Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Sat Guru Nanak Pargateya:Happy Gurpurab
Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Indian Sikhs Travel to Pakistan to Mark Anniversary of Guru Nanak’s Birth
Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from India started arriving by train in Pakistan this week.A special Lahore-bound train ferried pilgrims between the two nations as devotees traveled to pay their respects at their founding guru’s birthplace.
They disembarked, amid heavy security, in the city of Nankana Sahib where Guru Nanak, the founder of the religion was born over 500 years ago, to celebrate the anniversary of his birth.
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/11/24/indian-sikhs-travel-to-pakistan-to-mark-anniversary-of-guru-nanaks-birth/
Monday, November 23, 2015
Sd.Paramjeet Singh Chandok (Chairman of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara ) with Sushma Swaraj on The Release of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti ‘Ahwaan’ magazine
India has always favored Non-violence,
Peace and Tolerance – Sushma Swaraj
23 November 2015: External
affairs Minister of India Mrs. Sushma Swaraj released the Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti
‘Ahwaan’ magazine in the auspicious presence of Achary Dr. Lokesh Muni said
that India has always favoured Non-violence, Peace and Tolerance, calling India
intolerance is not correct. She said that Indian Culture is based on the
concept of Unity in Diversity and inter-religion harmony is its key principal.
We can establish peace in the society and go ahead with development by
following the values of Inter religion harmony, mutual brotherhood, Humanity.
Mrs. Swaraj appreciating efforts of
Acharya Lokesh Muni to establish Non-violence in Peace in the society said that
saints have important role in establishment of peace and harmony in the
society. Non-violence and Peace is the only path which can make this world a
better place to live in.
Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni on the occasion
said that adapting the path of non-violence many global problems can be solved.
World is presently faced with terrorism, war and violence, humanity needs non
violence. Bhagwan Mahavir in his teachings said that we should adapt the
principals of non-violence in our everyday life. We should respect others
believes and traditions along with our own believes and traditions.
Acharya Lokesh further said that in order to find
effective remedy one has to go deep in pinpointing causes of happenings. War
and violence first germinate in human brain cells Physiognomy of human
brain is in two hemispheres. Reasoning and logical thinking is processed in the
Left hemisphere of the human brain and right hemisphere nourishes emotions and
empathy. Our Saints, Philosophers and Tirthankars gave this fact thousands of
years back.
On the occasion Chairman of Bangla Sahib Gurudwara Shri Paramjeet Singh Chandok, Youth Journalist Shri Bhavya shrivastava expressing their views on the occasion discussed role of Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni and Indian delegation at Parliament of World’s Religions 2015 organised in USA. In Parliament of World’s Religions 2015 around 10000 representatives from 80 countries took part.
With Thanks :Kenu Agarwal Sharma, Media Secretary
AHIMSA VISHWA BHARTI
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
DSGMC :Sikh students start online petition in support of ‘Ban Sikh Jokes’
the online petition has so far received over 13,000 signatures in the ten days since the launch of the Change.org website. (Shutterstock)
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has reportedly started an online petition for school children studying in around 18 Guru Harikrishan Public schools in New Delhi to generate support for banning Sikh jokes, and also involving them in constructive community service.
The campaign for banning Sikh jokes started some days back, and the online petition has so far received over 13,000 signatures in the ten days since the launch of the Change.org website.
“The petition is gathering momentum, and what we’re seeing from the nearly 13000 comments, is that people from various sections of society, including non-Sikhs, have welcomed the chance to protest against these jokes which hurt the feeling of Sikhs and shows them in poor light.
DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK said, “It was decided to start the online petition by the student community and to actively involve around 25000 students studying in Sikh minority education institutions in the ‘Ban Sikh Jokes’ movement under the aegis of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee after a Sikh women advocate Harvinder Choudhary had filed a petition in the supreme Court seeking a ban on Sikh jokes for hurting religious sentiments of the community.”
Manjit Singh GK further said that both teachers and students have been asked to meet the target of one lakh online signatures within the timeline of four weeks. He said that the DSGMC will provide all technical and logistic support to the schools for facilitating the signature drive.
He added that the committee has also given options to school teachers to get signatures on separate sheets of paper for students who do not have e-mail ids and do not use online accounts for one reason or the other.
He said that students will also be encouraged to get the signatures of their parents and also the signatures of non-sikh students so to as to generate mass support among all sections of society.
He said the DSGMC will also provide publicity material like posters,visiting cards that will be displayed in each classroom to generate awareness among students about the movement so as to emotionally integrate and involve them with the cause.
Manjit Singh GK exhorted both parents and teachers to be positive and get involved in constructive community service for the country.
“It is generally seen that ignorants are bullying Sikh children with ‘12 baj gaye’ and other taunts. Our children should use positive dialogue like Guru Nanak used five centuries ago, and remind them of the historic significance of ‘12 baj gaye’ when Sikhs at this time freed thousands of Indian girls and women from the clutches of Ahmed Shah Abdali,” he said.
“We all have to be proud Indian citizens with a global outlook. We should seek and mobilise support on all social media platforms for this campaign. The need of the hour is to let Indian society know that we love humour but not racism. We are proud Indians and the country has benefited from our contributions in almost every field. It is time that Sikh children should not face bullying or insults in the name of casual fun,” he said.
Enthused children took a pledge to generate support for the petition from all quarters and bring an end to the bullying and taunts that they are subjected to.
Link :http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Iraq-Syria Border: This Sikh Community Has Restored Our Faith On Humanity
The Sikh Langar is traditionally a meal, open to all regardless of socio-economic background, provided free of cost. An extension of the humanitarian UK based Khalsa Group, called the Langar Aid, has decided to take the langar to Syria, one of the most violent, unstable zones in the world today, in order to relieve helpless refugees of hunger.
DSGMC :Pilgrimage to shrines in Pakistan on the eve of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji Birthday !
With Thanks : Media DSGMC
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Why Britain owes a lot to the Sikh community' ?
The Mercury received the following letter from a reader about what Britain owes to the Sikh community.
During the World Wars, members of the Commonwealth came together, with troops from India, Pakistan, Africa, the Caribbean and beyond.
On television, on November 4, the BBC showed how the Sikh community helped during the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 wars.
An officer of the Indian Army, Manta Singh saw his commanding officer, Captain Henderson, shot in battle, so, under heavy fire, Manta obtained a wheelbarrow, put the officer in it and pushed him to a safe area.
Just before getting there, Manta was shot in the legs, but as they were almost safe, men came forward and saved them both.
Both were treated at a makeshift hospital at the Royal House, in Brighton, Both families became close friends.
I was on a hospital ship during the Second World War and saw a lot of terrible injuries of men from the Indian Sikh community, injured in the fierce fighting in Burma. I never heard any of these men complain of their injuries.
Britain owes a lot to these men, coming to our aid during both World Wars. Thankfully, their families can now live in peace in England – a small price to pay for their help when it was needed.
Mr M Patrick, Ibstock.
Sikhs Protecting The UK
http://
Monday, November 16, 2015
SAD EX Legislators of Delhi Vidhan Sabha Lashed on AAP For Double Standards Supporting Radicals & For Threatening Peace and Harmony in the Border State of Punjab
New Delhi / 16, November 2015
Former
legislators of Delhi vidhan sabha belonging to Shiromani Akali Dal
today lashed on Aam admi party’s Chief Minister in Delhi - Arvind
Kejriwal for exploiting situation of unrest in Punjab for his petty
political gains and playing divisive politics which is further vitiating
the scenario - a direct threaten on peace and harmony in the border
state of Punjab which has faced the worst days of turmoil in 1980s to
1990s.
Former
MLAs Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Harmeet Singh Kalka, ex councilor Capt.
Inderpreet Singh and DSGMC Member Kulwant Singh Bath while jointly
addressing the media today said that Aam admi party’s support to Sarbat
Khalsa organised by radical forces in Punjab on November 10, had
unveiled the double standards of Aam admi party which is trying to
project itself as a nationalist party in Delhi but supporting the
anti-nationalist agenda in Punjab.
“In
Sarbat Khalsa among different agendas passed it also had the indirect
reference to separate state – Khalistan and presence of AAP party
leaders shows the double standards of their party. More so Sarbat Khalsa
made Beant Singh’s assassinator Jagtar Singh Hawara as Akal Takht
Jathedar”, said Manjinder Singh Sirsa raising aspersions on the
functioning AAP said that one of their MLAs Jarnail Singh is camping in
USA and meeting the radical forces who have anti India agenda. “AAP has
not cleared its stand on Hawara which proves their divisive agenda”,
said Sirsa. According
to Sirsa, Jarnail Singh is seen supporting referendum 2020 for a
separate state Khalistan by radical forces in USA, which clearly shows
the intentions of Aam admi party.
“Our
party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) stands for peace in country and never
supported radical agenda and now when AAP is favouring the radicals it
is like playing with fire and incase the situation deteriorated in
Punjab because of AAP dabbling with radical agenda, they AAP leaders
would be held responsible, dared Sirsa. Sirsa further said that AAP is
mixed up with Congress and like they had joined hands with AAP to form
government in Delhi in 2013, though it led to a fiasco – the two parties
are working on a similar mechanism dreaming of forming government in
Punjab. According to Sirsa the dream which has misadventure and vicious
intentions would never be fulfilled as the people of Punjab would reject
divisive agenda.
Speaking
on Akali Dal Amritsar leader Simranjeet Singh Mann one of the
organisers of Sarbat Khalsa - Sirsa said that Mann’s radical credentials
are proved from the fact that in the dossier handed over to Britain
government by PM Narendra Modi on radical activities on recent visit,
had the names of office bearers of Akali Dal Amritsar led by Mann.
Lashing
on AAP’s poster boy MP Bhagwant raising the cause of drugs in Punjab,
Sirsa said Mann himself a drug addict these days is admitted in drug
de-addiction centre proves that there is huge different between what AAP
preaches and practices. With Thanks : Media DSGMC
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Ban websites that defame and insult the Sikh community! : Appeal by RPS Kohli to Sign Petition to Ban Sikh Jokes
For years now, the Sikh community has been ridiculed, insulted, poked fun at, and portrayed as naive idiots, foolish and an object of amusement, all “in good nature.”
While we are a fun loving community, and love our culture, the Bhangra, the language, we DO NOT like when "12 Baje Jokes" or "Santa Banta Jokes" are cracked at our expense. It is not about Sikhs not being able to take a joke, it's about hurting our religious sentiments.
Bullying is not funny. Nor is making fun of my religion.
A PIL in the Supreme Court is asking for websites specialising in these jokes to be banned. This is our time to take action.
Sign my petition urging the Supreme Court to ban the websites that defame and insult the Sikh community.
Progressive nations all over the world have become sensitive about racial or communal humour. Why is India still stuck in medieval times? Would jokes on Hindus, Muslims or Christians be considered funny or offensive? It's time to stop casually targeting the Sikh community.
Little boys and girls are bullied in school. It is not okay to “crack a Sardar joke.” It’s not a harmless joke, if an entire community is being bullied under it’s weight.
Sikhs are a proud and brave community. We have occupied top positions like the President, Prime Minister, Chief of Army, Air Marshall. But it’s the Santa Banta jokes, they know us for.
This needs to stop. Sikh jokes are sick jokes.
The Supreme Court will hear the case soon. If thousands of us sign this petition, we can show it to Honorable Supreme Court of India that racism is not funny.
I along with the PIL petitioner, Harvinder Kaur deliver your signatures to the Supreme Court.
{PIL/WritPetition/CRL/160 of 2015 titled Ms. Harvinder Chowdhury vs Union Of India through Secretary, Ministry of Telecom and I&B}".
Kalgidhar Trust/Society
Link :https://www.change.org/p/supreme-court-of-india-ban-websites-that-defame-and-insult-the-sikh-community-bansikhjokes?
Please Sign Petition to Ban SickSikhJokes
https://www.change.org/p/supreme-court-of-india-ban-websites-that-defame-and-insult-the-sikh-community-bansikhjokes?
Letter to Supreme Court of India
"For years now, the Sikh community has been ridiculed, insulted, poked fun at, and portrayed as naive idiots, foolish and an object of amusement, all “in good nature.”
Racism is not funny. Nor is making fun of the Sikh religion.
This PIL {PIL/WrtitPetition/CRL/160 of 2015 titled Ms. Harvinder Kaur vs Union Of India through Secretary, Ministry of Telecom and I&B} in the Supreme Court is asking for websites specialising in these jokes to be banned.
I urge you, the Honorable Supreme Court of India to ban the websites that defame and insult the Sikh community.
Progressive nations all over the world have become sensitive about racial or communal humour. It's time to stop casually targeting the Sikh community.
Little boys and girls are bullied in school. It is not okay to “crack a Sardar joke.” It’s not a harmless joke, if an entire community is being bullied under it’s weight".
With Thanks :
RPS Kohli
Kalgidhar Trust/Society
‘Sacrilege, a conspiracy by former Sikh radicals’ : Sukhbir Singh Badal
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday said that former
terrorists have reunited and an attempt was being made to finish the
moderate Sikh leadership in the State.
He asked the Sikh community to understand the conspiracy behind the sacrilege of the Sikh holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib.
“It
is quite clear, there is a feeling that the SAD-BJP government is set
to come back to power in 2017. The sacrilege incidents followed by the
Sarbat Khalsa (Sikh congregation) were deliberately organised to attack
all Sikh institutions, including the Sri Akal Takht and the Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, and cripple the SAD-BJP combine in the
run-up to the Assembly elections,” Mr. Badal said in a statement.
The
Deputy Chief Minister said the Punjab government and the SAD would not
compromise on the law and order situation in the State and deal sternly
with anti-social elements.
“The Punjab police know
their responsibilities. There was a period recently, when tempers were
running high because of desecration of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the
police took a soft attitude. But now with the extremists having attacked
Punjab, we will take strict action against them,” he said.
Mr.
Badal alleged that the Congress played a major role in mobilising
people for the Sikh congregation held in Amritsar and accused it of
conspiring to disturb peace in the State.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sacrilege-a-conspiracy-by-former-sikh-radicals/article7874520.ece?ref=sliderNews
DSGMC starts online petition seeking ban on jokes showing Sikhs in bad light
“Humour is good, but racial Humour is not acceptable” Manjit Singh G.K ( DSGMC President)The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has started an online petition asking the entire Sikhs community to vote against the jokes hurting religious sentiments by showing Sikhs in a bad light.Speaking on the matter President of DSGMC Manjit Singh G.K. said that the petition would build a consensus against the anti-Sikh jokes seeking strong law for a ban, which the petition would be sent to the Supreme Court of India hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by senior Advocate Harvinder Kaur Chaudhary.
Acting on PIL, Supreme
Court has asked the community to give its view point on the matter. “We have
started an online petition so that the message to the Supreme Court is sent
clearly and with utmost conviction that Sikhs want ban on these jokes”, G.K.
said adding that Sikhs are a compassionate, serious and hardworking community
and don’t like to be treated through the jokes and shown in a bad light.
“I on behalf of DSGMC
and the entire Sikh community support the ban. There is a reason behind it.
There are people jealous of Sikhs, they may be looters like Ahmed shah Abdali
who looted entire country, and used to take away young ladies from India and
whom Sikhs used to rescue them in mid night guerrilla operations which has the
root of jokes on Sikhs for clock striking 12’oclock,” said G.K. further saying
that be it Britishers era, or different governments in the country especially
the congress regime involved in genocide of thousands of innocent Sikhs in
1984, unsuccessful attempts were made to projected them in a bad light.
There are several
internet websites which are earning huge money and doing a booming business by
circulating jokes at the behest of Sikhs who have fought for the nation, got
martyred in the freedom struggle”, said G.K, seeking ban on these websites
also. “Humour is good, but racial Humour is not acceptable”, commented G.K. He
added that Sikhs are guarding borders of country and have played vital role in
the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971 and also the Kargil war and Sikhs are prompt to
reach out to the people affected by the natural calamity anywhere in the world
helping them with food, care and medicines. Countries like France and Britain
have recognized the contribution of Sikhs in the first and second world wars,
and Britain had even raised a memorial recognizing bravery of Sikh community.
“I personally feel
pain and hurt when I read such jokes. I am sure Sikhs and people of other
communities all over the world dislike these jokes because they don’t want
themselves to be depicted in a bad light,” said G.K. adding that “Sikhs have
played key role in development and economy of not only India but also the
foreign countries, wherever they are living. Be it technology, business, armed
forces and even running the government Sikhs play important role all over the
world. I appeal the entire community to vote in large numbers so that a strong
law is framed to ban these jokes,” reiterated G.K.
With Thanks : Media DSGMC
Gold plated Door in Gurdwara Bangla Sahib with the Help of Damdami Taksal
With the help of Damdami Taksal, the main gate of Bangla
Sahib Gurdwara has been coated with a layer of gold. Five kg gold has been
plated on the gate that has a height of 13 feet and width 8.5 feet. Two experts were called from Rajasthan for
the purpose. They have also made beautiful gold designs on the doors. As it was
completed, a large number of people gathered at the gate today and opened it
with a song "darshan di je khol kiwar". DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK said that the
gurdwara committee was not interested in plating gold on the doors, but the
community people insisted on it. The gurdwara committee has not used any money
for the purpose. The whole expenditure was made by a Sikh whose name was not to
be disclosed. The DSGMC president said
the DSGMC is committed to working in the field of dharma parchar and education.
Former Sri Akal
Takht Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, the leader, former Rajya Sabha member Trilochan
Singh, former committee president Avtar Singh Hit, Committee Joint Secretary
Amarjit Singh Pappu, preaching Committee Chairman Paramjit Singh Rana,
committee member Chaman Singh,Committee vice-president Satpal Singh, preaching
Committee patron Gurbachan Singh Cheema, committee member tanavantSingh, Bibi
Dheeraj Kaur and SAD leader Vikram Singh
graced the occasion with their presence
& expressed their views.
Pictures Courtesy : Media DSGMC
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
‘Desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib’: No Fireworks at Golden Temple this Diwali
There will be no spectacular show of lighting and fireworks
this Diwali at the Golden Temple as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak
Committee (SGPC) has decided not to celebrate the festival in the wake
of series of incidents of alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.
After ‘Black Diwali’ of 1984, this will be third time when there will be no celebrations at the Golden Temple. Diwali coincides with Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas (Prisoners’ Release Day or Day of Liberation) which attracts large number of devotees.
In 1984, ‘Black Diwali’ was observed in protest against Operation Bluestar. The festival was also not celebrated at the Golden Temple in 1992, the year in which Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, the assassins of Gen A S Vaidya, were hanged.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that in the wake of a series of incidents of alleged desecration of the holy book in Punjab, the SGPC has decided not to celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple.
The SGPC decision comes a day after representatives of panthic organisations, during a bhog ceremony of two protesters killed in police firing, asked the Sikh community to observe ‘Black Diwali’ over the incidents of alleged desecration.
See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/desecration-of-the-guru-granth-sahib-no-fireworks-at-golden-temple-this-diwali/#sthash.gMXPDZh9.dpuf
After ‘Black Diwali’ of 1984, this will be third time when there will be no celebrations at the Golden Temple. Diwali coincides with Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas (Prisoners’ Release Day or Day of Liberation) which attracts large number of devotees.
In 1984, ‘Black Diwali’ was observed in protest against Operation Bluestar. The festival was also not celebrated at the Golden Temple in 1992, the year in which Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, the assassins of Gen A S Vaidya, were hanged.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that in the wake of a series of incidents of alleged desecration of the holy book in Punjab, the SGPC has decided not to celebrate Diwali at the Golden Temple.
The SGPC decision comes a day after representatives of panthic organisations, during a bhog ceremony of two protesters killed in police firing, asked the Sikh community to observe ‘Black Diwali’ over the incidents of alleged desecration.
See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/desecration-of-the-guru-granth-sahib-no-fireworks-at-golden-temple-this-diwali/#sthash.gMXPDZh9.dpuf
Sikhs exhorted to observe ‘Black’ Diwali : "Ros Divas"
The call given by various Panthic organisations, including the Sant Samaj, to observe Black Diwali this year in protest against the incidents of Guru Granth Sahib’s sacrilege at various places has its effect in all parts of the region. The call was given after incidents of sacrilege and police firing at Bagrari, near Kotkapura. Management committees of various gurdwaras have not illuminated Sikh shrines in urban and rural areas this year. Some of them have also put up boards in front of gurdwaras urging people to observe black Diwali strictly. A board put up at Gidderbaha, the area that the Badals dominated for decades, urges people to shun illumination of their houses and bursting of crackers. People have been asked to put up black flags at the rooftops of their houses instead of lighting lamps. They have also been urged not to distribute sweets. Even the Golden Temple this year does not have the grand illumination that is usually seen on Diwali every year.
The SGPC has reportedly not made any special arrangements for its illumination this year so far. The complex is tastefully decorated on Diwali every year, thereby attracting a large number of people from far-away places to be a witness to the grand celebrations. Reports coming from various places indicate that the announcement to observe black Diwali has also been made from gurdwaras located in rural and urban areas. At some places, black flags have been put up to protest incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib. Late this evening, at a roundabout near Singh Sabha Gurdwara and Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara in Ludhiana, a group of Sikhs held placards appealing people to observe black Diwali. In local parlance, it has been named “Ros Divas”. The developments have affected the usual trade and business activity, including sale of sweets, crackers and other stuff.
“The sale is down and business is not even 40 per cent of what it was last year,” said Roshan Malhotra, an Ahmedgarh-based wholesale dealer of crackers. Small shopkeepers, who had taken crackers on loan to sell these at their shops in various villages, have returned most of the stock in the absence of sales, he said.
Link :http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sikhs-exhorted-to-observe-black-diwali/157172.html
‘Black Diwali’ following desecration of holy book
Every Sikh feels deeply hurt over outrageous and repeated incidents of Beadbi of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, showing solidarity with Punjab.
Picture Courtesy- Leela Suresh Tripathi
A Sikh Helpline Launches in Australia
A statement released by the service providers has been published below:
“With the aim of providing much needed support platform for Sikhs in Australia, the Sikh Helpline service is launched by Red Khanda Inc. The Helpline sewa run by volunteers will provide Australia-wide sangat confidential counselling, information and help on various issues in Punjabi and English.
“Presence of Sikhs in Australia
can be traced back to early settlement periods but the number of Sikhs
in Australia since those periods had not grown much until the end of
20th century mainly due to white Australia policy and Sikhs from Punjab favouring
Canada, UK and USA over Australia. This scene has changed in last 10
years when young Sikh students and skilled migrants shifted their focus
to Australia and made down under their home. The Sikh Australians are
positively contributing to growth and development of their adopted
country.
“While Sikh Australians report
their experience in Australia en masse as good, the challenges faced by
Sikh Australians cannot be pushed aside. Living away in a foreign land
and as minority immigrant in adopted country is never easy but for Sikh
Australians the incidents like 9/11 and Martin Place siege bring alive
realities of racism and hatred. Adults and children come face to face
with bullying, harassment and discrimination on day to day basis. Some
can deal with situations on their own, others need some system of
support to gather a response to these problems.
“Then there are our in house
issues which need to be attended. Although Sikhi propounds abstinence
from intoxicants and mandates equality, but the harsh truth is that some
Sikh households do suffer from domestic violence, addictions etc. Due
to stigma attached with such issues the victims don’t want to discuss
things openly and need community support. Growing up in high pace modern
materialistic societies either gives one less exposure to Sikhi or
sometimes causes confusion and conflicts within about ones faith and
identity.
“Above are some examples of
situations and circumstances when one needs to seek help and guidance.
With a view to help fellow Sikhs in need to help in such situation Sikh
Helpline Australia is being launched.”
The confidential service has now rolled out and is available as a community run service throughout Australia.
With Thanks : Sikhs Helping Sikhs
Bandi Chorh Diwas : Diwali of Sikhs
In Sikh history, after Baisakhi, which marks the establishment of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, Bandi Chorh Divas is considered the second most important day in planning of the Sikh freedom from the Mughal empire.
Diwali coincides with Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas (Prisoners’ Release Day or Day of Liberation) which attracts large number of devotees.
Monday, November 9, 2015
U.S. Sikh Groups Meet with U.S. State Department on Panjab Crisis
Voices for Freedom and other human rights groups met with the Department of State and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to voice the concerns of the American Sikh community regarding the current situation developing in Panjab, India. Also in attendance were Sikh community leaders from around the United States. Memoranda explaining the details of the plight of the Sikh community of India were distributed to each office.
Last month, in the village of Bagari and in numerous other places in Panjab, Sikh holy scriptures were desecrated. During a peaceful protest by the Sikhs in Panjab against the desecration on October 14, 2015, two Sikhs—Gurjeet Singh and Krishan Avtar Singh—were shot and killed by the Panjab police. The police disrupted the peaceful protest by violating the protesters’ Freedom of Speech and Expression, as well as their Right to Assembly, which are both enshrined in the Indian constitution.
Timeline of the current Crisis in Panjab
On October 12, 2015, peaceful protests began protesting in Panjab after more than one hundred pages from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the eternal Sikh guru, were torn and scattered around the village of Bargari in Panjab.
In response to the lack of police action in this case,Sikh protesters gathered and began a peaceful sit-in, reciting prayers, or meditating, in nearby Kotkapura. On October 14, 2015, Panjab Police reportedly sanctioned the use of teargas, water cannons, and brute force against this group of protesters. Two protesters were shot and killed by the police, sparking outrage among state residents as well as the international community.
The Sikh community continues to wait for details to emerge regarding this incident and what action will be taken to investigate the killings of two unarmed protesters.
With Thanks :Sikhs Helping Sikhs
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