Punjab & Haryana HC: Definition of Sikh: Hearing on March 6

Punjab & Haryana HC: Definition of Sikh: Hearing on March 6 Dated : 28-02-2009 Sourece : UNI Delhi : CHNADIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court adjourned till March 6 the hearing on the issue of importance of hair for Sikh in the context of the definition of Sikh as contained in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, after hearing submissions made by some individuals, including a Sikh scholar. However, no lawyer appeared due to the going to countrywide strike call given by the Bar Council of India. The full bench comprising Justices Jagdish Singh Khehar, Jasbir Singh and Ajay Kumar Mittal heard the case filed by Gurleen Kaur who has challenged the constitutional validity of the definition of the Sikh as per the act, after she was denied admission in MBBS course by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee(SGPC) controlled Sri Guru Ram Dass Institute of medical education and research Amritsar under the quota of seats reserved for the Sikhs on the ground that she plucked her eyebrows which was against the tenets of Sikhism. She was categorised as Patit’ and hence, not a Sikh by the institute authorities. In his submissions, Sikh scholar Gurtej Singh Brar, a former IAS officer of AP cadre, who has served on deputation in Punjab and has also been appointed by SGPC as professor of Sikhism, maintained that hair was indeed an integral part of the Sikh. If a person claiming to be Sikh did not adhere to keeping unshorn hair, trimmed it or cut it in any manner, would be regarded a Patit and not a Sikh. However, he favoured a chance to all such people so that they could reform themselves and realise and recognise the crucial importance of unshorn hair for a religious Sikh. Sahajdhari Sikh Federation President Ranoo submitted that as it was the Sikhs who were a minority and creating further categories for them was not in tune with times. As the Federation is a party to the proceedings, the bench advised him to convey his submissions through the counsel. To some others, who too wanted to put forth their point of views, the bench told them to put their submissions in writing and send the same to the court before the next hearing scheduled for March 6. UNI

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