PM doing little to protect Pak Sikhs: Modi
4 May 2009, 0253 hrs IST, Manveer Saini, TNN
AMBALA: With the Gujarat election phase successfully behind him and the hot election season entering the penultimate stage, BJP's star campaigner and chief minister Narendra Modi raised the political rhetoric a few notches as he hit the campaign trail in Haryana on Sunday. Flagging the attack on Sikhs in Pakistan to target Manmohan Singh, Modi said the prime minister, being a Sikh, should have done something to protect the interests of the minority community there.
In his first poll rally in the state during these parliamentary elections, Modi kept up his diatribe against the PM, saying he was a "total failure" as prime minister and had failed to protect the interest of his community in the neighbouring country where it was being forced to pay jaziya (tax on minorities) by the Taliban. "He remained mum over the issue of terrorist attacks in Mumbai. But now, not only as a prime minister but also as a Sikh he must make his stand clear on atrocities inflicted on Pakistani Sikhs."
In his near 45-minute address at the rally, which saw a handsome turnout, organized in support of BJP candidate Ratan Lal Kataria at the Gandhi Grounds, the senior party campaigner claimed that a number of UPA leaders were not in favour of projecting Manmohan Singh for the top job. "He is merely the choice of SRP (Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka), which is the internal unit of Congress party. As far as Advaniji's remark is concerned, it does not refer to the state of his physical fitness, but of his tenure as prime minister. In fact, he has belittled the stature of PMO."
Using the inflation, internal security and development cards to flog the opposition with, the Gujarat CM claimed, "NDA is the only alternate before the masses". He exhorted his audience to "react to the unprecedented inflation just as you had done during the last elections, when onion prices had shot up massively."
Nearer home, he took a jab at incumbent MP Kumari Selja and chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying, "They have failed to revive the industry, especially Pinjore-based HMT. Today, half of Haryana lives in Gujarat because of the availability of jobs and business opportunities there. If the BJP can revive PSUs (public sector units) of Gujarat in six months, we can revive the same as well. All one needs is intention, which, clearly, the Congress is lacking."
The BJP leader later left for Sonepat to campaign for another party candidate - Kishan Singh Sangwan.
with thanks : Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PM-failed-to-protect-Pak-Sikhs-Modi/articleshow/4479239.cms
SikhsIndia
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Monday, May 4, 2009
LEGALLY SPEAKING: When will anti-Sikh riot victims get justice?
LEGALLY SPEAKING: When will anti-Sikh riot victims get justice?
4 May 2009, 0221 hrs IST, Dhananjay Mahapatra
"Right from the inception of the judicial system, it has been accepted that discovery, vindication and establishment of truth are the main purposes
underlying the existence of the courts of justice." The Supreme Court made this the cornerstone of its recent judgment directing fast-tracking of trials in key Gujarat riot cases.
This followed its earlier order asking the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged roles of chief minister Narendra Modi and many others, then at the helm of affairs, in presiding over the 2002 communal pogrom.
In the judgment ordering day-to-day trial in Gujarat riot cases, Justice Arijit Pasayat noticed a disturbing phenomenon taking root in the minds of general public, which was nicely put by Jonathan Swift in his `Essay on the Faculties of Mind' -- "Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through."
Because of the continuous monitoring of the Gujarat riot cases by the SC, the alleged perpetrators are all set to face trial. But, can the same be said of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases? Have the `wasps and hornets', who after the assassination of Indira Gandhi organised mobs to butcher innocent Sikhs in broad daylight, broken through the judicial cobwebs weakened by the shoddy probe and prosecution.
Rajiv Gandhi, who took over as prime minister, was possibly caught unawares about the pogrom unleashed by the wasps and hornets who stung repeatedly till those at the helm of affairs finally called the Army, but not before allowing the dance of death to continue for full two days in November 1984.
The sentiments of Sikhs, cowering under the ferocity of the communal riot, dipped further when Rajiv, again unaware of the consequences of his statement, said, "When a mighty tree falls, it is only natural that the earth around it does shake a little."
Whether the earth shook or not, one thing is sure -- the families of victims are still, nearly 25 years later, awaiting a little shaking of the justice delivery system to bring to book the `wasps and hornets'.
The first of the nine Commissions of Inquiry that probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was headed by Justice Ranganath Mishra, who later became a member of Parliament. Justice Mishra conducted proceedings away from the media glare in closed rooms. His report, made public six months after it was submitted, found none guilty. The last one, headed by Justice G T Nanavati, pointed a needle of suspicion against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who recently got a clean chit from the CBI.
After a quarter of a century, can something be done now to bring perpetrators of anti-Sikh riots, the brutality of which was matched by the communal mob in 2002 in Gujarat, to justice?
Justice Pasayat quoted a 1846 judgment of one of the most respected English judges, Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce, who had said, "Truth, like all other good things, may be loved unwisely, may be pursued too keenly, may cost too much."
But, is the nation not ready to pay every cost to wipe off a sense of betrayal from a generation by bringing to book the wasps and hornets? Can the Supreme Court help? Can it use the Gujarat experience as a judicial yardstick to provide complete justice?
with thanks: Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/LEGALLY-SPEAKING-When-will-anti-Sikh-riot-victims-get-justice/articleshow/4479397.cms
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
4 May 2009, 0221 hrs IST, Dhananjay Mahapatra
"Right from the inception of the judicial system, it has been accepted that discovery, vindication and establishment of truth are the main purposes
underlying the existence of the courts of justice." The Supreme Court made this the cornerstone of its recent judgment directing fast-tracking of trials in key Gujarat riot cases.
This followed its earlier order asking the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged roles of chief minister Narendra Modi and many others, then at the helm of affairs, in presiding over the 2002 communal pogrom.
In the judgment ordering day-to-day trial in Gujarat riot cases, Justice Arijit Pasayat noticed a disturbing phenomenon taking root in the minds of general public, which was nicely put by Jonathan Swift in his `Essay on the Faculties of Mind' -- "Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through."
Because of the continuous monitoring of the Gujarat riot cases by the SC, the alleged perpetrators are all set to face trial. But, can the same be said of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases? Have the `wasps and hornets', who after the assassination of Indira Gandhi organised mobs to butcher innocent Sikhs in broad daylight, broken through the judicial cobwebs weakened by the shoddy probe and prosecution.
Rajiv Gandhi, who took over as prime minister, was possibly caught unawares about the pogrom unleashed by the wasps and hornets who stung repeatedly till those at the helm of affairs finally called the Army, but not before allowing the dance of death to continue for full two days in November 1984.
The sentiments of Sikhs, cowering under the ferocity of the communal riot, dipped further when Rajiv, again unaware of the consequences of his statement, said, "When a mighty tree falls, it is only natural that the earth around it does shake a little."
Whether the earth shook or not, one thing is sure -- the families of victims are still, nearly 25 years later, awaiting a little shaking of the justice delivery system to bring to book the `wasps and hornets'.
The first of the nine Commissions of Inquiry that probed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was headed by Justice Ranganath Mishra, who later became a member of Parliament. Justice Mishra conducted proceedings away from the media glare in closed rooms. His report, made public six months after it was submitted, found none guilty. The last one, headed by Justice G T Nanavati, pointed a needle of suspicion against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who recently got a clean chit from the CBI.
After a quarter of a century, can something be done now to bring perpetrators of anti-Sikh riots, the brutality of which was matched by the communal mob in 2002 in Gujarat, to justice?
Justice Pasayat quoted a 1846 judgment of one of the most respected English judges, Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce, who had said, "Truth, like all other good things, may be loved unwisely, may be pursued too keenly, may cost too much."
But, is the nation not ready to pay every cost to wipe off a sense of betrayal from a generation by bringing to book the wasps and hornets? Can the Supreme Court help? Can it use the Gujarat experience as a judicial yardstick to provide complete justice?
with thanks: Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/LEGALLY-SPEAKING-When-will-anti-Sikh-riot-victims-get-justice/articleshow/4479397.cms
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Simranjit Singh Mann put stop on Advani in Punjab
Simranjit Singh Mann put stop on Advani in Punjab
Sangrur, Punjab: President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Simranjit Singh Mann claimed that today’s proposed visit of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani to Sangrur and other towns of the state for campaigning in favour of SAD-BJP alliance candidates had been cancelled due to his party’s pressure as it had made a strong propaganda against Advani’s recent book, “My Country My Life”, in which he had written that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had made an attack on Harmandir Sahib in 1984 under their pressure.
Talking to The Tribune today, Mann further said due to the propaganda, made by his party, Advani had to cancel his visit to Punjab as he knew he would have to face a strict opposition from Sikhs.
Mann also said due to the pressure of his party and propaganda against Advani, the SAD candidate had also withdrawn the photograph of Advani from election posters and advertisements to avoid anger of Sikhs in the Lok Sabha elections. He further said, however, the SAD had not withdrawn the photograph of Advani from its advertisements in the newspapers, projecting him as leader of the NDA. He said, thus, this was a contradiction on the part of the SAD.
Source: The Tribune
with thanks : source : http://sikhsangat.org
sikhsindia
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Sangrur, Punjab: President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Simranjit Singh Mann claimed that today’s proposed visit of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani to Sangrur and other towns of the state for campaigning in favour of SAD-BJP alliance candidates had been cancelled due to his party’s pressure as it had made a strong propaganda against Advani’s recent book, “My Country My Life”, in which he had written that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had made an attack on Harmandir Sahib in 1984 under their pressure.
Talking to The Tribune today, Mann further said due to the propaganda, made by his party, Advani had to cancel his visit to Punjab as he knew he would have to face a strict opposition from Sikhs.
Mann also said due to the pressure of his party and propaganda against Advani, the SAD candidate had also withdrawn the photograph of Advani from election posters and advertisements to avoid anger of Sikhs in the Lok Sabha elections. He further said, however, the SAD had not withdrawn the photograph of Advani from its advertisements in the newspapers, projecting him as leader of the NDA. He said, thus, this was a contradiction on the part of the SAD.
Source: The Tribune
with thanks : source : http://sikhsangat.org
sikhsindia
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Pak dismisses India's concerns on Sikhs' treatment by Taliban
Pak dismisses India's concerns on Sikhs' treatment by Taliban
PTI
Islamabad, May 2, 2009
Pakistan on Saturday dismissed the unhappiness expressed by India about the Taliban imposing tax on Sikhs and demolishing their homes in the restive tribal belt, saying the issue was of "no concern" to New Delhi.
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had responded to India's "verbal demarche" on the issue by making it clear that the Sikhs in this country are Pakistani citizens and are of "no concern of India." "Pakistan is fully cognisant of the issue of the Sikhs and of the welfare of all its citizens, especially the minorities," Basit told PTI.
Diplomatic sources said the issue of Sikhs being forced out of their homes in Pakistan's Aurakzai tribal agency after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or tax imposed on non-Muslims was taken up yesterday with the Foreign Office by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
It was also taken up with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian side was told by the Pakistanis that it "need not worry about the Sikhs" and that the move was "tantamount to interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs," the sources said.
with thanks : source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=&id=39964&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4
sikhsindia
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PTI
Islamabad, May 2, 2009
Pakistan on Saturday dismissed the unhappiness expressed by India about the Taliban imposing tax on Sikhs and demolishing their homes in the restive tribal belt, saying the issue was of "no concern" to New Delhi.
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had responded to India's "verbal demarche" on the issue by making it clear that the Sikhs in this country are Pakistani citizens and are of "no concern of India." "Pakistan is fully cognisant of the issue of the Sikhs and of the welfare of all its citizens, especially the minorities," Basit told PTI.
Diplomatic sources said the issue of Sikhs being forced out of their homes in Pakistan's Aurakzai tribal agency after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or tax imposed on non-Muslims was taken up yesterday with the Foreign Office by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
It was also taken up with the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi by the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian side was told by the Pakistanis that it "need not worry about the Sikhs" and that the move was "tantamount to interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs," the sources said.
with thanks : source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=&id=39964&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Please contribute News & Pics related to Sikhs from your area.
Please contribute News & Pics related to SIKHS from your area for uploading on our sikh blog www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com as well our sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com If you could add our links on your websites or could promote us in your areas, we will be thankful to you.
Best regards
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Sikh families shifted safely to Hassan Abdal from Buner, tribal areas
Sikh families shifted safely to Hassan Abdal from Buner, tribal areas
HASSANABDAL/ISLAMABAD: Over 400 Sikhs have been shifted safely to Hassan Abdal Gurdawara following their forced eviction from Buner by Taliban and security forces operation therein while the local administration has taken stringent security measures for their safety.
They were reported to have been expelled from tribal areas for the refusal on their part to pay jizia and their houses were set ablaze. Ongoing operation against Taliban by the security forces had also caused massive shifting of the Sikhs from Buner and other tribal areas.
Property Trust Evacuee Board (PTEB) made extensive relief arrangements for the affected Sikhs. Chairman PTEB, Syed Asif Hashmi expressed solidarity with the affected Sikh families and held out assurance of full cooperation saying full protection was being provided to all the minorities in Pakistan and they were living here with full freedom.
People of Pakistan and Sikh community were tied into bonds of historical relationship which would not be allowed to grow fragile in any way, he announced. Every possible assistance would be extended to Sikh community in future like the past in the country, he assured.
with thanks : source : http://www.onlinenews.com.pk
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
HASSANABDAL/ISLAMABAD: Over 400 Sikhs have been shifted safely to Hassan Abdal Gurdawara following their forced eviction from Buner by Taliban and security forces operation therein while the local administration has taken stringent security measures for their safety.
They were reported to have been expelled from tribal areas for the refusal on their part to pay jizia and their houses were set ablaze. Ongoing operation against Taliban by the security forces had also caused massive shifting of the Sikhs from Buner and other tribal areas.
Property Trust Evacuee Board (PTEB) made extensive relief arrangements for the affected Sikhs. Chairman PTEB, Syed Asif Hashmi expressed solidarity with the affected Sikh families and held out assurance of full cooperation saying full protection was being provided to all the minorities in Pakistan and they were living here with full freedom.
People of Pakistan and Sikh community were tied into bonds of historical relationship which would not be allowed to grow fragile in any way, he announced. Every possible assistance would be extended to Sikh community in future like the past in the country, he assured.
with thanks : source : http://www.onlinenews.com.pk
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
New York Senator Addresses Thousands at Annual Sikh Day Parade and Expresses Support for "One of America's Hardest Working Communities"
New York, New York, USA: Senator Charles E. Schumer (NY) spoke before thousands of Sikhs at the 22nd Annual Sikh Day Parade in New York City this past Saturday, marking the first time a United States Senator has attended the parade. Responding to UNITED SIKHS invitation to the Parade, the Senator expressed overwhelming support for the current struggle of the Sikh community to practice the Sikh faith freely while serving in the U.S. Military and in police forces. Starting his speech with the Sikh greeting "Sat Sri Akal," Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community on this 310th Vaisaikhi, and commended the Sikhs for being "one of America's hardest working communities". UNITED SIKHS continues to work with Senator Schumer and other members of Congress in advocating for civil rights issues including employment discrimination, international religious freedom (Right to Turban campaign), the right to serve in armed forces, hate/bias crimes, and immigration reform.
UNITED SIKHS is delighted that Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community for their commitment to the American dream while preserving the Sikh religious identity. Commenting on Senator Schumer's attendance, Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney for UNITED SIKHS stated, "We appreciate the Senator's outreach to the Sikh community and his recognition of the Sikh community as a contributing part of America. The Senator's support on Sikh civil rights issues is invaluable in our struggle for equality and justice."
Tehal Singh, President of the Sikh Cultural Society of New York, stated, "Senator Schumer is one of the most progressive representatives in the country, and we are thankful of his support for the Sikh community."
Commenting on the Sikh Day Parade, Dr. Ranjit Singh, General Secretary of Sikh Youth of America stated, "The whole Parade had a Khalsa fervor; it was the first time a US Senator attended the Parade, and we are very pleased that Senator Schumer expressed support for Sikhs in armed services."
Himmat Singh, President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Sahib, commented, "on a day where thousands of Sikhs came to celebrate Vaisakhi and the Sikh religious identity, it was pleasure to see Senator Schumer speak so highly of the Sikh community and our identity."
Again, UNITED SIKHS would to like to remind the Sikh Community that it is through overcoming our differences and working together that we will be able to overcome challenges to religious identity and our honorable way of life as prescribed by Guru Sahib.
We thank all organizations participating in the Sikh Day Parade, where Sikhs gather to celebrate the Sikh holiday, Vaisakhi. We also would like to thank dedicated UNITED SIKHS volunteers Jaswinder Singh, Joga Singh, and Rajbir Kaur for setting up an informational booth and distributing materials about our projects, and asking community members to report their problems.
UNITED SIKHS dedication to grassroots and global justice has been powered by volunteers, supporters, and the Sikh community, who are reaching out, speaking up, and standing in solidarity wherever there is a need. We humbly request you to volunteer time or donate funds to help UNITED SIKHS continue its work in disaster relief, empowerment, and international civil and human rights advocacy. You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate/.
You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS' advocacy efforts at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-13-04-2009-00.htm.
Issued By:
Amneet Singh
Advocacy, Media and Operations Coordinator
UNITED SIKHS
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
UNITED SIKHS is delighted that Senator Schumer congratulated the Sikh community for their commitment to the American dream while preserving the Sikh religious identity. Commenting on Senator Schumer's attendance, Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney for UNITED SIKHS stated, "We appreciate the Senator's outreach to the Sikh community and his recognition of the Sikh community as a contributing part of America. The Senator's support on Sikh civil rights issues is invaluable in our struggle for equality and justice."
Tehal Singh, President of the Sikh Cultural Society of New York, stated, "Senator Schumer is one of the most progressive representatives in the country, and we are thankful of his support for the Sikh community."
Commenting on the Sikh Day Parade, Dr. Ranjit Singh, General Secretary of Sikh Youth of America stated, "The whole Parade had a Khalsa fervor; it was the first time a US Senator attended the Parade, and we are very pleased that Senator Schumer expressed support for Sikhs in armed services."
Himmat Singh, President of Gurdwara Baba Makhan Shah Sahib, commented, "on a day where thousands of Sikhs came to celebrate Vaisakhi and the Sikh religious identity, it was pleasure to see Senator Schumer speak so highly of the Sikh community and our identity."
Again, UNITED SIKHS would to like to remind the Sikh Community that it is through overcoming our differences and working together that we will be able to overcome challenges to religious identity and our honorable way of life as prescribed by Guru Sahib.
We thank all organizations participating in the Sikh Day Parade, where Sikhs gather to celebrate the Sikh holiday, Vaisakhi. We also would like to thank dedicated UNITED SIKHS volunteers Jaswinder Singh, Joga Singh, and Rajbir Kaur for setting up an informational booth and distributing materials about our projects, and asking community members to report their problems.
UNITED SIKHS dedication to grassroots and global justice has been powered by volunteers, supporters, and the Sikh community, who are reaching out, speaking up, and standing in solidarity wherever there is a need. We humbly request you to volunteer time or donate funds to help UNITED SIKHS continue its work in disaster relief, empowerment, and international civil and human rights advocacy. You can make a tax deductible donation by visiting: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate/.
You may read a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS' advocacy efforts at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-13-04-2009-00.htm.
Issued By:
Amneet Singh
Advocacy, Media and Operations Coordinator
UNITED SIKHS
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
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