Kirpans out as Canadian Sikh divisions deepen over scripture

IANS

TORONTO: Divisions among Canadian Sikhs over the ongoing controversy about the Dasam Granth reached a flash point with hardliners using kirpans to attack supporters of former Akal Takht head priest Darshan Singh Ragi who suspects the authenticity of the scripture.

After the holy Granth which carries the writings of the first nine Sikhs, the Dasam Granth is another major scripture of the community carrying the writings of the last guru Gobind Singh.

Though only the holy Granth is installed at all gurdwaras because it was declared the eternal guru of the Sikhs by the last guru (Guru Gobind Singh) before his death in 1708, some gurdwaras associated with his birth and death in Patna and Nanded have also installed the Dasam Granth.

However, Sikh scholars, inlcuding Ragi,are against its installation as they suspect the authenticity of the Dasam Granth because of objectionable parts - references to women in derogatory languages, sexual promiscuity and intoxicants - in it.

They say the last Sikh guru could never have written these parts, linking the derogatory parts to conspiracy theories against the community.

But opponents say these scholars are denigrating the Dasam Granth and should be excommunicated from the Sikh religion.

Toronto-based former Akal Takht head priest Ragi was ex-communicated from the Sikh clergy last December for vocing his opposition to the scripture.

Last week Ragi, who presided over the Akal Takht at the height of militancy in Punjab in the 1980s, was not allowed to perform kirtan at a suburban gurdwara with his opponents taking out their kirpans and injuring one of his prominent supporters. The protesters were opposed to the ostracized former Akal Takht head priest being invited to the gurdwara.

Sikhs are not supposed to do anything with someone excommunicated by the Akal Takht - their spiritual and temporal seat in Amritsar.

The use of kirpans in the gurdwara violence led to calls in some section of the media to revisit the issue of kirpan in Canada where the Sikhs won a major legal victory for it in 2006 to let them wear their religious symbol in classrooms and work places.

With thanks : source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Kirpans-out-as-Canadian-Sikh-divsions-deepen-over-scripture/articleshow/5786604.cms

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World Sikh Council begins today

New Delhi, April 10, 2010

Declining values and lesser inclination towards religion among the community's youth, demand to reinstate the Nanakshahi Calender, protest against ban on pagdi (Sikh turban) in France and demand of Indian citizenship for those sent away from Afghanistan are few of the important issues that would be taken up during a day-long session of the World Sikh Council on Sunday here.

Around 45,000 Sikhs from all across the world have congregated at Gurudwara Rakabganj for participating at the event, being held in the national capital for the first time.

The Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is the organizer for the event.

Delegates have already arrived from United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and France to name a few countries.

“The Sikh religion has been witnessing a down trend for quite some time,” said DSGMC's Harvinder Singh Sarna.

“Our youth are increasingly taking to drugs, values have declined and overall they are not inclined towards the religion. Our biggest worry at tomorrow's open session would be the condition of the youth of the community.”

Apart from the above issues, there would also be a discussion and demand for publishing a list of people “allegedly blacklisted” some 20 years ago.

“The various embassies keep denying people entry to India citing this list. But till date, it has not been published,” Sarna said.

He added that the participants attending the congregation would discuss this and the other issues and come up with resolutions at the end of the session.

with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/newdelhi/World-Sikh-Council-begins-today/Article1-529777.aspx

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Massive Baisakhi Celebrations Culminate in Grand Parade

LOS ANGELES , CA : The 2010 Baisakhi Celebrations at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, April 4, conducted by Sikh groups from all over Southern California concluded on a high note with a magnificent procession. Leading the spectacle was splendidly decorated float carrying Siri Guru Granth Sahib followed by others depicting events relating to the Sikh religion through the centuries after its birth in 1699. The Nagar Keertan ,as the parade is called, was organized by Gurdip Singh Malik and Joginder Singh Sidhu and conducted with the cooperation of all Sikh Temples strewn across the Southland. The cavalcade was accompanied through its approximately two mile route by thousands of chanting Sikhs while those not quite fit for the task chose to remain behind at the Convention Center to welcome the marchers when they returned. Waiting for the tired but happy convoy of floats and marchers was a grand feast to bring down the curtain on the joyous event.

Earlier in the afternoon, after a sumptuous lunch in the langar following the Keertan Darbar, crowds gathered at the front of the Convention Center eagerly awaiting the arrival of Siri Guru Granth Sahib to be placed on the lead float. While they did this they were able to witness a Gatka show of traditional Sikh martial art using several weapons. At the conclusion of every routine the huge crowd circling the spot where the display was in progress broke into spontaneous cheers of appreciation for the performing artistes.

The beating of the drum announced the approach of Siri Guru Granth Sahib which was led to its float carried by temple officials under a colorful ceremonial umbrella. With great reverence, extreme care and devotion it was solemnly placed in a regal manner in its place . Along with the chanting of religious ‘ardaas’ it was then lovingly covered with a sacred wrap. This brought up a big cheer from the hundreds milling around the tastefully bedecked flower filled float. Just prior to the parade hitting the streets, Bhai Raghbir Singh heralded the ‘arambh’ of the journey with a solemn recital of a prayer and the Priest Charanjit Singh took the “Hukum Nama.” The start of the much anticipated procession was announced with a flurry of dhol beats by the drummer placed high in a vehicle guiding the entire convoy on its route . With Sikh soldiers in dramatic traditional costumes bearing swords and ensigns ahead of the float , the procession got on its way to cries of “Satnam Waheguru.” .

Once the lead float was on its way the remaining followed at safe distances at a gentle pace which also gave passers by and visitors to the area an opportunity to get a glimpse of the Sikh culture through the music emerging from the revelers and the colorful slogans , banners and displays which had vivid pictorials of events of historical events. There were also smaller groups in the procession carrying banners of their respective organizations. Slogans appeared on all the floats with religious messages such as “ God is Self Existent , God is without Enemies, There is only 1 God ” etc. .” Some of the units carried pictures of the Golden Temple and martyrs who had given their lives for the Sikh cause. Many carried a full contingent of keertan performers, singing live to the accompaniment of harmoniums and tablas.

The Guru Nanak Children’s Academy , Sikh Center of Orange County float had a ‘go green’ theme with several globes and flowers. Gurdwara Canoga Park’s contained depictions of baptism in Sikh history and the vehicle of the Sikh Gurdwara , Alhambra proclaimed “ God is Self Existent.” Khalsa Care Foundation’s contribution proclaimed the 3 principles of Sikhism, namely, Earning a Livelihood, Meditation on God’s name and to Share and Care. The message on the Sikh Gurdwara Riverside Float implored viewers not to forget the events of 1984 and the one of Gurdwara Sahib of Walnut showed Bhai Kanahiyaji , a disciple of Guru Gobind Singh serving water and giving first aid to friend and foe alike. The Sikh Students Association message emphasized the importance of education as it displayed Guru Nanak’s quote “ When you reflect upon knowledge, then others Gain.” The longest double unit float filled with happy revelers belonged to the Sikh Dharma of Southern California and the Guru Ramdas Ashram . A call for saving the planet made by a contingent on foot , the Sikhs for Clean Environment while another , the Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation sought to spread love.

The architect of all the floats, Joginder Singh Sidhu told India Journal that putting them together took almost 2 months with the assistance of over a hundred willing volunteers. He has been designing them from the time they were first introduced into the celebrations in 1999 with a group of 5 units.

with thanks : source : http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=10562

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Sikh New Year celebrations continue all month

Desi Dialogues

As I checked my grocery flyers this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the major supermarkets had wished their customers a Happy Baisakhi Vaisakhi. The Sikh New Year, celebrated on April 13, is the most important festival for the Sikh community, here in Toronto and abroad.

Canadian Punjabis and Sikhs celebrate the New Spring Year, and celebrate the exuberant harvest festival, which takes place in the northern home state of Punjab, India.

Vaisakhi is also more then just a New Year. It's a time to celebrate a historic date - 1699 - when the guiding principles of the Sikh faith were forged. Sikhs also celebrate the birthday of their revered priest, the tenth Sikh, Guru Gobind Singh. The festival is celebrated throughout April and is marked by celebrations, music and prayers within the Sikh world.

An annual ritual in Toronto is the three-hour procession April 25. Beginning at 1 p.m., thousands of Sikhs will congregate at the Better Living Centre near Exhibition Place to take part in a colourful procession. Sikhs in colourful attire will dance and pray while walking around Toronto's downtown. The huge procession will wind its way to Queen's Park where it will end at around 4 p.m.

While mainstream marketers such as supermarkets have understood the importance of Vaisakhi, and have acknowledged the festival, it has also been refreshing to see other service providers customizing their marketing mix to fit the true needs of this huge community.

Bobby Sahni of Rogers Communicaitons says "acknowledging the community" is no longer just sufficient.

"There is a lot of clutter in the market, and we need to break that by customizing our content to fit the needs of the community," he said.

Sahni, for instance, talks of the importance of prayers and the need to listen to them from their temples by the members of the Sikh community.

Due to that important need, says Sahni, Rogers Cable, now beams prayers from the Sikhs' holiest gurudwara (temple) - the Golden Temple - in Amritsar, India.

These prayers are beamed directly into the living rooms of Sikh Canadians here, via a newly launched digital channel, PTC Punjabi (Ch 853). The channel offers the morning and evening prayers from the Indian temple seven days a week.

Sikhs can also listen to the prayers from their local gurudwara in Malton and Mississaugua by accessing the recently launched MH1 (ch 852) on Rogers digital cable.

For Vaisakhi, the company has provided free access to its digital customers, to watch free previews of the Punjabi Package on channels such as ATN Alpha Punjabi (Channel 850) and SSTV (Channel 851). During Vaisakhi viewers can also access free Punjabi content round the clock with Multicultural On Demand (on Channel 800).

As for me, I am glad that I now get some of my South Asian groceries at a mainstream supermarket and don't have to go all the way to a local Indian store to get my favourite Indian Paneer (cottage cheese).

To offer your feedback on this column or suggest future column ideas, contact Rakshande. italia@gmail.com

With thanks : source : insidetoronto.com

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Maharaja Ranjit Singh will remind people of history: Lalli

PTI

"As people tend to forget history, this serial will remind them about the significance, role and sacrifices of those unsung heroes of our country," Lalli told reporters yesterday, while announcing the launch of the serial.

I am sure the serial will be loved by all as it is about Indian history, he said.

Made by actor and MP Raj Babbar, the new show will be telecast on Doordarshan from April 13, every Tuesday at 10 pm.

DD has commissioned the serial and acquired all rights to telecast it, Lalli said, adding, "The serial is based on the life and times of Sikh king Maharaja Ranjit Singh who united Punjab and established a Khalsa Raj. Ranjt Singh had become a legend in his own lifetime and this needs to be shown to the people of today."

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is directed by Chitraath Singh and Sikander Bharti and produced by Nadira and Kuku Babbar. Jagjit Singh has composed the Music.

With thanks : Source : http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100137642&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=television

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Neighbors Shocked by Fatal Shooting at Sikh Temple

BEDFORD, Ohio - Bedford police shot and killed an armed man early Thursday morning.

Authorities say at around 4:30 a.m., two members of the Sikh Temple on Tarbell Avenue flagged down a police officer patrolling the area.

They told him there was someone inside the building with a knife, and there were still two other temple members inside with him.

Officers entered a west side entrance, and confronted 41-year-old Ravinder Nijjar as he came down some steps and around the corner.

Police say Nijjar came toward the officers with a meat cleaver, despite warnings to drop it.

That's when an officer opened fire, striking him.

Nijjar was taken to Bedford Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.

According to police, Nijjar has a history of mental illness.

Bedford Police Chief Gregory Duber says his department has had prior encounters with the suspect. Nijjar was arrested in November, 2008 for yelling at passing vehicles.

Then, one month later, Nijjar was again arrested, this time for disorderly intoxication, following a fight in his apartment building.

Police say all of the incidents appeared to involve alcohol.

Nijjar's neighbor Jason Keith said, "I knew he had a drinking problem, but I thought he stopped drinking."

According to neighbors, Nijjar was unemployed. Although he had past history with the law, Keith said the whole incident is shocking. "I didn't see this coming. It's kind of scary. He could of lost it closer to home. He might have had a bad morning, somebody else could have walked up on him," said Keith.

with thanks : source : www.fox8.com

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