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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.  

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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. 

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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).

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 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.

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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.

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.