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On the occasion of Akal Takht’s anniversary

 

By Sukhpal Kaur

 

Akal Takht is the highest temporal seat of Sikh community means the throne of the immortal. The Jathedar of Akal Takht is the highest spokesperson of Sikh panth and is meant to be spiritual leader without any control or influence from outside or politically motivated sources. The present Jathedar of Akal Takht is Gyani Gurbachan Singh.

 

Akal Takht was established as a place where both the temporal and spiritual concerns of Sikhs could be acted upon.

 

History of Akal Takht: 

 

It was founded by sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Rai on June 15, 1606 (now celebrated on July 2) and was established on the principle of Miri and Piri, where Miri signifies temporal authority and Piri, spiritual authority. Guru Hargobind himself wore two swords of Miri and Piri. 

 

Situated in the Darbar Sahib complex, opposite to Darshani Dheori, Akal Takht stood as a symbol of political bulwark against the Mughal rulers during the 17th and 18th century. There had been various attacks on Akal Takht and Harmandir Sahib in the 18th century led by Ahmed Shah Abdali and Massa Rangar. 

 

However, the day of June 4, 1984 is remembered as the most unfortunate days in the history of Sikhs when Indian Army attempting to take out Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his supporters in the cause of Khalistan not just destroyed the sanctity of Takht but also reduced it to rubble during Operation Bluestar. 

 

Two years after installation of Adi Ganth in Harmandir Sahib, fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev was brutally tortured to death by Mughal emperor Jahangir. His martyrdom transformed Sikh character from purely spiritual to the martial aspect as well for protection of the masses. Anticipating his death, Guru Arjan Dev had asked his son Hargobind to “sit fully armed on his throne and maintain an army.”

 

At the tender age of eleven, Guru Hargobind at the ceremony of ascension, wore a sword-belt with two swords of Miri and Piri and made it clear that Sikhs were going to be an armed community which will protect the interests of not only the Sikhs but underprivileged and down trodden as well.

 

On Monday, fifth day of Har, Samvat 1663, Guru Hargobind laid foundation of Akal Takht. The original structure of Akal Takht, built by Guru Hargobind and Baba Buddha, remarked that seat of guru will serve Sikh panth for eternity. 

 

The platform of Takht was raised to twelve feet, in defiance to the edict of Jahangir that no other person except emperor himself could sit on a raised platform of more than three feet. Guru would regularly sit on the platform, with all marks of royalty and dispensed justice for all Sikh disputes.

 

It is worth mentioning that Akal Takht was built a fraction lower than Harmandir Sahib, signifying that sptiuality was always prime in Sikhism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Significance of Akal Takht

 

All the hukamnamas related to Sikh community regarding any guidance or clarification are issued from Akal Takht. Any person found violating religious discipline or with activity prejudicial to Sikh interests or solidarity is declared ‘tankhaiya’ by Akal Takht and has to complete penance charges as decided by the Sikh clergy. 

 

 

Source: 

Punjab Newsline Network : LINK

Gutkha logo with Guru Nanak Dev picture, communal tensions imminent

 By Sukhpal Kaur

There is a complete ban on use of tobacco and any other addictives in Sikhism. Gyani is a respectable word used for those who have spiritual and religious knowledge. This gutkha is being manufactured by Kumar enterprises, an undertaking of Rajapur Chitrakoot.

A gutkha and pan-masala manufacturers is playing with the sentiments of the community, launching such packets of gutkha with the pictures of first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji. Not only this, a company even went to the extent of naming it ‘Gyani Paan Samagri’.

What is more hurting is that this ‘Gyani’ gutka is an instant hit in entire Uttar Pradesh.  Ironically, using the picture of a Sikh guru, the pack also carries a warning , ‘Tobacco is injurious to health’, despite the fact that playing with religious sentiments of a community is against the law.

Meanwhile, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkad has expressed his ignorance over the whole thing. He further said, nobody will be allowed to fiddle with the Sikh sentiments and legal action will be taken against the proprietors if the reports regarding this incident are found to be true.

with thanks : Punjab News Line : LINK 

GURU’S PHOTO ON MASALA SACHET:

AMRITSARGURU’S PHOTO ON MASALA SACHET: The Akal Takht has taken serious notice of a company selling ‘pan masala’ by the name of Giani Gutkha and with a photograph of Guru Nanak Dev on its sachet. Talking to mediapersons , Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said he had received complaints in this regard from the Sikh Sangat. He directed the SGPC to seek legal opinion and subsequently initiate strict action against the company manufacturing the product. He said the Union government should also ensure stringent norms to check such instances.

with thanks : TRIBUNE : LINK

French designer Jean Paul Gaultier's Sikh-inspired line

 

Designer Jean Paul Gaultier's love for India reflects in his womens wear collections from time to time. Like Gaultier, India has been an inspiration to many international design houses and with time, the country has also carved out a significant spot for itself on the global fashion map.

The renowned designer's use of sari gowns, traditional Indian colours and fabrics and stylised lambskin Jodhpurs has already evoked rave reviews in the fashion world. And with his spring/summer 2013 menswear collection which was showcased in Paris on Thursday, Gaultier of Hermès proved that his love for India is no fleeting romance.

Dressing up his models in Sikh-styled turbans, teamed with various ensembles such as shorts, blazers, tuxedos, T-shirts and overcoats, Gaultier paid a rich tribute once more to the land of many cultures and colours.

The collection was inspired by the travel theme, presenting a globe-trotting fashionable man who understands the very essence of travelling that is cultivating a bigger understanding and respect for various cultures. He then reflects the same in his wardrobe and style.

with thanks : India Today : LINK for detailed news.

Australia Gets Its First Turbaned Sikh Constable

ADELAIDE – Jag Singh Malhi becomes the first South Australian Police Academy graduate to wear an official-issue turban when he joined western Adelaide police.

Outgoing Police Commissioner Mal Hyde presided over his final graduation ceremony – welcoming Probationary Constable Malhi, the first Sikh graduate, among 40 overseas and interstate recruits.

The group, including 38 UK officers, one New Zealander and one officer from NSW, will join their South Australian colleagues across the state.

Prob-Constable Malhi moved to South Australia after 6½ years serving as a police officer in New Zealand.

He is now one of about 600 international officers recruited by SA Police after being turned down by both Victorian and NSW Police because he was not an Australian citizen.

Prob-Constable Malhi said he expected to face challenges as one of only two Sikh officers – his comrade joined SA Police earlier – but hoped his recruitment would encourage others.

“Being one of the Sikh police officers here, I think more will join and more people from other communities will look at it and (SA Police) will be more culturally diverse,” he said.

“In New Zealand as the first police officer to have the turban on I faced some challenges but … being a police officer in itself is a challenge.

Commissioner Hyde said he was “a bit nostalgic” after the ceremony – 3500 officers have graduated from the SA academy since he became Commissioner in 1997, when there were just 3000 serving officers.

He added the international recruiting program had done more than just fill ranks by bringing exposure and experience and different cultural insights to the job.

with thanks : LINK : The Link Paper

Sikh NGO to launch Eco Amritsar 2017 on June 30th

AMRITSAR: US-based EcoSikh, an NGO working for environment protection will launch an international campaign for Eco-Amritsar 2017, a five year plan to mark city's 440th anniversary with the goal of making it eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable, informed NGO's president Dr. Rajwant Singh while talking to media persons here on Wednesday.

The launch will take place on June 30th. He said that EcoSikh had envisaged 6 point program. It proposed that various sections of civil society and the administration in Amritsar make commitments towards sustainable infrastructure, conserving water, recycling and better waste management, alternate energy usage, introducing public transport, increasing green cover and open spaces, and also sharing information on greening strategies. He further stated, "Amritsar being a pilgrimage city can encourage devotees to be respectful towards nature throughout their pilgrimage by minimizing waste and they will go home with constructive message."

with thanks : Times of India : LINK for detailed news.

No OBC reservation in minority institutions: Court

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday exempted four minority colleges of Delhi University from reserving 27 percent seats for students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for the 2012-13 academic year.

The court's order came while hearing the plea filed by a group of colleges seeking exemption from reserving 27 percent seats for students from OBCs, as they were minority-run institutions.

The court said these colleges shall provide reservation in admission for Schedule Castes/Scheduled Tribes as per the university's norms, but "they will not be obliged to give reservation to OBCs".

A division bench of Justice V.K. Jain and Justice Pratibha Rani said: "We are modifying the order dated 29 May 2012 to the extent that the appellant (colleges) shall give reservation in admission for the year 2012-2013 to SC/ST category, as per the norms of DU, but they will not be obliged to give reservation to OBC."

Four colleges run by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee(DSGMC), constituted under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, approached the court challenging a single judge's May 29 order directing them to continue with the admission process in accordance with the DU guidelines which lay down reservation for the SC/ST and OBC students.

Accepting the contentions of senior advocate KTS Tulsi that they were granted the status of minority institutions by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), the court said: "We are of the view that the practice, which these institutions had been following till 2011-2012 for reservation, should not be change to their (colleges) disadvantage, particularly when these institutes has already been declared as minority institutions".

During the hearing, advocate appearing for DU said that reservation rule of DU for OBC should be followed by these colleges also.

The colleges - Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Guru Gobind Singh College, Mata Sundari College and Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College - declared minority institutes last year contended that the reservation policy was not applicable to their institutions in view of a Supreme Court verdict on OBC reservations. 

with thanks : TOI : LINK for detailed news.

400 India Sikh yatrees reach Punja Sahib

Attock—As many as 400 Indian Sikh Yatrees (pilgrims) have arrived at Gurdwara Siri Punja Sahib Hassanabdal to participate in the 173rd death anniversary of raja Ranjeet Singh. Deputy secretary Shrines Syed Faraz Abbas who is accompanying the yatrees said this while talking to newsman Attock.he said that the Sikh yatrees had started the anniversary of the Ranjeet Singh with the ritual Akhand Paat and will be concluded with the ritual “Bhog” on 26th June.he said that all the visiting Indian Sikh Yates have been provided with boarding, messing, health and better security cover facilities.

Party Leader of Sikh Pilgrims which include Former MLA Indar Itwal Singh, Deputy party leader Sardar Baldev Singh ,Sardar Santok Singh and Sardar Balber Singh while talking to newsman expressed their entire satisfaction over the arrangements made for them by Govt of Paskistan. They specially lauded the efforts of Chairman Pakistan Evacuee Trust Board Asif Hashmi for keeping the gurdwars in better condition by spending million of rupees.

They said the people of Pakistan and specially of Hassanabdal are loving, caring and because of this all the yatrees are feeling like at their own homes. On the other hand Attock police has made elaborate security arrangements to cover the event.

with thanks :  Pak Observer : LINK

On martyrdom day of first Sikh General, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a great Sikh general who established Sikh rule in large part of Punjab. Born to Rajput parents, his childhood name was Lachhman Das. He was very fond of hunting in early life but an incident changed his entire life and he shunned the worldly pleasures to become a bairagi sadhu.

Once he hunted a pregnant deer. The dying animal gave birth to two kids who died in front of his eyes. Lachhman was shocked to the core of his heart and thus became a sadhu. He became a disciple of many but none could provide him peace  of mind. Later, he inclined to tantric sadhus and acquired some riddhis and siddhis (miracle powers). Thus, he became quite popular among simpletons,near the area around his ashram on the bank of river Godavari.

Though, none benefitted from his powers, he used them to humiliate religious leaders and other saints who ever happened to visit his ashram. Whenever, any such saint visited, he would overturn the cot using his powers.

Guru Gobind Singh after leaving Punjab travelled towards South India along with some Sikhs, visited Lachhman Das’s ashram and sat on his cot in his absence. 

Accepting defeat, Lachhman Das Bairagi fell at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh and sought forgiveness and said, “O, Guru Ji, I am your Banda (Slave). Show me the right path.”

Guru Gobind Singh taught him the basic principles of Sikhsim and baptised him. Lachhman was given the name ‘Banda Singh’. He transformed from a proud bairagi to a humble and brave Sikh of Guru.

Guru sent Banda Singh on a mission to Punjab to punish the guilty and cruel rulers of the time. He was also provided with five brave Sikhs as advisors and necessary weapons.

Banda Singh was soon joined by thousands of Sikhs in his crusade against the wicked rulers. Within a short span of time, Sikhs under Banda Singh’s leadership put an end to life of many tyrant rulers, including Nawab Wazir Khan, the main culprit behind death of younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

Banda Singh captured large part of Punjab and established Sikh rule there. He also minted coins in the name of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. In the meantime, Faruksiyar became Delhi’s emperor. Angered by defeat at the hands of Banda Singh and Sikh forces, he sent a large force from Delhi and mobilised from elsewhere in Punjab to defeat and capture Banda Singh.

Sikhs were surrounded by large number of Mughal forces in the fortress of Gurdas Nagal. They fought valiantly under Banda Singh’s command. They fought valiantly but due to depleting ration, they ultimately became too weak to fight with the enemies. 

 

Ultimately, the brave general Banda Singh Bahadur was arrested along with seven hundred Sikh soldiers and brought to Delhi, after eight months. Inside the fortress, Sikhs survived on leaves, trees, and even bark of trees.

In Delhi, they were insulted and paraded in Delhi bazars. Sikhs were offered amnesty by Mughals in lieu of accepting Islam. Not even a single Sikh betrayed the spirit of Sikhism and embraced Islam. They were tortured and killed publicly

After an ordeal of about three months, Baba Banda Singh was killed in one of the most cruel manners mentioned in the history of mankind on June 9,1716. His four year old son Ajai Singh was put to death in front of him. His liver was thrusted into Banda Singh’s mouth.

But Baba remained as tranquil as ever, and even this act failed to break his resolve and determination. Finally, Banda was put to death mercilessely by pincing the flesh from his body, bit by bit, with means of hot pincers. His eyes were pulled out and his feet were chopped off. 

With the martyrdom of Banda, Khalsa leadership was taken up by new warriors like Baba Deep Singh, Nawab Kapur Singh, Chhajja Singh, Bhuma Singh, Hari Singh Dhillon, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, Budh Singh, Naudh Singh and Charhat Singh Sukerchakia and others. Within ninety years, Mahraja Ranjit Singh had established Sikh kingdom.

with thanks : Punjab Newsline : LINK for detailed news.