Sikh Community Objects Shinde Group’s Election Symbol
Mumbai, 17th October 2022: Controversy continues over the symbol allotted to Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde camps, factions of Shiv Sena. This time, the leaders of the Sikh community have objected to the election symbol of the party headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The election symbols of Shinde’s party are two swords and shields. On this, the people of the community say that it is a religious symbol of the Khalsa Panth. On the other hand, earlier Samata Party questioned Uddhav Thackeray’s party’s election symbol.
Former secretary of Gurdwara Sachkhand Board Nanded Ranjitsinh Kamthekar and a local Congress leader have written to the Election Commission (EC) asking them not to allow the symbol for Eknath Shinde’s party. They argue that the symbol has a religious meaning. If no cognizance is taken by the Election Commission, they can approach the court seeking action.
“Our religious guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh, established the sword and shield as the religious symbol of the Khalsa Panth,” he said. Kamthekar said that the Trishul and the mace were earlier rejected by the Election Commission as the symbols of the two groups, saying these symbols had religious connotations.
Kamthekar further said, “I want to bring to the notice of the Election Commission that the symbol allotted to the Shinde faction also has religious implications. I hope the Election Commission will look into it.”
He said he would send a formal letter to the Election Commission on Monday after meeting other members of the community. He has tweeted messages to the Election Commission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other politicians.
