DSGMC chief protests absence of Sikh regiment at R-Day parade

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Manjit Singh GK has protested the absence of a Sikh regiment contingent in this year's Republic Day parade and termed it as "unfortunate".
In a letter to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the DSGMC chief said the Sikh regiment has a glorious history and Sikh sentiments are attached to the regiment and thus should not have been "excluded" from the R-Day parade.
He said Indian Army cannot be divided on religious basis, since the Sikhs' identity is connected to the regiment which has a glorious history.
Criticizing the absence of Sikh regiment, he said that despite the three wings of Defense Services -Army, Air Force and Navy having 30 percent Sikh officers, none of the contingents taking part in the Republic Day parade was led by any Sikh officer.

The DSGMC President said he was not raising the issue of Sikh regiment only because of their identity "but because of its magnificent past, its contribution in protecting borders of the country and matchless sacrifices towards the nation and the fact can't be ignored that it is the most decorated regiments in the Indian Army".
GK said that Sikh regiment fought 1894-95 war with Afgans, fought a historic war in 1897 called the War of Saragarhi, World War I and II, Operation Polo of 1948, War with China in 1962, wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 and Kargil war in 1999 with utmost courage.

"Sikh regiment has got 1652 medals which includes 73 war medals, two Param Vir Chakras, 14 Mahavir Chakras, 5 Kirti Chakras, 2 Ashok Chakras, 68 Vir Chakras, 14 Victoria Crosses and was given 21 Indian order of merit awards for War of Saragarhi," he wrote to the Defence Minister in his letter.