Wednesday, June 16, 2010

405th martyrdom day of Sikh Guru Shri Arjun Dev ji being observed today

The 405th martyrdom day of the fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Arjun Dev ji is being observed today with great devotion. It was on this day in 1606 AD that the Guru ji was tortured to death at Lahore in Pakistan during the reign of Mugal Emperor Jahangir.

The contributions of Shri Guru Arjun Dev ji included the reediting and compilation of the present Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and the construction of the holiest of the holy places, Shri Harminder Sahib ji in Amritsar.

SikhsIndia

Monday, June 14, 2010

Flung my shoe to protest PC’s remarks: Jarnail

CHENNAI: Jarnail Singh, the scribe who flung his shoe at Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for his remarks on anti-Sikh riots was welcomed like a hero by the Sikh community here on Sunday.

Jarnail released his book I Accuse on anti-Sikh riots.

Admirers of Jarnail from the Sikh community, who gathered in large numbers for a signed copy of the book reflected similar anguish and dissatisfaction over justice being delayed in anti-Sikh riots.

“This is what my shoe throwing act has done to me”, says Jarnail, pointing to the crowd waiting to talk to him. “The younger generations of Sikh community are getting aware of the injustice that had been meted out to their ancestors. I have been able to keep the demand for justice alive with my act. I am proud of its output. Only regret is that I lost my position as a journalist”, he said in a chat with Express after the book release.

“My act was only a symbol of anguish and protest as an individual against delayed justice by the State. It was not a personal attack on Chidambaram,” says the journalist-turned-author. “Though Chidambaram is a sensible leader who minces no words, he failed to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community at the press meet. Even while an entire community was denied justice for more than two decades, Chidambaram was expressing joy over the clean chit given to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler,” he recalled his act.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

With thanks : source : expressbuzz

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Pak Rangers to protect 300 Indian Sikhs

Paramilitary Pakistan Rangers have been deployed to protect about 300 Indian Sikhs who will participate in the Jore Mela at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.

The Indian Sikhs, who arrived in Pakistan over the past few days, have travelled to Gurdawa Punja Sahib at Hasanabdal near Rawalpindi.

They will reach Lahore on Monday to take part in the three-day festival.

"Keeping in view the law and order situation, we have deployed Pakistan Rangers and police for the security of the visiting yatris," Syed Asif Hashmi, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board that organises such pilgrimages, told PTI.

After the recent attack on the minority Ahmedi community in Lahore that left 95 people dead, the government has beefed up security at all places of worship of minority communities.

"We have not only taken measures for the security of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from abroad but also enhanced security for locals," Hashmi said.

No leniency could be afforded in this matter, he said.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times

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SGPC voter forms have caste column

JALANDHAR: A few days after SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar exhorted Sikhs not to mention their caste during the census as the same was against Sikh ideology, it has come to light that voter forms published for SGPC elections have a column for specifying whether a person belongs to any scheduled caste.

Meanwhile, conditions prescribed in the forms for voters are being termed incomplete by Sikh leaders, who are holding that some crucial lacunae have been left out, which could be exploited by vested interests who do not completely follow the definition of a “Sikh” as mentioned in Sikh Rehat Maryada.

The voter form published by the Gurdwara Election Commission says at the end that a voter from scheduled castes should specifically mention whether he is an SC as prescribed by Article 341 of the Constitution.

“This is against Sikh principles and is not required at all,” said Manjit Singh Calcutta, former secretary general of SGPC, who has written to chief commissioner, gurdwara elections, seeking clarifications on these issues. “Any enumeration on the basis of caste is taboo in the Sikh panth. The rights of the weaker and backward sections of society are completely protected in the Sikh Gurdwara Act by provision of reserved seats. Any enumeration of votes on the basis of Manu’s caste system is anathema in the Sikh religion,” he said, demanding withdrawal of voter forms that were violative of Sikh ideology.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Times of India

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Cossie club votes to keep ban on turbans







A Cosmopolitan Club embroiled in controversy after barring a turban-wearing community leader from its premises has voted not to change its entry rules about headwear.

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club's annual general meeting yesterday voted to keep the club's headwear policy - which bans entry to all people with headgear, including those wearing it for religious reasons.

The Herald understands from club members at the meeting that the rules were relaxed to allow headgear that is worn for "health reasons", such as a bandage or a bandanna used by a cancer patient.

Club manager Patricia Rangi did not want to comment yesterday, but said through a spokesman that the club would issue a statement today.

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club, in Manukau City, faced strong criticism from the Sikh community last year after it banned leader Karnail Singh from entering to attend a function held in his honour.

The matter was taken to the Human Rights Commission in January, and the parties agreed at mediation that, depending on the outcome of yesterday's meeting, the issue could go back to the commission.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : NZHERALD

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Pak Sikhs demand visa-free travel to India

Patiala (Punjab), Jun 11 (PTI) Sikh families from Pakistan today appealed to the Indian government to facilitate a visa-free travel to India for pilgrimage and higher studies for their wards.

A 136-member contingent of Sikhs from Peshawar is on a pilgrimage to India which today visited Gurdwara Dukhniwarn Sahib here.

"We want a visa-free zone between India and Pakistan that will facilitate normal visits to India. It will also help build more confidence between the two countries," Leader of the group, Wazir Singh told PTI.

"We got visas after five months for the current visit.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : PTI

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