JALANDHAR NEWS: Dalit Panel’s Memo To Prez
JALANDHAR: The Punjab State Dalit Action Committee on Tuesday accused the district administration of violating Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives every citizen the right to practice any religion.
Submitting a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Ajeet Singh Pannu, addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Human Rights Commission, committee chairman Lahori Ram Bali, president J.B. Kaul and general secretary Piara Ram Kler said Article 25 had been violated in villages on the issue of keeping the holy book, Amritbani Satguru Ravidass Maharaj Ji, in Ravidass temples.
Bali said, “We are not for or against keeping the holy book in Ravidass temples, but we are surprised at the alleged interference of the civil and police administration in affairs of the Ravidassia community.”
“The recent arrests of community leaders were aimed at putting pressure on followers of Dera Sachkhand Balian, which recently announced a separate Ravidassia religion. This is nothing but imposing one’s religious views and practices on others through the police,” he said, demanding that the cases be withdrawn unconditionally.
Bali claimed that the committee had played an important role in persuading protesters to maintain law and order after the Vienna incident, adding that the administration should also play a fair role in this regard.
Committee general secretary Piara Ram Kler said several villages adjoining Jalandhar had been converted into police cantonments at the behest of ruling party leaders; while officials of the revenue department had been asked to keep a check on Ravidass temples and activities of the community.
The DC said he had forwarded the memorandum to President Pratibha Patil.
SOURCE-HT