US Sikh group seeks independent religious status
Friday, 02/09/2011
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HC/2011/09/02/ArticleHtmls/US-SIKH-GROUP-SEEKS-INDEPENDENT-RELIGIOUS-STATUS-02092011002006.shtml?Mode=1
A US-based Sikh group has approached the United Nations seeking its intervention to press upon the Indian government to grant Sikhism the status of an independent religion after a separate marriage act for the community was turned down by the Centre.
The group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has submitted a memorandum to Heiner Bielefeldt, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief office of the UN high commissioner for human rights.
In the memorandum the group has said the United Nations body should intervene on “behalf of 30 million Sikhs“ to “impress upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government to amend article 25 of the Indian Constitution to restore independent status to Sikhism“.
“The treatment of Sikhs in India deserves your immediate attention,“ Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said in the memorandum to the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion.
