Chandigarh/Jalandhar: About two dozen people from various walks of life have issued a joint statement rejecting vilifying propaganda against Sikh sangat that is recently brought back to Punjab by the government.
Sikh Sangat at Hazur Sahib | File Photo | Image used for representational purpose only
The joint statement endorsed by Sikh activists, academicians, opinionists and professional also raises serious concerns over targeting by various sections of media. They have also condemned statement of Punjab health minister in which he had blamed Sikh sangat from Hazur Sahib saying that ‘they (Sangat) had washed away efforts of the state government.
FULL TEXT OF THE STATEMENT, FOLLOWED BY LIST OF ENDORSEES, READS AS FOLLOWS:
JOINT STATEMENT
3 May 2020
The entire humanity is going through unprecedented trauma. We can endure, survive and overcome the challenges that this pandemic has imposed on us only by remaining united and helping each other. Sikh community true to their dictum of Sarbat Da Bhalaa has been at the forefront in serving the needy in hours of distress by offering food through community kitchens langar and other daily essentials including grocery, dairy and even masks etc., irrespective of caste, creed or color of the needy at the same time. Sikh religious institutions have come forward and offered infrastructure for quarantine as well as residential purposes for doctors and nurses.
During these trying times when human values of empathy and aiding fellow humans should have come to the forefront, unfortunately we have witnessed a spate of utterly reprehensible reporting by a large section of the media augmented with irresponsible statements and acts by government departments and men holding responsible positions, targeting minorities and making them look harmful to society. The fear and insecurity generated by the pandemic is being channeled into the “othering” of the minority community.
The latest coverage by media of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded (Maharashtra) pilgrims and the statements issued by Punjab’s health minister in regards to this is one more in series of vilification campaign which started with targeting of NRI Baldev Singh, who was accused as super spreader and Punjab police went to an extent of releasing a song especially targeting a poor soul who is no more with us .
Today a similar vilification campaign is being targeted at pilgrims returning from Takht Sri Hazur Sahib. We condemn this targeted vilification coverage and statements both by the media and the state’s health minister. This abhorrent and malicious coverage must be stopped from immediate effect to avoid consequential detriment to the prospects of social harmony in Punjab. It is the time when energy and resources of society and institutions be channeled to ensure relief measures and health services sans discrimination on basis of caste, color, religion or race etc.
Endorsed by,
-
- Ajaypal singh Brar (Author and Opinionist)
- Ajmer Singh (Author and Political Analyst)
- Amanpreet Singh (Management Professional)
- Amardeep Singh (Sikh Activist, Delhi)
- Bhawneet Singh (Sikh Activist, Delhi)
- Bikramjit Singh (IT Professional)
- Daljit Singh Sran (Senior Journalist)
- Dr. Kanwaljit Singh Chhajjalwaddi (Principal of a College)
- Gangvir Rathor (Activist and Opinionist)
- Harbaksh Singh (IT Professional, Bangalore)
- Inderepreet Singh, Sangrur (Accounts Officer)
- Jagmohan Singh, (Editor of an online news portal)
- Jasjeet Singh, (Film Producer and Entrepreneur)
- Jaspal singh Manjhpur (Advocate)
- Malkeet Singh Bhawanigarh (Software Engineer)
- Mandhir Singh (Farmer and Sikh Activist)
- Pardeep Singh (Writer and Film Director)
- Parmjeet Singh (Editor of an Online News Portal)
- Rajpal Singh (Opinionist and Farmer)
- Sandeep Singh (Teacher)
- Sarvkar Singh (Sikh Activist)
- Sikandar Singh, Dr. (Assistant Professor)
- Sukhdeep singh (Sikh Activist)
- Sukhdeep Singh Barnala (Author)
READ/DOWNLOAD This JOINT STATEMNET in GURMUKHI/PUNJABI and ENGLISH:
ALSO READ – Afraid of Pinning Down Government Media Accuses Minorities of Corona Spread
https://sikhsiyasat.net/2020/05/02/afraid-of-pinning-down-government-media-accuses-minorities-of-corona-spread/
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