The All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) strongly criticizes a recent ruling by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court regarding the identification of a Sikh based on their title.
The committee deems this judgment as unwarranted interference in religious matters.
In a noteworthy decision, the Jammu Kashmir High Court clarified that adopting the surnames “Singh” or “Kour” is not obligatory for individuals to be officially recognized as Sikhs.
Expressing discontent with this ruling, APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina issued a statement, acknowledging that while the judgment adheres to the J&K Gurdwara Endowment Act, the presiding judge should have possessed fundamental knowledge of the Sikh religion.
Raina emphasizes that ignorance of religious principles cannot serve as a valid excuse.
In his statement, Raina challenges the judgment’s implications on religious tenets, asserting that undermining the core beliefs of any religion, whether Hinduism, Islam, or Sikhism, amounts to provoking the religious sentiments of its adherents.
He goes further, suggesting that the Supreme Court of India should take suo motu cognizance of the matter and compel the concerned judge to resign, emphasizing the importance of affording every community respect, honor, and credibility.
Raina underscores that religions derive definition from their respective scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, Holy Quran, and Guru Granth Sahib.
He asserts that no individual, even one within the judiciary or legislature, holds the authority to redefine these sacred texts. Encouraging co-existence, Raina calls upon people to embrace diversity and allow others the freedom to practice their own faiths without interference.