Akal Takht says no to gay relationships

Akal Takht says no to gay relationships

UNI


Amritsar: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism is of the firm view that Delhi High Court judgement on gay relationships could ruin the society as this was against the tenets of all religions.

Reacting to the judgement on Saturday, Takht Jathedar Gian Gurbachan Singh said the Sikh religion or for that matter any religion did not permit sexual relations between individuals of the same sex.

"This is a very serious matter and against religious codes and ethics, "he said while appealing to the Sikhs against maintaining relations with the same sex.

"Any Sikh, baptised, non-baptised or one who believes in the Guru Granth Sahib, need not be influenced by the court judgement and should always refrain from establishing gay relationships," he said.

An edict issued from Akal Takht nearly four years ago had not only prohibited Sikhs from being involved in gay relationships but had described such a relationship as 'anti religious'. This edict was issued when there was a hot debate on legalising gay relationships in Canada, where a large number of Sikhs are settled.

Giani Gurcharan Singh said Sikhs should stick to the edict and set an example by keeping themselves away from such all "unnatural relationships".

"The marriage verses enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib are meant to solemnise weddings only between persons of opposite sexes," he said.

The Jathedar informed this issue would also be taken up in the Sikh High Priests meeting scheduled for July 8, and if a consensus was reached, they might issue a fresh appeal to Sikhs to follow the Akal Takht edict issued on this subject earlier.

Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti, a former Takht Jathedar who had passed the edict said that it was still valid for Sikhs, no matter what the courts say or interpret.

"Sikhism is against all forms of unnatural relationships," he added while opining there was an urgent need for building a public opinion against gay relationships.

"Religion has got a very important part to play in halting gay relationships and a public opinion must be built against gay relationships," he added.

with thanks : source : http://ibnlive.in.com/news/akal-takht-says-no-to-gay-relationships/96356-3.html

SikhsIndia
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Happy Gurpurab

Aap sab noo Miri Piri de malik, Chenve Patshaah, Sri Guru Hargobind sahib ji de Parkash purab diyaan wadhaiyaan. Please view pics of Gurdwara Data Bandichor on our Sikh web portal www.sohnijodi.com

SikhsIndia
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Sikh students – Avail scholarships

Sikh students – Avail scholarships under the Minority schemes of Govt of India, under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

These include :

Multi-sectoral Development Programme

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme

Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme

Free Coaching & Allied Scheme

Merit-cum-Means Scholarships Scheme

Scheme of Research/Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Schemes including Publicity

Schemes of Central Ministries/Departments included in the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities which are amenable to earmarking for minorities.

Please log on to http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/schemes/schemes.asp

With Best Wishes

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
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International Sikh Turban Day April 13th, 2009

Objectives of Sikh Turban Day

Identity : To promote adoption of Turban as a symbol of Sikh Identity and pride amongst Sikh Youth and Non-Turban Sikh adults.

Values : "No Sikh Left Behind", provide easy enough ways to Sikh Youth and Non-Turban Sikh adults to stay connected with Sikh religion and cultural roots.

Worldwide Awareness : To support Turban-Dhari Sikh brothers and sisters, and educate other communities about Turban and its relation to our religion.

Please view few pics from International Sikh Turban Day - April 13, 2009 from Calgury, Fremont, Sanjose, Dallas.

with thanks : source : sikhchildren.com

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion

Have faith in fashion, for sake of religion
CITHARA PAUL

‘Cool’ turbaned look
New Delhi, June 30: For once, religion has turned to beauty pageants to make a point.

Sikh community leaders, alarmed by young males increasingly rejecting the turban and facial hair, are planning turban-tying contests and fashion shows to convey the message the turbaned look is “cool’’.

The Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) of Amritsar and humanitarian organisation Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj organised a pageant, Mr Singh International, this April. It was a low-key affair but later versions, planned in Punjab and Delhi, could see the participation of Bollywood stars.

The SGPC has declared April 13, the day of harvest festival Baisakhi, as International Sikh Turban Day.

“We are dismayed that more and more youths are refusing to grow their beard or wear the turban, which are sacred symbols of the Sikh religion,” said H.S. Hanspal, Sikh representative in the National Commission for Minorities.

According to Hanspal, many young Sikhs say that tying a turban every day, which may take up to 10 minutes, is too cumbersome for today’s world (although readymade turbans are available).

Other boys apparently fear becoming the “odd man out’’ and getting taunted by their peers. Many Sikh parents say they have stopped insisting their sons wear the traditional headgear.

Various Gurdwara Prabandhak committees, therefore, are planning to send volunteers to schools to teach boys how to tie the turban and carry it well, and to counsel them on the importance of wearing one and on how to stand up to hecklers. The minority commission will facilitate the effort.

The volunteers will have to convince the likes of Delhi student Rocky Singh, 17, who discarded the turban last year.

The headgear is no longer cool and “faith is deeper than a turban’’, the schoolboy said, adding his brother too shaved off his beard last year and his cousins had decided to do the same.

For the likes of Rocky, the Akaal Purkh Ki Fauj has developed a software program, Smart Turban, that helps men pick a style that suits them. It has also opened two turban-tying schools in Amritsar with help from the SGPC.

Dalbeer Singh of the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee has called for a new fashion magazine.

“We need a Sikh fashion magazine to promote uncut hair, the beard and the turban as cool and clean. We should use persons like Manmohan Singh as role models,’’ he told The Telegraph.

One of the first people such a magazine may think of featuring is Paramdeep Singh, 23, first runner-up at Mr Singh International 2009. “I want to send a message that a complete Sikh is more handsome than those who trim or cut their hair,” Paramdeep said.

For Sikhs, the turban became a “robe of honour” around 1699, during the time of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru, a scholar said.

Sikh turbans are different from other kinds but have their own variations. The commonest is the “peaked turban” Manmohan Singh wears. The length of the cloth varies from 6 to 8 metres, and the most popular colours are white, deep blue and saffron.

Sikh boys start wearing a keski (mini-turban) or patka at a very young age, often switching to the turban around the age of 12.

Religious leaders frown on the many Sikhs in showbiz who eschew the turban, such as singer Mika Singh and actors Kabir Bedi and Jimmy Shergill. There’s leniency, however, for boxers and wrestlers whose sport may be seen as incompatible with a turban or may stipulate the wearing of a helmet.

Still, the leaders say, Sikh sportsmen should wear at least a patka if possible, as former cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi used to do.

The kanga (comb), kara (bracelet), kirpan (sword) and kachehra (a special sort of shorts) are other requirements for a male Sikh, but the turban and Kesh (hair) are often seen as more integral to the tradition.

“Once a Sikh disobeys the tradition, he will become a patit (outcaste) Sikh,’’ Hanspal said.

He would be glad to hear about Anmol Saini, 24, who began “feeling bad” after shaving his beard last year. He is growing it back and has started sporting a turban again.

“Last year, I felt it was no longer fashionable, but now I don’t care. I’m happy the way I am now. Wearing a turban takes courage,’’ Saini said.

with thanks : source : http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090701/jsp/frontpage/story_11180902.jsp

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A sikh web portal

Kalgidhar - a nice presentation - must view

Kalgidhar - a very nice presentation - must see - BUT may i request Mr Vikram Sahney with folded hands to please use the word "SINGH" in his name as Kalgidhar presentation without the word "Singh" has no meaning.

with best regards
SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal

Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools

Groups Decry Discrimination Against Sikhs in Schools
by WNYC News
NEW YORK, NY June 30, 2009 —Some civic and community groups say the city's regulation to stop harassment in public schools, isn't working. A report released today by the Sikh Coalition and other groups says most students see no decrease in discrimination and bullying since Mayor Bloomberg signed the measure last year. The coalition's Sonny Singh says the city has yet to live up to its promises.

SINGH: What can I say? We're impatient. But why are impatient? Because we're hearing stories from our youth every day. Because Sikh youth are coming up to me in the gurdwaras and telling me "Someone called me a terrorist today, someone pulled off my turban today."

Marge Feinberg of the Department of Education says the agency followed the regulation's requirements, which include diversity training for staff and an e-mail address for students to report harassment. She says the DOE is currently analyzing this year's data on "bias-related incidents."

with thanks : source : http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/135575

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
A Sikh web portal