TARN TARAN: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Vice President Ravinder Singh Brahmpura has written to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her intervention in a case where a Sikh student was allegedly barred from a judicial services examination in Rajasthan for wearing a 'kirpan'.
In his letter, the senior SAD leader and former MLA demanded the framing of permanent nationwide guidelines to protect the constitutional right of Sikhs to wear their articles of faith.
The case involves Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Pheloke village in Khadoor Sahib, who was reportedly denied entry to the 'Preliminary Examination for Direct Recruitment to the Civil Judge Cadre' at a centre in Jaipur on July 27 because she was wearing a kirpan, an integral part of the Sikh faith.
Brahmpura on Wednesday met the student and her family at their residence to express solidarity. He lauded her "unwavering commitment to her faith" and personally honoured her with a sum of Rs 11, 000.
"Gurpreet Kaur upheld the sanctity of the Guru's Kakaars (articles of faith) by forgoing a major examination; she is the pride of our community, " Brahmpura told reporters here.
He stated that as a representative of the constituency, it was his duty to "fight for her rights all the way to Delhi."
The SAD leader criticised the central government for what he termed a "consistent failure" to protect the constitutional rights of Sikhs.
In his appeal to the President, Brahmpura has requested that the Central Government be directed to issue comprehensive guidelines for all states and examination bodies to prevent such incidents in the future. He also sought a special opportunity for Kaur to reappear for the examination.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had earlier honoured the student with an award of Rs 50, 000.
Brahmpura had previously raised the issue with the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court in a letter dated July 28, demanding action against the officials responsible for the incident.