Gutkas published by Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana end up as paper bags

Ludhiana, Punjab: The Gutkas of Japji Sahib and Rehraas Sahib, which are revered in Sikh faith, are being disrespected by some people. They are making paper-bags for carrying groceries from paper of these Gutkas.

‘Dainik Jagran’ found hundreds of such paper-bags that had the paath of Japji Sahib printed on them. While it is evident it is printer waste, according to Sikh religion, even this waste paper is cremated with full rites at Goindwal Sahib Gurdwara.

There are many such papers like this in the market, which have Japji sahib and Rehraas Sahib paath printed on them. According to the information received, only those with permission from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib can print Gurbani related material. These paperbags in the market have got ‘Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana’ and ‘New Verma Printing Press, Jalandhar’ imprinted on them. It is evident that gross negligence has been made at some point.

Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said he will order an investigation in this matter. Action will be taken against those who are responsible for this mistake.

Upon contact, Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said that it is simply not possible as proper care is taken in the process. That, Bani is given full respect is given while printing. But when the paper bags were shown to him, he informed the police and gave assurance of full investigation into the matter.

The head of the Jalandhar unit of Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana Harjit Singh refused to accept that such a thing can happen because according to him great care is taken while printing of Gurbani. However when Harjit Singh was shown the paper bags made out of Gutkas then he not only contacted the police but also assured a full investigation in this matter.

Gurcharan Singh Channi, the leader of Shiromani Akali Dad Jalandhar area said if the reports are true then it is a matter of grave concern indeed. He said he will take this matter to Sri Akal Takhat.

It is worth mentioning again that only Sri Akal Takhat Sahib has the sole rights to print Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops and Gutkas. Keeping in mind the purity and marayada associated with the process, nobody else has been given the permissino to print these Gutkas and Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Despite this, some companies are actively engaged in business of publishing these Granths. This controversy has also arisen in the past because of this.

with thanks : source : sikhsangat.org

SikhsIndia

Haie cut fuels Sikh protest

Jammu, July 29 -- Members of the Sikh community blocked roads and Sikh organisations protested on Thursday as a Sikh youth was beaten up and his hair chopped off on Wednesday. Serving a two-day ultimatum to the state government for taking action against the culprits, the organisations demanded special probe into the incident.

Some unidentified persons allegedly beat up and chopped off the hair of a Sikh youth, Mithunpal Singh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, about 160 km from here. Deputy inspector General of Police in south Kashmir, Shafaqat Watali, said, "Some youth asked him to raise pro-freedom slogans.

He obliged. But when they asked him to recite kalma (Islamic prayer), he resisted.

With thanks : Yahoo News : link in headline above for detailed story.

SikhsIndia

Nihang turns ‘demolition man’ to free Amritsar of encroachments

A superintendent with MC, Tarsem Singh Khalsa says he will make Amritsar look like Singapore, free it from all encroachments, ‘provided there is no political interference’

He does not come across as a government servant at first glance. Dressed like a Nihang Sikh, Tarsem Singh Khalsa hits the roads every day to get the city’s public properties freed of encroachment that dot its every nook and corner, paying no heed to political or any other “pressure”.

A superintendent with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation, Tarsem has earned the name of “demolition man”. Accompanied by a group of four to five employees, two policemen and a huge crane, he would select one colony, public park or some other site every day and embark upon the difficult task of implementing the law to remove illegal structures, stalls, makeshift shrines and concrete hedges.

with thanks : source : indian express : Link in headline above for detailed story

SikhsIndia

9 injured in clash over removal of holy book from temple

As many as nine people sustained injuries when a clash took place between the members of Jat Sikh and Ravidasi communities at Manan village and the police intervened. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the new granth of the Ravidasia community, Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas, was removed from the Ravidasi temple around 1 am and sent to Dera Sachkhand Ballan.

The injured were admitted in Jalandhar civil hospital. The police have registered a case of attempt to murder against a mob for attacking Constable Sarabjit Kaur, who has been hospitalised.

with thanks : source : indian express ; link in headline above for more detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Ravidasis, Jats clash over placing new religious book in temple

There was tension in the Manan village since Monday morning and a small skirmish between the Ravidasi and the Jat Sikh communities over placing the Ravidasi’s new granth Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas, a portrait of their guru Ravidas and the new religion’s symbol Nishan Sahib in the main hall of the village’s Ravidasia temple.

The temple is near the Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which had announced the new Ravidasia religion in January this year. Now , the new religion’s holy book is the Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas.

Earlier, the Sikh religious book, Guru Granth Sahib, was kept in the main hall of the temple. The attempt was to shift the Granth Sahib to the upper hall and put the new religious book in its place.

with thanks : source : Indian Express : link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Sarnas miss date with Akal Takht, called again on Aug 7

Five Sikh high priests met at Akal Takht on Monday and decided to give Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna another chance to ‘explain’ his stand on the controversy that sparked off following Sarna’s alleged outburst against 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims’ counsel H S Phoolka. The hearing on the issue has been deferred to August 7.

Sarna and his brother, Harvinder Singh Sarna, meanwhile, did not appear before the Takht and sent a written clarification through their messenger Bhajjan Singh.

The jathedars met Walia and expressed resentment over Sarna ignoring the hearing, but later decided to give him another chance to clarify his stand.

“As announced earlier, Sarnas will have to appear in person and explain the serious allegations against them,” stated Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, adding they would not take up the matter in their next meet on August 7.

with thanks : source : Indian express : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Phoolka ready to face probe, disclose assets

In the wake of allegations hurled against him by the DSGMC head, senior lawyer HS Phoolka, who has been appearing on behalf of the victims in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases, on Sunday said he was ready to face any kind of probe by the Income Tax Department. The advocate, who has accused DSGMC president "gry-line" P S Sarna of levelling reckless allegations against him, said he would welcome any kind of inquiry against him provided Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee members were also covered under such a probe.

Phoolka had recently announced his withdrawal from all the anti-Sikh riot cases following allegations levelled by Sarna.

However, he took back his decision after the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, intervened and asked him to continue appearing on behalf of the victims.

"I will welcome any kind of inquiry by the IT office. But at the same time, the IT probe should be conducted against all DSGMC members," Phoolka told PTI.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times : Link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

‘Sikhs not coming forward to participate in SGPC polls’

In the light of poor response from Sikh voters to get their votes made ahead of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, the state government extended July 14 deadline by a month.

The Sikh leaders have been making appeals to the Sikhs to get forms filled up and submit to the MCs in urban areas and patwaries in the rural areas before August 14.

To mobilise the Sikhs qualified for becoming voters, Jathedar Harpal Singh Pali and Haryana Akali Dal Secretary General Jathedar Ranbir Singh Fauji held a joint press conference here today, admitted that Sikhs were not coming forward to participate in the electoral process.

with thanks : source : Indian Express : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Phoolka says allegations part of deep rooted conspiracy

Accusing the DSGMC of levelling reckless allegations against him, senior lawyer H S Phoolka, who has been appearing for the victims in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, on Saturday claimed it was part of deep rooted conspiracy as some of cases were finally reaching a logical conclusion. The advocate had announced his withdrawal from all the riots cases following allegations of "personal benefits" levelled against him by a Delhi High Court judge and President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

However, he took back his decision after Akal Takth --the apex decision making body in the Sikh religion --intervened and asked him to continue appearing on behalf of the victims.

"No money whatsoever has been paid to me by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for the expenses or for the fee," Phoolka said in an email.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee comes under RTI :HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has held that Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is a public authority making it mandatory to reveal information under the RTI Act.

Justice S Muralidhar dismissed the plea of the committee for not bringing it within the ambit of the transparency law.

The committee had approached the court after the Central Information Commission had directed it to reveal information sought under the RTI Act and set up the necessary infrastructure for the purpose.

with thanks : source : Times of India : link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.rwabhagidari.blogspot.com

Phoolka to file case against ex-HC judge

After the tussle between the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Paramjit Singh Sarna, and senior advocate H S Phoolka, a fresh twist developed on Friday, with the lawyer saying he would file a defamation case against former Delhi High Court judge R S Sodhi for terming his actions “professional misconduct”.

Phoolka had on Wednesday morning announced he would withdraw from all 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases as Sarna had accused him of “wasting” money given to him for the cases on behalf of the victims. However, after the Akal Takht intervened and requested Phoolka to stay on, he deferred his final call till Monday, when Sarna would explain his statement to the Takht.

A day later, Justice (retired) Sodhi, who now practises in the Supreme Court, said a lawyer must render the accounts whenever asked for by his client. Not doing so amounted to professional misconduct, he added.

With thanks : source : Indian Express : Link for the detailed news in headline above.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.rwabhagidari.blogspot.com

Students’ body protests against Sarna brothers, burns effigy

Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) held a state-wide protest on Thursday against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna, for alllegedly making derogatory remarks against H S Phoolka, counsel for the 1984 riot victims.

Under the leadership of their president Paramjeet Singh Khalsa, the members of SSF (Mehta) held a protest march from Gurdwara Kalgidhar Singh Sabha to Jagraon Bridge and burnt the effigies of Sarna brothers. Khalsa said, “Phoolka has been sincerely fighting for the cause of the victims of 1984 riots. By commenting against such person, the Sarna brothers have exposed that they are hand-in-glove with the Congress government and with anti-Sikh forces.”

with thanks : source : Indian Express : Link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Akal Takht summons Sarna over his remarks against Phoolka

Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday summoned Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Parmjeet Singh Sarna to clarify his stands on the allegations that he has made against Advocate H. S. Phoolka.

Advocate Phoolka has been fighting cases for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots cases for over 26 years.

Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday summoned Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Parmjeet Singh Sarna to clarify his stands on the allegations that he has made against Advocate H. S. Phoolka.

Advocate Phoolka has been fighting cases for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots cases for over 26 years.

Perturbed by the allegations by Sarna, Phoolka has threatened to withdraw from all the cases he has been fighting to get justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He has approached Akal Takht in the matter.

DSGMC chief Sarna has alleged that the advocate has wasted the money in course of the campaign for personal gains.

Sarna claimed that DSGMC has spent over one crore rupees to fight the cases in courts.

Following his remarks, Sarna has been summoned to appear before the Akal Takht on July 25 and 26.

In Amritsar, addressing the media, Akal Takht Chief Jathedar Gurbachan Singh said that Sarna's allegations against Phoolka was a serious matter, and it's been decided to call Sarna before the Akal Takht for clarifications.

with thanks : source : SIFY : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Senior lawyer Phoolka withdraws from anti-Sikh riot cases

A senior advocate, appearing for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims in different courts, on Tuesday decided to withdraw from all the cases following allegations of “personal benefits” levelled against him.

“I’m constrained to take a hard decision to withdraw from all the cases of 1984 riots in view of a statement made by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.

“I have not charged a single penny for the (riot) cases but now even near clerical expenses incurred by the Gurudwara Committee are termed as wastage,” senior counsel H.S. Phoolka said.

“I’m forced to take this drastic step because these allegations immensely disturbed me,” he said.

with thanks : source : The Hindu : for detailed news, plz click the link in headline above.

SikhsIndia

Sint-Truiden & Borgloon Gurudwara,Belgium.

HC dismisses Sajjan Kumar’s plea in anti-Sikh riots case

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s petition challenging a trial court’s order to frame charges against him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Former Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar is facing prosecution in two cases in which he has been accused of inciting a mob against Sikh community in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984, leading to killings of several persons.

In the order, Justice Vipin Sanghi questioned the motive of Delhi Police for cancelling the FIR against the politician when the matter was still being probed by the CBI.

A trial court had termed the case as “untraced” in July 2008 after the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report stating that the complainant was not traceable.

Rejecting the plea of Kumar, Justice Sanghi directed the trial court to hold the proceedings against him expeditiously in the anti-Sikh riots cases.

The trial court had in May this year framed charges under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to property), 153A (promoting enmity between different communities) and other provisions of the IPC paving the way for trial of Kumar and five others.

CBI had accused Kumar of provoking people against members of a particular community during the carnage that led to the killing of five persons in Delhi Cantonment area.

with thanks : source : THE HINDU : detailed story can be viewed from original link in headline above.

SikhsIndia

Your feedback / comments please : sikhsindia

Sat Sri Akal,

Can we have your valued feedback / comments on this blog.

Best regards

B S Vohra
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com

US-based NRIs raise funds for imparting education to Punjab's needy students

ANI

The contribution of NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) belonging to Punjab is immense as far as providing help in the sectors of health, sports and education.

NRIs residing in the United Sates have been making efforts to encourage and mobilise education in Punjab.

Members of the Washington-based Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) has raised over 100,000 dollars for providing scholarships for Punjab's needy students. The aim is sound and clear - to persuade students to go for higher studies.

According to an estimate, over five million, almost one third of the total Indians overseas, belong to Punjab. They have invested huge amounts of money in setting up mansions, schools, hospitals and sports complexes in the state.

With thanks : source : SIFY : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

BJP favours granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs from Pak

JALANDHAR: The BJP has demanded that the government grant citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan who have fled to India after facing harassment there.

"Every person who wishes to return to our country, should be granted citizenship, irrespective of the community he or she belongs to," BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu said here. He was asked about the demand of Hindu and Sikh families from Pakistan, who have been residing here for over a decade, that they be given Indian citizenship.

with thanks : source : Times of India : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com

Court orders destruction of Sikh temple in Texas, USA

Sikhs are shocked and outraged at a ruling by a Texas Court of Appeals ordering that the only Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) in Austin, Texas be torn down.

Austin Gurdwara Sahib (AGS), a non-profit, Sikh organization purchased land in West side of the Greater Austin area in 2003 to start the first permanent Gurudwara in the Capital City. For years, religious services were hosted weekly in a manufactured home located on the property. In 2005, to improve the facilities, AGS, with the congregation’s support, decided to build a more contemporary building. In this regard, AGS applied for, and was granted, all the necessary permits from the city. The approval process from the city included meetings with Planning & Zoning committees as well as the City Council at large. AGS also met with and provided full disclosure to the neighborhood association.

With thanks : source : Punjab NewsLine : Link in headline above for detailed story.

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com