'Take up issue of attacks on Sikhs abroad'

Fatehgarh Sahib, Nov 18: Taking strong exception to the reported incident of a Sikh boy having his hair forcibly cut in the suburbs of Edinburgh, president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Avatar Singh Makkar urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to urgently take diplomatic and political initiatives to stop such incidents.

Expressing alarm at the growing incidence of alleged racist crime against Sikhs in some countries, including the UK, France, Canada, and US, Mr Makkar appealed to the PM to raise the issue at the highest level so that such acts do not recur.

He also called upon the British Government to return the historical relics and other important artefacts taken away by the colonial rulers after conquering Punjab.

These include the 'Kalgi' of Guru Gobind Singh, the golden throne and the Kohinoor diamond of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Mr Makkar also said the SGPC had been constantly reminding the Centre about these articles, of immense value to the Sikh historical heritage.

''I once again implore the Centre to earnestly take up with the British government the issue of return of these relics to where they belong and are revered,'' he said.

Mr Makkar was talking to select media persons at Mata Gujri College here after flagging off a procession of college students and staff against female foeticide.

UNI