Turban pride of Baramulla Sikh students restored

AMRITSAR: The administration of St Joseph's Higher Secondary School in Baramulla, 50 km from the state capital, Srinagar have allowed the Sikh students to wear turbans in classrooms after initially imposing a ban.

International legal director of UK based Sikh NGO 'United Sikhs', Mejinderpal Kaur told TOI over phone from UK on Monday that the 107 year old school, which had 300 Sikh students, had excluded turbaned Sikh students from classes saying that the turban was against the school's uniform code.

"Following a letter writing campaign by us to the school, state and national authorities, the school principal called a meeting with parents of the affected students and the Sikh community representatives and announced that the students may return to school wearing their turbans" said she.

She said that on May 16th some 40 Sikh students of the St Joseph Higher Secondary School were excluded from classes for wearing turbans. But the students took a strong stand against the school management's decision. She informed that on May 21st, on behalf of some parents and the Baramulla Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the 'United Sikhs' had written to the school principal, Father Sebastian Nagathunkal and Peter Celestine, the Bishop of the Diocese of Jammu-Srinagar that runs the school, asking them to uphold the Sikh students' religious right to wear their turban.

"We also wrote to the education minister of Jammu and Kashmir asking him to intervene. These letters were copied to the Cardinal of the Indian Catholic Church of India, the National Human Right Commission and the National Commission for Minorities," said Kaur. She said on June 15th United Sikh's directors, Esher Singh and Gurpreet Singh would visit the Sikh community in Baramulla and honour the Sikh students and parents who stood their ground and made it possible for Sikh students to wear their turban at St Joseph's School. The will also conduct motivational workshops for Sikh youths and their parents.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Man attacks Takht, Apprehended by sangat !

Surrey, BC, Canada (June 10, 2013)–On Sunday, June 9th, a man approached Guru Sahib’s takht at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara after the weekly program at 2 PM and attempted to disrespectfully pull out and attack Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s saroop. He was grabbed by the sangat and held for police. The man, whose identity remains unknown, pushed the Sevadaar doing Chaur Seva and attempted to pull the Manji Sahib off the Takhat.

Sikh24 has learned that the man was not easy to apprehend and sustained some injuries after he attacked sangat members and threw microphones at them. He is currently in hospital.

The motive for the attack is not currently known.

Update: The man was able to pull the manji sahib and the saroop of Guru Sahib almost fell but the Granthi Singh was able to stop this in time. The sevadars did sukhasan and ardas for forgiveness before doing parkash of another saroop.

with thanks : Sikh24 : LINK

Brossard team dons turbans in solidarity

MONTREAL — Soccer coach Ihab Leheta sees his role as not only instilling a love for the game in his young protégés, but also teaching them some life lessons — such as speaking out when they witness injustice.

The ban on turbans by the Quebec Soccer Federation, despite medical evidence that they pose no danger and a directive from the Canadian Soccer Association that they be allowed, offered Leheta, who coaches under-14 players in Brossard, such an opportunity.

The QSF move, and a suggestion by its director that Sikh children affected by it play soccer in their backyards, sparked outrage in the province, across the country and abroad.

A city councillor in Montreal plans to present a motion denouncing the federation; “disgusted” parents Donald Pinkerton and Philippa Settels have pulled their 6- and 11-year-old sons from Greenfield Park soccer in protest; and a member of the Sikh community in Switzerland has asked Sepp Blatter, president of Zurich-based FIFA, to intervene. Some of the 13 soccer clubs in the West Island are putting pressure on Lac St-Louis Regional Association to appeal to the QSF to reconsider.

Yet the provincial body appears to have dug in its heels, refusing to respond to questions on the issue and removing contact information about its board of directors from its website.

Saddened by it all, Leheta, 46, decided he couldn’t just sit back in silence. He had a chat with his undefeated team last Friday before Saturday’s big game against Granby.

“I asked them what was more important than this game,” Leheta said Monday in an interview. “One said school, another said family, and then someone said injustice.”

with thanks : montrealgazette : LINK : for detailed news.

Sikh community finds Quebec turban-ban puzzling

Quebec's Sikh community is reacting cautiously to the announcement late Monday by the Canadian Soccer Association that it is "immediately" suspending the Quebec Soccer Federation for "their non-compliance to the directive" that allows turban-wearing children to play the game.

"We're trying to figure out the implications of what this means," said Mukhbir Singh, vice-president of the World Sikh Organization for Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

"At the end of the day, are the children (who wear turbans) going to play this season or next season? That's the most important aspect of this story and what we're trying to understand."

Singh was reacting to the news release by the board of directors of the Canadian Soccer Association on the decision taken on the weekend of June 1-2 by the Quebec Soccer Federation to prohibit the wearing of religious headgear from pitches. The ban was aimed specifically at smaller turbans called keskis and patkas -- pieces of cloth tied on top of the head.

"The Canadian Soccer Association has requested on June 6 that the Quebec Soccer Federation reverse its position on turbans/patkas/keskis with no resolution," Victor Montagliani, president of the association, said in a statement following a meeting of the board of directors.

"The Quebec Soccer Federation's inaction has forced us to take measures in order to ensure soccer remains accessible to the largest number of Canadians."

with thanks : Vancouversan : LINK : for detailed news.

Irish court dismisses Sikh man's appeal for turban

London, May 31 (PTI) An Irish court has dismissed a Sikh man's appeal that he be allowed to wear turban while on duty in the country's police force.

The court of Justice Kevin Feeney dismissed the challenge by Ravinder Singh Oberoi to a refusal to allow those training for the Garda Reserve to wear a turban while on duty, The Irish Times reported.

with thanks : PTI : LINK

Sikh dancer performs Vilasini Natyam, a forgotten dance form

When Sikh dancer Dimple Kaur took up Vilasini Natyam, the forgotten classical dance from Andhra Pradesh, she hoped to spark an interest for the art form among the youth. 

Dimple, who has been practicing Bharatnatyam for long picked up Vilasini Natyam from Swapnasundari, a veteran dancer who has been instrumental in reviving the ancient dance form that was practised in the temples of the country before the Britishers imposed a ban on it. 

"I wanted to bring the lost form of the dance back. There are a lot of cultural aspects which have been forgotten and the current generation does now know anything about them," says Dimple who gave a performance here late last evening. 

Vilasini Natyam has been performed over the centuries as a part of the devadasi tradition in Andhra-Pradesh. It faced a decline during the socio-political changes that took place during independence era, especially when it is banned by "The Madras Devadasis (Prevention of Dedication) Act, 1947", which pointed out that devadasis were forced to adopt a life of prostitution. 

"Guru Swapansunadari has revived this dance form and coined the name 'Vilasininatyam' after 'Vilasinis' or 'Bhoginis', which refer to devadasi or hereditary female dancers in temples. And when I saw my guru Swapansundari dancing, I found it so engaging, so communicative that I really wanted to know more about it," says Dimple. 

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK : for detailed news.

'84 riots memorial design ready, inauguration as planned: DSGMC

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), has prepared the design for the proposed memorial for 1984 riots in the Gurdwara Rakabganj complex.

Earlier, the New Delhi Municipal Council had served a notice against the construction of the memorial calling it an "illegal" structure.

DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Sunday claimed that the memorial was in complete compliance with building by-laws.

"On June 6, we met an NDMC official in the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police S B S Tyagi, and we showed our design to the official. We categorically told him that we are not constructing anything new and will be placing stones on the existing structure, which was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. We have also shown them the design (and it) does not flout the by-laws," Sirsa said.

According to the architect of the memorial, Rajiv Gandhi, the structure's diameter and height will be in conformity with the by-laws.

Gandhi said a lotus-shaped metal disc or dial will be placed in middle, signifying the sun. The dial will be floating on water, symbolising life. The design has been conceptualised on a mound.

Water will flow in from all sides into the structure of the dial, where names of martyrs will be engraved. Metallic lotus petals will be on the dial and in the middle will be laser beams that will go up to 300 feet in sky.

"The circle of life revolves around the three elements — Earth water and the Sun. The memorial will be a circular landscaped disc at an elevated level with a circular viewing gallery around a memorial displaying the lives of the martyrs. The center of the disc would be a large solar dial. Around the solar dial would be water, flowing over stone tableau that will have names of all martyrs engraved on it," Gandhi said.

with thanks : INDIAN EXPRESS : LINK : for detailed news.

Sarna brothers oppose building of memorial in gurdwara premises

Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother Harinder Singh Sarna of Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi, have opposed the construction of a memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots on the premises of at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib Complex near Parliament House in New Delhi, saying that the memorial is not acceptable on the gurdwara premises, and thus should be built somewhere else.

A day after Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit stated that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was within its rights to construct the memorial as long as it did not violate building by-laws, Sarna brothers - in their first appearance since their whopping defeat in Delhi gurdwara polls - on Sunday held a press conference here over the issue.

The duo maintained that as per the traditions of Sikh religion, the memorial was not acceptable within the Gurdwara Sahib complex; however if it was being built at some other site they would have no objection.

Paramjit Sarna said the memorial on the Gurdwara premises would be disrespect to the Guru, in whose memory it was laid; and thus they were objecting the memorial inside the premises.

They added that during their term of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, they too had planned to a memorial on the gurdwara premises for beautification at an estimated cost of Rs. 350 crore, but Manjit Singh GK spoiled it.

The brothers said that they want a memorial to be built for Sikhs who died during in the Partition in 1947.

During a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday, they demanded clemency for Devinder Singh Bhullar, they said, adding that the Congress president was quite positive on the issue.

Blaming Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal for acquittal of Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 anti-sikh riots case, they said the Badal government failed to bring the victims to justice.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the foundation stone ceremony of the proposed memorial by the top SAD and BJP leaderships, including BJP president Rajnath Singh and leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj, has already been planned at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib Complex located near Parliament House in New Delhi.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

NDMC notice to Gurdwara committee ..... : Hindustan Times

SHOCKING INCIDENT AT TAKHAT SHRI KESHGARH SAHIB ( ANANDPUR SAHIB)

ON 4th june 2013 I was at Takhat Shri KESHGARH SAHIB WHER I SAW GUNDA GARDI of Katha vaachak of the TAKHAT, bhai GURVINDER SINGH.

At morning time after completion of ASA DI VAAR kirtan , Gurbani vichaar Katha was done from 6:30 - 7:30 am by Bhai Guvinder Singh (katha vaachak of TAKHAT SRI KESHGARH SAHIB). After the completion of the katha an Amritdhari Gursikh of 62 yrs who was listening the Katha went to meet bhai saab to ask about some Gurbani Vichaar ,during that communication 5-8 more ppl from sangat also joined that conference and when Gurvinder singh was unable to answer his Gurbani question then he asked that Gursikh to walk alone with him to AKHAND PAATH room where he will help him to understand his Gurbani query with other Katha vaachaks.

After taking him to Akhand Path room he locked the room from inside and STARTED BEATING HIM AND EVEN REMOVED HIS TURBAN. seeing all this other sewadars came to intervene in the matter and stopped Gurvinder Singh.

IS THIS IS THE DUTY AND CHARACTER OF KATHA VAACHAK OF TAKHAT SHRI KESHGARH SAHIB ?

AFTER this when some sangat started gathering there gurvinder singh ran away from that point. Then I accompanied that Gursikh old man and went to the manager of TAKHAT SAHIB. we complained him and narrated the whole incident to him.after hearing all the story he took us to SINGH SAAB JATHEDAAR OF the TAKHAT SHRI KESHGARH SAHIB and we narrated the whole incident to him too,after hearing our complaint SINGH SAAB asked us to give all this in writing and assured us that action will be taken against gurvinder singh. then I had written an application and gave it to the manager.

IS THIS THE ACTION OR JUST A MERE TALKING ? as he had not called the katha Vaachak gurvinder singh in front of us and clarified for the same.

IS THIS KIND OF GUNDA GARDI IS ACCEPTABLE IN BIG TAKHAT OF SIKHS ?

TURBAN OF A GURSIKH KHALSA IS REMOVED WHERE GURU GOBIND SINGH JI BAPTISED SIKHS AND TURNED THEM TO KHALSA AND ASKED THEM TO RESPECT KESH AND TURBAN.

WHAT ACTION SHUD BE TAKEN AND WHO HAS AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION ? 

IS THIS INCIDENT IS NOT AN ASHAME TO KHALSA PANTH ?

after watching all this I am ashamed and my heart is broken.if this kind of incident can happen in the birth place of KHALSA then what will happen outside.

please give your help and suggestions and share it with all sikhs of the world

harjinder singh

British town gets its first Sikh mayor

IANS

London, May 31: A Sikh man has for the first time become the mayor of the town of Warwick in England's West Midlands region.

Prabhjit Singh Dhillon, who has been elected the 280th mayor of Warwick, described it as a "privilege", the Coventry Telegraph reported Friday.

"I have become the 280th mayor, a privilege for a local Warwick boy and first Sikh since that time," Dhillon, a former local schoolboy, was quoted as saying.

"My mayoral year is a mere blip in the last 1,100 years of former mayors in this historic town."

After being sworn in mayor, Dhillon asked everyone present to observe a minute's silence in honour of Drummer Lee Rigby, the British soldier who was hacked to death at Woolwich in London May 22.

"I liken my year to the Olympic torch bearers of last year, in that I am picking up the torch of history from the outgoing mayor and carrying it forward, passing it on to the next mayor in a year's time," he said.

Dhillon said that this year's theme is celebrating the town's rich treasure trove and building a greater sense of community.

Warwick is the county town of the English county of Warwickshire.

with thanks : IANS : LINK