Sikhs exhorted to observe ‘Black’ Diwali : "Ros Divas"

 No Celebrations This Time: The Golden Temple without illumination in Amritsar

The call given by various Panthic organisations, including the Sant Samaj, to observe Black Diwali this year in protest against the incidents of Guru Granth Sahib’s sacrilege at various places has its effect in all parts of the region. The call was given after incidents of sacrilege and police firing at Bagrari, near Kotkapura. Management committees of various gurdwaras have not illuminated Sikh shrines in urban and rural areas this year. Some of them have also put up boards in front of gurdwaras urging people to observe black Diwali strictly. A board put up at Gidderbaha, the area that the Badals dominated for decades, urges people to shun illumination of their houses and bursting of crackers. People have been asked to put up black flags at the rooftops of their houses instead of lighting lamps. They have also been urged not to distribute sweets. Even the Golden Temple this year does not have the grand illumination that is usually seen on Diwali every year. 

The SGPC has reportedly not made any special arrangements for its illumination this year so far. The complex is tastefully decorated on Diwali every year, thereby attracting a large number of people from far-away places to be a witness to the grand celebrations. Reports coming from various places indicate that the announcement to observe black Diwali has also been made from gurdwaras located in rural and urban areas. At some places, black flags have been put up to protest incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. Late this evening, at a roundabout near Singh Sabha Gurdwara and Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara in Ludhiana, a group of Sikhs held placards appealing people to observe black Diwali. In local parlance, it has been named “Ros Divas”. The developments have affected the usual trade and business activity, including sale of sweets, crackers and other stuff. 

“The sale is down and business is not even 40 per cent of what it was last year,” said Roshan Malhotra, an Ahmedgarh-based wholesale dealer of crackers. Small shopkeepers, who had taken crackers on loan to sell these at their shops in various villages, have returned most of the stock in the absence of sales, he said.

  Link :http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sikhs-exhorted-to-observe-black-diwali/157172.html

‘Black Diwali’ following desecration of holy book

Students of Akal Academy, ‪‎Baru‬ Sahib put forth their Thoughts with powerful message!
Every Sikh feels deeply hurt over outrageous and repeated incidents of Beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, showing solidarity with Punjab.

 Kalgidhar Trust - Baru Sahib  :https://www.facebook.com/BaruSahibHP/ 
 Picture Courtesy- Leela Suresh Tripathi

A Sikh Helpline Launches in Australia

Sikhs in the UK have, for a number of years now, made use of the The Sikh Helpline, which aims to serve the Sikh population there with support and advice. Australia too has now set up its own version of a Sikh Helpline for Sikhs in the country, as an avenue for seeking counseling and advice for numerous issues that commonly effect the community.

A statement released by the service providers has been published below:

“With the aim of providing much needed support platform for Sikhs in Australia, the Sikh Helpline service is launched by Red Khanda Inc. The Helpline sewa run by volunteers will provide Australia-wide sangat confidential counselling, information and help on various issues in Punjabi and English.

“Presence of Sikhs in Australia can be traced back to early settlement periods but the number of Sikhs in Australia since those periods had not grown much until the end of 20th century mainly due to white Australia policy and Sikhs from Punjab favouring Canada, UK and USA over Australia. This scene has changed in last 10 years when young Sikh students and skilled migrants shifted their focus to Australia and made down under their home. The Sikh Australians are positively contributing to growth and development of their adopted country.

“While Sikh Australians report their experience in Australia en masse as good, the challenges faced by Sikh Australians cannot be pushed aside. Living away in a foreign land and as minority immigrant in adopted country is never easy but for Sikh Australians the incidents like 9/11 and Martin Place siege bring alive realities of racism and hatred. Adults and children come face to face with bullying, harassment and discrimination on day to day basis. Some can deal with situations on their own, others need some system of support to gather a response to these problems.

“Then there are our in house issues which need to be attended. Although Sikhi propounds abstinence from intoxicants and mandates equality, but the harsh truth is that some Sikh households do suffer from domestic violence, addictions etc. Due to stigma attached with such issues the victims don’t want to discuss things openly and need community support. Growing up in high pace modern materialistic societies either gives one less exposure to Sikhi or sometimes causes confusion and conflicts within about ones faith and identity.

“Above are some examples of situations and circumstances when one needs to seek help and guidance. With a view to help fellow Sikhs in need to help in such situation Sikh Helpline Australia is being launched.”

The confidential service has now rolled out and is available as a community run service throughout Australia.

  

With Thanks : Sikhs Helping Sikhs

Bandi Chorh Diwas : Diwali of Sikhs

Bandi Chorh Divas is a Sikh festival where Sikhs celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth Sikh Guru, from Gwalior fort on the orders of Mughal emperor Jahangir.
In Sikh history, after Baisakhi, which marks the establishment of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, Bandi Chorh Divas is considered the second most important day in planning of the Sikh freedom from the Mughal empire.
 Diwali coincides with Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas (Prisoners’ Release Day or Day of Liberation) which attracts large number of devotees.

U.S. Sikh Groups Meet with U.S. State Department on Panjab Crisis

                                                     Washington, DC- 

Voices for Freedom and other human rights groups met with the Department of State and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom  (USCIRF) to voice the concerns of the American Sikh community regarding the current situation developing in Panjab, India. Also in attendance were Sikh community leaders from around the United States. Memoranda explaining the details of the plight of the Sikh community of India were distributed to each office.

 Last month, in the village of Bagari and in numerous other places in Panjab, Sikh holy scriptures were desecrated. During a peaceful protest by the Sikhs in Panjab against the desecration on October 14, 2015, two Sikhs—Gurjeet Singh and Krishan Avtar Singh—were shot and killed by the Panjab police. The police disrupted the peaceful protest by violating the protesters’ Freedom of Speech and Expression, as well as their Right to Assembly, which are both enshrined in the Indian constitution.

                                      Timeline of the current Crisis in Panjab

 On October 12, 2015, peaceful protests began protesting in Panjab after more than one hundred pages from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Sikh guru, were torn and scattered around the village of Bargari in Panjab.

In response to the lack of police action in this case,Sikh protesters gathered and began a peaceful sit-in, reciting prayers, or meditating, in nearby Kotkapura. On October 14, 2015, Panjab Police reportedly sanctioned the use of teargas, water cannons, and brute force against this group of protesters. Two protesters were shot and killed by the police, sparking outrage among state residents as well as the international community. 

The Sikh community continues to wait for details to emerge regarding this incident and what action will be taken to investigate the killings of two unarmed protesters.

 With Thanks :Sikhs Helping Sikhs

Candle March : Protest Against Disrespect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib & In the Memory of 1984 Sikh Riots in Delhi

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

Canada now has the world’s most Sikh cabinet

with thanks : washingtonpost : LINK : for detailed report.

Punjabi Becomes Third Language in Canada's House of Commons

TORONTO:  Punjabi has now become the third most common language, after English and French, in the House of Commons of Canada after 20 Punjabi-speaking candidates were elected to the Parliament in October.

In total, 23 lawmakers of Indian-origin were elected after October 19 general elections. Three of the 23 lawmakers do not speak Punjabi, Hill Times online reported today.

Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau, who won from Papineau, Quebec constituency, will unveil his Cabinet later this week. Some of Punjabi-speaking lawmakers are expected to be included in the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Navdeep Bains of Liberal Party said that the elected 20 Punjabi-speaking lawmakers represent all constituents regardless of their party affiliation or ethnic origin.

"It speaks to our commitment to diversity and allowing individual to play an important role in our political institutions," Mr Bains said.

"The main issue to understand is that we have a very clear mandate to execute our platform and we also have a responsibility to represent our constituents, which are very diverse," he added.

"The voice of the Indo-Canadian community will now be very well represented in the parliament. In the overall aspect of it, the South Asian community won," Deepak Obhrai of Conservative Party was quoted as saying.

According to Statistics Canada's 2011 National Household Survey, 430,705 Canadians identified Punjabi as their mother tongue, making it the third most common language after English and French, the report in the daily said.

The 430,705 native Punjabi speakers make up about 1.3 per cent of Canada's population and the 20 Punjabi-speaking lawmakers represent almost six per cent of the House of Commons, the report added.

with thanks : NDTV : LINK

Arrested Barkingside Sikh’s anger after turban grabbed at central London protest

A 48-year-old Sikh man has called for a public enquiry after being arrested and having his turban “grabbed” and thrown to the floor during a protest in central London.

Ropinder Singh, of Glenthorn Gardens, Barkingside, was arrested on suspicion of public disorder offences outside the Indian High Commission, Aldwych Road, on October 22, when hundreds gathered to protest about the destruction of Sikh scriptures in India.

Videos filmed during the sit-in protest show about 10 police officers immobilising Mr Singh on the ground and his turban being thrown on the floor.

Images also show him being arrested without his turban.

Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, who described the police handling of the protest, which involved officers from the mounted police, as “heavy handed and inappropriate”, told the Recorder he expected questions to be answered.

with thanks : ilfordrecorder : LINK : for detailed news.

Punjabi community in Canada thrilled as 3 sikhs get cabinet berths

Ottawa: The Punjabi community in Canada made history on Wednesday when two turbaned Sikhs were sworn in as cabinet ministers, as 42-year-old Justin Trudeau took oath as the country's 23rd prime minister at a grand public ceremony here.

While 42-year-old Indian Canadian Harjit Sajjan was appointed defence minister, 38-year-old Navdeep Bains got the portfolio of innovation, science and economic development.

Another Sikh, Amarjeet Sohi, who is not turbaned, has been sworn in as minister for infrastructure. A former bus driver, Sohi was jailed in India for two years in the 1980s.

Navdeep Bains, who played a key role in Trudeau's election as the Liberal Party leader in 2013, has been awarded with a cabinet berth.

Bains, who became MP for the third time last month by winning from Mississauga-Brampton, previously served as parliamentary secretary to the prime minister in 2005 when he was MP from 2004 till 2011 when he lost.

with thanks : thehansaindia : LINK : for detailed news.

Four Sikhs Sworn In As Cabinet Ministers In Canada

NAVDEEP Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and MP for Mississauga-Malton (Ontario), played a key role in Trudeau’s leadership bid in 2013.

He was a distinguished visiting professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management and holds an MBA with a specialization in finance. As a Certified Management Accountant, he has worked several years in accounting and financial analysis for the Ford Motor Company of Canada.

HARJIT Singh Sajjan, Minister of Defence and MP for Vancouver South, is a retired Lieutenant-Colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces and a combat veteran. He was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and served three separate deployments to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sajjan has received numerous recognitions for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal for reducing the Taliban’s influence in Kandahar Province. He is also a recipient of the Order of Military Merit, one of the military’s highest recognitions. Sajjan also served as an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

Sajjan was a police officer with the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years. He completed his last assignment as a Detective-Constable with the Gang Crime Unit specializing in organized crime. He proudly tackled gang violence and drug crimes in Vancouver. Sajjan is also a human security specialist, and has lectured to a wide audience in both Canada and the United States.

AMARJEET Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and MP for Edmonton Mill Woods in Alberta, was elected three times as an Edmonton City Councillor.

Dedicated to improving Edmonton’s infrastructure and livability, Sohi represented the city on the Canadian Urban Transit Association, and has been a strong advocate for light rail transit. Sohi also advocated municipal interests to other levels of government through his delegation to the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. He has been a prominent leader on municipal and provincial issues, volunteering with Public Interest Alberta, the Centre for International Alternatives, and the Canadian Labour Congress.

BARDISH Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and MP for Waterloo (Ontario), is a natural leader and organizer and is devoted to inclusion and community building. From assisting with recreational sports for kids to volunteering with seniors, Chagger is committed to strengthening the bonds of the Waterloo community.

In her role with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Chagger has worked to foster diversity within the community providing opportunities for social and economic engagement. As the former executive assistant to former Member of Parliament Andrew Telegdi, Chagger has a deep understanding of the issues that are important to residents of Waterloo, including manufacturing, technology and innovation.

Justin Trudeau, the 42-year-old son of charismatic former prime minister Pierre Trudeau who is credited with opening Canada to new immigrants in the 1970s, led the Liberal Party to win 184 seats in the 338-member House of Commons.

With thanks : theindianpanaroma : LINK : for detailed news report.

The First Sikh To Ever Become The Defence Minister Of Canada Was Born In India

Harjit Sajjan, an Indo-Canadian Sikh, was named Canada’s new defence minister on Wednesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took oath as the country’s 23rd prime minister at a grand public ceremony in Ottawa. Yes, a Sikh for the first time in the history of Canada has been chosen as the Defence minister. Needless to say, this will take Sikhism in the Canada to a whole another level.

Harjit Singh, a former police officer and veteran of three military deployments to Afghanistan, was born in Punjab, India. Singh’s family migrated to Canada when he was five and never looked back. After completing his studies, Mr Sajjan initially worked as an officer for the Vancouver Police Department. In 1989, he joined Canadian reserved forces and eventually moved on into the Army on a full-time basis. Singh has served in Afghanistan and Bosnia and been twice a special adviser on Afghanistan.

With thanks : allindiaroundup : LINK : for detailed news.

Hardliners divided over holding 'Sarbat Khalsa'

In a bid to project united front, a section of hardliners today urged the organisers of the 'Sarbat Khalsa' (congregation of Sikhs) to convene it at Akal Takht on November 30 and build a consensus on its agenda so as to make it a grand success. 

Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema (SAD Panch Pardani), Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib (Dal Khalsa), R P Singh of Akand Kirtani Jatha, Paramjit Singh of Sikh Youth of Punjab, and Gurpreet Singh of Gurdwara Kendri Singh Sabha today met the organizers of the event-- Simranjit Singh Mann, Mohkam Singh and Gurdeep Singh Bhatinda. 

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

Harjit Sajjan: Canada's new Minister of National Defence

The 44-year-old was born in Punjab, India and immigrated to Canada with his family in the mid-70s, where they settled in Vancouver. The city has always been home to Sajjan, at least when he wasn’t defending Canada oversees in Bosnia or Afghanistan with the Canadian Army.

During his time in service, Sajjan deployed four times, three to Afghanistan, where he ultimately became the first Sikh person to command a Canadian regiment. That wasn’t his only honour while serving; Sajjan is a decorated soldier with 13 medals including the Order of Military Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Locally, he worked as an officer in the Vancouver Police Department for 11 years in South Vancouver and served as Detective in the Gang Crime Unit. After being elected on October 19,Sajan told Vancity Buzz his main concern in Ottawa was going to be youth.

with thanks : vancitybuzz : LINK : for detailed report.

Another sacrilege in Punjab

Torn pages of Guru Granth Sahib found at a village in Moga district

Incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib continue unabated in Punjab with torn pages of the holy book being found on Wednesday at three different places in a village in this district, triggering tension in the area.

The pages were found in Malke village and the authorities assured the agitated locals that the guilty would be arrested soon.

Protesters demanded that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should visit the spot and assess the situation himself.

Senior administration and police officials rushed to the spot as tensions rose, with villagers gathering in large numbers.

The situation is under control and police has taken the pages of holy book into its custody, DIG Amar Singh Chahal said. A team of forensic experts collected evidence from the spot.

The DIG assured the villagers that those behind the crime will be arrested soon and will be dealt sternly.

News with thanks from : TheHindu : LINK : for detailed news report.

"My Name is Parampal Singh ,Not 'OSAMA' " : Parampal Singh

           Sikh man addressed as Osama by a restaurant employee in US.

This has not happened for the first time, in fact it is one among the many incidents where the Sikh community faced harassment and discrimination

In a shocking incident, a Sikh man was called "Osama" when he visited a fast food restaurant called Nathan in Aberdeen Maryland in the United States of America. 

Parampal Singh Ghai stopped at the restaurant along with his father to grab some snacks after a family birthday celebration in Virginia, while waiting after ordering his food he realized that the cashier had not asked his name.

When he saw employees calling out the names of other customers as and when their orders were ready, he checked the receipt and was not only appalled but felt humiliated as well. 

The receipt mentioned his name as Osama, when he confronted the cashier all he got in reply was a smirk. Parampal decided to return his food when he saw the other employee and customers laughing at him. The Sikh man might take a legal action against the outlet and the matter is taken up by the Sikh Coalition too.

This has not happened for the first time, in fact it is one among the many incidents where the Sikh community faced harassment and discrimination.

In September 2015, few days before the 9/11 anniversary, the Sikh community received another shocking reminder that the prejudice against them still prevailed in the US. Seen as a hate crime, an elderly Sikh-American man was injured and addressed as a 'terrorist' and 'Bin Laden' in Chicago.

After the 9/11 attack, Sikhs were often identified as terrorists due to their beards and turban. They have often faced discrimination and been the victims of a prejudicial mindset post 9/11 as racial profiling was at an all time high. 

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sikh-man-addressed-as-osama-by-a-restaurant-employee-in-us/1/514822.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=referral

Jokes Hurting Religious Sentiments of Sikhs should be banned : DSGMC

New Delhi / 2 November 2015 -Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today took a tough stand against the jokes hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs.DSGMC President Manjit Singh G.K. and General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa while addressing media alongwith Senior Advocate of Supreme Court of India Harvinder Kaur Chaudhary, demanded to formulate strong laws to prohibit jokes which hurt Sikh sentiments.

G.K. alleged that it was in the decade of 1980s due to faulty policies of Congress party led government of those days Sikhs were seen as terrorists and they were targeted with jokes which hurt their religious sentiments.According to him, “Satwant Singh and Beant Singh who were charged with killing of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were named Santa and Banta respectively to hurt the Sikh sentiments”, adding that a number of websites who are doing business in the name of Sikh jokes are doing a business of crores of rupees every year”, said G.K.  

Referring to a meeting of Congress party president with the President of India on the issue of the atmosphere of uncertainty in the country, G.K. asked her to also take up the issue of immunity given to the perpetrators of 1984 Sikh genocide and making fun of Sikhs, by the Congress party. DSGMC president also raised questions on the BJP role in delay in justice to Sikhs.

Speaking on Jokes of clock striking 12 for the Sikhs, G.K. said that history speaks valor and courage of Sikhs when looters used to loot India and also take along girls, forcibly from here, Sikhs used to fight with the looters to rescue the girls and also safely send them back to their homes. “Some people are spreading hatred by making jokes, instead they should go back into the rich historic background of Sikhs,” suggested G.K.  

Sirsa demanded that the websites which are spreading Sikhs jokes should banned so that Sikhs who are in a small minority in country should not be targeted. Supporting Harvinder Kaur Chaudhary, Sirsa said that all political parties are exploiting minorities. “Writers these days are returning their awards but where were they when Sikhs were mercilessly killed in 1984 genocide,” questioned SIrsa.

Speaking on the occasion Chaudhary said that due to jokes on Sikhs, the entire community was being projected in poor light and it adversely impacts their perception also. She advocated that Sikh jokes are impairing the rights of religious freedom given to Sikhs in the Constitution of India, so tough laws be framed and have a provision for tough punishment and penalty for offenders. 

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

The UK's First National Sikh Memorial

Unveiling of the Sikh Memorial at the National Arboretum,Staffordshire ,UK

Unveiling of the Sikh Memorial to the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers in the World Wars took place at the National Arboretum,Staffordshire on 1st November 2015  . 

It was attended by many dignitaries and members 7 high officials of the armed forces (serving and retired members) . As well as  Professor Gurinder Singh Mann, Bhai Mohinder Singh, Peter Virdee  &  Royal British Legion Riders also grace the occasion with their presence.

 Few Pics courtesy to  Prof.Gurinder Singh Mann

Link :https://www.facebook.com/sikhmuseum.org.uk/?hc_location=ufi

DSGMC Honored Senior Lawyer Bibi Harvinder Kaur Chaudhary who filed PIL in Supreme Court against "derogatory" jokes directed at the Sikh community.

'

The Supreme Court on Friday ( 30th October 2015 ) agreed to hear a petition asking for direction to ban nearly five thousand websites displaying jokes on the Sikh community. Petitioner Harvinder Chowdhury in her  Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has requested the court to issue an order banning all websites which spread jokes portraying the 'sardar' community as 'persons of low intellect, stupid and foolish'.

Such a complaint has come up for the first time in Delhi - that too before the Supreme Court. Earlier, Sikh groups have on several occasions gone to the police, especially in Mumbai, seeking ban on such jokes.

The issue was first successfully raised in March 2007, when on a complaint filed by a Sikh businessman Mohinder Nanksingh Kakar, Mumbai-based publisher Ranjit Parande was arrested for publishing a book on Santa and Banta, that allegedly carried "derogatory" jokes directed at the Sikh community.

Link :http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/not-a-joke-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-pil-seeking-ban-on-sardar-jokes/1/511068.html