Government is committed to Sikhs' development: Sonowal

GUWAHATI, Aug 29: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Tuesday said Sikh community has immense contribution in the formation of a greater Assamese identity and they have seamlessly assimilated into Assam’s culture and traditions.

He said this while a Sikh delegation led by Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly Manjinder Singh Sirsa visited him at his office at Jata Bhawan here, a CMO statement said. 

“Our government is committed to uplift the community like all other communities living in the state,” Sonowal said.

The delegation informed the Chief Minister that Sikh community in the state has been suffering from economic backwardness and they requested for a Sikh Development Council in the state in line with the councils formed for other indigenous communities.

The delegation also called for preservation of historical Gurdwaras and other pilgrimage sites of Sikh Community in the state. The Chief Minister assured of taking up the matters on a priority basis to empower the community.

Responding to the request of constituting an award in the me of Guru Teg Bahadur Singh in the state for honouring those who have made meaningful contribution to the society, Sonowal said that government would consider starting an award in memory of the ninth Guru of the Sikh religion.

He also assured of looking into all the matters of memorandum submitted by the delegation and starting a pilgrimage tour for the Sikh community to their places religious importance in the country.

The Chief Minister said that the Sikh Diaspora is very strong worldwide and Sikhs have introduced India in a positive way to the people in all corners of globe through their hardwork, honesty and dedication. 

He also made reference to the fact that Sikhs are strongest contributors of manpower to the Indian defence forces and that their spirit of patriotism is very inspiring.