Pawan Sharma, Hindustan Times
Chandigarh, May 30, 2009
Retaining unshorn hair is one of the most important and fundamental tenets of Sikhism, Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled on Saturday.
A full bench upheld the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee precondition for maintaining ‘Sikh Swarup’ by students seeking admission under the Sikh minority community quota in institutions run by the religious body.
The bench dismissed the petition of Sikh students whom the Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, had denied admission in MBBS, despite merit, on the grounds that they had violated the Sikh religion by trimming beard and plucking eyebrows.
“On the basis of the undisputed factual position, that all the petitioners indulge in trimming their hair or plucking hair of their eyebrows, they can legitimately be denied of a benefit otherwise available to Sikhs,” justice Khehar said.
“We have repeatedly concluded…that retaining bodily hair unshorn is one of the most essential tenets of the Sikh religion. And as such, if a Sikh organisation or body decides not to extend any benefit, which is otherwise available to a Sikh, to a person who does not maintain his hair unshorn, its determination would be perfectly legitimate.”
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-News&id=aa5b5223-7966-447b-bfff-f6e60c3cc160&Headline=Unshorn+hair+is+basic+Sikh+tenet%3a+HC
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh Web Portal
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Men found guilty of fire-bombing Temple
Three Wiltshire men have been convicted of fire-bombing a temple and a house after being angered by the marriage of a Sikh woman to her Hindu boyfriend.
Sandip Rooprai, 21, of Penhill Drive, Swindon, acted out of a "misguided sense of honour" following his sister's wedding, Winchester Crown Court heard.
He and brothers Mukham Dogra, 18, and Jasdev Dogra, 19, of Cowdrey Close, Toothill, decided to make petrol bombs.
They then attacked a Bristol temple and the Swindon home of a wedding witness.
The brothers, who were friends of Rooprai, had driven with him to Bristol to attack the Gilbert Road Hindu temple where the marriage had taken place.
'Very good relations'
The Swindon house of the wedding witness, Alpona Begum Rahim, was then attacked by the men on two occasions in February 2008.
All three men had already pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a car that was parked outside the Rahim family home.
The jury found the men guilty of two counts of arson with recklessness as to whether life is endangered. However they were cleared of more serious charges of arson with intent to endanger life.
Speaking outside court, Bartook Pandya, who campaigns against racial attacks in Bristol, said the events were not representative of relations between the Hindu and Sikh communities, which he described as "usually very good".
He said: "Those marriages take place [in] lots of places. In India they are quite common. They are quite common here.
"And if this brother decides to fire-bomb, it is his own personal thing, it is nothing cultural, nothing from the community. I do not think the Sikh community would endorse that sort of behaviour."
Sentencing is expected on 6 July 2009.
with thanks : source : http://www.sikhnet.com/news/men-found-guilty-fire-bombing-gurdwara
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh Web Portal
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Sikhs in US say Vienna violence setback to their image
27 May 2009, 1516 hrs IST, IANS
NEW YORK: The Sikh community in the US has condemned the violence in a Vienna gurdwara that led to the killing of a religious leader and triggered large-scale violence in Punjab, calling it a "major setback" to the community's image.
In a statement on Tuesday, prominent Sikh leaders said they were saddened by the tragedy and the subsequent violence.
Washington-based Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), said: "No issue requires taking law into your own hand, no matter what the provocation. This (tragedy) is undoubtedly a major setback to the Sikh interests on the international scene, especially in western Europe and the Americas."
He said Sikhs have been working hard to create a positive image for themselves to practice their religion without restrictions in the western world. "(But) this incident has brought a bad name to rest of the peaceful Sikh community worldwide."
Since the violence in which the Dera Sach Khand sect leader was killed was reportedly triggered over the Sikh maryada or code of conduct, he appealed to the Sikhs' highest spiritual authority of the Akal Takht to issue an edict against violence on the issue.
Gurpal Singh Bhuller of the Association of Sikh Professionals and Sikh Association of Central Virginia, said: "We need to completely reject the attack on other worshippers in Vienna. Differences in theology, belief and form must be settled with reason and respect for the laws of the host country, the rights of its citizens, as well as the acceptance of all fellow human beings."
"It is a tragedy that this crime was committed by individuals to protect the sanctity of the (holy) Guru Granth which preaches tolerance and forgiveness," he added. Prominent Sikh writer I.J. Singh of New York said Sunday's clash in the Vienna gurdwara was contrary to Sikh teachings.
"Everyone is entitled to practice their own faith as they see fit. No body has any right to stop others much as we do not allow anybody to interfere in practice of our own faith. "History is full of examples where Sikhs have defended the rights of others to exercise their religion freely and we are known for this," he said.
Jasbir Singh Kang, Sikh leader of Yuba City in northern California, said: "The founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak taught us to have discussions whenever there is disagreement. You can have difference of opinion but cannot go to the extent of taking someone's life."
with thanks : source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Sikhs-in-US-say-Vienna-violence-setback-to-their-image/articleshow/4584241.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
A SIKH WEB PORTAL
NEW YORK: The Sikh community in the US has condemned the violence in a Vienna gurdwara that led to the killing of a religious leader and triggered large-scale violence in Punjab, calling it a "major setback" to the community's image.
In a statement on Tuesday, prominent Sikh leaders said they were saddened by the tragedy and the subsequent violence.
Washington-based Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), said: "No issue requires taking law into your own hand, no matter what the provocation. This (tragedy) is undoubtedly a major setback to the Sikh interests on the international scene, especially in western Europe and the Americas."
He said Sikhs have been working hard to create a positive image for themselves to practice their religion without restrictions in the western world. "(But) this incident has brought a bad name to rest of the peaceful Sikh community worldwide."
Since the violence in which the Dera Sach Khand sect leader was killed was reportedly triggered over the Sikh maryada or code of conduct, he appealed to the Sikhs' highest spiritual authority of the Akal Takht to issue an edict against violence on the issue.
Gurpal Singh Bhuller of the Association of Sikh Professionals and Sikh Association of Central Virginia, said: "We need to completely reject the attack on other worshippers in Vienna. Differences in theology, belief and form must be settled with reason and respect for the laws of the host country, the rights of its citizens, as well as the acceptance of all fellow human beings."
"It is a tragedy that this crime was committed by individuals to protect the sanctity of the (holy) Guru Granth which preaches tolerance and forgiveness," he added. Prominent Sikh writer I.J. Singh of New York said Sunday's clash in the Vienna gurdwara was contrary to Sikh teachings.
"Everyone is entitled to practice their own faith as they see fit. No body has any right to stop others much as we do not allow anybody to interfere in practice of our own faith. "History is full of examples where Sikhs have defended the rights of others to exercise their religion freely and we are known for this," he said.
Jasbir Singh Kang, Sikh leader of Yuba City in northern California, said: "The founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak taught us to have discussions whenever there is disagreement. You can have difference of opinion but cannot go to the extent of taking someone's life."
with thanks : source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Sikhs-in-US-say-Vienna-violence-setback-to-their-image/articleshow/4584241.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
A SIKH WEB PORTAL
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Recent violence has cost Punjab Rs7000cr
Recent violence has cost Punjab Rs7000cr
26 May 2009, 1938 hrs IST, IANS
NEW DELHI: Punjab has incurred property losses of up to Rs 7,000 crore on account of the violence by followers of the Dera Sachh Khand sect,according to conservative estimates arrived at by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
"Social tension in Punjab has caused a loss of Rs.6,000-Rs.7,000 crore of public property and pushed behind its investment prospects to a significant extent," Assocham said in a statement Tuesday.
Punjab has been wracked by widespread violence by followers of the Dera Sachh Khand sect protesting against the attack on religious leaders in a gurudwara in Vienna Sunday.
Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Phagwara towns of Punjab continued to be under curfew for a second day Tuesday. But the curfew was being relaxed for two to four hours.
In this connection, Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat appealed to the state administration "to immediately restore proper law and order in the state, especially in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Phagwara and Ambala".
"Any delay in curbing the social tension might cause a great harm to the economy of Punjab," Assocham said.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Recent-violence-has-cost-Punjab-Rs7000cr/articleshow/4580972.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
26 May 2009, 1938 hrs IST, IANS
NEW DELHI: Punjab has incurred property losses of up to Rs 7,000 crore on account of the violence by followers of the Dera Sachh Khand sect,according to conservative estimates arrived at by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
"Social tension in Punjab has caused a loss of Rs.6,000-Rs.7,000 crore of public property and pushed behind its investment prospects to a significant extent," Assocham said in a statement Tuesday.
Punjab has been wracked by widespread violence by followers of the Dera Sachh Khand sect protesting against the attack on religious leaders in a gurudwara in Vienna Sunday.
Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Phagwara towns of Punjab continued to be under curfew for a second day Tuesday. But the curfew was being relaxed for two to four hours.
In this connection, Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat appealed to the state administration "to immediately restore proper law and order in the state, especially in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Phagwara and Ambala".
"Any delay in curbing the social tension might cause a great harm to the economy of Punjab," Assocham said.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Recent-violence-has-cost-Punjab-Rs7000cr/articleshow/4580972.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Most members of Dalit sect don't follow Sikh tenets
Most members of Dalit sect don't follow Sikh tenets
27 May 2009, 0130 hrs IST
Was the fight inside a Sikh gurdwara?
The fight was inside a Guru Ravidass temple in Vienna and not a Sikh gurdwara. Although Ravidass temples house Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, their identity lies in the Ravidassia ideology, and with followers of Guru Ravidass, a Dalit saint of the 14th century Bhakti movement of India.
How are Ravidassias and Sikhs different?
While Ravidassias bow before Guru Granth Sahib, they are not necessarily Sikhs. Most members of the community do not follow Sikh tenets. They are a separate entity and most of them are Hindu SCs and clean shaven. Sikhs and Ravidassias, however, share some part of their religious philosophy with Sikhs treating the ‘bani’ (words) of Guru Ravidass with the same reverence as the rest of Sikh gurus.
What’s Dera Sachkhand Ballan?
It’s nearly a century old dera founded by Baba Pippal Dass who was from Ravidassia community. The dera preached philosophy of Guru Ravidass and principles from Guru Granth Sahib. It’s the biggest dera of the community.
How are the main Ravidassia and Sikh rituals different?
The respect and rendition of Guru Granth Sahib is common to both and even a good part of the ‘Ardaas’. But some of the rituals differ. In kirtans at Ravidass temples, the emphasis is mainly on compositions by Ravidass.
Why are Dalit deras growing?
Sikh Gurus criticized the caste system. In the 18th century, caste reared its head again in Punjab, influencing Sikhs. The latest conflict is an indication of Dalit awakening, aided to a large extent by increasing money power.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Most-members-of-Dalit-sect-dont-follow-Sikh-tenets/articleshow/4581887.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
27 May 2009, 0130 hrs IST
Was the fight inside a Sikh gurdwara?
The fight was inside a Guru Ravidass temple in Vienna and not a Sikh gurdwara. Although Ravidass temples house Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, their identity lies in the Ravidassia ideology, and with followers of Guru Ravidass, a Dalit saint of the 14th century Bhakti movement of India.
How are Ravidassias and Sikhs different?
While Ravidassias bow before Guru Granth Sahib, they are not necessarily Sikhs. Most members of the community do not follow Sikh tenets. They are a separate entity and most of them are Hindu SCs and clean shaven. Sikhs and Ravidassias, however, share some part of their religious philosophy with Sikhs treating the ‘bani’ (words) of Guru Ravidass with the same reverence as the rest of Sikh gurus.
What’s Dera Sachkhand Ballan?
It’s nearly a century old dera founded by Baba Pippal Dass who was from Ravidassia community. The dera preached philosophy of Guru Ravidass and principles from Guru Granth Sahib. It’s the biggest dera of the community.
How are the main Ravidassia and Sikh rituals different?
The respect and rendition of Guru Granth Sahib is common to both and even a good part of the ‘Ardaas’. But some of the rituals differ. In kirtans at Ravidass temples, the emphasis is mainly on compositions by Ravidass.
Why are Dalit deras growing?
Sikh Gurus criticized the caste system. In the 18th century, caste reared its head again in Punjab, influencing Sikhs. The latest conflict is an indication of Dalit awakening, aided to a large extent by increasing money power.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Most-members-of-Dalit-sect-dont-follow-Sikh-tenets/articleshow/4581887.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Rise and rise of Dalit deras in Punjab
Rise and rise of Dalit deras in Punjab
27 May 2009, 0127 hrs IST, I P Singh, TNN
JALANDHAR: Along with their growing influence in the political arena, Dalits in Punjab are increasingly marking their presence in the state’s religio-cultural sphere.
This is manifest in the surfacing of exclusive Dalit deras or sects. Their rise, however, has been triggered largely by Ravidassias, who have taken a lead over other big ‘‘backward’’ groups like Valmikis and Mazhabis through sheer money power.
Although Dalits also visit deras frequented by others, there are at least 60 sects boasting of large following. More than half of these are located in the four districts of Doaba, considered the heartland of Adharmis — those Sikhs who joined Ravidassias. At least 40% of Doaba’s population comprises Adharmis.
Formed in the early 1970s as an umbrella body of different sects, the Sadhu Sampradai Society has religious heads of Ravidassia community officiating at the top echelons. The society organises various religious functions, whose frequency has increased in the recent past. Currently, the society is headed by Sant Nirmal Dass Jaure Wale. Dera Sachkhand Ballan has a major stake in the working of this society due to its sheer size and following.
"There are over 60 deras in Punjab that have exclusive Ravidassia identity," said S R Heer, the general secretary of Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Trust run by the Ballan-based sect. Dalit activist and BSP leader Ramesh Kaul said if the small deras are included, the number could well touch 100. These sects preach the word and philosophy of Guru Ravidas, a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement that flourished in the 14 and 15th centuries.
"Although these deras preach sermons from Sikh holy book, equal emphasis is laid on extracts written by Guru Ravidas that are included in Guru Granth Sahib," adds Kaul. Apart from carrying out religious discourses, deras of Adharmi also follow a social agenda of emancipation of the downtrodden.
with thanks : source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
27 May 2009, 0127 hrs IST, I P Singh, TNN
JALANDHAR: Along with their growing influence in the political arena, Dalits in Punjab are increasingly marking their presence in the state’s religio-cultural sphere.
This is manifest in the surfacing of exclusive Dalit deras or sects. Their rise, however, has been triggered largely by Ravidassias, who have taken a lead over other big ‘‘backward’’ groups like Valmikis and Mazhabis through sheer money power.
Although Dalits also visit deras frequented by others, there are at least 60 sects boasting of large following. More than half of these are located in the four districts of Doaba, considered the heartland of Adharmis — those Sikhs who joined Ravidassias. At least 40% of Doaba’s population comprises Adharmis.
Formed in the early 1970s as an umbrella body of different sects, the Sadhu Sampradai Society has religious heads of Ravidassia community officiating at the top echelons. The society organises various religious functions, whose frequency has increased in the recent past. Currently, the society is headed by Sant Nirmal Dass Jaure Wale. Dera Sachkhand Ballan has a major stake in the working of this society due to its sheer size and following.
"There are over 60 deras in Punjab that have exclusive Ravidassia identity," said S R Heer, the general secretary of Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Trust run by the Ballan-based sect. Dalit activist and BSP leader Ramesh Kaul said if the small deras are included, the number could well touch 100. These sects preach the word and philosophy of Guru Ravidas, a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement that flourished in the 14 and 15th centuries.
"Although these deras preach sermons from Sikh holy book, equal emphasis is laid on extracts written by Guru Ravidas that are included in Guru Granth Sahib," adds Kaul. Apart from carrying out religious discourses, deras of Adharmi also follow a social agenda of emancipation of the downtrodden.
with thanks : source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sikhs make claim on Royal Collection
The Queen has found herself at the centre of a dispute over treasures allegedly in her possession that were taken from India in the days of the British Raj, Mandrake can disclose.
Tim Walker: Edited by Laura Roberts
Last Updated: 6:49PM BST 25 May 2009
A Sikh group from Slough has written to Her Majesty requesting the return of the property.
Jagdeesh Singh, from the Sikh Community Action Network, tells me: "We have written to the Queen asking for access rights and the eventual return of items such as historic copies of the Sikh national sacred writings, together with swords and weapons of the Sikh gurus."
According to Singh, letters, diaries and writings of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the Sikh ruler exiled to Britain in the 19th century, are also part of the collection, some of which is housed at Windsor Castle. He says: "These things were plundered by the British and are now hidden away in various Royal palaces. I am sure that the Queen does not really know what is there and we would like to do a proper inventory."
A spokesmen for the Royal Collection insisted that it did not own any swords or armour relating to Maharaja Duleep Singh, while a colleague at the Royal Archives claimed to have only a number of papers relating to Singh but not his actual writings.
with thanks : source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/5383774/Sikhs-make-claim-on-Royal-Collection.html
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
