as the states were deprived of their rightful share of financial resources, it claims.

In a special focus on the apparent economic woes of the Punjab government, the memorandum says that under the present system, socio-economic tensions were growingg between the states and the Centre and minorities were the worst affected in this situation.

Besides this, the Akalis have asked for the scrapping of Article 356 which empowers the Centre to dismiss state governments and impose Central rule. Describing the Article as ``anethema to a federal democratic polity'', the memorandum says that the clause has done immense harm to the cause of emotional integration of the country.

The Akalis have also demanded that the centre be asked to keep in mind the linguistic and cutural unity of the region in mind while creating new states and also make international riparian standards applicable in settling water disputes in the country. The first demand is apparently in reference to Akalis' discomfort in the creation of Uttranchal state where Udham Singh Nagar has gone to the new state. The second relates to the state's long-standing disputes with Haryana and Himachal over water distribution.