The Revenue and Information and Public Relations Minister, Punjab, Bikram Singh Majithia today said that it is the primary responsibility of the society to accord deep respect and honour to the political and social aspirations of Vimukt Jatis who fought for the freedom of the country. He also reiterated that the SAD-BJP government under the visionary leadership of S. Parkash Singh Badal is fully committed to protect the rights and interests of Vimukt Jatis.Majithia expressed these views while addressing a meeting of leaders of Vimukt Jatis held here today at Bachat Bhawan under the leadership of S. Major Singh Kler President, All India Vimukt Jatian Federation, Punjab State Vimukt Jatian Welfare Board. Terming Vimukt Jatis as an integral part of the society, who never yielded to the British imperialism and always fought the tag of criminal tribes act, S. Majithia said that they had made numerous sacrifices to the cause of country’s freedom.On the occasion, a demand charter was also handed over to S. Majithia besides detailed deliberations on the issues and demands of Vimukt Jatis. The demands included scrapping the conditions on 2 percent reservation quota given to Vimukt Jatis for Government jobs and promotions or merging the Vimukt Jatis in 56 percent quota of SC/BC community, Reserving 2 seats in the Vidhan Sabha for Vimukt Jatis, A separate budget for welfare of Vimukt Jatis and allotting of space alongwith speedy construction of Vimukt Jati bhawan in Amritsar.S. Majithia disclosed that the state government is always ready to address the these issues and demands with utmost sincerity. He also assured to place the demands before the Chief Minister, S. Parkash Singh Badal and their satisfactory solution.
He said that it is only S. Parkash Singh Badal who has taken steps for the benefit of Vimukt Jatis and has formed Punjab State Vimukt Jatian Welfare Board for addressing their demands 7 problems and catering to their needs besides giving due representation to leaders belonging to Vimukt Jatis in both the government and the party.Regarding reservation policy, S. Majithia said that it is a big and countrywide issue in legal, political and social terms and certain issues of reservation policy do not come under state government but are connected with the subjects under the purview of the Union Government making it a legally complex matter. He also said that it would require the support of 33 percent of population belonging to other dalit castes in order to bring the matter to a solution point. He also elaborated that S. Parkash Singh Badal is leaving no stone unturned to solve the issue by holding parleys with the concerned parties. The leaders of Vimukt Jatis, on the occasion, pledged their unconditional support to the SAD in the coming assembly elections and work tirelessly for the victory of SAD-BJP candidates.Among others present on the occasion were Chief Parliamentary Secretary S. Harmeet Singh Sandhu, Talbir Singh Gill, leader of Vimukt Jatis and General Secretary S. Gurdeep Singh Mahal, President of Bawaria Samaj S. Swaran Singh Panjgaraian, S. Sukhdev Singh President District Amritsar, S. Karam Singh Bhatti, S. Balwinder Singh Gujjar, Rauonki Alowal, Nirmal Kalia, Pyara Singh, S. Nishan Singh Khara District President Tarntaran, S. Hardeep Singh Mahal Jalalabad, Master Dwarka, Ved Parkash, Darshan Ghanupur, Jaskaran, Dharminder Singh Patti, Sewa Ram,S. Sewa Singh Khemkaran, S. Didar Singh, S. Ajaib Singh, Dharambir Mahia, Chairman Harbhajan Singh Udoke and S. Asa Singh Talwandi.