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
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A SIKH WEB PORTAL
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Monday, May 25, 2009
Riots flare in India after Sikh sect leader killed in Austrian temple
• Mobs attacks police stations, buses and banks in Punjab region
• India's Sikh prime minister 'deeply distressed' by disturbances
Associated Press
guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 May 2009 17.10 BST
India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, appealed for calm , as riots prompted by the fatal shooting of a sect leader at a Sikh temple in Austria spread to several northern Indian cities.
Hundreds of people defied a curfew and army patrols, attacking police stations and torching the car of a senior officer and several trains. In two places, police opened fire on mobs, wounding at least four people, according to officials.
The violence centered on the city of Jalandhar, a stronghold of the Dera Sach Khand, a Sikh sect comprising mainly Dalits (formerly known as "Untouchables"). One person was killed when troops opened fire on a mob attacking a police station in Lambran village, according the state's top elected official, Parkash Singh Badal.
The violence followed the news that a leader of the Dera Sach Khand was killed, and another preacher wounded, in Vienna last night, when several Sikh men armed with knives and a handgun attacked the two during a visit to a temple. At least 15 other people were wounded, Austrian police confirmed.
Witnesses said the attackers were fundamentalist Sikhs from a higher caste, who accused one or both of the preachers of being disrespectful of the Sikh holy book – the Guru Grant Sahib.
While officially Sikhism does not recognise caste – the complex system prevalent among mainly Hindus in India, dividing people into hundreds of groups defined by livelihood, class and ethnicity – it remains deeply rooted.
Singh, India's first leader to belong to the Sikh faith, said he was "deeply distressed" by the attack and subsequent violence. "Whatever the provocation, it is important to maintain peace and harmony among different sections of the people," he said, adding: "Sikhism preaches tolerance and harmony."
The foreign minister, SM Krishna, said India was working with the Austrian authorities to "ensure that the perpetrators of this completely mindless and wanton attack are brought to justice".
lastnight, after news of the Vienna attack, hundreds of Dera Sach Khand followers, supported by other local Dalit organisations, took to the streets of Jalandhar, burning several vehicles and a bank, stoning buses and blocking railway lines and roads.
Sporadic violence was also reported from several nearby towns, said Sanjiv Kalra, a senior police official at Jalandhar, some 210 miles (337 km) north-west of New Delhi. Today morning, about 400 soldiers patrolled the area and police set up roadblocks across the city. Initially it appeared that the move had restored calm, but later protests spread to at least five nearby cities.
"Curfew in the entire district has been extended for an indefinite period and five columns of army have been deployed to control the violence," a local government official, A S Pannu told the Press Trust of India news agency.Sikhs make up less than 2% of India's nearly 1.2 billion people, the vast majority of whom are Hindus. Caste discrimination has been outlawed in India for more than a half century, and a quota system was established with the aim of giving Dalits a fair share of government jobs and places in schools. But their plight remains dire, living in poverty and kept down by ancient prejudice and caste-based politics.
with thanks : Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/25/india-sikh-riots-killing-austria
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Pak Hindus, Sikhs rubbish jazia reports
Want to return to Swat after peace returns
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service
Members of the DSGMC at Attari-Wagah joint check post after their return from Pakistan on Sunday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Amritsar, May 24
The 13-member Indian delegation, led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), which returned from Pakistan today after meeting Hindus and Sikhs displaced from the Swat valley, rubbished the media reports that Taliban had imposed jazia (protection tax) on the members of the minority communities there.
After meeting the displaced Hindus and Sikhs at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal, Sarna said most of the Sikhs did not want to migrate to India since they love Swat, considered paradise on earth. Swat is an administrative district of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. In December, most of its area was captured by Taliban.
Sarna said more than 22 lakh Muslims had fled from Swat. Most of the 3,100 displaced persons, who had taken refuge at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, only 50 or 60 families were of Sikhs. The government of Pakistan has been taking extra care of the displaced persons belonging to the minority communities. “Each displaced family has got at least Rs 30,000 each relief from the government so far,” said Sarna. The Pakistan government and a number of non-government organisations have joined hands to collect donations in the name of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) by placing donation boxes at the reception of major hotels and other business establishments. Many relief camps for the Muslim IDPs have mushroomed in Pakistan to accommodate about 22 lakh Muslims.
Many displaced Hindus and Sikhs wanted to go back to Swat after normalcy since they consider the valley not only a land of attractive beauty but also historically significant.
The delegation also met senior officials of the Government Pakistan government to seek permission to send relief worth Rs 2 crore. Sarna has urged the government to allot land to the displaced Hindus and Sikhs at Nankana Sahib.
Sarna told mediapersons at Attari today that Pakistani Sikhs were happy over the election of Dr Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister for yet another term of five years. He said Pakistani Sikhs wanted that any of the family members of Dr Manmohan Singh should visit Pakistan to meet them who had prayed to Almighty for giving Dr Manmohan Singh to serve the country for another term.
To a question, Sarna said the DSGMC would definitely participate in the coming general elections of the Shiromani Committee. He alleged that the SGPC and the ruling SAD failed on all religious fronts as they did not bother to visit Pakistan to know the plight of the displaced Sikhs.
with thanks : source : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090525/main6.htm
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Punjab tense after night of violence, army called in
Punjab tense after night of violence, army called in
IANS
Towns in Punjab remained tense on Monday morning after a night of violence on Sunday by members of a Dalit Sikh sect protesting a clash in a gurudwara in Austria's capital Vienna.
District authorities in Jalandhar, which saw the maximum violence, requisitioned the army and the Border Security Force (BSF) late on Sunday night even as the Punjab Police was out on the streets in full force to control the rampaging mobs belonging to the Sachh Khand sect, followers of Guru Ravi Dass Sabha.
The entire Doaba belt (the area between rivers Sutlej and Beas) comprising Jalandhar, Phagwara, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur towns were tense throughout the night. Jalandhar and Phagwara were the worst hit areas. Unrest was also reported from the industrial city of Ludhiana, 60 km from Jalandhar.
Although no one was injured in the clashes, scores of public and private vehicles were set ablaze by the protestors in Jalandhar and Phagwara. A State Bank of India ATM was also set ablaze in Jalandhar.
Many people were stranded on the roads after the violence broke out.
On Sunday, several people were injured in a fight between two rival factions of the Sikh community at a Gurudwara in the Austrian capital. Some of the injured were in a critical condition, the Austrian police said.
The incident took place during a sermon by two guest priests from India.
According to reports, several bearded and turbaned men equipped with at least one firearm stormed the shrine during sermon. In the melee, members of the congregation pounced upon the attackers and overpowered them, beating some severely.
Meanwhile, the security has been beefed up in several parts of Punjab after the protestors went on a rampage.
Curfew has been imposed in Jalandhar, which continued on Monday morning, even though the police claimed the situation was brought under control.
"The situation turned bad and we have requisitioned the army, BSF and the Punjab Armed Police units to control the situation," said Sanjiv Kalra, inspector general of police (IG), Jalandhar range.
The protestors also clashed with the police at some places in Jalandhar. The protestors blocked roads and highways around Jalandhar and in the nearby industrial town of Phagwara.
"It is a very serious situation. Curfew has been imposed in Jalandhar City following the violence. Road and rail traffic has been affected," Kalra told IANS.
Railway traffic through Jalandhar, including the New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi train, was affected as protestors blocked rail tracks.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condemned the Vienna incident and urged people in Punjab to remain peaceful. He urged the central government to take up the matter with the Austrian government so that the guilty were punished.
The government blacked out the television news channels in the state to ensure that the violence did not spread to other parts after seeing the images on TV.
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar also condemned the Vienna attack and urged people to maintain peace in Punjab.
with thanks : source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43628§ionid=4&secid=0&Itemid=1&issueid=107
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IANS
Towns in Punjab remained tense on Monday morning after a night of violence on Sunday by members of a Dalit Sikh sect protesting a clash in a gurudwara in Austria's capital Vienna.
District authorities in Jalandhar, which saw the maximum violence, requisitioned the army and the Border Security Force (BSF) late on Sunday night even as the Punjab Police was out on the streets in full force to control the rampaging mobs belonging to the Sachh Khand sect, followers of Guru Ravi Dass Sabha.
The entire Doaba belt (the area between rivers Sutlej and Beas) comprising Jalandhar, Phagwara, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur towns were tense throughout the night. Jalandhar and Phagwara were the worst hit areas. Unrest was also reported from the industrial city of Ludhiana, 60 km from Jalandhar.
Although no one was injured in the clashes, scores of public and private vehicles were set ablaze by the protestors in Jalandhar and Phagwara. A State Bank of India ATM was also set ablaze in Jalandhar.
Many people were stranded on the roads after the violence broke out.
On Sunday, several people were injured in a fight between two rival factions of the Sikh community at a Gurudwara in the Austrian capital. Some of the injured were in a critical condition, the Austrian police said.
The incident took place during a sermon by two guest priests from India.
According to reports, several bearded and turbaned men equipped with at least one firearm stormed the shrine during sermon. In the melee, members of the congregation pounced upon the attackers and overpowered them, beating some severely.
Meanwhile, the security has been beefed up in several parts of Punjab after the protestors went on a rampage.
Curfew has been imposed in Jalandhar, which continued on Monday morning, even though the police claimed the situation was brought under control.
"The situation turned bad and we have requisitioned the army, BSF and the Punjab Armed Police units to control the situation," said Sanjiv Kalra, inspector general of police (IG), Jalandhar range.
The protestors also clashed with the police at some places in Jalandhar. The protestors blocked roads and highways around Jalandhar and in the nearby industrial town of Phagwara.
"It is a very serious situation. Curfew has been imposed in Jalandhar City following the violence. Road and rail traffic has been affected," Kalra told IANS.
Railway traffic through Jalandhar, including the New Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi train, was affected as protestors blocked rail tracks.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condemned the Vienna incident and urged people in Punjab to remain peaceful. He urged the central government to take up the matter with the Austrian government so that the guilty were punished.
The government blacked out the television news channels in the state to ensure that the violence did not spread to other parts after seeing the images on TV.
Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar also condemned the Vienna attack and urged people to maintain peace in Punjab.
with thanks : source : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43628§ionid=4&secid=0&Itemid=1&issueid=107
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30 injured in Vienna gurudwara shootout: Officials
Press Trust Of India
Vienna, May 24, 2009
At least 30 people were injured, nine of them seriously, when rival Sikh groups clashed with each other using knives and a handgun during a sermon in a gurudwara in Vienna.
Police said nine people were severely wounded when members of two families started shooting at each other. Five people suffered head shots and stab wounds, Austrian Press Association said in a report on its website.
Police spokesman Michael Takacs said five men entered the Gurdwara early this afternoon and started firing at those present. Five suspects have been arrested, he said.
Austria Press Agency quoted a witness Jasuf Kalden as saying that the fight erupted after a dispute over the sermon, given by Guru Ravidas Sabha.
Police said at least six men, one wielding a gun and the others knives, attacked the preacher. Others rushed to his aid, resulting in the melee.
The Gurdwara is situated in Vienna-Rudolfsheim, the capital's 15th district.
The wounded were evacuated in three helicopters to several hospitals, rescuers said.
"All the people implicated in the incident have been arrested," Takacs said.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=82a04a07-7fc9-4691-9f45-e96ec5d1701b&ParentID=3b47b34b-d035-414b-b847-e283a121495c&Headline=30+injured+in+Vienna+gurudwara+shootout%3a+Officials
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Vienna, May 24, 2009
At least 30 people were injured, nine of them seriously, when rival Sikh groups clashed with each other using knives and a handgun during a sermon in a gurudwara in Vienna.
Police said nine people were severely wounded when members of two families started shooting at each other. Five people suffered head shots and stab wounds, Austrian Press Association said in a report on its website.
Police spokesman Michael Takacs said five men entered the Gurdwara early this afternoon and started firing at those present. Five suspects have been arrested, he said.
Austria Press Agency quoted a witness Jasuf Kalden as saying that the fight erupted after a dispute over the sermon, given by Guru Ravidas Sabha.
Police said at least six men, one wielding a gun and the others knives, attacked the preacher. Others rushed to his aid, resulting in the melee.
The Gurdwara is situated in Vienna-Rudolfsheim, the capital's 15th district.
The wounded were evacuated in three helicopters to several hospitals, rescuers said.
"All the people implicated in the incident have been arrested," Takacs said.
with thanks : source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=82a04a07-7fc9-4691-9f45-e96ec5d1701b&ParentID=3b47b34b-d035-414b-b847-e283a121495c&Headline=30+injured+in+Vienna+gurudwara+shootout%3a+Officials
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
Twist in Tytler case, wife of victim wants to be heard
24 May 2009, 0410 hrs IST, TNN
NEW DELHI: A woman, claiming to be the wife of one of the deceased in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, surfaced on Saturday in court pleading that she
should be heard while deciding on the CBI's closure report giving a clean chit to former union minister Jagdish Tytler.
Lakhwinder Kaur, widow of deceased Badal Singh who was killed during the carnage, moved an application through her counsel Rebecca M John before the court demanding a right to be heard before the court. "The injured or aggrieved parties do have a right to be heard. The investigating agency is bound to give notice to such parties and if they fail to do so, the court is bound to hear us as settled by the Supreme Court,'' John added. The counsel also claimed CBI never approached the widow during its investigation into the case.
The CBI, on the other hand, opposed their plea saying they had no locus standi in the matter. Further, the CBI said that the case was filed against unknown persons. "We have recommended prosecution of one accused Suresh Kumar Paniwala. Nobody was named in the FIR. It is only on the recommendation of Justice Nanavati Commission that we investigated role of Tytler and filed closure report finding no evidence against him,'' CBI counsel A K Srivastava submitted. CBI also argued on jurisdiction of the court.
CBI counsel Srivastava, who tried to attribute motives to petitioners by saying why they did not approach them before as it was a 25-year-old case, was strongly opposed by the petitioner's counsel alleging that he wanted to score brownie points. A protest petition was also filed by Kaur challenging CBI's closure report. Kaur also sought a copy of CBI report.
While reserving the order on Kaur's plea for June 3, additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Rakesh Pandit, "Let me think. This is a very tricky thing. Its an academic issue for me and my five years of experience is at stake. I need some time to consider it.
Meanwhile, counsel H S Phoolka who has filed a defamation case against former union minister Jagdish Tytler, opposed the Tytler's plea seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance in the case before ACMM Ajay Pandey, saying "nobody is above law.''
Tytler is accused of making defamatory remarks against the lawyer in programmes telecast by news channels in 2004. He was granted bail by the ACMM on April 18 after the case was transferred from Ludhiana by the apex court at his request.
Taking the reply of Phoolka, who is fighting court cases for victims and family members of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the court fixed July 18 for hearing arguments on the plea. The Congress leader had sought permanent exemption from personal appearance during the court proceedings on the ground that being a public figure, he has to perform manifold duties on a regular basis.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Twist-in-Tytler-case-wife-of-victim-wants-to-be-heard/articleshow/4570146.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
NEW DELHI: A woman, claiming to be the wife of one of the deceased in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, surfaced on Saturday in court pleading that she
should be heard while deciding on the CBI's closure report giving a clean chit to former union minister Jagdish Tytler.
Lakhwinder Kaur, widow of deceased Badal Singh who was killed during the carnage, moved an application through her counsel Rebecca M John before the court demanding a right to be heard before the court. "The injured or aggrieved parties do have a right to be heard. The investigating agency is bound to give notice to such parties and if they fail to do so, the court is bound to hear us as settled by the Supreme Court,'' John added. The counsel also claimed CBI never approached the widow during its investigation into the case.
The CBI, on the other hand, opposed their plea saying they had no locus standi in the matter. Further, the CBI said that the case was filed against unknown persons. "We have recommended prosecution of one accused Suresh Kumar Paniwala. Nobody was named in the FIR. It is only on the recommendation of Justice Nanavati Commission that we investigated role of Tytler and filed closure report finding no evidence against him,'' CBI counsel A K Srivastava submitted. CBI also argued on jurisdiction of the court.
CBI counsel Srivastava, who tried to attribute motives to petitioners by saying why they did not approach them before as it was a 25-year-old case, was strongly opposed by the petitioner's counsel alleging that he wanted to score brownie points. A protest petition was also filed by Kaur challenging CBI's closure report. Kaur also sought a copy of CBI report.
While reserving the order on Kaur's plea for June 3, additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM) Rakesh Pandit, "Let me think. This is a very tricky thing. Its an academic issue for me and my five years of experience is at stake. I need some time to consider it.
Meanwhile, counsel H S Phoolka who has filed a defamation case against former union minister Jagdish Tytler, opposed the Tytler's plea seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance in the case before ACMM Ajay Pandey, saying "nobody is above law.''
Tytler is accused of making defamatory remarks against the lawyer in programmes telecast by news channels in 2004. He was granted bail by the ACMM on April 18 after the case was transferred from Ludhiana by the apex court at his request.
Taking the reply of Phoolka, who is fighting court cases for victims and family members of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the court fixed July 18 for hearing arguments on the plea. The Congress leader had sought permanent exemption from personal appearance during the court proceedings on the ground that being a public figure, he has to perform manifold duties on a regular basis.
with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Twist-in-Tytler-case-wife-of-victim-wants-to-be-heard/articleshow/4570146.cms
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Guru Nanak Daata Baksh Lai Mission:
Guru Nanak Daata Baksh Lai Mission, founded in 1999 by Brig. Partap Singh Ji Jaspal (Retd.), is at the forefront of promoting universality of Sikhism and its Divine Content, embracing the whole mankind as one global family of the sole beloved God. It reaches out to the world through the mediums of internet, TV channels, audio and video productions, and book publications. The mission seeks no publicity and serves the whole global community in the firm belief of oneness of godhood and oneness of the mankind. This mission is purely a labor of love of a family group and is based at 203, Sector 33-A, Chandigarh.
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
sikhsindia
www.sohnijodi.com
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