India conveys concern to Pak over harassment of Sikhs

India conveys concern to Pak over harassment of Sikhs

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Taking serious note of Sikhs being driven away from their homes by Taliban in Pakistan's northwest region, India today conveyed its concerns to Islamabad over the treatment meted out to the minorities in that country.
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned a diplomat of Pakistan High Commission here to register its unhappiness over the development. Indian High Commission in Islamabad also conveyed similar views to Pakistan Foreign Office there.

"On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subjected to 'Jaziya' (taxes) and other such impositions, the government of India has taken up with Pakistan the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said here.

Reports from Aurakzai said Taliban had imposed 'Jaziya' (protection tax imposed on non-Muslims under Shariah law) and destroyed houses of 11 Sikh families who failed to pay the huge tax of Rs 50 million each till April 29 when the deadline expired.

Sources said India conveyed its concerns over the treatment meted out to Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region saying it was a "serious matter".

Pakistan government has the responsibility of ensuring safety and security of Sikhs who are a minority community in that country, they said. PTI

with thanks : source : PTI

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Gurbani anywhere

What is Gurbani Anywhere?

GA is a free to use Gurbani application, which has been designed using modern programming techniques to enable fast and efficient methods to search & display Gurbani, on a truly mobile platform.

The Present & future?
Initially we decided to launch GA on Windows Mobile as our target platform, and have now successfully released Version 2.0, which should hopefully keep all you Windows Mobile users happy for a while, especially as it now includes Bhai Gurdas Ji's Vaaran.

As we all know the variety of platforms vary from device to device, and not everyone will own a Windows Mobile device, we are now allocating more time and effort on developing versions for the following platforms:

Google Android
Symbian - This will support the majority of Nokia devices
Apple iphone & itouch

GA Windows Mobile Edition - Version 2.0 Release
Features:

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji
Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran
Baba Nand Lal Ji Kabits - Coming Soon!
Guru Granth Sahib Ji Word Dictionary & Meanings - Coming Soon!
Mahan Kosh - Coming Soon!
Search:

Auto search - automatically searches as you type
Manual search option - for less powerful devices
Multiple search methods
Random shabad option - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji only
Open Ang - Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji only
Sri Dasam Granth Sahib Ji Quicklist - index of paaths
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Quicklist - index of a few paaths
Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran Quicklist - index of vaars
User Interface:

Multiple tabbed view - able to view multiple shabad and ang.
Gurmukhi keyboard
Special functions:

Auto scroll - set auto scroll speed to scrolldown shabad.
Favorites - save your favorite shabads
Customize options
Search settings
Personalize text font, colour and size
Fixes: Keyboard display on devices with higher resolutions such as HTC Touch Pro fixed.

Thanks!
Notice: We are only human, so please forgive any mistakes, bugs or issues. We would greatfully appreciate all feedback to help improve mistakes and software bugs. Thank you!

with thanks : source : gurbanianywhere.com

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Taliban seize houses, shops of Sikhs in Orakzai

Taliban seize houses, shops of Sikhs in Orakzai

HANGU: Taliban on Wednesday forcibly occupied three houses and 10 trade centres belonging to Sikhs in Orakzai Agency for not paying jizia, a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic law. A few days ago, the local Taliban had asked Sikh families living in the agency to pay jizia amounting to Rs 50 million, which was later reduced to Rs 15 million after negotiations. They had set a deadline to pay the amount. Taliban occupied Sikhs houses and business centres in Samma Feroz Khel, Qasim Khel and Chirat areas after the deadline expired. Sources said the Taliban also burnt three trade centres belonging to the Sikh community. Around 15 Sikh families have left their ancestral villages and have taken refuge in Minni Khel area of the agency. staff report.

with thanks : source : http://www.dailytimes.com.pk

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PM no sikh says SGPC chief Makkar - Please mail your valued comments.

"You have read the detailed news PM No Sikh, says SGPC cheif Makkar" in our blog. Now we request you to mail us your most valued comments on this issue for uploading on our blog as well our sikh web portal.

Regards

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'Non-Sikh' PM comment has Punjab politics fired up

'Non-Sikh' PM comment has Punjab politics fired up


Chandigarh, April 28: What the Congress could not do in Punjab - making Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's credentials as the first Sikh PM an issue - the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the ruling Akali Dal have done.

Remarks by SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar at political rallies for the Akali Dal and alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that "Manmohan Singh is not a Sikh as he has done nothing for the community" have given a new direction to politics in the run-up to the two-phase poll on May 7 and 13 for Punjab's 13 Lok Sabha seats.

It has given the Congress a stick to beat the Akalis with and has put the Akali Dal on the defensive.

Makkar, who is best known in Punjab's political and religious circles as a mouthpiece of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal-dominated Akali Dal, heads the SGPC - the mini-parliament of Sikh religious affairs that manages Sikh shrines in the state.

As Makkar's remarks turned out to be immensely controversial, the SGPC president changed his stance from "PM is not a Sikh" to "PM is not a true (or good) Sikh".

Ironically, Makkar sat next to the prime minister when Manmohan Singh visited Amritsar's 'Harmandar Sahib' (popularly known as Golden Temple), the holiest of Sikh shrines, just a month ago for a thanksgiving prayer after a successful heart surgery.

Makkar remained seated next to the same "non-Sikh" for a good 30 minutes while the prime minister, with his eyes closed, listened to hymns and prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum.

"What sewa (service) has he done for Sikhi (Sikhism)? We don't want a Sikh PM like this. The list of Manmohan Singh's failures is long. From past experience, we would not like to have any Sikh on the top post as prime minister or president. Even Giani Zail Singh (India's first Sikh president) failed when it came to Sikh issues," Makkar reportedly said.

The outburst from Makkar came during rallies where he said that the prime minister failed to fulfil any of the 20 points raised by the SGPC.

The SGPC chief's remarks against Manmohan Singh's religious beliefs have not only given the Congress a handle to beat the Akalis with but have left the Akali Dal on the defensive.

Chief Minister Badal and Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal have refrained from supporting Makkar.

A calculated Badal senior said: "We don't want a Congress prime minister. It is a non-issue whether the PM is a Sikh or not. Our fight is political and not directed against any person. He (Manmohan Singh) is an honourable person. I have great regard for him."

Badal senior had got continuous prayers organised at the Golden Temple for the speedy recovery of the prime minister when he underwent heart surgery in New Delhi in January.

Sikh leader and SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta termed Makkar's remarks "politically immature".

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira called the outburst a "smear campaign". "He (Makkar) does not have a mind of his own and blindly follows the Akalis. Manmohan Singh's leadership is internationally acclaimed, even by President Barrack Obama," former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh said.

IANS

with thanks : http://www.zeenews.com/news527271.html

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Apply Gujarat riot case principle to Sikh riots case: PIL in SC

Apply Gujarat riot case principle to Sikh riots case: PIL in SC
29 Apr 2009, 0138 hrs IST, TNN

NEW DELHI: A day after Supreme Court directed a Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged role of chief minister Narendra Modi in the 2002
post-Godhra communal carnage, a PIL sought to draw a parallel between the Gujarat riots and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots seeking parallel treatment by the judiciary.

The petition filed by advocate M S Butalia said the Supreme Court has handled the Gujarat riot cases with singular motive to bring to book the alleged perpetrators of the mayhem and requested it to take up the hundreds of anti-Sikh riots cases pending in various courts for 25 years without there being any justice to the victims and their families.

The PIL, filed through advocate Harshvir Pratap Singh, was also categoric that pendency of the anti-Sikh riot cases for 25 years made a mockery of the criminal justice system that should equally protect the victims and the right of the accused for a speedy trial.

If the accused are guilty, they should be punished or else they be let off, the PIL said while seeking an independent probe into the anti-Sikh riot cases on the line similar to one being conducted by SIT under ex-CBI director R K Raghavan into the Gujarat riot cases.

Referring to the infamous Best Bakery case and the judgment in it, the PIL petitioner said the SC had laid down several guidelines regarding the trial, which was transferred to Mumbai, to be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Butalia in his petition pleaded that after a free and fair investigation into the anti-Sikh riot cases, the trial should be conducted by public prosecutors appointed in consultation with the families of the victims.

The Supreme Court had on Monday ordered a SIT probe into the alleged role of chief minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, BJP MLAs, VHP leaders including Praveen Togadia, and top police officials and bureaucrats on the basis of a complaint filed by Jakia Nasim Ahesan Jaffri, widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri who was killed by a rampaging mob at Gulbarg Society in 2002.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Apply-Gujarat-riot-case-principle-to-Sikh-riots-case-PIL-in-SC/articleshow/4460532.cms

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Silent vote that may tilt Punjab

Manish Tiwari, Hindustan Time
Bathinda, April 28, 2009

Dera Sacha Sauda extended its support to the Congress in the 2007 Assembly election. The Congress’ showing improved and it won 18 seats with the Dera’s help. The group has again come to haunt the ruling Akali Dal.

True that the Dera has run into trouble since that time. The Dera chief, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is caught in a controversy and is facing a CBI probe. But, still it still remains a major factor that could influence the poll outcome in the state.

The Dera, a centre for spiritual learning based in Sirsa, has a strong following among the farmers and dalits in the Malwa region of Punjab and parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal.

In 2007, the Akalis lost a majority of seats in the Malwa region, considered as its traditional stronghold. The shocker was due to Dera followers voting en-masse for the Congress. The Akalis haven’t forgotten or forgiven the Dera even as the region prepares for the May 7 ballot.

The Akalis are also a worried lot. Even SAD president and Punjab’s deputy CM Sukhbir Badal (47), who was perceived to be spearheading a campaign against the Dera, likes to avoid questions on the issue. “Please don’t ask me this question…it’s between the Dera and SGPC,” he says.

Akali's worries spring from their running animosity with the Dera, which has been at the receiving end of Sikh bodies after the sect chief allegedly imitated Guru Gobind Singh two years ago. After the controversy, the Dera followers — mostly dalits — were frequently attacked by Sikh groups, and subjected to humiliation and police action.

In Punjab, the followers have been keeping a grudge against the SAD-BJP government, especially Sukhbir Badal who is seen as spearheading a campaign against them.

But the “enraged” followers are unlikely to vote for the ruling party unless the Dera chief himself asks them to do so.

Politicians who are aware of the Dera influence have already started making a beeline at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. Among those who recently paid a visit to the Dera included former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Haryana minister Randeep Surjewala and CM Om Prakash Chautala’s son Abhay Chautala, besides some Lok Sabha candidates such as Congress nominee for Bathinda Raninder Singh, Sangrur Congress pick Vijay Inder Singla.


with thanks : source : www.hindustantimes.com

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Visually challenged Rashpal Kaur's Gatka Performance in Dance India Dance show

with thanks : source : amritsarovar.com & mrsikhnet.com

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Shoebite: PM feels the pinch at Gujarat rally

Shoebite: PM feels the pinch at Gujarat rally
27 Apr 2009, 0020 hrs IST, Leena Mishra, TNN

AHMEDABAD/SURAT: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday became the latest target of the now-popular political missile — the cross-trainer — flung this time by a 21-year-old computer engineering student, to mark Gujarat's first "shoe-bite" that came as the PM addressed a rally at the Sanskar Kendra grounds.

The shoe-thrower, identified by cops as Hitesh Chauhan, had failed his fourth semester in computer engineering from an institute in Gandhinagar and reportedly told the police that he had thrown the shoe for five minutes of fame. Cops said Chauhan was notorious on the campus for leading protests, joining inter-college clashes and has been booked once for cheating in an exam.

Later in the evening, BJP leader L K Advani, who's had footwear flung at him in Madhya Pradesh, was targeted again. An attempt by a bearded man to chuck his sandal at the NDA's prime ministerial candidate was thwarted by others who had come to hear him at a rally in Ahmedabad's Vyaswadi neighbourhood. No details were available about the would-be assailant who was whisked away by the police.

The shoe thrown at the PM landed some 30 feet from the high podium, causing a flutter in the crowd. Although he had no press credentials, Chauhan was sitting among the front rows of the media enclosure.

The shoe has steadily gained popularity as a political weapon since George W Bush ducked a pair at his last press conference as president in Baghdad. The contagion erupted in India with a Sikh reporter chucking his running shoe at home minister P Chidambaram to vent his ire over CBI giving a clean chit to Congress politician Jagdish Tytler, a suspect in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Others who have had footwear flying at them in recent weeks include BJP leader L K Advani and Congress MP Navin Jindal.

Singh, who was on this first visit to Gujarat to campaign this elections, was nonplussed and continued with his address. Police nabbed the boy and took him away to the Ellisbridge police station.

Chauhan apparently belongs to the BJP's youth wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad. The ABVP, however was quick to disown him and sent a rejoinder clarifying that he had nothing to do with them.

Although the Special Protection Group personnel accompanying the PM requested that the boy be set free, he was questioned to determine the real motive for the attack. He later told police that he was not happy with the schemes of the central government which had prompted the attack, but the police did not find that convincing.

In his speech, Singh launched a fresh assault on Advani. "By putting up huge advertisements with photographs, a leader did not become decisive and strong." He was affirming his stand against Advani's remark that Singh was a weak PM.

At Surat, Singh slammed Gujarat government's relief package for the diamond industry announced in March as an eyewash. "When Gujarat government can't help the diamond industry it has no right to talk about industrialisation," he said.

"BJP can only give you divisive politics. They promote communalism and insult Mahatma Gandhi and Gujarat. During the NDA rule, whatever happened in Gujarat in 2002 because of a few persons was against our culture and tradition," he said.

with thanks : Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Shoebite-PM-feels-the-pinch-at-Gujarat-rally/articleshow/4451332.cms

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At Amritsar, devotee takes Granth Sahib seat, detained

At Amritsar, devotee takes Granth Sahib seat, detained
27 Apr 2009, 0437 hrs IST, Yudhvir Rana, TNN


AMRITSAR: A regular visitor to the Golden Temple, who had been coming to the shrine for the last five years and offering sewa, surprised the
religious gathering there early Sunday when he jumped the brass barricades and took the holy Guru Granth Sahib seat.

"It happened at the sanctum sanctorum around 3am, just when the daily traditional rituals had been completed," an eyewitness told TOI. As startled devotees tried to pull him away, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force pounced on him. The young man, wearing a turban, tried holding on to the barricades, but was dragged away.

The police, who detained the youth, have identified him as Rajiv Kumar (21), of Amritsar's Golbagh area. They later took him to a hospital for treatment to the injuries he had sustained on his head and other body parts. An unemployed youth, he is the son of a BSNL employee originally from Himachal Pradesh.

Jasbir Singh, a devotee, said, "He kept telling the task force men that he had a dream in which Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh Guru, asked him to take the Granth Sahib seat. Such an incident is unheard of in the 16th century Sikh holy shrine. The security should be stepped up."

"It's an unfortunate incident," SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said. "The man appears to be mentally challenged. We'll tighten the security to prevent a repeat of this incident." He said SGPC will hold an inquiry into the incident and take action in case of any laxity on the part of the SGPC staff. Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, who is abroad, too, said an inquiry would be held.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Youth-defiles-Granth-Sahib/articleshow/4452900.cms

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Army tells Sikh officers to change appearance

Army tells Sikh officers to change appearance

By Tony Lombardo - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Apr 25, 2009 8:31:13 EDT

Torn between their Sikh faith and their military duty, two soldiers are fighting Army policy that requires them to shave their beards, cut their hair and remove their turbans.

“I don’t think it’s fair for anybody to ask me to choose between my religion and my country,” Capt. Kamaljeet Kalsi said. “Shaving my beard and taking off my turban — these are part of my body. It’s part of my being.”

Kalsi, a doctor trained in emergency medicine, and 2nd Lt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, were first recruited for the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. Kalsi said the recruiters with the Army Medical Corps gave assurances that wearing a beard and turban — mandatory articles of the Sikh faith — would not be a problem. And during several years of graduate school and medical training, Kalsi and Rattan both said their beards and turbans drew no concerns.

Now facing active duty in July, Kalsi and Rattan said their superiors are no longer accepting of their religious accommodations. As a result, the soldiers, through a civil rights group called the Sikh Coalition, recently filed formal complaints with the Army Inspector General’s Office and the Defense Department.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nathan Banks, in a prepared statement, said that while the Army places a “high value” on religious freedoms, special exceptions to regulation are not guaranteed.

“There are times when the Army cannot accommodate for religious reasons, such as when those religious observations would interfere with the wear of proper military headgear or protective clothing or equipment,” Banks said.

Kalsi, a 32-year-old New Jersey native, said he represents the fourth generation of military service in his family. He hopes his 3-month-old son, Kabir, will represent the fifth.

“This is a struggle for acceptance for our community,” Kalsi said. “The greatest nation in the world, the United States, is so diverse. We’re at the forefront of freedom throughout the world, and yet we have an army that doesn’t accurately reflect the diversity of its people.”

with thanks : source : http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/04/army_sikhs_042509w/

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