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In the wake of Delhi Lieutenant Governor's Office granting sanction to CBI for prosecution of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, BJP on Thursday asked why Jagdish Tytler was being "spared" and demanded time-bound trial against the accused.
"What about Jagdish Tytler (another Congress leader accused in the riots)? Why is he not being prosecuted? And why was there so much delay?" BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said reacting to the Lt Governor's move.
Both Kumar and Tytler were earlier accused of encouraging mobs to attacks Sikhs after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by her bodyguards.
CBI had filed a closure report in court in connection with Tytler's case, saying that no evidence was found against him.
"The people of India want justice in the heinous crimes committed against innocent Sikhs who were killed and had to face atrocities. The guilty should be prosecuted immediately and in a time-bound trial," Prasad said.
Tytler and Kumar were given tickets in the last general elections by the Congress but the party had to change its decision after a public outcry. Sajjan Kumar was replaced by his brother Ramesh Kumar as the candidate for South Delhi. J P Aggarwal got the ticket from North-East Delhi in place of Tytler.
With thanks : Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/Why-is-Tytler-being-spared-in-1984-riots-asks-BJP/492487/H1-Article1-492503.aspx
Nudged by Home Minister P Chidambaram to expedite sanction of prosecution against the accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Lieutenant-Governor Tejendra Khanna has set the ball rolling to begin judicial proceedings against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.
Khanna is understood to have accorded sanction on Wednesday for prosecuting Kumar for spreading enmity between two communities.
The CBI had asked for prosecution sanction for four cases of rioting in Sultanpuri and Mongolpuri on November1, 1984.
The CBI had registered the case against Kumar after the G.T. Nanavati Commission report of February 2005, which called for fresh examination of complaints where he had been named but no chargesheet was filed.
Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, “Law will take its own course. Congress does not interfere in legal matters.”
With thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/india/CBI-gets-nod-to-prosecute-Sajjan-Kumar-in-84-anti-Sikh-riots-cases/Article1-492487.aspx
New Delh: An “insane” cop, who turned Ram to Ravan within minutes and shot dead six members of the Sikh community at a police station during the 1984 riots, was given life by the Allahabad high court recently.
The court upheld a trial court judgment delivered two years ago on July 30, saying Tilak Ram acted out of rage, not insanity, as claimed.
A group of Sikhs running from a blood-thirsty mob near Meerut had sought refuge at a police station where Ram was posted 25 years ago, at about 3.50 am on November 5, 1984. His job was to protect the community under fire after the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi. But in the heat of the moment, Ram snatched a rifle from one of his colleagues, loaded it and fire at the group, killing six and injuring three.
After emptying the rifle, his defence was that he was overpowered by a deity. He said he was mentally unstable and had suffered a schizophrenic attack. Justices Rakesh Tiwari and AK Roopanwal said the unrepentant Ram indeed acted in an insane manner just as thousands of others across the country did during the anti-Sikh riots and scrapped his appeal against the trial court judgment delivered after almost a 22-year-long trial.
Ram acted out of anger, not insanity, the judges said, adding that it was cold-blooded execution of Sikhs who had taken shelter in police station.
It was an ugly expression of communal hatred against Sikhs who were being held responsible for the “treacherous” murder of the then PM of India, “undoubtedly, a tall and widely-popular political personality adorned by millions”.
Cop Ram’s act was not a “sequestered, isolated or unconnected incident having no nexus with the social and political atmosphere around”.
“Instead, it was a just another instance of Sikh killing, the like of which had happened and were happening at that time all over the country. It was not a schizophrenic act. It was, in fact, an act which had direct bearing with assassination of the late Mrs Indira Gandhi and its aftermath communal outrage [sic],” the court said.
Thousands of people who indulged in large-scale arson, loot and murder of Sikhs at that time did not suffer from schizophrenia or any other mental ailment, which may be termed legal insanity, HC said, adding that their insanity was only in the figurative sense of the term and denoted a highly-irrational behaviour.
with thanks : source : http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_mad-cop-gets-life-for-killing-6-during-anti-sikh-riots_1329254
Apparently buying more time on the controversy, the Sikh clergy on Wednesday adopted changes in the Nanakshahi calendar but shied away from announcing these. The five high priests referred the draft containing the amendments to the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for a final decision.
The move is unprecedented as the Akal Takht is considered supreme in taking decisions relating to religious issues.
After a marathon meeting, the five Sikh high priests said they has adopted "certain changes". "We are not making any announcements on what are the changes introduced. The same are being sent to the SGPC executive body, which would consider and take a final decision. The announcement would then be made from the Takht," said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Panthic leaders said that the move was aimed at buying more time to allow the dust to settle on the issue. Giani Gurbachan Singh admitted that it was difficult for the clergy too to reach a consensus.
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PHAGWARA: Former Jathedar of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib Prof Darshan Singh reiterated his stand that neither he will appear before Singh Sahiban on January 7,nor will obey any “Tankhaa” religious punishment in the ongoing controversy on “Dasham Granth”.
Talking to newsmen after participating in a reigeous congregation organized by Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sports & Welfare Society at nearby village Palahai on Tuesday evening, he alleged that SAD was playing in the hands of RSS and went on dividing the panth due to their hatred politics.
Former Jathedar alleged that Jathedars of some Takhats including Shri Akal Takhat Sahib, and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee were playing in the hands of the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Badal Family, and Singh Sahibans were holding their meetings and decisions in closed doors rooms while according to sikh religious traditions, all religious issues brought before Shri Akal Takhat should be heard and decide in the presence of Sikh Sangats openly.
Replying a question, Prof Darshan Singh again alleged that some Anti-Panth elements were actively working to divide the Sikh Panth under the cover of reviving the controversy on Dasham Granth, which was untolerable.He said that “Dasham Granth” was not exclusively written by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj,while several objectionable literature was added in the Granth.
Prof Darshan Singh said a panel of Intellectuals should be formed to analyse and examine the Dasham Granth. He dared to challenge Akal Takhat Sahib present Jathedar to openly participate a “Debate on the Issue” before electronic media to bring the truth as healthy debate could be useful to reach upto the real situation.
He alleged that politicalisation of Religeon was being done by Badal family which would be most harmful for the Sikh Quam. He strongly advocated present Nanak Shahi Calender and opposed the move of any amendment in it, but alleged that Badal& Co were becoming tool in the hands of RSS and other Hindu Fundamentalists which were unnecessarily intervening in the internal matters of Sikhs.
He alleged that Badal family promoted “Dera Culture” only to strengthen their vote banks without bothering the interests of Sikhs.
When asked about elections of SGPC, Prof Darshan Singh said every Sikh obeying complete Maryada of the Panth should be allowed to participate in SGPC elections.
He however also alleged that Badals had remained fail to bring Anand Karaj act to make the Sikhs able to solemnize their marriages according to Sikh traditions.Former Head Granthi of Takhat Shri Keshgarh Sahib Bhai Ranjodh Singh, Organiser Sat Parkash were also present on the occasion.
with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/22214/38/
Hardeep Singh, an artist in Amritsar, has drafted Gurbani in calligraphy.
He said he undertook the work because he had not seen anybody doing it before.
"It has been almost a year. The response has been great. Calligraphy means beautiful writing. The art originated in England. I have not seen anybody drafting Gurbani in calligraphy that is why I decided to undertake it," said Hardeep Singh.
His father, Surindra Singh, himself a collector of art antiques, is helping him with his new venture.
"We have preserved invaluable pieces of art. Though it is the duty of the government to preserve it. We also have some illustrated materials. If government wants I can give it to them," said Surindra Singh.
Hardeep Singh is a computer teacher by profession, but an artist by heart. He prints the borderline of the page on computer and writes the verses of Gurbani with his hands.
Infatuated by colours since childhood, this young artist has graduated to rewriting the Gurbani of Guru Granth Sahib in calligraphy style, following the century-old fashion of drafting. Meet Hardeep Singh – MCA degree holder and computer teacher by profession but an artist by heart, who creating superbly illustrated Gurbani. Since, he easily relates with colours, thanks to his interest in painting, his work is a class apart when it comes to choosing colour combination for the sheets.
The great grandson of Bhai Gian Singh Naqqash, who has worked on a portion in the sanctum sanctorum just above Har ki Pauri in the Golden Temple, Hardeep is busy preserving the invaluable artwork of his father, grandfather and great grandfather in digital format. He has also set up a website of the family listing its contribution to the field of art.
Colours at work
Detailing his style of work, Hardeep says, “I have been using handmade paper for writing scripts. We design borders on computers and print them on sheets. Later, colours are filled in the borders.” After filling the colours, he writes the text with pencil over which he calligraphs the letters using a special pen.
Hardeep uses acrylic colours.“Of these, for the golden colour, we grind 24-karat gold sheets and make them into powder. The powder is then mixed with gum so that it adheres to the paper,” he says. For writing the text, Hardeep uses indelible ink, which does not fade.
The sheets that have the Gurbani script, have intricately designed borders with serene colour combinations. “I have, so far, used golden, purple, green, brown for borders while black, brown, red and green colours have been used for the text,” Hardeep said.
The artist’s future plans
“I want to write the entire Guru Granth Sahib. Along with that, I also want to draft the Hindi version of Guru Granth Sahib and other slokas of Hindi manu scripts,” Hardeep said.The Guru Granth Sahib will require at least 1,400 sheets, he says.
Admirers all over
Examples of Hardeep’s calligraphed Gurbani are touring worldwide. “Sikh living abroad,who are aware of this practice, have taken some sheets with them,” Hardeep said adding that his sheets have gone to USA, Canada, UK, England and different parts of India.
“We had a professor from Japan visiting us some timeback who taught Punjabi at Japan University. He also took away two sheets for display purpose,”Hardeep said.
Regarding the cost of each sheet, Hardeep smiles, “It’s priceless. We don’t ask for money. It depends on the person who is taking it. What ever he gives, we accept.” For preparing each sheet, Hardeep takes 3-4 days. “It requires a lot of concentration for making borders, filling colours in them and calligraphing the verse. If there is even a single mistake, we have to throw away the entire sheet, ”the artist said. He covers the sheets in plastic or frames it on demand.
Call to SGPC
Hardeep’s family has requested pious Sikhs to keep nicely framed verses of Gurbani in their houses. “Instead of keeping pictures, Gurbani can be framed and displayed at homes. Moreover, bodies like Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committe (SGPC) should encourage calligraphy of Gurbani . They should allow calligraphed birs to be printed.
Sensing the divide over the issue of changes in the Nanakshahi calendar, the Sikh high priests today deferred the decision in the matter till Wednesday.
The Sikh clergy failed to reach any conclusion after the meeting as there was strong opposition from the Takht Damdamma Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, against any change in the calendar.
Other than this, frequent “secret visits” by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee officials Roop Singh and Ram Singh to the jathedars while the meeting was in progress also raised many eyebrows.
The jathedars later announced that they will meet again on Wednesday as there was no consensus on the issue in today’s meeting.
Jathedar Nandgarh also raised a point that the SGPC General House had passed the adoption of the calendar in 2003 and a decision regarding any change can be taken by the House only and not SGPC chief. He also sought detailed discussion between Damdami Taksal head and chief of Sant Samaj Harnam Singh Khalsa and US-based Sikh scholar Pal Singh Purewal, who prepared the calendar.
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One of the spots in Malaysia that has a significant population of Sikhs is Labuan. When I visited the island, I found a book titled "Sikhs in Saban and Labuan - A historical perspective", authored by Surjit Singh Gill.
The book begins with an introduction to Sikhism and Guru Nanak's teachings. And then it details the history of Sikhs in Sabah and Labuan. Sikhs form a minority in the population. The book says Sikhs have made contributions in areas such as defence, law and order and served in the public sector.
According to the book, the first Sikh to set fooot on the island was Bhagat Singh Sandhu who reached Labuan to join the coal company security service as early as 1868. He was only 20-years old. He was paid Rm 5, which was considered a handsome amount in those days. In fact, Bhagat Singh is remembered by a monument along the old Macarther Road.
A significant contributor in the life history of Labuan was Gurbux Singh Sandhu (a Punjab-born man who arrived in Labuan in 1923). He was the founding president of the Indian Association of North Borneo, Labuan, formed in 1936. He served as a honorary Inspector on the Police Force. The book laments the fact that the younger generation of Sikhs are losing touch with their religion and the mores of Sikhism.
Many young Sikhs cannot read or write Punjabi language in which the divine philosphy is written and spoken. The book urges the present generation to "remember their historical past ... and maintain identity in the volatile world order."
When I was in Labuan, I found a Gurdwara in a prestigious area in town. The book says that the gurdwara was built in the year 2000 at a cost of Rm 1.6 million.
I began talking to some Sikhs in Labuan and asked them about life on the island.
Manjit Kaur, working at Rent-a-Car, loves it here.
"It's a peaceful island," she says. "I have lived in Kuala Lumpur ("KL")... but I moved here to bring up my daughters. You get quality time to spend with your children. Half your life is not spent in driving - I can't say the same about KL," she says.
Manjit Kaur introduced me to the Secretary of the Gurdwara, Sital Singh. He describes a typical day in Labuan: "Life begins early. At 7.30 a.m. all shops are open. Between 8 and 8.30 Government, Public Works and Immigration Offices open. The working day continues till 4.30 pm., after which people begin to wind up their day. I personally wind up my business at around 7.30 p.m."
"Labuan has religious institutions of all faiths: there are Masjids, Churches, Chinese Temples, a hindu temple and our very own Gurdwara," he says. But there is complete religious freedom, and each one is free to practice his or her own faith.
Sital Singh wouldn't move anywhere else in the world for anything. "I have visited the U.S. , Canada, India, Singapore and Australia. But nowhere in the world is life as stress-free, quiet and peaceful as it is here."
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