Not yet subscribed SikhsIndia ?

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Delhi HC to hear 35 Sikh riots cases on Wednesday

Abhinav Garg, TNN 6 January 2010, 02:00am IST

NEW DELHI: Thirty five cases from the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 are likely to be taken up by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, when it re-opens after the winter vacations.

It will be a rare instance that two of the Delhi High Court benches will be dealing with such a huge number of cases relating to the riots on the same day. This also includes appeals directed against former Union minister and Congress Party MP Sajjan Kumar (the CBI recently received sanction to prosecute him in a riot case), since he was acquitted by the trial court.

The investigating agency had sought sanction from the home ministry to prosecute Kumar under Section 253 of the IPC for his involvement in a riot case. Additional Solicitor General Amarjit Singh Chandhioke is going to be fielded by the CBI to argue its case against Kumar.

Interestingly, many of the cases coming up for hearing Wednesday are also going to be appeals filed by those convicted for their role in the arson and pillage during the three-day frenzy. Still others are revisions filed by the victims or their kin, challenging the acquittal or lighter punishment imposed on the accused.

For instance, in one of the cases, 107 persons had been arrested in 1984 by cops after they reached the scene of the carnage where 95 dead bodies were recovered from amidst burnt houses.

After a long-winding trial, a Delhi court convicted 93 of the accused for violating curfew orders, unlawful assembly, loot and arson in 1996. Since then, most of them filed their appeals before the HC, which have now come up for hearing.

Senior advocate H S Phoolka said he is hopeful that 25 years after the tragedy, justice for the victims will finally be fast tracked come Wednesday. "For the past 25 years, I haven't seen a more conducive atmosphere in the highest quarters of the government," he said.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Delhi-HC-to-hear-35-Sikh-riots-cases-on-Wednesday/articleshow/5414720.cms

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

'The mob jeered, I begged but no heart melted'

Yudhvir Rana, TNN 6 January 2010, 05:59am IST

AMRITSAR: “The room was splattered with red blood after they killed my husband. When my son tried to run to safety, the assailants caught hold of him and burnt him alive near my house — right there, in front of my eyes,” Jagdish Kaur gesticulated vaguely, her voice shaking with pent up rage as hot tears rolling down her face.

Wife of Kehar Singh, a civil engineer in the Army, she recalled how she had cradled her dying 18-year-old son Gurpreet, who was a first year BSc student of Venkatashwera College, in her arms and begged the blood-thirsty mob to stop jeering and give her some water to put in his mouth. No heart had melted, she said.

“On November 2, a day after my son and my husband were killed and policemen refused to file even a complaint, a well-wisher informed me that ‘MP Sahib is holding a meeting in nearby Manglapuri’ and that I could take his help to get a police complaint filed. When I reached there, I heard Sajjan Kumar saying ‘Ek bhi Sikh bachna nahin chahiye. Jo Hindu bhi Sikh ko chupayega, uska ghar bhi jala do’. I rushed back without meeting him,” she said.

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/The-mob-jeered-I-begged-but-no-heart-melted/articleshow/5415055.cms

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Guru Gobind Singh : An Apostle of Miri –Piri: Temporal & Spiritual Powers

During the end of sixteen century ,Guru Gobind Singh(tenth sikh Guru),became a unique embodiment of the principal of Miri & Piri.In his literary works, wherein,the Guru spoke of the need for spiritual elevation of his disciples ,he also exhorted them to become warriors always ready to die fighting for the just cause.The Guru was sure that temporal power was essential to protect the dharma & to put an end to the evil doers.Therefore,establishing the way of dharma,signifies Piri and the desire to destroy the evil, signifies the Miri aspect of his personality & mission.

In the founding of the khalsa Panth in 1699, with the clear objective of fighting against injustice & oppression of Muslim Tyranny,he invoked the spirit of Miri-Piri in Sikhs.He built four fortress ,Anandgarh,Lohgarh,Keshgarh and Holgarh at Anandpur.He organised the Khalsa army and himself assumed the command of it.

He laid down the Rahit- the code of conduct – of the five symbols for the khalsa .Each symbol is related either to Miri or Piri, Shakti or Bhakti. Kesh (unshorn hair) stand for Piri,it is an ancient symbol of Rishis(God men). Kangha (comb) is also a symbol of Piri as cleanliness is next to God. Kachh(underwear) is also a symbol of Piri,of self –restraint or moderation in sex, Kara(iron bangle) is a symbol of Miri,of the iron will ,the steel which will crush the enemies of the good.Kirpan(sword),an obvious symbol of Miri, stands for fearlessness and the enthusiasm for holy war—dharam yudh.

Guru Gobind singh ideal of Dharam-yudh was neither vitiated by any ambition or desire to create a theocratic state or kingdom for himself ,nor did he commit any aggression or begin a fight for personal glory.He denounced the tendencies of those who worshipped and treated him as an incarnation of God.In Bachitar Natak,he says:

Whoever calls me the supreme Being
Shall suffer in hell,
Recognise me as God’s servant only;
Have no doubt whatever about this.

He laid down the twin-ideal of Degh(free kitchen) & Tegh (sword) for the Khalsa which also represents the Sikh ideal of Miri & Piri.

The Guru preached that in order to safeguard their spiritual and temporal rights, the people should not be fatalist and should be self confident.In Krishan Avtar.he says:

No people can have self-rule as a gift from another.It is to be seized through their own strength.

The concept of Sant-Sipahi (saint-soldier),which is a corollary of the ideal of Miri-Piri,is elaborated by Guru Gobind singh ,in Krishna Avtar, in the following words:

Blesssed are they in this world ,who repeat God’s name with their lips and think of a war in their heart’.

Another important characteristic of Miri is the sword which holds a place of honour in the tenth Guru’s life and philosophy.However,its use was restricted to times of emergency and to the purpose of defence and not of offence.

The process of institutionalisation of the temporal power reached its culmination when before his death he bestowed the spiritual sovereignty(Guruship) on the Adi Granth on the one hand & invested the Panth with the temporal sovereignty on the other,thus,transforming it into khalsa Panth.Contrary to Divine Rights theory,Guru Gobind Singh acknowledges the democratic springs of the temporal power,including the state authority.This is how he corresponds to the correlation of Miri & Piri.

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur

1984 riot victims to get compensation

Anti-Sikh riot victims have reason to cheer as their long pending demand of getting financial assistance was met during the public hearing session held on Monday.

General S F Rodrigues (Retd) directed officials of the UT Administration to disburse grants in all the 92 cases, which have been cleared in scrutiny.

The announcement was made in response to a complaint filed by a riot victim.

Finance Secretary Sanjay Kumar was asked to expedite the disbursement.

with thanks : source : http://www.indianexpress.com/news/1984-riot-victims-to-get-compensation/563453

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Akal Takht Jathedar ratifies SGPC decision on Sikh calendar

WSN Bureau

AMRITSAR: In a move that will open a Pandora’s box for the Sikh nation, Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib has ratified the decision of the SGPC to dilute the Sikh almanac –the Nanakshahi Calendar. What will come as a shock to the Sikh world is that the provost of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs put his seal on the suggestions of the SGPC at 2.10 pm today, without calling a meet of the Jathedars of the five Takhts, as is the customary decision to do so, but arranged for a quorum by inviting four Granthis of Darbar Sahib to endorse the decision.

Though this was quiet expected from the turn of events in the last few weeks, that the Jathedar too would do it with such alacrity to ditto the decision flouting age-old norms has come in for a lot of criticism from Panthic organisations who are gearing up for the next round of confrontation with the SGPC on this issue.

SikhsIndia

www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com www.rwabhagidari.blogspot.com

MBE for Sikh police officer

A Sikh woman who has served as a Police Constable for South Yorkshire Police for over 14 years, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honors list.

PC Surinder Kaur Dev is predominantly leading the way in working with minority communities in her current role as a Diversity Recruitment Officer.

Deputy Chief Constable Bob Dyson said: “Sarinder is innovative in her commitment to improving the diversity of the policing family and community relations. Her work has attracted national recognition and has improved community relations and cultural understanding.

“Sarinder has designed images that are successful in attracting women and minorities into the police service and these have been adopted by the Home Office.

“She is very modest and never seeking attention for herself. Sarinder is a very valuable member of the local community, and an excellent ambassador for SYP.”

One of her projects involved taking local young people and officers to India to celebrate diversity and at the same time, raising funds for an abandoned child charity project – the Unique Home – in Jalundhar, Punjab.

Over the last few years Sarinder has organised Bollywood events to raise money for a children’s charity in India, with famous dignitaries including Shatrughan Sinha, and this year, representatives from the Indian High Commission, Mr Jitendra Kumar. Guests were from different backgrounds and the event enhanced cultural awareness across communities in South Yorkshire.

PC Dev initiated an Inspiring Youth Award to encourage young people from minority ethnic communities to achieve their potential. She secured local sponsorship and the support of successful minority ethnic personalities, including former World Boxing Champion, Jonny Nelson, as inspirational role models.

Sarinder received a special commendation from the National Graduate Recruitment Awards for her outstanding contribution to diversity in recruitment. Sarinder organised the Black Minority Ethnic Women Recruitment Conference in Sheffield, which led to Sarinder doing a presentation in London at a national event to representatives from 43 forces.

PC Sarinder Kaur Dev said: “I am absolutely delighted to be honoured with an MBE. It is by far my biggest achievement and I am very proud, and I hope this can offer some inspiration to other Sikh women in their own professions.” Sarinder was the only officer in South Yorkshire Police to be recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours list, and will recieve the award for services to the police.

http://www.emgonline.co.uk/news.php?news=8422

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Punjab govt released holiday calendar for 2010-11

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government Friday released a list of 33 holidays for 2010. The government will also observe 18 restricted holidays from which each employee can choose two days to observe as holidays.

Public Offices will remain closed for Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday (January 5); Basant Panchmi and Satguru Ram Singh’s birthday (January 20); Republic Day (January 26); Sri Guru Ravidas’s birthday (January 30); Maha Shivaratri (February 12); Holi (February 28); Shahidi Divas of Bhagat Singh (March 23); Ram Navami (March 24); Mahavir Jayanti (March 28); Good Friday (April 02); Baisakhi and Dr. B.R.Ambedkar’s Birthday (April 14) ;May Day (May 1); Parshuram Jayanti (May 16); Guru Arjun Dev’s Martyrdom day (June 16); Kabir Jayanti (June 26); Shahid Udham Singh’s martyrdom day (July 31); Independence Day (August 15); Janamashtami (Sptember 2); Id-ul-Fitr (September 11); Baba Sri Chand’s birthday (September 16); Birthday of S. Bhagat Singh Ji (September 28); Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (October 2); Agarsain Jayanti ( October 8); Birthday of Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (October 9);Dussehra (October 17); Maharish Valmiki’s birthday (October 22); Diwali (November 5); Vishwakarma day (November 6); Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (November 17); Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday (November 21); Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day (November 24); and Christmas (December 25).

New Year Day (January 1); Lohri (January 13); Nirwan Diwas of Bhagwan Adinath Ji (January 14); Id-e-Milad (February 27); Hola Mohalla (March 1); International Women Day (March 8); Buddh Purnima (May 27); Nirjala Ekadashi (June 22); Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji (June 29); Birthday of Baba Jiwan Singh Ji (September 5); Anant Chaturdashi (September 22); Birthday of Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur (October 16); Karva Chauth (October 26); Birthday of Sant Nam Dev Ji (October 26); New Punjab Day (November 1); Goverdhan Pooja (November 6) Muharram (December 17) and Jor Mela Fatehgarh Sahib (December 24,25 and 26) are restricted holidays in the Calendary, 2010.

Public Holidays in the State of Punjab during the Calendar year 2010 within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 are Birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (January 5); Republic Day (January 26); Birthday of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji (January 30); Holi (February 28); Ram Naumi (March 24); Bank Holiday (April 1); Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji (June 16); Independence Day (August 15); Janmashtami (September 2); Idu'I Fitr (September 11); Bank Holiday (September 30); Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi Ji (October 2); Dussehra (October 17); Birthday of Maharishi Valmiki Ji (October 22); Diwali (November 5); Dirthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (November 21) and Christmas day (December 25).

thanks : punjabnewsline

SikhsIndia

www.sohnijodi.com www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

SGPC executive approves amendment in Nanakshahi

Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) today gave approval to bring in amendments in the 'Nanak Shahi' Calendar, used by the Sikh community, at a meeting here amid chaos.

However, three out of 15 executive members -- Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, Karnail Singh Panjoli and Bibi Ravinder Kaur from Haryana -- boycotted the meeting held at Teja Singh Samundri Hall here as they were opposed to the amendment.

Last week, the Akal Takht, highest Sikh temporal seat, had sent its proposals to SGPC, considered the mini-parliament of Sikhs, to discuss the necessary steps to make amendments in the calendar.

SGPC Chief Avtar Singh said after the amendments, from now onwards all religious occasions like birth and death anniversaries of Sikh Gurus (masters) would be followed as per 'general' calendars.

Earlier the dates of the religious occasions as per the 'Nanak Shahi' Calendar, followed by the community since 2003, were not matching with the general calenders.

"Now Nanak Shahi Calendar along with the amendments will be again sent to Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh for final approval," he said.

Sources at Akal Takht said that Jatehdar was empowered to issue final edict for Sikh community to follow the Nanak Shahi Calendar with new amendments.

PTI

with thanks : source : PTI & http://www.zeenews.com/news592421.html

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

New president of Pakistan Gurdwara Committee elected

PTI

LAHORE: Sardar Sham Singh has been elected as the new president of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC), when polls to the body were held after a gap of three years.

Sardar Taru Singh and Sardar Saab Singh were elected his deputies from the country's four provinces.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which looks after the shrines and properties of minority communities, held the elections for the first time in three years on the directives of the federal government.

Board chairman Syed Asif Hashmi told a news conference that the PGPC will be responsible for all matters related to gurdwaras across Pakistan.

The PGPC will be an independent body and the board will not intervene in its affairs, he said.

The revival of the PGPC will help strengthen relations between Sikhs and the majority Muslim community, Hashmi said.

Sardar Sham Singh and his deputies welcomed the government's decision to hold the elections, and vowed to work for the welfare of the Sikh minority and the upkeep of their shrines in Pakistan.

The last elected president of committee was Sardar Mastan Singh, who held the post till 2006. After his removal from office on charges of embezzling funds of the committee, the board had been reluctant to hold fresh elections to the body.

There are about 25,000 Sikhs living in different parts of Pakistan, including the militancy-hit northwest and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

with thanks : source : http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_new-president-of-pakistan-gurdwara-committee-elected_1330081

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

Knighthood for UK’s first Sikh judge

Mota Singh, who is the UK's first Sikh and Asian judge, has been knighted by the British Queen. London-based Singh, who is also a Queen's Counsel, has been knighted in the Queen's New Year Honors List for "services to the Administration of Justice, Community Relations and to the Voluntary Sector".

with thanks source : http://birlaa.com/news/knighthood-for-uks-first-sikh-judge/13036

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com