Thursday, March 31, 2011

SP, SHO suspended for ‘removing turban’

Mohali Superintendent of Police (SP)-Detective Pritam Singh and Phase VIII Station House Officer (SHO) Sub-Inspector Kul Bhushan were placed under suspension on Wednesday evening with immediate effect. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the Home Affairs portfolio, suspended the police officials for allegedly “hurting the sentiments of Sikhs by removing the turban of a Sikh protester during a protest staged by retrenched rural veterinary pharmacists and class IV employees near the PCA Stadium, Mohali, on Monday”. 

Taking a serious view of the incident, Sukhbir also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the “disrespect shown to the Sikh religion”. 

with thanks : indianexpress : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Sikh group objects to Harbhajan''s depiction as Guru

New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) A Sikh group today took exception to the reported depiction of cricketer Harbhajan Singh as a Sikh Guru during a havan to pray for India's victory against Pakistan in the cricket World Cup semifinal tomorrow. Paramjeet Singh Chadok, the president of Dharam Prachar Nehar of SGPC's Delhi unit, said the group has taken up the issue with a television channel which reportedly telecast the function.

With thanks : PTI & IBNLive : link above for detailed news.

Akal Takht pronounces ‘tankhah’ on 2 SGPC men

The Sikh clergy that met at the Akal Takht on Tuesday pronounced ‘tankhah’ (religious atonement) on two Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members Sukhwant Singh and Navtej Singh for violation of the Sikh Code of Conduct. The two were directed to clean shoes and utensils and listen to Gurbani for seven and 15 days, respectively. 

While Sukhwant was found guilty of attending a religious ceremony of Dera Sacha Sauda, Navtej had organised a path at a mazaar, which is prohibited in the Sikh religion. 

with thanks : indianexpress : link above for detailed news.

World Sikh University to start session from July

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the academic session of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University would commence its academic session from coming July. 

Participating in the first meeting of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Fourth Centenary Memorial Trust at the university campus in Fatehgarh Sahib, Badal appreciated the decision taken by the Trust to provide additional 10 per cent seats in each course for the economically poor but brilliant students with rural background in Punjab who have passed their matriculation examination from rural schools. They would be imparted education free of charge.

with thanks : indianexpress : link above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Must view ! We found it on YouTube. Donno if Real or Fake !

Navi Mumbai Sikhs protest over Milan turban issue

NAVI MUMBAI: 'Pagadi sambhal jatta, pagadi sambhal oye! (Take care of your turban, which is your honour)'.

During India's freedom struggle, this Punjabi song was used to instil a sense of outrage against the British. Now, Navi Mumbai Sikhs are once again up in arms to protest the humiliating security checks at international airports after golfer Jeev Milkha Singh's coach was asked to remove his turban at Milan airport.

"The Indian government must take a strong stand and stop further humiliation of Sikhs at foreign airports. The turban is not just a piece of cloth, it is a symbol of our honour, and hence, the honour of India," said a Belapur-based businessman, Amrik Singh Thikriwal (50).

"Only if the central government takes a strong stand like stopping business alliances with Italy will they realize how hurt we are," added Thikriwal.

"Some politicians have raised the turban issue in Parliament today; but this could end as mere politicking, unless the central government takes a strong stand like stopping business alliances with Italy. Only then will they realise how hurt we are,'' asserted Thikriwal. 
 
with thanks : times of India : link above for detailed news.

Sikhs in Pakistan protest against plaza construction on gurdwara land

Sikhs in Pakistan will stage a protest in Lahore on Friday over the construction of a plaza on gurdwara land.

They will stage a sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly for two hours against the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) administration, Sikh leaders told The Express Tribune.

Former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Perbandhak Committee (PSGPC) President Sardar Bishon Singh said that if the government failed to stop the construction of a plaza over Gurdwara Deewan Khana, Indian Sikhs would join their protest and send delegations to Pakistan to record their disapproval.

with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dishonour to Sikhs a national insult: Govt

India on Wednesday said dishonour to the Sikhs is a national insult and the government takes serious note of the incident in which golfer Jeev Milkha Singh’s coach Amritinder Singh was forced to remove his turban at Milan airport last week. 

Assuring the Rajya Sabha that the issue would be taken up with Italy, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said, “Whenever there is an insult to Sikhs, we take it as national insult. We take it up in that spirit.” 

He was responding to senior BJP leader S. S. Ahluwalia who said during Zero Hour that the Indian government was not able to convince Italy that turban for Sikhs was a symbol of religious respect. 

with thanks : thehindu : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia

Election victory cannot wipe away any crime: Sushma

New Delhi: Citing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the 2002 sectarian violence in Gujarat, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was rewriting criminal jurisprudence by bringing in the 2009 electoral victory to defend his government on the diplomatic cables revealed by WikiLeaks on what has come to be known as the cash-for-votes scam. 

with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.

Australia's Victoria police inducts first turban wearing Sikh

MELBOURNE: Police in Australia's Victoria state today inducted its first officer from Sikh community who will wear a newly designed police turban, a media report said today.

Australia's Victoria police today inducted its first officer from Sikh community who will wear a newly designed police turban, a media report said today.

The first officer Constable Amitoj Singh who graduated from the Police Academy would wear a newly designed police-issue turban, featuring the service's checker board pattern.

Singh has been assigned suburb of Endeavour Hills from next week. On his induction, Singh was quoted as saying that the community was in the Sikh blood. 

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

US court asks Congress to answer charges on 1984 attacks on Sikhs

New York, March 23 (IANS) India's Congress party has been asked to respond by April 1 to "summons" issued by a US court to answer charges of "conspiring, aiding, abetting and organizing" attacks on Sikhs in November 1984.

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York issued the summons March 1 in response to a class action law suit filed by "Sikhs For Justice" (SFJ) a US based human rights group along with several Sikh witnesses and survivors of the 1984 attacks.

"if the Congress party did not respond to the summons of the US Federal Court by April 1, 2011, SFJ will ask the court to enter a default against Congress (I)," SFJ legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Tuesday.

with thanks : mangalorean : link above for detailed news.

India protests after Sikh golf coach forced to remove turban at Italian airport security

NEW DELHI — India summoned the Italian ambassador Wednesday to protest demands by Milan airport officials that a world-class golfer’s Sikh coach remove his turban during a security check a day earlier.

It was the second time in a week that Jeev Milkha Singh’s coach Amritinder Singh had his turban removed and frisked in the northern Italian city.

Sikhs worldwide object to such searches as discriminatory and unnecessary in a world with machines for body scanning and metal detection.

Foreign Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna condemned the searches and said the religious practices of all Indians must be respected.

with thanks : washingtonpost : link above for detailed news.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

1984 Anti Sikh riot: Man moves HC with a plea for compensation

New Delhi, Mar 21 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today sought a response from the city government on a man's contempt plea that the despite the court's direction, the competent authority has failed to decide on his plea for compensation on account of death of two minor children in 1984 Anti-Sikh riot. Justice S Muralidhar issued a notice to the Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate(SDM) Head Quarters of Delhi government and sought a reply by April 21. Filing a petition, Hukum Singh claimed Rs 14 lakh as compensation(Rs 7 lakh for each child) and alleged his two sons--an eight-year and a four-year-old--were killed in an attack by a mob at Vishwas Nagar area in East Delhi on November 1, 1984.

with thanks : ibnlive : link above for detailed news.

Man gets life for killing four in anti-Sikh riots

A Karkadooma court on Monday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering four Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Capital. Public prosecutor B S Joon had earlier sought capital punishment, stating that it ranked among the rarest of rare cases because the victims — Jaswant Singh, his nephew Anokha Singh, friend Satnam Singh and neighbour Bhajan Singh — were killed in a brutal manner. 

The life imprisonment sentence was handed out by Additional Sessions Judge P S Teji to Mahesh alias Dabbu. 

According to the prosecution, a mob had attacked Block No 32 of Trilokpuri on November 1, 1984, and assaulted Jaswant and his family. They were allegedly pulled out of their house, beaten up and and burnt before Jaswant’s wife, Vidya Kaur. 

with thanks indian express : link above for detailed news.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Turban issue: Congress says strong message should be sent to EU

Chandigarh: Expressing concern over the turban episode involving golfer Jeev Milkha Singh's coach in Milan, Congress on Wednesday said a strong message should be sent out to the European Union on the issue.

"There seems to be intolerance especially in the EU for the turban worn by Sikh... as trong message should go out to EU as wearing turban is a cultural and religious issue with Punjabi people," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news

SikhsIndia
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Rabbi opposes free Sikh school in Slough

A Maidenhead rabbi has opposed plans for a free school in Slough.

The Slough Sikh Education Trust hopes to set up a free school with a Sikh ethos as a solution to the number of oversubscribed schools in the town. 

Rabbi Jonathan Romain has said he feared the Sikh community would become segregated. However, the Slough Sikh Education Trust has said it hopes to attract 50% of its pupils from non-Sikh backgrounds. 

with thanks : BBC News : link above for detailed news.


'Why can't govt do something about it'

CHANDIGARH: Ace golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar on Wednesday hit out at Indian government for failing to check the growing incidents of Sikh's being subjected to discriminatory treatment around the world.

His reaction came after Jeev Milka Singh's coach Amritinder Singh was asked to take off his turban at Italy airport during security checks on Tuesday. "It's a shame that Sikhs have to face this treatment time and again. India has a prime minister, who himself is a Sikh, yet it keeps happening again and again.

His government has totally failed in this regard. He has done nothing to protect Sikhs from this unfair and shameful treatment. We keep hearing of such incidents almost every month. Why can't our government do something about it? Why are we always helpless?" he asked.

with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news.

Takanini Gurdwara celebrates 6th Anniversary

Sri Kalgidhar Gurdwara is the largest religious place in New Zealand connected to the Indian Diaspora. This magnificent building is housed in 8.6 acres of prime flat land in the Takanini suburb in Auckland and home to the revered Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This nodal Sikh place of worship has over 8000 devotees visit it over any given weekend thus again making it the most visited religious place in the country. The foundation stone of this temple was laid by the traditional Sikh Panj Piaras in the presence of the then Prime Minister Helen Clark who was a regular visitor throughout her tenure as the leader of the nation. This project was completed in a record time of 2.5 years under the able leadership of Daljit Singh JP.

The building houses a modern stainless steel 220 m2 kitchen and a angar hall on the ground floor and the main assembly hall on the first floor were a congregation in excess of 5000 can assemble and listen to kirtan in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. There is also a three bed room accommodation for the religious minister apart from cricket, soccer, volleyball and kabadi ground.The official opening ceremony was held on the 13th of March 2005 and ever since its annual anniversary function is celebrated with intense religious fervour around the middle of March. As of today the total assets on this site are about $10Mn and the NZ Sikh Society Auckland which is a registered charitable trust manages the day to day operations.

Recently the 6th anniversary was celebrated with great religious enthusiasm and fervour. The celebration spanned over a week and every day there was a function culminating in a large function over the weekend where over 8000 people paid obeisance and partook langar in community kitchen as per established Sikh traditions. A noted Sikh scholar and preacher Bhai Pinderpal Singh had specially come all the way from India to interact with the community and share his knowledge and love for the religion. The in house kirtan jatha led by Bhai Jeet Singh Jeet and Bhai Gurpreet Singh Jalandharwala also regaled the audience with mesmerising kirtan and sang hymns from the revered Guru Granth Sahib. After a week long string of religious functions, the celebrations were culminated with traditional Indian games like Kabadi, Soccer, Volleyball. There was also a kabadi competition for young children. In line with the importance the Sikh religion accords to women, a special musical chairs competition was also held for the girls. 

with thanks : indianweekender : link above for detailed news.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

California State Senator to Don Turban in Solidarity With Sikhs

A top California state senator expressed his solidarity with the Sikh community Sunday by proposing that he will wear a turban for a day.

The gesture was made at the West Sacramento gurdwara, more than a week after two elderly Sikh men were gunned down, one fatally, possibly for wearing dastaars (Sikh turbans). Although the police have not designated the March 4 shootings as hate crimes, the possibility has not been ruled out.

“I have been to the temple before and have been to a number of Sikh events,” said Darrell Steinberg, senate president pro tempore. “It’s very disturbing to have these sorts of terrible things happen in the community.”
On March 12, Steinberg and other public officials and police officers expressed their outrage to hundreds of members of the sangat. 

“I talked about how what I have learned about the turban and what it means: a wonderful representation of equality,” he later told SikhNN by phone. 

The wear-a-turban-day was his idea, he said. “The turban caused those with hate in their hearts to attack the Sikh community.”

He said he is following the model of a Danish king during World War II who asked his people to wear the Star of David so that the Nazis could not distinguish between them and the Jews.

Steinberg called Darshan Singh Mundy, a Sikh he had known for nearly a decade who is also a spokesman for the gurdwara, about the idea. He wanted to make sure that his wearing a turban would not be disrespectful.

“They were positive about it,” he said. “It’s a community that understandably feels great need for support. And this is a unique and important way to show support.” 

The turban day is set for April 13. The local Sikh community is asking public officials to wear a turban or Punjabi suit and chunni. The gurdwara will be hiring a public relations company to help organize the event, Darshan Singh said.

“The only purpose is to educate people about what the turban means and that Sikh Americans are peace loving and contributing members of the Sacramento area and throughout the country,” Steinberg added. “We have to stand together.”

Surinder Singh, 65, and Gurmej Singh Atwal, 78, were shot on March 4 as they strolled through their Elk Grove neighborhood, just southeast of Sacramento, on their daily afternoon walk. There was no apparent motive. Witnessed identified a 1999 to 2003 beige or tan Ford F-150 pickup truck that was seen in the area at the time, but no arrests have been made. Surinder Singh died at the scene, and Gurmej Singh is still in critical condition. 

with thanks : sinkhnn : link above for detailed news.

Sikh community to get new centre in Dubai

DUBAI // The Sikh community, which has so outgrown its place of worship people have begun holding religious gatherings in their homes, is looking forward to a new centre opening in the coming months.

Work on the US$20 million (Dh102m) Gurunanak Darbar project, which is located on 25,400 square feet of land opposite the St Mina Coptik Orthodox Church at Jebel Ali, is almost complete.

Until the centre is open, Sikhs in the UAE will continue to share the Shiva and Krishna Mandir temple complex in the Old Souk in Bur Dubai with the country's Hindus. The structure is more than 50 years old.

Harvinder Singh, a chartered accountant who has lived in Dubai for four years, said people were eager for better facilities.

"It may have been suitable 20 or 30 years ago but it's not the case now," he said. "The hall is simply too small to cope with the numbers of people who want to attend services.

"Everyone is hoping things will get better once the new gurudwara opens in Jebel Ali in a few months."

The plot was donated by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Once done it will have space for 900 people and become the new focal point for the 50,000-strong Sikh community in the Emirates, able to accommodate a variety of functions including weddings and festivals.

"The existing temple is quiet small," said Amanjeet Singh, 28, a bank manager who has been in Dubai for more than three years. "You can only get about 40 people in there at most, so many members of the community miss out when it comes to attending religious festival."

with thanks : thenational : link above for detailed news.

Nanakshahi Calendar: Dal Khalsa releases ‘original’ version

Rejecting the Nanakshahi Calendar amended by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), saying it is more in sync with the Bikrami calendar, radical Sikh body Dal Khalsa released copies of its original version on Sunday. 

Party members gathered at the Akal Takht on the eve of New Year as per Nanakshahi Calendar (March 14) and released its first copy after performing an ardas. The members dropped a copy, along with a fresh petition addressed to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh at his official residence, said Dal Khalsa head Harchranjit Singh Dhami. He said the modifications done by the SGPC in the calendar had led to confusion and division within the community.

with thanks : indian express : link above for detailed news.

Milkha lambasts turban search of Jeev's coach in Italy

NEW DELHI: Outraged that his golfer son Jeev Milkha Singh's coach was asked to remove his turban during a security check at the Milan airport, legendary runner Milkha Singh on Wednesday said the incident was an insult to the Sikh community and smacked of racism.

"It is an insult to Sikh community and we should take it seriously. It is a matter of great concern. The entire Sikh community is outraged over the racial profiling. It should not have happened," Milkha fumed.

"This is the second incident when my son had gone to play there (Italy). Even though Amritinder Singh (coach) repeatedly told them that it is against Sikhism they did not listen to him. Everyone across the world knows what Sikhism is.

"I will talk to the Prime Minister in this regard. I would also take up the matter with Sonia Gandhi as she belongs to that country. It is a high time that we should take the matter seriously or otherwise there will be more such incidents in the future," he added.

Amritinder, who was accompanying Jeev for three tournaments on the European Tour, was told that he should either remove the turban or not board the flight with several people at the airport watching the scene.

Jeev protested by telling the airport security officials that it was nothing but harassment but to no avail. 

with thanks : times of India : link above for detailed news

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Man who exposed Hondh Chillar loses job

JALANDHAR: Manwinder Singh Giaspur, who played a key role in bringing out the Hondh Chillar massacre of Sikhs, has been asked by his Gurgaon-based company to leave the job. Even as his employer denied that the marching orders had anything to do with his involvement in exposing the case, Manwinder said he has even been told to leave the station "for the sake of my own career."


"On Friday, I was told to pack bags by top company bosses and that I should look for another job in the next 10 days. I was also told that company's prestige was alsolinked to my name and the company did not want any controversy. I was told that I should also look for a job at some other station for the sake of my own career growth," he said. Manwinder is working as GM at V&S International Pvt Ltd, engaged in garment exports. 
with thanks : Times of India : link above for detailed news report.
SikhsIndia

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Keertan Samagam at F Block, Krishna Nagar Gurudwara !

Police ensure radical Sikh leaders are kept away from Dalleke

The Moga police left no stone unturned to ensure that leaders of Sant Samaj and other radical leaders could not make it to Dalleke village where tension between the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and radical Sikhs continue. The village witnessed clashes between the two groups last Sunday that left four people injured. 

The radical Sikh leaders had called a meeting at the village gurdwara on Thursday. The police stopped these leaders from heading towards the village by rounding them up on the way. Only a few member of the Akal Purakh Ki Fauj’s Jodhpurwale Singh managed to reach the gurdwara. Some leaders, however, gathered at the nearby Gurdwara Bibi Kaahan Kaur and urged all parties to maintain peace till a communication from the Akal Takht was received. 

Kuldeep Singh of Damdami Taksal said Baljit Singh Daduwal was stopped by the police at Kot Shamir near Bathinda while Sant Gumreet Singh and his jatha, coming from Tiloka Haryana, were stopped at Baghapurana and were taken to Samlsar police station. Resham Singh Khukrana another radical Sikh leaders was taken to the Sadar police station. 

with thanks : indian Express : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia

First Sikh officer joins Victoria police

The first officer of the Sikh faith has been inducted into Victoria Police.
Constable Amitoj Singh graduated from the Police Academy wearing a newly designed police-issue turban, featuring the service's checkerboard pattern.
Constable Singh will be assigned to Endeavour Hills next week.
He says serving the community is in the Sikh blood.
"The founders of Sikh people, they have been standing up for the rights of the community all the time," he said

with thanks : abc.net.au : link above for detailed news.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College

Media ---New Perspectives :

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College has organised two days Media Workshop (11th March-12th March) at Sir Shankar Lal Concert Hall,North Campus,University of Delhi.Workshop was inaugurated by Sd. Bhupinder Singh Chadha ( Chairman,SGND Khalsa College ) & Dr.Man Mohan Kaur ( Principal,SGND Khalsa College).

Main speakers in today's inaugural session were Prof.Gopeshwar Singh(Head,Department of Hindi,University of Delhi),Prof.Ramesh Gautam ( Department of Hindi) and Mr. Amrit Pal Singh( Chief Corespondent ,Delhi Doordarshan).Dr.Balbeer Kundra and Dr.Harnek Singh Gill( Associate Professors, Department of Hindi,SGND Khalsa College) are Organisers/Coordinators of the workshop.





Dr.Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
SGND Khalsa College
University of Delhi
Dev Hagar
New Delhi-110005

Khariyan Gallan Paramjit Singh Sarna

Khariyan Gallan Paramjit Singh Sarna 2

Khariyan Gallan Paramjit Singh Sarna 3

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NanakShahi Calender : Discussions by DSGMC

Sarna ji has invited the Sangat for discussions. It's a welcome step. We must reach there n participate in a healthy discussion. If Sarna ji is willing to bring unanimity on this issue, we must support him. How long we can have two dates for Gurupurab, Sangrand and other important days. We have to reach a conclusion.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Discussions on Nanakshahi calender by DSGMC

Punjab town tense after Sikh group-Dera followers clash

There was heavy police presence in Moga and the nearby Dhauleke village on Tuesday, a day after clashes between followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and a radical Sikh group left over a dozen people injured. Followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, which has its headquarter in Haryana's Sirsa town, are demanding action against members of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, a radical Sikh organisation, for allegedly disrupting their religious function at Dhauleke village Sunday. They also accuse the group of burning the effigy of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Members of both groups clashed at Dhauleke village on Monday, injuring over a dozen people and some policemen. Agitators also set a Punjab roadways bus on fire and damaged some private vehicles in Moga, around 250 km from the state capital Chandigarh. 

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above for detailed news.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Reward offered in Calif. shooting of 2 Sikh men

ELK GROVE, Calif. (AP) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations has offered a $5,000 reward after two Sikh men were gunned down — one of them fatally — on a sidewalk in a Northern California suburb.

The executive director of the council's Sacramento Valley chapter noted that Sikh men in beards and turbans are often targeted by those who mistake them for Muslims.

"The Muslim community offers its condolences and support to the Sikh community in this time of sorrow," Basim Elkarra said.

The reward for information leading to a conviction in the Friday afternoon shooting in Elk Grove comes as police cautioned there was no evidence it was a hate crime. However, the Sacramento suburb's police chief, Robert Lehner, said there was no other apparent motive.
 
with thanks : mail : link above for detailed news.

Followers hold congregation amid protest

FEROZEPUR: In the wake of approaching assembly elections in the state, the ''reported understanding'' between SAD and Dera Sacha Sauda helped the followers of the latter successfully hold a naam charcha (congregation) in the community centre of Bajidpur village, near the historical Jamni Sahib Gurdwara, here, on Sunday.

The congregation, attended by more than 1,000 premis, was organized under a heavy police protection. When members of various Sikh organizations learned about it, they, including women, reached Bajidpur village and tried to disturb the congregation, but were checked by senior police officers. The Sikh protesters then blocked Ferozepur-Moga GT Road to mark their protest against it

With thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Two Sikh men in Sacramento gunned down, possible hate crime

Police said Saturday that they don't know why someone gunned down two men – frail from heart attacks and advancing years – as they slowly ambled through a quiet Elk Grove neighborhood during their daily afternoon walk.

Surinder Singh, 67, died Friday afternoon on the sidewalk along East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Pointe Drive. Gurmej Atwal, his 78-year-old friend, was shot twice in the chest. His family said he was in critical but stable condition.

with thanks : sacbee : link above for detailed news.

SGPC gives Rs 2L to each victim after 26 years

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of the victims of the Hondh Chillar incident that saw 32 innocent Sikhs massacred on November 2, 1984.While the killers have not yet been identified, Haryana government had compensated them in 2006.The SGPC also announced to raise a memorial at the pogrom site in Rewari district of Haryana after the "bhog" of "Akhand path" in the memory of the victims.

Sikh's prominent seminary Damdami Taksal president Harnam Singh Khalsa has demanded that an all-party delegation should visit the site. Addressing the gathering, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said that efforts should be initiated to free the Sikh's languishing in jails for a long time. He said, "Traditional arms are required to protect oneself and others and not the television."

He honoured relatives of the victims: Inder Singh, Balwant Singh, Harnam Singh, Parap Singh, Savan Singh, Uttam Singh, Prem Singh, Chattar Singh, Kesar Singh and Ranjit Singh – with siropas. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that the carnage of 32 Sikhs was adeliberate act of brutality. 

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Singapore appoints Sikh as its Army chief

SINGAPORE: Singapore has appointed Brigadier General Ravider Singh as its next Army chief, the first Sikh in 30 years to be given the force's baton.

Singh, 41, takes over from Major-General Chan Chun Sing on March 25, Straits Times reported.
A Singaporean of Indian origin, Singh, is currently deputy secretary (technology) at the defence ministry. He joined the Singapore Armed Forces in December 1982.

Singh also served as assistant chief of General Staff (plans), head of Joint Communications and Information Systems Department, and chief of staff - joint staff.

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

High Court issues notice to Haryana state

CHANDIGARH: In the writ petition demanding a judicial probe into the horrific killing of Sikhs in village Hondh-Chillar in Rewari District, Haryana on November 2, 1984, the Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Augustine George Masih of Punjab and Haryana High Court have issued notice to the State of Haryana.

On February 23, 2011 Sikhs for Justice and All India Sikh Student Federation moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding the judicial probe into the killings of Sikhs in village Hondh-Chillar. In a Civil writ petition filed with the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Sikhs for Justice and All India Sikh Student Federation demanded an enquiry from a retired High Court Judge to be assisted by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Representing the petitioners, Counsel Navkiran Singh told the court that the FIR dated November 3, 1984, registered under Sections 148, 149, 302, 436 and 34 of the IPC at the Jatusana police station had not been investigated properly. None of the eyewitnesses or survivors was ever contacted by the police.

On November 2, 1984 in an organized attack the entire Sikh population of village Hondh- Chillar, then district Mahendergarh presently falling under district Rewari, Haryana was massacred and their dwellings and the Gurudwara were burnt down.  
with thanks : punjabnewsline : link above for detailed news.

Commission of Inquiry to probe 1984 killing of Sikhs in Haryana village

ROHTAK: Realising the gravity of the incident of carnage of Sikh families in a hamlet in Rewari district of Haryana as the state government has decided to institute a probe to retired judge of high court 27 years after the incident.

Haryana chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday announced that a commission of inquiry, consisting of Justice TP Garg, (retired), Judge of Punjab and Haryana high court, has been appointed for the purpose of making an inquiry into the killing of innocent Sikhs in Hond-Chillar village in district Rewari and damage caused to properties of Sikhs living there during the incidents of violence on November 2, 1984.

The incident occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi when an armed mob murdered about 32 persons and virtually wiped out entire hamlet. The incident was brought to light recently by a Sikh body after which various organizations including the SGPC raked up the issue and traced out the survivors of the incident. 

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Ardass Diwas held at Akal Takht for the first time in 26 years

Ardass Diwas was held at the Akal Takht here for the first time in 26 years on Friday to honour the more than 30 people who were killed Hond-Chillar village in Rewari District at the height of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
The event was organized and observed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak committee (SGPC).

with thanks : SIFY : link above for detailed news.


 SikhsIndia

Badal demands judicial probe into Hond Chillar killings

Panchkula, Mar 4 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today demanded a judicial probe into the killing of 32 Sikhs in a Haryana village during 1984 riots terming the incident as the result of a premeditated conspiracy.

Talking to reporters after participating in a collective prayer held at a gurdwara here in the memory of Sikhs killed at Hond Chillar village in Haryana''s Rewari district in the riots, Badal said the "heinous and unpardonable act was part of a premeditated conspiracy."

Demanding an inquiry into the incident by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister said it was needed to bring the guilty to book.

Accompanied by his Advisor Daljit Singh Cheema, Badal earlier attended Gurdwara Nada Sahib to take part in the collective Ardas ceremony in the memory of riot victims of Hond Chillar village.

Meanwhile, an Ardas was also organized at Akal Takht (the highest Sikh Temporal seat) for those killed during the riots in Hond Chillar village.

with thanks : MSN : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia

Sikhism of the Guru Granth

Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan is arranging Tenth Bhai Chanan SinghMemorial Lecture on Thursday, 10th March, 2011, at 5.00 P.M. in BhaiVir Singh Sahitya Sadan(Gole Market,New Delhi).

Prof. Imtiaz Ahmad of J.N.U. will speak on Sikhism of the Guru Granth.

Ambassador Bal Anand will preside over the lecture and Prof.Jai Rup Singh,Vice-Chancellor,Central University of Punjab,Bhatinda,will be the Guest of Honour.
All are invited to attend the lecture.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Telescopic darshan, till corridor to Pak gurdwara becomes a reality

Today, DSGMC and other Sikh bodies will install a telescope on the Indian side of the border, from where Dera Baba Nanak is 3 km away.
 
Even as India and Pakistan deliberate on a ‘corridor’ for Sikh pilgrims to pay obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, situated three kilometres away from the international border, Sikh bodies plan to install telescopes on the Indian side for a “darshan” of the shrine. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), with help from Baba Sewa Singh of Khadur Sahib, will take up the project. 

DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna claimed the necessary permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for installing such a facility at the sensitive border had been taken. 

Dera Baba Nanak is situated 3 kilometres away from the border, inside Pakistan. Separated from India after Partition, the gurdwara, where Guru Nanak spent his last days, attracts hundreds of pilgrims daily to the border from where the shrine is visible on a clear day. 

with thanks : Indian Express : link above for detailed news.

Helicopter to flag off Guru's gift

LUDHIANA: When residents of Dhandran village, located on the outskirts of Ludhiana, flag off `Baba', a horse that will be presented to 10th Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh,at Hazoor Sahib in Nanded on March 7, to atone for the refusal of their ancestors to help the Guru, they want everything to go right. 
 
with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.
 

Dal Khalsa to ask UN officials to investigate

AMRITSAR: The Sikh radical organization, Dal Khalsa, has decided to approach the New Delhi-based UN officials to urge them to send their team to Hondh Chillar village in Rewari district of Haryana for investigating the massacre of 32 innocent Sikhs on November 2, 1984.

Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said, "We will approach the UN officials in Delhi as the massacre at Hondh Chillar is a living testimony of the Sikh carnage executed under state patronage 26 years ago in Delhi and elsewhere."

He also slammed Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the delay in setting up a judicial commission to ascertain who ordered the killings of 32 Sikhs in Hondh Chillar. 
 
with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Alleged killing of Sikhs disrupts proceedings

Proceedings in Parliament were disrupted on Tuesday as both Houses were adjourned till noon when Opposition members vociferously demanded a probe into alleged massacre of Sikhs in Rewari district of Haryana during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, and into the alleged tapping of telephones of AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa. 

As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, members of the Akali Dal rushed into the well of the House demanding an inquiry into the “massacre.” 

Members of the Samajwadi Party (SP) raised slogans demanding a caste-based census, while Shiv Sena members were seen waving placards and demanding new trains in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra. 
 
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar first adjourned question hour till 11.15 a.m. and then till noon. When the House reconvened, she allowed the leaders of some parties to make their points. 

with thanks : thehindu : link above for detailed news.

U.S. court issues summons to Congress over anti-Sikh riots

 


A U.S. court has issued summons to the Congress party in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, acting on a Sikh group’s petition charging it with “conspiring, aiding and abetting” organised attacks on the community. 

A federal district court in New York issued summons to the party in a class action lawsuit filed by the organisation Sikhs for Justice, which has offices in New York and India. 

The Sikh group has charged the Congress with “conspiring, aiding, abetting and carrying out organised attacks on the Sikh population of India in November 1984”. 

The proceedings are still at the pre-trial stage in New York. 

Senior Congress leader and Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath is a defendant in the lawsuit. 

The complaint against Mr. Nath stated, “The defendant was seen and heard by many on the scene of Gurudwara Rakab Ganj (in New Delhi). In this particular incident, the defendant was leading and in control of a mob of about 4,000 people.” 

Mr. Nath has repeatedly denied any involvement and has been cleared by the Nanavati Inquiry Commission, which had described the Minister’s testimony as “vague” but concluded that there was no evidence that he had incited a mob. 

with thanks : thehindu : link above for detailed news.
SikhsIndia