Sikh Man Brutally Stabbed After Fender Bender

Manteca resident Gulwinder Singh was driving to work at 7 am near Highway 99 in Stockton, California when his car was hit. He stopped his car and got out to exchange information with the other driver. That’s when the situation went from bad to worse.

The assailant asked Singh to leave when he got out of his car following the collision. However, Singh insisted on exchanging driving licence information. It was then that the assailant pulled out a small back revolver. He pointed it at the victim and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off.

“I asked him for his license and he pulled a gun on me. And I said, ‘O.K., O.K., it’s cool, I’m leaving,’” Singh told reporters at FOX40.

Walking back to his car, the other driver attacked Singh – first hitting him in the back of the head with a rock and then pulling a knife and stabbing him repeatedly in the face.

Bloodied and confused, Singh got up off the asphalt and that’s when other drivers stepped in and his attacker took off. The suspect tried to flee in his car but crashed into a tree. The assailant then fled on foot.

Singh was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital and received 40 stitches in his ear, above his eye and on the bridge of his nose. Singh says he has no idea why the other driver snapped. “Maybe he already did something and wanted to escape,” Singh said.

Singh has been a San Joaquin county business owner for 13 years and says he never expected to be attacked like this. “I drove taxi for nine years in San Francisco and this never happened to me,” he said.

Stockton Police Lieutenant James Chraska described the suspect as a 5 foot 6 or 8 inch, 21 or 22-year-old black or Hispanic male with medium length hair and a beard.

with thanks : thelinkpaper : LINK

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee to adopt 4 villages near Hemkunt Sahib

AMRITSAR: After cooperating with army and state government machinery in evacuation and distribution of relief material to the Uttarakhand natural calamity victims, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is all set to adopt 4 disaster hit villages near Hemkunt Sahib to rehabilitate the lives of their residents and provide them with basic living infrastructure that have been washed away in recent flash floods.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK told TOI on Thursday that DSGMC had in principal decided to adopt Pandukeshwar and Gobind Ghat villages besides two more villages on way to Hemkunt Sahib. He said local MLA from Badrinath Rajinder Singh Bhandari was taking keen interest in DSGMC adopting villages falling in his constituency.

"We are sending a high powered team that would assess the damage in these villages following which a detailed plan would be chalked out with the help of subject experts" said president of DSGMC that evacuated 75 local residents of Badrinath and airlifted them to Joshi Math on Wednesday when army had officially called off its evacuation mission.

He said he had received reports that residents of these villages had lost their homes, farms and livestock and have to begin their life from scratch.

"We can help them in building their homes, helping them to purchase livestock or set up small vacations as par their desires " he said.

He said he had also convened a meeting of executive body of DSGMC to discuss the issue before sending the high level team to assess the damage in these villages.

Manjit said they were not restricted in adopting just 4 villages but were open and the final decision on the number of villages would be taken after receiving the report of the team who would soon visit the spot. Hailing the efforts and interest shown by local Badrinath MLA , GK said the DSGMC would be able to reach up to every affected person with local support and logistics.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Sikh intellectuals back Sidhu on his religious utterings

AMRITSAR: Sikh intellectuals have appealed to Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh to examine the whole context in which BJP MP from Amritsar Navjot Singh Sidhu had used the religious song Naam Khumari Nanaka Charri Rahe Din Raat in a satirical form before taking any action against him. 

Sikh intellectual and a senior professor of Guru Nanak Dev University Professor Balwant Singh said that though the verse was not a part of Gurbani but Jathedar should examine the whole context in which it was used - may be in satirical form. Going through the reported verse uttered by Sidhu he said "It appears as if he has only praised the name of Nanak". Sidhu's uttering of Sikh religious song in humorous way had earned the wrath of Akal Takht jathedar. 

Gurbachan Singh said that Akal Takht secretariat had not received any complaint against Sidhu but the Sikh clergy would definitely contemplate so as to dispel the confusions among Panth with respect to mocking of Sikh religious songs. Another Sikh scholar Baljinder Singh said "One has to be cautious while using Sikh religious names but it should be examined by Sikh clergy before reaching at any decision". Despite several attempts Sidhu who is reportedly in Mumbai, couldn't be contacted for comments. 

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

Sidhu hurts Sikh sentiments, evokes Akal Takht ire

AMRITSAR: Sitting BJP MP Navjot Sidhu is set to face ire of Akal Takht once again.

The former cricketer who is seen engaging in a funny banter with comedian Kapil Sharma on a TV show telecasted on Colors channel on Sunday allegedly used name of first master of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev saying the lines were in gurbani (Sikh hymns).

Sidhu during the show said: Bura nasha sharab ka, uttar jaye prabhat. Naam khumari Nanaka, chadi rahe din raat.

Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh though there is no such line in gurbani but still Sidhu has no right to use name of Guru Nanak Dev in such lines mentioning ‘liquor’.

The Sikh community has been deeply hurt by this act of Sidhu.

The Jathedar said he himself is looking into the matter and appropriate action will be taken against Sidhu.

Seeing the anger amongst the Sikhs, the video showing Sidhu speaking the lines has been removed from various social networking sites.

Navjot Sidhu is no new to controversy.

Earlier in 2009, he was accused of hurting Sikh sentiments by taking part in ‘yagna’ and wear a thread across his body.

with thanks : Punjab Newsline : LINK

Sikh Couple Forced to Leave Theater for Wearing Articles of Faith

Image: Ikman and Manjot Singh, shown here with their children, were forced to leave an AMC theater in Emeryville, Calif., after security guards accused the couple of carrying weapons.

In a broad-ranging move affecting all Sikh Americans who wear their articles of faith, AMC Theaters has stated it will vigorously enforce its “no weapons” policy after a Sikh couple wearing kirpans (a ceremonial dagger carried by Sikhs) were asked to leave a theater in Emeryville, California.

On June 22, Manjot and Ikman Singh were preparing to watch the new Superman movie, “Man of Steel,” at AMC’s Bay 16 theater in Emeryville. After finding seats, Manjot Singh went to the concession stand, where he was confronted by security guards who said he was carrying a weapon. Singh and his wife Ikman both wear kirpans under their clothing; both were asked to leave the theater.

AMC communications director Andy DiOrio told India-West the company has banned weapons of any sort in its 347 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. “We vigorously enforce our no weapons policy for all patrons,” he asserted.

DiOrio referred to the kirpan – a blunt, ceremonial blade carried by Sikh men and women – as a knife, and added that knives were prohibited at AMC theaters. Asked if this effectively barred all observant Sikhs from attending AMC theaters, DiOrio repeated his earlier comment and characterized the kirpan involved in the incident as a “5 ½ inch unsheathed knife.”

AMC has issued a corporate statement, saying: “Our no weapons policy prohibits guests from carrying weapons of any kind into our theaters. This national policy is for the safety and security of our guests and staff.” 

“The person in question was approached when our security team noticed the guest was wearing an approximately 5-1/2 inch unsheathed knife, in clear violation of our rules. We stand by our policy, as this matter is about the weapon alone and not at all about religious freedoms. The safety and security of all our guests and associates is our duty and responsibility, and we take it very seriously.”

In an interview with India-West, Manjot and Ikman Singh both stated they were humiliated by the incident. Manjot Singh said he could see at least three security guards eyeing him as he approached the concession stand. As he prepared to head back into the theater, allegedly tailed by the guards, Manjot Singh said one of the guards approached him and asked him to step aside.

The guard allegedly told Singh he believed he was carrying a weapon. Singh replied he was not carrying a weapon, but was wearing his kirpan under his shirt. The security guard allegedly said, “I know all about Sikhs and we have a zero tolerance policy towards weapons,” according to Singh, who replied that he did not have a weapon.

The security guard reportedly asked Singh to remove his kirpan, saying he would keep it for him until after the movie was over. Singh explained it was an article of faith that could not be removed. The security guard then allegedly asked Singh to leave. Singh mentioned that his wife – who was inside the theater – also was wearing a kirpan. A security guard went inside the theater to find Ikman and brought her out.

“I saw my husband standing there and I asked what happened and he said, ‘they’re kicking us out.’ I was just in shock as to how someone could even do that,” Ikman Singh told India-West. She added that a kirpan is a religious requirement for Sikh women, who are considered equal to men according to the tenets of their faith.

Manjot Singh said he was interrogated by theater security for about 20 minutes, in full view of other patrons. “A few people were staring and looking at us like we were crazy. Looking the way we do, you can’t help but feel people must think we did something wrong for this to happen,” he said. Singh said he and his wife were looking for an apology from AMC as well as a “kirpan policy” at the theaters.

“It is not acceptable to racially profile and pick someone out of a line because you think they look scary. (AMC) needs to educate their employees on Sikhs and on how to deal with different people in general. This level of bias, insensitivity and discrimination is illegal and unacceptable in 21st century California,” stated Manjot Singh.

United Sikhs has taken up the Singhs’ complaint and has launched a campaign to get AMC to define its policy regarding kirpans at its theaters. Manmeet Singh, a staff attorney with the organization, told India-West he had contacted AMC on the couple’s behalf, but has not yet received a response.

“The kirpan Manjot was carrying has the bluntness of a butter knife,” said Manmeet Singh, adding that it was inaccurate for the AMC to characterize it as a knife or a weapon. Manmeet Singh noted that Manjot and Ikman daily wear their kirpans to their workplaces and other venues, including courthouses, without incident.

with thanks : newamericamedia : LINK : for detailed news.

Waheguru, sab te mehar karna jiyo !

Sikh Jailor in Australia

Sikh Army persons in Sewa at Uttrakhand

Vandals attack Sikh temple in Cambridge

Written byGARETH MCPHERSON

24/06/13 CITY temple attacked24/06/13 Cambridge Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) vandalised overnight Sat / Sun. Window smashed . Picture by David Johnson .

A temple was attacked by vandals in Cambridge.

A window was smashed when stones were thrown at the Cambridge Gurdwara, a temple and community centre for the county’s 700-strong Sikh community.

Police are treating the attack, which happened in Arbury Court, Arbury Road, overnight on Saturday, as criminal damage and do not believe it was a hate crime.

But officers are “open-minded” about how the damage was caused and who did it.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said: “We received reports that a window had been damaged at the Gurdwara in Arbury Road, Cambridge, between 8pm on Saturday (June 22) and 6.15am yesterday.

“The matter is being treated as criminal damage.”

Dr Jagjit Singh Srai, a trustee of the temple, said he did not think it was a hate crime.

He added: “We do not know many details. We think it was some kids messing around. We know there were some children around there at the time. It’s one small window pane and we’ve contacted police.”

The Sikh temple is the first to be built in Cambridgeshire when it opened on the site of former pub The Grove at the beginning of the year.

Members at the centre, who discovered the broken window on Sunday morning, said it was the first time it had been attacked.

Nigel Gawthrope, who represents King’s Hedges on the city council and was at the opening in January, was upset when told of the attack.

He said: “It does seem like an act of wanton vandalism. If it was anything to with people like the EDL you would expect some sort of graffiti there too.”

Anyone who knows anything about the incident can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

gareth.mcpherson@cambridge-news.co.uk

with thanks : CAMBRIDGE NEWS : LINK

Sikh couple kicked out of theater due to religious item

EMERYVILLE, CA - A Sacramento man said he and his wife were asked to leave a movie theater because company policy considers his religious item a weapon.

Manjot Singh took his wife to see Man of Steel at an Emeryville AMC theater Saturday night. When he went to buy snacks, he said security guards watched him closely for several minutes.

Then, a manager approached him.

"He's like 'I understand you're carrying a weapon.' And you know I say, 'I have an article of faith, a religious symbol, it's not a weapon.' And he says, 'Yeah, I know all about Sikhs, but we have a zero-tolerance policy so I'm going to have to ask you to leave or relinquish your weapon,'" Singh described.

Singh said he was wearing his kirpan underneath his shirt, out of sight. A kirpan is a short cermonial dagger worn by baptized Sikhs and is one of five articles of faith worn by Sikhs.

An AMC spokesperson confirms the company asked Singh to leave because of the policy, but he said a security guard and the manager saw the kirpan unsheathed.

AMC released the following statement regarding the incident:

"Our 'no weapons' policy prohibits guests from carrying weapons of any kind into our theatres. This national policy is for the safety and security of our guests and staff.  The person in question was approached when our security team noticed the guest was wearing an approximately 5-1/2 inch unsheathed knife, in clear violation of our rules. We stand by our policy, as this matter is about the weapon alone and not at all about religious freedoms. The safety and security of all our guests and associates is our duty and responsibility, and we take it very seriously."

AMC said the manager asked Singh to follow the policy, or leave. Singh maintained he was carrying a religious item, not a weapon.

"I was surprised, not only did our night get ruined, but it felt kind of really racist, the way we were treated and kind of kicked out," Singh said.

AMC gave Singh a refund, but he hopes the company will apologize and change the policy to allow religious items like a kirpan into their theaters.

with thanks : News10/KXTV : LINK : for VID & Pics too.

Uttranchal pics from various sources

Langer at Gobind Ghat in Uttranchal after the devastating floods :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64GD3ajpjc

Bhajji in Uttranchal

Thanks : Hindustan Times

Punjab Kesri : Shocking news from Uttranchal

Punjab Kesri Dated 22.6.2013

Rescue operations in Uttranchal : pics from various sources

must view the video to see position at Gobind Ghat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L23aPzG2g8

Salute to our army !

Gobind ghat rescue operations

Hemkunt sahib after the devastating floods : PIC

pics from various sources

RWAs of Delhi : Please contribute for the people in Uttranchal

Kesgarh sahib kathawachak beats elderly person : spokesman

Gobind ghat : Pics from various sources

Shocking vid : Gobind Ghat

Must view vid : Gobind Ghat

Gobind Ghat after the heavy floods : pics from various sources

Worried NDMC rehearsed 13-sec drill to paste riot memorial notice

Pasting a notice on a structure considered illegal by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) proved to be a daunting task for the civic body.

The notice had to be pasted at the site where the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) proposed to build a memorial to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. But NDMC officials were scared of stirring a row with the guards at the site inside Gurdwara Rakabganj. At the same time, they felt it would be unwise to take police cover before entering the gurdwara to paste a warning, asking the DSGMC not to build without permission.

After long and detailed deliberations, senior officials of the NDMC came up with an ingenious plan. A team of four members were selected to paste the notice. These men were then made to practice how the job could be done in the least possible time and without any friction with the guards.

An NDMC official said he, along with a driver and two staff members, rehearsed the whole procedure - of running to the structure, quickly pasting the notice, clicking a photograph for proof and then sprinting back to an already moving car to avoid any clash - for hours at a stretch.

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

Pakistan may declare Panja Sahib as a holy city

CHANDIGARH: 

Arif Chaudhry, President of Pak-Indo friendship association and legal consulate ministry of interior on Friday hinted that the government may declare “Panja Sahib” as a holy city, Press Trust of India reported.

This decision was made known during Chaudhry’s meeting with the Indian Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandrigarh.

He said the government is looking to resolve the issues faced by Sikhs who live at the pilgrimage site, Press Trust of India reported.

Panja Sahib is believed to contain a rock with the hand prints of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak. It is considered to be a holy pilgrimage site for Sikhs all over the world.

During his visit, Chaudhry also extended an invitation to Badal to attend a function arranged by the association marking the occasion in Pakistan, the timings of which would be confirmed in accordance with his availability.

Badal accepted the invitation and stated that he has always upheld the cause of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries and has been a strong proponent of opening the Fazilka and Hussainiwal border.

He hoped the newly elected government in Pakistan would help improve ties between the countries so that cultural exchange avenues could be explored between the two.

Officials from Pakistan said the forum would endeavour to resolve all issues faced by the Sikhs living in Panja Sahib.



with thanks : Tribune PK : LINK : for detailed news.

World Blood Donor Day : 14th June

Sikh pilgrim dies of heart attack in Pakistan

LAHORE: A Sikh pilgrim from India died of a heart attack while travelling in a train in this eastern Pakistani city, officials said.

Jaswinder Singh, a 69-year-old resident of Delhi, suffered a severe heart attack while travelling in the train at Chowki Shahdara Railway Station and died instantly yesterday, officials of a state-run rescue service said.

with thanks : HINDUSTAN TIMES : LINK FOR DETAILED NEWS.

1984 anti-Sikh riot killing memorial: NDMC warns of action against DSGMC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today declined to grant stay on the construction of a memorial at Gurudwara Rakabganj Sahib complex here for those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots as NDMC told the court that legal action will be taken soon if they go ahead with the project in violation of the statute. 

The court, however, issued a notice to Delhi government, NDMC, DDA, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee(DSGMC) and its President Sardar Manjit Singh GK and sought their replies by July 17 on former DSGMC President Paramjit Singh Sarna's plea to stop the construction as they have not got approval of competent authority.

Justice Jayant Nath recorded the submissions of NDMC counsel Vivek Sood that "action has been initiated. On June 6, a show cause notice was issued to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and its President Sardar Manjit Singh GK in which the legal consequences were also mentioned...It will take action as per law in 2/3 days." 

with thanks : TIMES OF INDIA : LINK FOR DETAILED NEWS.

Press Release by Sd Param Jit Singh Sarna

New Delhi-12-06-2013 S. Paramjit Singh Sarna former President DSGMC in a press statement here today that the Writ Petition filed by me to built the memorial of 1984 Sikh Riots outside the historical Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib has been admitted in the Delhi High Court and notice is issued to the DSGMC, NDMC, Government of NCT of Delhi. He further said that the counsel of the NDMC has submitted to the Court that it is going to issue order within two days for the stoppage of construction of the memorial as the DSGMC has not replied to the show cause notice as well as has not obtained necessary approval/sanctions.

Mr. Sarna said that it is unfortunate and condemnable that the counsel of the DSGMC has given a false statement before the Court during the hearing of the Writ Petition that the DSGMC has not raised even a single brick in connection to the construction of the memorial. It is for the first time in history of the DSGMC that its president has asked the counsel to give false statement to mislead to Court to protect them from any adverse order. Despite the fact that DSGMC today i.e. 12-06-2013 has held a mega function of the foundation laying of the memorial. Structure, platform and the plaque (Foundation Stone) were clearly visible in the live telecast of PTC News.  

He further said that we have brought the facts and merits of the Writ Petition into the notice of the Court that no memorial of any kind can be built inside the historical Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

Mr. Sarna categorically said that we are not against the construction of memorial of 1984 Anti Sikh Riots, but it should be built outside the complex of historical Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. We have already requested the Govt of Delhi for the allotment of land for it during my tenure as a president of DSGMC.

Mr. Sarna Said that if this memorial will be raised outside the historical Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, he will be the first person to provide all financial and other assistance for it. 

As received by E mail.

Foundation stone of 1984 Sikh genocide memorial laid

The foundation stone of 1984 Sikh Genocide Memorial being built in Gurdwara Rakabanj Sahib Complex was unveiled on Wednesday.

Hearing in a petition challenging construction of memorial in the Gurdwara premises was also listed for hearing in Delhi high court but the foundation stone was laid before the case came for hearing.

Before the foundation stone was to be laid, there was obvious tension at the site where foundation stone was to be laid. A large number of Sikhs carrying swords were guarding the site and movement of every person was closed watched.

It needs mention here that former president of DSGMC Paramjit Singh Sarna has moved Delhi high court against building of memorial in the Gurdwara premises.

Foundation stone was unveiled by head priests of Sikhs - Jathedar of Takht Shri Damdama Sahib Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh and Jathedar of Takht Shri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh.

Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal president and deputy chief minister Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, his MP wife Harsimrat Kaur, DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK and Shiromani gurdwara parbandhak committee (SGPC) Avtar Singh Makkar were also present.

The foundation stone laying ceremony coincided with martyrdom day of fifth Guru Arjan Dev. A large number of Sikhs gathered at the site where foundation stone was laid.

Before the elections of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara management committee (DSGMC) in January earlier this year, building of a memorial to commemorate those Sikhs killed in 1984 riots, was part of election manifesto of Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal in the elections.

"We have fulfilled our promise," said Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal president Sukhbir Singh Badal after unveiling ceremony.

Later addressing the media-persons, Sukhbir Badal said that justice was denied to the families of innocent Sikhs killed in 1984 riots for past 29 years and now the congress party led government in Delhi was making attempts to stall construction of the memorial.

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

Turban pride of Baramulla Sikh students restored

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

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

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

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

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

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Man attacks Takht, Apprehended by sangat !

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

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

The motive for the attack is not currently known.

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

with thanks : Sikh24 : LINK

Brossard team dons turbans in solidarity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

with thanks : montrealgazette : LINK : for detailed news.

Sikh community finds Quebec turban-ban puzzling

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

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

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

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

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

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

with thanks : Vancouversan : LINK : for detailed news.

Irish court dismisses Sikh man's appeal for turban

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

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

with thanks : PTI : LINK

Sikh dancer performs Vilasini Natyam, a forgotten dance form

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sarna brothers oppose building of memorial in gurdwara premises

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK