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Plight of Sikligar Sikhs needs
attention
WSN Bureau
 HYDERABAD: No
ration cards. No voter identity cards. No dedicated water, power and
sewer lines. No health clinic and government school in the vicinity.
The plight of
Sikligar Sikh community of twin cities, the sword makers whose
ancestors were renowned for their prowess in shaping iron into
spears, swords, shields and arrows, stunned member of National
Commission for Minorities Harcharan Singh Josh, who visited their
remote colony near Gajularamaram last Thursday.
Their proud
countenance and reluctance to solicit help, has at times played
against them. “We are changing and fighting for basic facilities,
which are rightfully ours,” says Bahadur Singh, the community elder.
Two years back,
when Chikungunya and malaria were rampant, nearly 16 young members
of this community succumbed. Family members of the deceased,
including widows, infants and aged were left in the lurch since
then.
“It’s a shame
for all of us. Even after 60 years of independence we still are
unable to provide basic human needs. This reflects badly even on
Hyderabad,,”
Josh said.
“Despite several
attempts, authorities are not interested to address our plight.
That’s why we are forced to contact minority commission for help,”
says another elder Manna Singh. The children either loiter the whole
day or tag along with their elders for ironsmith work. The
community, which received houses worth Rs. 30,000 each from the
government, is yet to pay off debts. The recent rains submerged the
whole colony in waist deep water. Huge snakes from the nearby shrub
fields entered into the houses.
“We will make
immediate steps to issuing ration cards,” Mr. Josh said before
leaving the colony.
3 September 2008
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