Sikh Heritage Month In Canada: John A. Macdonald, Harjit Sajjan Poster Illustrates 150 Years Of Change

The image shows the country's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, eye to eye with Canada's first defence minister of Sikh heritage, Harjit Sajjan.

Macdonald's featured quote, "Send me an army of Sikhs," is excerpted from a letter he wrote to Queen Victoria:

"War will come someday between England and the United States and India can do us yeoman's service by sending an army of Sikhs … across the Pacific to San Francisco and holding that beautiful and immortal city with the surrounding California — as security for Montreal and Canada."

While his suggestion is somewhat cheeky, Macdonald's words reveal a lot about how Sikhs were viewed in 1867, and for years after that.

That contrasts greatly with the caption above Sajjan's photo: "An army led by a Sikh."

And that's exactly the difference 150 years makes.

The poster was created by the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada as a "conversation piece" to "stir emotion and create dialogue."

with thanks : huffingtonpostcanada : LINK : for SLIDE SHOW AND DETAILED NEWS STORY. MUST VIEW.

US Congress recognises Vaisakhi as creation of Khalsa

In a resolution in the first session of 115th Congress, the house of representatives on Wednesday recognised the day of Vaisakhi, a Sikh festival, as the creation of Khalsa in 1699.

The resolution was submitted by Congressmen John Garamendi and Patrick Meehan, who co-chair the American Sikh Congressional Caucus.

The resolution has come at a time when incidents of hate crime against the Sikh community are on the rise in the United States and the U.S. administration is apparently eyeing to create awareness to control such incidents.

The resolution said, "Vaisakhi is an annual Festival celebrating the spring harvest season and it is particularly significance to the Sikh religion and is one of the most important dates in Sikh History."

with thanks : Business Standard : LINK : for detailed news

30 years after anti-Sikh riots, cops issue fresh summons to two accused

Three decades after the anti-Sikh riots, police have issued fresh summons to two people for their alleged involvement with the case pointing to India's crawling criminal justice system.

Thousands of Sikh men and boys were bludgeoned, slashed and burned to death by mobs in the days after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Activists have accused the then ruling Congress of having turned a blind eye and say some of its leaders helped orchestrate the violence.

That year, a mob allegedly killed and injured some Sikhs in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area. Among those who died were Hardev Singh and Avtar Singh. The then investigation officer had submitted an "untraced" report and the person, who was booked for rioting, was acquitted by the trial court in 1986.

Cops have booked two 54-year-old residents of Mahipalpur- Naresh Sehrawat and Yashpal Singh. Both are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, weapon possession, attempt to murder, murder, etc. They have been summoned to court on April 6.

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK : for detailed report

Sikh woman raped, killed by homeless man: UK court told in murder trial

An Indian-origin hotel housekeeper whose body had been discovered from a wasteland near Heathrow airport in west London last November was raped and murdered by a homeless stranger, a UK court was told on Wednesday.

Pardeep Kaur had been reported missing on October 17, 2016, by a relative after she did not come home from work.

The 30-year-old’s missing person’s investigation was soon taken over by the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, who arrested and charged Vadims Ruskuls, from Latvia, for Kaur’s murder and preventing her lawful burial.

Her murder trial opened at the Old Bailey court in London this week, where the jury was told that Ruskuls “pounced” on Kaur as she walked to work, ‘Evening Standard’ reports.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news

Shah Rukh Khan is a Sikh, Anushka Sharma turns a Punjabi kudi as they shoot a song together, see pics

Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma have been shooting for the last schedule in Punjab for their untitled film directed by Imtiaz Ali. While their earlier pictures saw them roaming in sun-baked fields of Punjab, giving us a major throwback to Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the duo has been caught by the camera again as they shot for a Punjabi number. The song is being choreographed by Bosco Martis. Now, every time Shah Rukh has donned the character of Punjabi, he has got all the elements just right. Given that this is a romantic film, how can he not dance to a Punjabi love song?

Bosco Martis has made several celebrities dance to his tunes. Kala Chashma (Baar Baar Dekho), Cheez Badi (Machine) and Tamma Tamma Again (Badrinath Ki Dulhania) are a few of his recent hits. So, we can be assured that the choreographer will yet again spread some magic on the silver screen.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK : for detailed news story.

Man charged for attacking woman at Gresham Sikh Temple

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Criminal charges have been filed against a 37-year-old man who is accused of attacking a woman inside a Sikh Temple.

Timothy Walter Schmidt allegedly attacked a woman on March 26 in the 19000 block of Southeast Stark.

The alleged victim told police that she had been living at the temple off and on for the past several weeks, according to court documents. After the woman finished praying around 9 p.m. that day, she went to the lobby where she saw Schmidt. He was inside smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer.

When the woman asked Schmidt to leave, he reportedly grabbed her and made comments about wanting to have sex with her.

Schmidt pulled out a weapon and told her not to call the police, according to court documents.

When someone else inside the temple confronted Schmidt about attacking the woman, Schmidt turned the knife towards that person, records show.

The case is being investigated by the Gresham Police Department. Schmidt is charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, unlawful use of a weapon, burglary and attempted assault. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday morning.

with thanks : KOIN : LINK

ISSUE LESS AAP AND CONGRESS WILL GET BIGGEST DEFEAT IN DELHI IN BYE POLL AND MCD ELECTIONS : MANJINDER SINGH SIRSA

New Delhi, April 3 : The Bhartiya Janta Party and the Shiromani Akali Dal combine candidate Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa said today that issue less and non performers Aam Admi Party and Congress will get their biggest ever defeat at the hands of the people of Delhi in the present bye poll to Rajouri Garden Assembly seat and MCD elections.

        Addressing different meetings in Rajouri Garden Assembly constituency, Mr. Sirsa said that this election is witnessing a contest between non performers versus star performers. He said that on one side is Aam Admi Party and Congress who are least cared to work for the betterment of people and development of Delhi and on the other is BJP-SAD combine which believes in working round the clock for the people. He said that people are amused to see the non performers seeking votes from them devoid of any issues and promising moon to them whereas on the other hand the BJP-SAD alliance is reaching out to people to know their problems and issues being faced by them because of  non performance of AAP and Congress in Delhi, so that these problems can be solved after the elections are over. He said that people are already aware of the performance of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Mr. Narinder Modi.

        Mr. Sirsa said that AAP and Congress are the biggest liars of the day and they have nothing to do with the development agenda or working for upliftment of poor and downtrodden. The maximum work they have done for upliftment and welfare is confined to themselves only. He said that AAP has considered government treasury as its own personal account whereas Congress has got fame for creating a records of sorts for corruption. He said that on the other hand BJP-SAD alliance believes in working for welfare of  people and evolved their policies and programs based on this agenda.

        The BJP-SAD combine candidate said that a clear waive in favour of BJP-SAD alliance is blowing in Delhi and people are more eager to see the victory of the BJP-SAD in Delhi as they also want to be part of nationwide enthusiasm among the people for the policies and programs being implemented by NDA government in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narinder Modi.

PR : MS Sirsa

Sikhs in US 'intimidated, harassed' at alarming rate

Washington, April 1

Sikhs in the US are reporting an increase in violent threats and harassment against the community amid rising incidents of hate crimes against Indian-Americans in the country.

Chairman of the Sikhs Political Action Committee (SikhsPAC), Gurinder Singh Khalsa, said so far there have been two death threats and two reports of vandalism against Sikhs in the state of Indiana, TheIndyChannel.com, an ABC Television Network affiliate, reported on Thursday.

One incident included a direct threat against a Sikh from a man carrying a handgun in Fishers city, according to the report.

"Somebody showed him the gun and asked him: 'Who are you? What country do you belong to?'" Khalsa said there have been other incidents too where Sikhs were threatened.

Sikh-American physician Amandeep Singh said he was directly threatened last week with a text message and doesn't understand why this is happening to Sikhs around the nation.

Singh said he felt a range of emotions after the threats, including fear for his family and his patients.

"Fear, especially if you have family, kids, the safety of your family and kids, that comes to mind first," said Amandeep. "Then you try to make sense of it." "I believe I've been living here 14 years and never experienced anything like that specifically," Singh said.

"My job is serving the people you know, everyday I'm there for the people and taking a stand with them and serving the community. It was hard for me to comprehend even something like that coming to somebody's mind." SikhsPAC has contacted the US Attorney General's Office and is working with law enforcement. The threats were under investigation.

Indiana is one of only five states in the US without a hate crime law, said the report.

—IANS

with thanks : TribuneIndia : LINK

London barrister becomes youngest Sikh to receive OBE

London barrister Jasvir Singh has become the youngest Sikh in the world to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The honour marks the recognition of the contribution of the Punjabi diaspora in the UK

Born and brought up in London, his family traces its origins to the Doaba region of Punjab. "I feel immensely proud to have been honoured with an OBE. It was a complete surprise, and it is heartening to know that my work on social cohesion and faith communities over last 7 years has been recognized in such a significant way," he says.

Singh is the Founding Chair of an organization called City Sikhs and the Chair of the Faiths Forum for London, representing the interests of nine main faith communities in London - Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian, and Baha'i communities.

with thanks : TOI : Link : for the complete news story

A Sikh Activist In US Explains What It’s Like To Be In Trump’s America

Excerpts from the interview.   

SW: Can you help us understand the kind of environment Indians and other citizens from South Asian countries are living in currently, particularly in the aftermath of series of acts of hate crimes witnessed in the country?

In some ways, things have changed for the Indian American community. While Sikhs have been well aware of the problems of discrimination and hate violence, most Indian Americans had thought they were immune to racism in America. Indian American community is finally realizing that they are just as vulnerable as any other minority in this country & that is causing a sort of identity crisis. 

SW: Since you are an active community member, what kind of concerns have people shared with you? Are there whispers of returning to India or other native countries?

I have not heard anyone speak seriously of returning to India due to a fear for safety or security in America. While people are becoming a bit concerned due to recent attacks, I think most Indian Americans realize they are generally safe and comfortable here in the US. The recent attacks have shaken the Indian American community and opened its eyes a bit - but there does not seem to be a deep-seated fear. 

With thanks : scoopwhoop : LINK for the complete news story.

Sikh-American Girl Allegedly Harassed By US Man In Subway, Told To 'Go Back To Lebanon'

NEW YORK -- A Sikh-American girl was harassed on a subway train here when a white man, mistaking her to be from the Middle East, allegedly shouted "go back to Lebanon" and "you don't belong in this country," the latest in a series of hate crimes against people of South-Asian origin.

Rajpreet Heir was taking the subway train to a friend's birthday party in Manhattan this month when the white man began shouting at her, according to a report in the New York Times.

Heir recounted the ordeal in a video for a Times section called 'This Week in Hate', which highlights hate crimes and harassment around the country since the election of President Donald Trump.

Heir said she was looking at her phone when the white man shouted at her saying, "Do you even know what a Marine looks like? Do you know what they have to see? What they do for this country? Because of people like you."

He told Heir he hoped she was sent "back to Lebanon" and using expletives said, "You don't belong in this country," before he left the subway.

Heir, a Sikh, said she was born 30 miles from Lebanon, not the Middle Eastern country but a namesake city in the American state of Indiana.

Heir said as the man left the train, she saw a young white woman in the train staring at her "with tears in her eyes."

"What had just happened provided evidence of what I had sensed beneath the surface for a long time - racism that can turn violent and lately does," she said.

The report added that two fellow passengers stepped in to help Heir after the incident on the train. One woman tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she was all right. "That meant something because when you're a minority, you're so used to just experiencing things on your own," Heir said.

Another woman reported the incident to a police officer at a subway station.

The report said that as New York City works to respond to a rise in reports of discrimination and harassment, subways have emerged as a source of special concern.

with thanks : huffingtonpost : LINK : for detailed report.