The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : A community which lives on the fringes

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Friday, Aug 29, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

A community which lives on the fringes

Plight of Sikligar Sikhs shocks National Commission for Minorities member

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Neglected lot: National Minorities Commission member Harcharan Singh Josh interacting with Sikligar Sikh community members in their colony near Gajularamaram on Thursday.

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 on 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,,” Mr. 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.

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Andhra Pradesh