Siva Sena calls on Centre to initiate talks with Pak over Sikhs' 'forced-conversions'

The Shiv Sena on Thursday called on the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre to initiate talks with Pakistan over reports of Sikhs being forced to convert to Islam in the Hangu district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The editorial published in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece, Saamana, also lashed out at the 'secularists' of India for keeping mum on this crucial issue of religious conversions.

"The Sikhs of Pakistan are in danger presently. When the Hindus were in trouble, the Sikhs came forward and fought for their rights. Now is the time for the Hindus and the secularists to come and fight for the rights of these minority Sikhs in Pakistan. The Government of India should take this up with the Pakistan Government," the article read.

Earlier on Saturday, a report surfaced in regard to Pakistan's Sikh community that alleged they were "being forced to convert to Islam" by a government official.

A delegation of Akali Dal, led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, met the Pakistan High Commissioner on Wednesday over the issue.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh also took to Twitter to apprise External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj of the alleged forced conversions, urging her to take up the matter at the highest level with Pakistani authorities.

Swaraj then expressed concerns over the reports and has said she would take up the matter with Pakistan government at the earliest.

The Sikh community members of Pakistan had lodged a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Hangu district, Hangu Shahid Mehmood regarding the same. (ANI)

Source: ANI: LINK

Sikh elder who had £150,000 in a secret Indian bank account

Sikh elder who had £150,000 in a secret Indian bank account is handed a curfew after pretending his family were poor to claim £26,000 in pension credits

A Sikh elder who stashed away £150,000 in a secret Indian bank account while claiming thousands of pounds in pension credit has been spared jail.

Harcharan Singh Bola, 65, pocketed more than £26,000 over two years after lying about his family's wealth. 

The trickster, from Stenson Fields, Derby, told the Department of Work and Pensions in 2014 that he only had £1,500 in a UK joint account he shared with his wife.

But his fraud was uncovered after investigators were tipped-off that he was receiving interest from one of four bank accounts he held in his home country.

But his fraud was uncovered after investigators were tipped-off that he was receiving interest from one of four bank accounts he held in his home country.

They were shocked to discover he had £150,375 cash in the overseas account.

However, the slippery pensioner avoided jail after a hearing at Derby Crown Court, where he was handed a 24-week sentence suspended for a year, as well as a 12-week curfew.

Judge Peter Cooke told him: 'This claim was fraudulent from the outset because you knew you had control of a bank account in India that held a substantial amount of money and you knew that a percentage of that was coming your way.

'At the age of 65 having your liberty restrained shows the disapproval those of us who pay our taxes, and who you chose to steal from, have for your offending.'

Source: DailyMail: LINK: for detailed news

Cong MPs from Punjab raise issue of forced conversion of Sikhs in Pakistan with Sushma Swaraj

Chandigarh, Dec 21 (UNI) A delegation of Congress Members of Parliament from Punjab, led by Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar, today raised the issue of forced conversion of Sikhs in Pakistan with Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Delegation members, including Mr Jakhar and Mr Ravneet Singh Bittu, said they were seriously concerned about the forced conversion of Sikhs in Pakistan and solicited Ministry’s urgent intervention in the matter to protect the identity of the Sikh community settled there.

Mr Jakhar said after Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh raised the issue, the External Affairs Minister has already directed the Indian High Commission in Pakistan to take it up at the highest level with Islamabad.

“However, we believe the matter to be extremely grave, therefore, it should be taken up personally by the Pakistani authorities without delay by Minister herself,” he added.

He added that media reports suggest that a government official is involved in spearheading the conversion campaign in Hangu district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Source: UNI: LINK

ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਲਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਰਾਹ ਹੋਇਆ ਪੱਧਰਾ

ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ੇ  ਵਿਖੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਲਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਰਾਹ ਹੋਇਆ ਪੱਧਰਾ - ਸਿਰਸਾ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦਫਤਰ ਨੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ 'ਤੇ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੰਗੀ. ਤਿੰਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਨੇ 1783 'ਚ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ਾ ਫਤਿਹ

ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ, 11 ਦਸੰਬਰ : ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਬਾਬਾ ਬਘੇਲਸਿੰਘ, ਬਾਬਾ ਜੱਸਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਆਹਲੂਵਾਲੀਆ ਤੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਜੱਸਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਾਮਗੜ•ੀਆ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਲਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਰਾਹਪੱਧਰਾ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦਫਤਰ ਨੇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਸਿੱਖ  ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ ਪ੍ਰਬੰਧਕ ਕਮੇਟੀ (ਡੀ ਐਸਜੀ ਐਮ ਸੀ) ਦੇ ਜਨਰਲ ਸਕੱਤਰ ਤੇ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਨਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿਰਸਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ  ਕੀਤੀ ਮੰਗਮਗਰੋਂ ਇਸ  ਮਾਮਲੇ 'ਤੇ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੰਗ ਲਈ ਹੈ।

ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਿਖੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪੱਤਰ ਵਿਚ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਰਸਾ ਨੇ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਤਿੰਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ਾ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਵਾਰ ਫਤਿਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਆਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾਉਣਮਗਰੋਂ ਉਥੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਚੜ•ਾਇਆ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਏ ਆਮ 'ਤੇ ਵੀ ਕਬਜ਼ਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ।

ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤਛੇਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ੇ ਵਿਖੇ ਲਗਾਏ ਜਾਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ੇ 'ਤੇ ਹੁੰਦੇ ਲਾਈਟ ਐਂਡਸਾਊਂਡ ਸ਼ੌਅ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਇਸਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਰਸਾ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਨਿਧਤਾ 'ਤੇ ਕਾਰਵਾਈ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦਫਤਰ  ਨੇ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਤੇਸਭਿਆਚਾਰਕ ਮਾਮਲਿਆਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਮੰਤਰਾਲੇ ਤੋਂ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੰਗੀ ਹੈ ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰਨ ਲਈਇਹਨਾ ਦੋਹਾਂ ਮੰਤਰਾਲਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਸਹਿਮਤੀ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ। 

ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦਫਤਰ ਦੇ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੰਗਣ 'ਤੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਰਸਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ  ਇਹਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਦੀ ਚਿਰੋਕਣੀ ਮੰਗ ਹੈ।  ਉਹਨਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਜਰਨੈਲ ਸਨ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਨੇਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਲਾਲ ਕਿਲ•ਾ ਫਤਿਹ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਲਈ ਮੁਗਲਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਜਿੱਤ ਨੂੰ ਸਹੀ ਭਾਵਨਾ ਵਿਚਦਰਸਾਇਆ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਤਿੰਨਾਂ ਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਬੁੱਤ ਛੇਤੀ ਤੋਂ ਛੇਤੀ ਲੱਗਣੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨਤਾਂ ਕਿ ਸਾਡੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਪੀੜੀ ਮੁਗਲਾਂ 'ਤੇ ਪਹਿਲੀ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਫਤਿਹ ਤੋਂ ਜਾਣੂ ਹੋ ਸਕੇ।

ਇਸ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਘਟਨਾ ਦੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਦਿੰਦਿਆਂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਰਸਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ 11 ਮਾਰਚ 1783 ਨੂੰ ਤਿੰਨਾਂਜਰਨੈਲਾਂ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਾਹ ਆਲਮ ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾਇਆ ਸੀ। ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਸੰਨ 1774 ਵਿਚ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਸ਼ਾਹਦਰਾ,ਪਹਾੜਗੰਜ ਤੇ ਜੈ ਸਿੰਘ ਪੁਰਾ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਜਿੱਤੇ ਸਨ। ਅੰਤਿਮ ਫਤਿਹ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮਲਕਗੰਜ ਤੇਅਜਮੇਰੀਗੇਟ 'ਤੇ ਵੀ ਜਿੱਤ ਦਰਜ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ। PR

STATUES OF SIKH GENERALS LIKELY TO BE INSTALLED AT RED FORT

STATUES OF SIKH GENERALS LIKELY TO BE INSTALLED AT RED FORT ON SIRSA’S DEMAND PMO SEEKS REPORT ON THE ISSUE - THREE SIKH GENERALS HAD CONQUERED RED FOR IN 1783

            New Delhi, December 11 : Desk is likely to be cleared for installation of statues of the three Generals Baba Baghel Singh, Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Baba Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at historic Red Fort in Delhi as Prime Minister Office (PMO) has sought a report after receiving representation in this regard from Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa General Secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) and Delhi MLA.

            In his representation, Mr. Sirsa had demanded that these three Sikh generals were the first to conquer historic Red Fort in 1783 and had defeated Shah Alam and unfurled Nishan Sahib and also captured Nishan E Aam. Their statue should be installed at Red Fort at the earliest and history of their conquest should also be included in Light and Sound show being played at Red Fort.

           Taking action on the representation of Mr. Sirsa, the PMO has sought report from Defence and Cultural Affairs Ministries as their consent is must for such a decision to be implemented.

            Expressing happiness at the development Mr. Sirsa said that it was long standing demand of the  people particularly sikh community. He said that these General were first Indians to conquer the historic Red Fort and hence first conquest on the Mughals needed to be recognized in true spirit. He said that statues of these three generals needed to the installed at the earliest as to make our new generations aware of the history of this first Indian win on Mughals.

            Briefing history of the historic development Mr. Sirsa said that on March 11, 1783 these three generals had defeated Shah Alam. Before that in 1774 they had conquered areas of Shahdara, Paharganj and Jai Singhpura. They also conquered Malakganj and Ajmerigate before the final conquest.  PR

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‘Had generals not betrayed Sikh army, British would have left in 1857... there would be no Pakistan’

The British may not have had such a long and free run of the country had the Sikh army not been betrayed by its own generals, and there would have been no Pakistan, said Amar Pal Sidhu, a British historian, at the Military Literature Festival here on Saturday. But well-known author William Dalrymple didn’t think it was so simple.

The fodder for discussion on the second day of the festival was the two Anglo-Sikh wars that ensued after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Sidhu, who has written two books on the subject, said that had the Sikhs won these closely-fought wars, the British would have lost the first war of independence in 1857. “They won it only because they had recruited a large number of soldiers from the disbanded Sikh army.”

A DIVIDED DURBAR

Dalrymple, however, said, “The East India Company had huge resources at its disposal, both in terms of weapons and men.  Even if it had lost one battle, it had no dearth of backups.” The Sikh army, on the contrary, was a treacherously led force. The Lahore Durbar itself, he said, was facing factionalism. There was a Dogra faction, a Rani Jindan faction besides many other intrigues, he said.

Historians Amar Pal Sidhu, Mandeep Rai, Sukhmani Bal Riar and William Dalrymple in the session on Anglo-Sikh wars, at the Military Literature Festival in Chandigarh on Saturday. (Anil Dayal/HT)

Yet Mandeep Rai, a former bureaucrat and historian, maintained that had the Sikhs got an edge over the British, the results would have been different regardless of the resources. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had raised a very powerful and cosmopolitan army. “He had Muslim gunners who never fled the battlefield. Then there were Gurkhas, Sikhs and Hindus. It was a most cosmopolitan army of the brave,” said Rai.

But this army had a mind of its own and turned mutinous once the Maharaja passed away. Sidhu said, “Unable to govern it, politicians such as General Lal Singh, the vizir, and Tej Singh, the commander-in-chief, decided to destroy this army and ally with the British for the sake of stability.”

With thanks: Hindustan Times: LINK: for detailed news