Sh Vijay Goel addressing the protest meeting at Talkatora Stadium today, against the 1984 riots

It's an irony that Anti-Sikh riots took place in 1984 despite a Sikh being a president then and the culprits were left scott-free in 2013 despite a Sikh being a Prime Minister now. 

Justice Narula committee was formed by the then BJP government within days after taking office in December 1993. It was a BJP initiative that formed Nanavati Commision in May 2000 by the then PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was the congress and their leaders who were either directly involved in the Sikh killings or supported the killers. Still no senior congress leader has ever gone to Jail in last 29 years despite having witnesses and credible proof. 

Congress government has failed on all fronts including corruption, scams and non-governance. BJP had opposed the appointment of CBI director Ranjit Sinha even in 2012.

Justice has not only been delayed but justice has been denied to the Sikhs : Vijay Goel

BJP to organize massive rally on 4 May to expose misuse of CBI by the Congress 

New Delhi, 3rd May, 2013. Expressing his solidarity with the Sikh community in the Capital which has been venting its anguish over the last couple of days over acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party President Shri Vijay Goel said, “I empathies with the community which feels betrayed as justice has not been delayed but justice has been denied to them.” 

Shri Goel said, “The Congress government over the years have never shown the will and intentions to take these long pending cases to the logical end. The anti-Sikh pogrom happened during Congress’ regime and it has failed to ensure that justice is delivered by bringing the guilty to the book.” 

Shri Goel said, it was the during the NDA regime that the Nanawati Commission was constituted to conduct an inquiry into the 1984 riots. The CBI had registered cases against Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in 2005 only on the recommendations of the Nanavati Commission. 

“No cases would not have been registered against those who led and participated the carnage against Sikhs in the Capital had the NDA government not ensured a speedy and effective inquiry,” he added. 

The CBI’s status as an independent agency is already under scanner as it is evident that it has been subjugated by its political masters to serve their purpose. It clearly appears that the CBI did not carry out its duty in action as well as spirit leading to acquittal of former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar getting the “benefit of doubt” 

“It is strange that in the same case while the five co-accused have been convicted, Sajjan Kumar was acquitted. This further strengthens our belief that the CBI deliberately left loopholes in this case which resulted in this acquittal,” Shri Goel said. 

“The Delhi Police also played a dubious role and there were clear attempts to manipulate this case. Even the court has observed, “From the day one itself, Delhi Police has tried to shield the former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar from the grasp of law,” he added. 

The Delhi BJP opposes this travesty of justice and would not let this case and all such cases rest unless all the guilty are brought to the book. 

“Our party stands by the Sikh community and would continue with its fight to ensure that justice, though delayed by this time, is not denied to Sikhs in the Capital anymore,” Shri Goel said. 

Shri Goel announced, “It is clear that the CBI has now become ‘Compromised Bureau of Investigation’. In addition to delay in investigations and building up weak cases against Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar, it tried closure of cases against another Congress leader Jagdish Tytler though fortunately the Court has disallowed that. In the Coalgate scam also, it allowed tampering of investigation reports by the UPA government despite the apex court directives.” 

To expose the misuse of CBI in all such sensitive cases, the Delhi BJP is organizing a mass rally at Talkatora stadium in the Capital on 4 May. Delhi BJP President Shri Vijay Goel, and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, senior BJP leader and Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha will address this rally.

Sajjan Kumar acquittal: Sikhs protest outside Sonia’s residence

Zee Media Bureau 

New Delhi: Angry over the acquittal of former MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, Sikh groups on Thursday protested outside Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence and the party office in the national capital. 

Burning effigies of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sajjan Kumar, different Sikh groups gathered outside Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence. 

Protesters tried to break barricades put up by the Delhi Police in view of the planned protests. 

"Over a thousand protesters marched towards Sonia Gandhi's residence, breaking two barricades. But they were blocked by the policemen. Similar scenes were witnessed at 24, Akbar Road (the Congress office)," a senior police officer said. 

Akbar Road, Motilal Nehru Marg, Krishna Menon Marg, Mansingh Road, Maulana Azad Road and Janpath in New Delhi area have been closed due to the protests. 

On Wednesday, two Metro stations in West Delhi – Tilak Nagar and Subhash Nagar – were closed down after Sikh protesters stormed the facility and disrupted services. 

Sajjan Kumar was acquitted by a court in Delhi on Tuesday in one of the 1984 riots cases. Sikh groups had protested outside the court complex on Tuesday as well. One of the protesters had even thrown a shoe at the judge. 

with thanks : Zee News : LINK

Sikh group announces USD 1 mln reward for Sajjan's conviction

WASHINGTON: A US-based Sikh rights group has announced an award of USD 1 million to any individual, whose testimony and evidence may result in conviction of Sajjan Kumar, the senior Congress leader from Delhi. 

"The 'Million Dollar' reward will be given to those individuals who will come forward with tips, evidence and testimony leading to the reversal of Judge Aryan's April 30 order acquitting Congress leader Sajjan Kumar for role in the killing of Sikhs in November 1984," Sikh for Justice said in a statement. 

Justifying the reward attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to SFJ, alleged that killing of Sikhs took place in broad day light while hundreds of citizens helplessly watched the systematic and gruesome killings of people in the first week of November 1984. 

"Now is the opportunity for those who witnessed the killings to come forward with testimony and evidence to help victims in seeking justice against those Congress leaders who organized violence against Sikhs," Pannun said. 

Since Judge Aryan gave " benefit of doubt" to Sajjan, Pannun said victims will challenge the acquittal of Kumar before Delhi High Court based on the precedent set by the Supreme Court in Devenderpal Singh Bhullar's case.

with thanks : Economic Times : LINK

Save atleast those prisoners .....

Sikh Congressional caucus formed in US

A new bipartisan American Sikh Congressional Caucus has been formed to educate US lawmakers and the general public about Sikh issues and support the American Sikh community that has often faced discrimination post 9/11.   Co-chaired by Democrat Judy Chu and Republican David Valadao, both House members from California, the caucus was joined by 28 members of Congress from both parties.

"More than a decade after 9/11, too many Sikhs across America face discrimination, bullying, and even bias-motivated violence from misguided individuals associating them with the terrorist attacks," said Chu announcing the formation of the caucus Tuesday.

"This caucus will be the voice for American Sikhs in the House of Representatives, working across the aisle to address the unique challenges that this community faces," she said.

Thanking members of Congress lending their voices to this cause, Chu said: "Together, we will preserve religious freedom, protect the safety of all people, and celebrate America's diversity."

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.

£4m Sikh temple dream is reality

SCOTLAND'S biggest Sikh temple has been unveiled in Glasgow after a community raised £4million to build it.

�4m Sikh temple dream is real

The Gurdwara, in the South Side's Albert Drive, is the result of months of hard work and years of planning.

The city's Sikh community is now rallying round to get it ready for a grand opening on Sunday, when the congre- gation will take part in a procession from the former site in nearby Nithsdale Road to the new building.

Situated next to the Tramway Theatre, the new temple's cost has been met by fundraising from within the Sikh community and donations from other faiths.

Gurdwara president Surinder Singh, 51, said: "The Gurdwara was a dream of ours and to see it now, almost complete, it is beyond my expectations.

"I have to commend all those involved in making it a reality."

The temple will be complete on Sunday with delivery of the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Five elders, known as Panj Piare, or "beloved ones," will lead a colourful procession which will transport the texts to the new temple.

Mr Singh, from Barrhead, Renfrewshire added: "At the moment this is just a building but the arrival of the holy scriptures and the congregation is what will make it a very special Gurdwara."

with thanks : eveningtimes : LINK : for detailed news.

A blow to Sikh's fight for restoring their turban pride

AMRITSAR: In a blow to Sikh's fight for their turban pride, the Quebec Soccer Federation (QSF) has refused to adopt a direction from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) to allow Sikh players to wear turbans. While expressing disappointment over the decision of QSF World Sikh Organization (WSO) President Prem Singh Vinning told TOI on Thursday, "We fail to see what is so complicated about allowing Sikh children to play with their peers. What purpose does the QSF restriction on the turban serve? There is no conceivable justification for this. If there are genuine concerns, we are open to dialogue but if this situation is not quickly resolved, the real victims will be the children."

Late last week, in light of the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to allow headscarves for players, the CSA had confirmed that referees may, until further notice, extend this ruling to the wearing of turbans,patkas , keski. Vinning said that the Quebec Federation however had stated that it will not accommodate the turban and will send the issue to its provincial referees' committee, which will make a recommendation to the federation's executive committee in the coming months.

A spokesperson of WSO Balpreet Singh said that as soccer registration has already begun for the summer season, the QSF's delay in implementing the turban accommodation will mean Sikh children will be excluded for a second consecutive season adding that no other soccer association in Canada restricts the turban.WSO Vice-President (Quebec and Atlantic Region) Mukhbir Singh said, "the CSA, of which the QSF is a member, has clarified that the turban can be worn . The QSF decision to continue to exclude the turban means Sikh children in Quebec will miss another season of soccer with their peers. "I cannot see any logic in the QSF's agreeing to allow headscarves for girls but refusing to allow turbans for boys " said he.

with thanks : Times of India : Link

Hemkunt Sahib .....

Sikh players wearing turban to be accommodated on the soccer pitch in Canada

AMRITSAR: Sikh players wearing turban would now be accommodated on the soccer pitch after Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) directed to soccer associations and referees across the country that Sikh players who wear the turban can be accommodated on the soccer pitch. 

While hailing the decision World Sikh Organization (WSO) President Prem Singh Vinning told TOI on Tuesday, "The accommodation of the turban already takes place not just across Canada but across the world. There is no reason why the turban can't be accommodated. We're glad the CSA has clarified the issue for referees and has hopefully resolved this matter for good." 

He said that CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli, had advised the WSO that in light of the decision of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to allow headscarves for players, and in response to inquiries by referees, the CSA Board of Directors has confirmed that "referees may, until further notice, extend this ruling to the wearing of turbans/patkas/keski." Notice of this decision was sent out to the CSA's provincial and territorial members across Canada late last week, said he. 

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

Flying Sikh Milkha given lifetime achievement award

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh was given the life time achievement award during a function organised by the Punjabi Cultural Board in Mumbai earlier this week. Singh received the award from actor Farhan Akhtar and was given the award along with Dharmendra, Raj Babbar and singer Rommy Gill.

"It's a great honour for me that the Punjabi Cultural Board gave the award. It was a great feeling meeting the likes of Dharmendra, Raj Babbar and Farhan Akhtar and I am happy that the Punjabi Cultural Board gave me the award. A lot of Punjabis live in Mumbai and across all over India and I am sure this award will also inspire them," shared Singh.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK

Baisakhi: Sikhs dedicate festival to save girl child

KANPUR: The festival of Baisakhi was dedicated to save girl child this year. It was celebrated with enthusiasm and fervour in the city on Saturday. Wearing traditional costumes and drenched in devotion, people thronged gurudwaras. A cultural mela was organized atMootijheel in which people took 'BetiBachao' oath. Ragi of Amritsar Sahib Jagjeet SinghKomal administered the oath.

Members of the Sikh community started visiting gurdwaras since morning to attend special prayers. At noon, after the Baisakhi ardas, prasad was distributed. Special prayers were held at Gurudwara Bhai Banno Sahib on GT Road.

Hundreds of people visited Moothijheel ground to witness Baisakhi Mela.

In the evening, men were seen dancing on the deafening dhol beats in the artificially made green fields. India Got Talent participant Veer Khalsa Team from Punjab took part in the event.The Veer Khalsa team members and Ragi of Amritsar Sahib also announced that Beti Bachao campaign would continue in gurudwaras in the city. Nukkad nataks and skits were also organized to create awareness against heinous practice of female feoticide.Neetu Singh, chairperson, Sikh Welfare Society, said Ragi of Amritsar Sahib Jagjeet Singh Komal had announced to distribute symbolic saplings to the devotees to be planted at homes. These saplings would be named after the daughter of the family."This is a unique way to make people realize that daughters are like trees who always bear fruits and give shade. We must take care of trees and daughters alike," Neetu Singh added.

Baisakhi has its origin to the celebrations in 1699 organized by the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh to form the Khalsa. Baisakhi is also known as the festival of harvest.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

LONDON Southall Vaisakhi Mela 2013

Happy Baisakhi

SGPC cancels Sikh jatha's Pak visit

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has cancelled the visit of a 1,400-strong Sikh jatha to Pakistan due to the denial of visas to a majority of the applicants. 

The Pakistan High Commission has denied visas to more than 1,350 pilgrims, apparently due to political uncertainty and law and order problem in the neighbouring country. The jatha was scheduled to leave for Lahore on Wednesday on a 10-day visit to Pakistan to pay obeisance at historic gurdwaras to mark Baisakhi.

Stating this here, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar expressed resentment over the visa denial, saying that it was a matter of grave concern for the Sikh community.

Makkar, who presided over the SGPC executive meeting here, said the committee had sent a list of 1,400 applicants to the union government sometime ago, but it was forwarded to the Pakistan embassy only on April 4.

He pointed out that the SGPC had 60% quota for Pakistan visas during Baisakhi and other Sikh religious occasions when the community from across the world paid obeisance at Sikh shrines in Pakistan.

In 1999, the SGPC had cancelled the jatha's visit in protest against the formation of a separate Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee under the aegis of the Waqf Board there. Bibi Jagir Kaur was then the SGPC president.

DSGMC follows suit

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), also governed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), has decided to cancel its jatha's visit, even though the Pakistan authorities granted visas to 157 of the 171 applicants.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK told HT on the phone from Delhi that the committee had decided to cancel its tour in protest against the overall large-scale denial of visas. He said the few people who had got visas could visit Pakistan at their own risk.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

64 pvt schools should refund excess fees to parents: panel to HC

Apr 05, 2013

The judicial panel, set up by the Delhi High Court, has recommended that more than 60 schools have to refund the excess fees charged by them in 2009 without paying salaries to their teaching and non-teaching staff as per the Sixth Pay Commission.

A three-member committee headed by former Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Anil Dev Singh, set up last year, has examined the financial records of 200 schools on a random basis out of total 1172 schools and submitted its first interim report before the bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Siddharth Mridul yesterday.

The committee said in its report that 64 schools "unjustly" increased fees and recommended that all of them refund the same with 9 percent interest to the parents.

As per the panel report, the group of Guru Harkrishan Public Schools, including the one on Purana Qila Road, Hargovind Enclave and Vasant Vihar branches, Guru Nanak Public School in Pushpanjali Enclave, Guru Teg Bahadur Public School in Model Town and others have to refund the extra fees with interest to the parents.

"The committee, therefore, recommends that the schools be directed to refund the increased monthly fee with effect from September 2008 till the date of actual refund along with the interest at the rate of 9 percent per annum. The school should also refund the arrear of fees recovered from the students along with the interest of 9 percent," the panel said.

"Since the annual fee of the school is increased by about 10 percent every year, there would be a ripple effect in the fee for the years subsequent to 2009-2010....," the report also said.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK

Judgment reserved in anti-Sikh riots case

The judgment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which Congress leader Sajjan Kumar is accused of instigating violence against Sikhs was reserved by a Sessions court here on Wednesday after the prosecution and defence completed their final arguments. District Judge J. R. Aryan said he will take up the matter on April 16 for seeking further clarifications, from both parties, if needed.

Appearing for Mr. Kumar, defence counsel I. U. Khan argued that the key witness, Jagdish Kaur, had not named him in her affidavit before the Ranganath Mishra Commission in 1985 and also did not point out the absence of his name in that affidavit to the Nanavati Commission appointed by the NDA Government.

Regarding her claim that she had seen Mr. Kumar addressing a crowd from atop a police jeep in the Delhi Cantonment area, Mr. Khan argued that considering the distance from where she said she saw him, it would not have been possible for her to see him.

The defence counsel also claimed that though an FIR relating to 30 murders in Raj Nagar was filed and 23 complaints were made by relatives, gurdwara committees and other associations, not one of them had named Mr. Kumar.

However, CBI counsel D. P. Singh rebutted this contention saying that it was the CBI case that the Delhi Police had eliminated all traces of any complaints mentioning Mr. Kumar’s name.

Mr. Khan also alleged that Ms. Kaur had not named Jagsher Singh, her relative, as an eyewitness before either the Mishra or Nanavati Commissions, and took his name for the first time before the CBI only in 2006. Jagsher Singh had allegedly seen and heard Mr. Kumar scolding his supporters for not inflicting adequate damage on Sikh properties and urging them to not spare Hindus who sheltered Sikhs. “Whatever Jagsher Singh saw, he would have told Jagdish Kaur. How come, all these years, she never mentioned his name?” Mr. Khan asked.

Defence counsel Anil Sharma, appearing for five other accused, argued that out of 17 prosecution witnesses, only three had named his clients in the case. “Out of 35 prosecution witnesses, CBI had examined 17 and only three of them had named Balwan Khokkar, Kishan Khokkar, Mahender Yadav, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal. Why should we believe those three witnesses and not the 14 witnesses who had not named them,” he said.

Concluding his arguments, Mr. Singh said that the Bureau had conducted an honest investigation and that the prosecution has limited itself to what each of the witnesses had seen at the time of the incident. He emphasised that the CBI witnesses had made an honest recollection of the facts of the case before the court.

Before Mr. Aryan reserved orders, senior advocate H. S. Phoolka, counsel for the riot victims, stood up and said: “After conducting the inquiry, running into over four years, the Nanavati Commission had primarily recommended registration of the cases against two political leaders, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Against Jagdish Tytler, the CBI has already filed the closure report, and against Sajjan Kumar the present trial is going on. Not just the entire country, the whole world was waiting for justice in the case because 5,000 people were killed and the culprits were yet to be brought to book.”

The defence counsel vociferously objected to Mr. Phoolka’s intervention.

with thanks : The Hindu : LINK

Man charged with hate crime in brutal assault on Sikh cab driver

By Kim Murphy

April 3, 2013, 6:40 a.m.

SEATTLE—A man accused of brutally attacking a Sikh cab driver, stomping on him as he lay on the ground and ripping out part of his beard, has been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with a hate crime.

The indictment of Jamie Larson, 49, of Federal Way, Wash., replaces earlier state charges. Conviction under the federal hate crimes statute carries a potential penalty of 10 years in prison.

King County authorities who initially investigated the case said the taxi driver, a native of India, was wearing a traditional Sikh turban when he responded to a request from Auburn police on Oct. 17 to take Larson home from a Fred Meyer store, where he was drunk, falling in the bushes and refusing to leave. 

Along the way, the driver later told police, Larson commented on his turban and told him he shouldn’t have come to the U.S., saying his father was a soldier who had fought for America.

Once they arrived at Larson’s home, the defendant began savagely beating the 50-year-old driver, shouting racial epithets, punching him in the face and jumping on him, according to county charging documents.

Horrified neighbors called police, who handcuffed Larson and interviewed the driver, who was walking around in a daze before beginning to vomit repeatedly.

Larson told officers the driver was a “towel head” and an “Iranian, Iraqi rag head,” the indictment alleges.

“We have Americans fighting overseas, and why doesn’t he go back there,” one officer quoted the defendant as saying.

Larson was initially charged in King County Superior Court with malicious harassment based on the victim's race, religion or ethnicity, a state hate crime charge. King County prosecutors dismissed those charges this week in hopes Larson would get a longer prison term under federal law. He appeared in federal court Tuesday under the new indictment. 

Federal prosecutors said they would seek to have him detained before trial. According to King County prosecutors, Larson has been booked 19 times since 1986 with 34 warrants, on charges including disorderly conduct, assault, possession of marijuana and various cases of malicious mischief.

“Attacks such as this one, based on prejudice and racial hate, are contrary to who we are and violate the law,” U.S. Atty. Jenny Durkan said in a statement.

with thanks : latimes : LINK

Sikh Americans join Obama in urging lawmakers on gun control

WASHINGTON: The Sikh Americans today joined US President Barack Obama in urging the lawmakers to pass laws to curb gun violence in the United States.

Several eminent members of the Sikh and Hindu community were invited to the White House to attend an event wherein Obama reiterated his call to the Congress to urgently pass the gun control laws, so as to curb the recent spike in shooting incidents in the country.

 "It is important that we, people inspired by our faiths, must work towards making our society safe and sound for all people and especially for our children. The measures which keeps guns out of the hands of criminals and people with severe mental illness is something which should be supported by all and we urge the congress to take the lead," Rajwant Singh, chairman of Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), said after the White House event.

Singh attended the event along with a delegation of Sikh leaders, including Prabhjot Singh Kohli, chairman of Guru Nanak Foundation of America (GNFA); Amarjeet Singh Sandhu, an official of Gurdwara Sant Sagar in Burtonsville, Maryland, and Guransh Singh, a Churchill High School student.

Siva Subramanian from the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Maryland also present.

"We, four members of the Sikh community, represented half a dozen members in a shootout at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin on 5th August 2012. This was a great tragedy for all the Sikhs in America and we feared that if this does not stop here, there is a possibility of more such tragedies in other gurudwaras and other places in America. So we are actively supporting the control of guns going in the wrong hands," said Prabhjot.

In his remarks, Obama expressed his frustration at the lack of action by lawmakers and made a forceful plea to remember the horror of the December massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. and to take steps aimed at preventing future gun violence.

"Less than 100 days ago that happened, and the entire country was shocked. The entire country pledged we would do something about it and that this time would be different. Shame on us if we've forgotten. I haven't forgotten those kids," Obama said.

"This is the country's best chance in more than a decade to take common-sense steps to pass laws that will save lives from gun violence," Obama said.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

HAPPY HOLI !

SGND Khalsa College,Dev Nagar,University of Delhi

A Conference / Workshop held on Human Rights. 

Gurmat Samagam by Nirbhao Sikh Society

A massive gathering of almost two thousand persons was present at the Hola Mohalla Gurmat Samagam at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Krishna nagar. 

A well organised programme by Nirbhao Sikh Society, was attended by Dr Harshvardhan (MLA), Smt Kalpana Jain (Councillor), Dr V K Monga, Sd. Jatinder singh Shunty, Sd Manmohan singh Mintoo, Sd Jatinder pal singh Goldy, Sd Ravinder singh Lovly, Sd Darshan singh, Sd Gurcharan Singh gatka master, Sd Balbir singh vivek vihar alongwith many more known personalities of the area including SHO Krishna nagar.

Ragi jathas included Bhai Amar singh ji, Bhai Pavandeep singh ji ( Kanpuri ), Bhai Amarjit singh ji ( Patiala wale ), Giani Gurdev singh ji ( Australia wale ) and Bhai Manpreet singh ji Kanpuri.

"Nirbhau Sikh Society is a recently launched Sikh society by the young blood of Krishna nagar & the efforts done by it in making the programme a success is really commendable", said Sd Darshan sigh ji President Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Krishna Nagar.

"The sangat really was in high spirits during the programme & i request to the young blood to keep on doing the sewa", said Sd Jatinder Singh ji Shunty.

Britain's first Asian Sikh Judge :Sir Mota Singh,QC-Legal Advisor

 

   

His Honour Judge Mota Singh, was named for a knighthood in the British Queen's New Year's Honours List.
 
Aged 79, now officially known as Sir Mota Singh, was knighted for "services to the administration of justice, community relations and to the voluntary sector". He hit the headlines in 1967 when he appeared in a British court as a turban-wearing barrister. In 1982, upon becoming Britain's first Asian judge, he again insisted on wearing his turban rather than the traditional judge's wig to court.

Mota Singh is a longstanding senior member of the Bebe Nanaki CharitableTrust Board and is a highly valued and respected member of the Board of Trustees. Mota Singh provides advice on all legal matters within the Trust and was appointed by Bibi Ji her self.

Link: bebenanaki.org/index.php?option=com


 

Gurmat Samagam in Amritsar

Sd Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev : 23rd March : Our Salute !

Criminal Law ( Amendment ) Bill Passed !

SGPC won’t pay court fee, gives up Bluestar case

Abhinav Garg | TNN 

New Delhi: Putting an end to anearly three-decade-old legal battle for Rs 1,000 crore compensation from the Union government for the 1984 Operation Bluestar, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday informed the Delhi high court it is withdrawing its suit. 

    In a three-page affidavit filed before Justice M L Mehta, the SGPC informed that by a resolution passed on March 8, 2013, the SGPC executive committee decided to withdraw the suit that claimed compensation of Rs 1,000 crore for the damages caused to the Golden Temple in the operation carried out by the Army in 1984. 

    The SGPC in its affidavit says it took stock of the case and of the objections raised by the Central government and observed that the maintainability of the suit is yet to be decided. The SGPC said if the court fee of about Rs 10 crore is paid on the amount claimed, it will be “sheer wastage of money spent on court fee, which is the hard-earned money donated by devotees” if the case is decided against it. 

    The money will “go in vain” the SGPC argued in its affidavit seeking liberty to withdraw its suit. On Monday, Justice Mehta was informed by the counsel for SGPC that its office-holder Mangat Singh was unable to be present in court and if granted time he will appear to give an undertaking to withdraw the suit. Justice Mehta then adjourned the case and posted it for hearing for April 22. The affidavit marks an end to a suit that was instituted in an Amritsar court in 1985 and was later transferred to the Delhi HC. 

    In January, 2013, the HC began hearing the case but following the revised court fee system, directed the SGPC to first deposit Rs 10 crore as fee if it wanted to pursue the case. 

    When the committee expressed its helplessness in paying such a huge amount claiming it is “indigent” organization, the HC brushed aside these arguments and gave it eight weeks to deposit the fee.

 

 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Sikh bodies want serial name 'Gurbani' changed

Once again, the Sikh religious bodies are up in arms against the entertainment industry. This time, the offending source is the TV serial 'Gurbani' that went on air from Monday night. Even before the serial was aired, various Sikh organizations protested against the serial's title, objecting to the fact that the word 'Gurbani' refers to sacred sayings inscribed in the Holy Sikh book, Guru Granth Sahib. 

In Jallandhar a case has been registered with the police by Jagjit Singh Gaba, president of Gurudwara Nauvin Patshahi, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, on Saturday, for 'hurting religious sentiments'. Even Amritsar erupted in protests on Monday with activists of Youth Akali Dal (YAD) and International Sikh Organization (ISO) burning effigies and demanding a ban against the serial aired on TV channel Colors. The Sikh bodies are apparently miffed even with the government, alleging that the Centre government did not take cognizance of protest filed by SGPC with them.

National Organizational Secretary, YAD, Gurpreet Singh Prince said, "The character in the serial would be addressed by different persons in different expressions, which could hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. Naming the serial Gurbani is highly condemnable, and we will continue our protests unless it is stopped from airing or its name is changed." 

While a media statement issued from General Entertainment Channel (Channel) says they have taken note of the reports and concerns of Sikh bodies, when contacted, Colors spokesperson said, "Our channel has tremendous respect for all communities including Sikhs. We would never do anything to hurt their sentiments. In fact, the producer of the show is a Sikh herself and even has a niece named Gurbani. The name, Gurbani has been given to the lead protagonist in the serial and it symbolizes everything that is pure, cultural and spiritual about Punjab." The spokesperson added, "However, to respect the sentiments of the people, we have decided to change the name of the show. Our team will get in touch with the concerned people, or organization to seek some time to change the name and will try and implement it as soon as possible."

The serial addresses a long standing issue of Punjab, that of deserted NRI brides and highlights the great dream of this region, that of going abroad.  

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Sikh killed for marrying a second time

LAHORE - A Sikh man was murdered on Saturday over his decision to marry a second time, police officials said Saturday.

According to reports, unidentified men entered 28-year-old Amarjeet Singh’s store at Shalimar Town and assaulted him.

They then bundled Singh into a car and sped away. Later, Singh’s body was found near Sheikhupura district.

The body bore marks of torture, police said. Singh dealt in natural medicines. When police contacted Singh’s family in Peshawar, they learnt that he had recently decided to marry for a second time despite opposition from the woman’s fiancé.

“The deceased’s family told us that Amerjeet Singh had contracted a second marriage with the fiancé of Arjun Singh. It suspected that Arjun and the brothers of the second wife of Amerjeet might be involved in this murder,” an official of Shalimar police station said.

A murder case has been registered against Arjun Singh, Saroop Singh and Mastan Singh, the officials said. Singh’s body was sent to the city mortuary for an autopsy. 

with thanks : PToday : LINK

Bangla Sahib Gurdwara: Sikh shrine that was once a haveli

Delhi’s list of tourist attractions is incomplete without the mention of Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. Located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg, near Connaught Place, this prominent Sikh shrine is alive with visitors and tourists all the year round. The name — Bangla Sahib — hardly matters to the devout, but a general visitor is curious about its origin. This was originally Jaisinghpura Palace, a haveli of the Jaipur kings. It was in 1664 that Sawai Raja Jai Singh of Amber (Jaipur) hosted Guru Hari Krishan — the boy prophet who became the eighth Sikh Guru in 1661.

“It was a typical haveli and a bangla (an enclosure especially made for special guests) was erected for the guru. The place of guruji sangat (where he addressed the devotees) is now the takht sahib (decorated platform on which Guru Granth Sahib is kept),” says Gyani Kuldeep Singh of the gurdwara. 

The guru stayed for about 8-10 months at a time of cholera and chicken pox epidemics. “He sat with his feet dipped in a small pond of water, which people — both Hindus and Muslims — partook and was saved. It is still there next to the shrine,” Singh said.

After Independence, the place saw rapid changes. An artificial pond was added. Beautiful golden filigree work adorning the sanctum sanctorum were also put in place. 

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINk

Gurdwaras in Pakistan observe Sikh Environment Day

Washington, March 16 (IANS) For the first time, 35 gurdwaras in Pakistan mainly in Sindh and Balochistan, and in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, joined Sikh institutions in India and abroad in observing Sikh Environment Day, according to information received here.

Tens of thousands of Sikhs across the world celebrated the Day Thursday, according to Washington based Sikh organization, EcoSikh which had appealed to all Sikh groups to observe the day with environmental action programmes.

The day when Guru Har Rai, known for his deep love and sensitivity towards nature and its preservation, became the seventh Sikh Guru in 1644, is observed by the community as Sikh Environment Day to garner support from various faith communities and officials.

EcoSikh president Rajwant Singh, said: "It is amazing to see so much enthusiasm among the Sikh communities all around the world, and we believe that this is the largest direct action by the Sikhs for the environment in the history of Sikhism."

Ravneet Singh, Programme Manager of Ecosikh in India, said some 1,550 Sikh gurdwaras, organizations and institutions from India and abroad had held special Gurbani recitals on the theme of nature and organized herbal plants and flower shows.

"For the first time, Sikhs in the British Army are also organizing their special observances on environment." he added.

Gurdwaras across Punjab and other parts of the world also pledged to reduce the use of Styrofoam and disposables at gurdwaras and religious ceremonies.

"Many gurdwaras have begun projects on implementing solar panels, composting systems, and steel utensils during langar (free community meal in the Sikh tradition) for more comprehensive environmental sustainability," said Paramjeet Kaur, EcoSikh programme administrator in North America.

with thanks : Yahoo News : LINK

Mobile Tower Radiation in East Delhi checked