Sikh religious leaders, who accuse the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of attempting to portray their faith as part of Hinduism, on September 17 pressed their demand for a constitutional amendment to classify their faith as a distinct religion. They denounced the Sangh for stating in its mouthpiece Organiser that the Guru Granth Sahib is known for its salutations to Ram.
“The RSS has been repeatedly trying to portray Sikhism as part of the Hindu religion and we have been repeatedly condemning these statements. We would request the government to amend Article 25 of the Constitution to establish that Sikhism is a separate religion,” Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee leader Harvinder Singh Sarna told media persons in New Delhi. He also demanded a separate marriage law to govern Sikh weddings.
The DSGMC leader, whose party is opposed to the BJP and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, rejected suggestions that Sikh religious texts carried praise of Ram.