Sikh objects to use of word ‘gutka’ for tobacco products

Mohali, Punjab: NGO Generation Saviour Association has filed a petition with the Centre seeking an amendment in the schedule appended with the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulations of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, as specified in Section 3 (P) of the Act.

In a letter to the Secretary, Union Department of Law and Justice, and the Secretary, Union Department of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, NGO president Amteshwar Kaur has objected to the word ‘gutka’ mentioned in the schedule of prohibited tobacco articles.

“Gutka is a holy word used by Sikhs for a small book containing selected banis (chapters) of the Guru Granth Sahib,” she averred.

Kaur further said that the word ‘gutkha’ be written on packets of chewable tobacco instead of ‘gutka’.

The notice urged the Centre “to delete the objectionable word from the schedule in 30 days or the NGO would approach a competent court of law”.