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Punjab politics have affected Sikhs everywhere

Eminent Sikh personalities -- including army officers, jurists, academicians and writers -- observed that the four million Sikhs living outside Punjab have suffered because of their association with the Akali leadership.

They stressed the need for a new socio-cultural organisation to reverse this.

Some of them suggested that a non-political organisation like the Sikh Forum should take a lead in floating a new political party, which could come up to the expectations of the community in the fast-changing technological, economic and social values.

Lieutenant General J S Aurora (retired), former Punjab chief justice R S Narula, writer Kartar Singh Duggal, social activist B S Dalawari, Punjab university former vice-chancellor Dr Amrik Singh and Bihar's former chief secretary S S Dhanga were among those who spoke at the seminar, organised by the Sikh Forum.

They said the fall-out of political developments in Punjab would always have a bearing on the Sikhs living outside the state, but they must find ways to establish their identity not only on the national but on the international level too.

For this, they said the Sikhs should establish centres of excellence -- particularly in the fields of education, sport, journalism and technology.

UNI

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