Gutkas published by Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana end up as paper bags

Ludhiana, Punjab: The Gutkas of Japji Sahib and Rehraas Sahib, which are revered in Sikh faith, are being disrespected by some people. They are making paper-bags for carrying groceries from paper of these Gutkas.

‘Dainik Jagran’ found hundreds of such paper-bags that had the paath of Japji Sahib printed on them. While it is evident it is printer waste, according to Sikh religion, even this waste paper is cremated with full rites at Goindwal Sahib Gurdwara.

There are many such papers like this in the market, which have Japji sahib and Rehraas Sahib paath printed on them. According to the information received, only those with permission from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib can print Gurbani related material. These paperbags in the market have got ‘Sikh Missionary College, Ludhiana’ and ‘New Verma Printing Press, Jalandhar’ imprinted on them. It is evident that gross negligence has been made at some point.

Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said he will order an investigation in this matter. Action will be taken against those who are responsible for this mistake.

Upon contact, Harbhajan Singh, the Chairman of Sikh missionary college, Ludhiana said that it is simply not possible as proper care is taken in the process. That, Bani is given full respect is given while printing. But when the paper bags were shown to him, he informed the police and gave assurance of full investigation into the matter.

The head of the Jalandhar unit of Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana Harjit Singh refused to accept that such a thing can happen because according to him great care is taken while printing of Gurbani. However when Harjit Singh was shown the paper bags made out of Gutkas then he not only contacted the police but also assured a full investigation in this matter.

Gurcharan Singh Channi, the leader of Shiromani Akali Dad Jalandhar area said if the reports are true then it is a matter of grave concern indeed. He said he will take this matter to Sri Akal Takhat.

It is worth mentioning again that only Sri Akal Takhat Sahib has the sole rights to print Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops and Gutkas. Keeping in mind the purity and marayada associated with the process, nobody else has been given the permissino to print these Gutkas and Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Despite this, some companies are actively engaged in business of publishing these Granths. This controversy has also arisen in the past because of this.

with thanks : source : sikhsangat.org

SikhsIndia

Haie cut fuels Sikh protest

Jammu, July 29 -- Members of the Sikh community blocked roads and Sikh organisations protested on Thursday as a Sikh youth was beaten up and his hair chopped off on Wednesday. Serving a two-day ultimatum to the state government for taking action against the culprits, the organisations demanded special probe into the incident.

Some unidentified persons allegedly beat up and chopped off the hair of a Sikh youth, Mithunpal Singh, a resident of Tral in Pulwama district, about 160 km from here. Deputy inspector General of Police in south Kashmir, Shafaqat Watali, said, "Some youth asked him to raise pro-freedom slogans.

He obliged. But when they asked him to recite kalma (Islamic prayer), he resisted.

With thanks : Yahoo News : link in headline above for detailed story.

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Nihang turns ‘demolition man’ to free Amritsar of encroachments

A superintendent with MC, Tarsem Singh Khalsa says he will make Amritsar look like Singapore, free it from all encroachments, ‘provided there is no political interference’

He does not come across as a government servant at first glance. Dressed like a Nihang Sikh, Tarsem Singh Khalsa hits the roads every day to get the city’s public properties freed of encroachment that dot its every nook and corner, paying no heed to political or any other “pressure”.

A superintendent with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation, Tarsem has earned the name of “demolition man”. Accompanied by a group of four to five employees, two policemen and a huge crane, he would select one colony, public park or some other site every day and embark upon the difficult task of implementing the law to remove illegal structures, stalls, makeshift shrines and concrete hedges.

with thanks : source : indian express : Link in headline above for detailed story

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9 injured in clash over removal of holy book from temple

As many as nine people sustained injuries when a clash took place between the members of Jat Sikh and Ravidasi communities at Manan village and the police intervened. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the new granth of the Ravidasia community, Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas, was removed from the Ravidasi temple around 1 am and sent to Dera Sachkhand Ballan.

The injured were admitted in Jalandhar civil hospital. The police have registered a case of attempt to murder against a mob for attacking Constable Sarabjit Kaur, who has been hospitalised.

with thanks : source : indian express ; link in headline above for more detailed news.

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Ravidasis, Jats clash over placing new religious book in temple

There was tension in the Manan village since Monday morning and a small skirmish between the Ravidasi and the Jat Sikh communities over placing the Ravidasi’s new granth Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas, a portrait of their guru Ravidas and the new religion’s symbol Nishan Sahib in the main hall of the village’s Ravidasia temple.

The temple is near the Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which had announced the new Ravidasia religion in January this year. Now , the new religion’s holy book is the Amrit Bani Guru Ravidas.

Earlier, the Sikh religious book, Guru Granth Sahib, was kept in the main hall of the temple. The attempt was to shift the Granth Sahib to the upper hall and put the new religious book in its place.

with thanks : source : Indian Express : link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Sarnas miss date with Akal Takht, called again on Aug 7

Five Sikh high priests met at Akal Takht on Monday and decided to give Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna another chance to ‘explain’ his stand on the controversy that sparked off following Sarna’s alleged outburst against 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims’ counsel H S Phoolka. The hearing on the issue has been deferred to August 7.

Sarna and his brother, Harvinder Singh Sarna, meanwhile, did not appear before the Takht and sent a written clarification through their messenger Bhajjan Singh.

The jathedars met Walia and expressed resentment over Sarna ignoring the hearing, but later decided to give him another chance to clarify his stand.

“As announced earlier, Sarnas will have to appear in person and explain the serious allegations against them,” stated Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, adding they would not take up the matter in their next meet on August 7.

with thanks : source : Indian express : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Phoolka ready to face probe, disclose assets

In the wake of allegations hurled against him by the DSGMC head, senior lawyer HS Phoolka, who has been appearing on behalf of the victims in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases, on Sunday said he was ready to face any kind of probe by the Income Tax Department. The advocate, who has accused DSGMC president "gry-line" P S Sarna of levelling reckless allegations against him, said he would welcome any kind of inquiry against him provided Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee members were also covered under such a probe.

Phoolka had recently announced his withdrawal from all the anti-Sikh riot cases following allegations levelled by Sarna.

However, he took back his decision after the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, intervened and asked him to continue appearing on behalf of the victims.

"I will welcome any kind of inquiry by the IT office. But at the same time, the IT probe should be conducted against all DSGMC members," Phoolka told PTI.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times : Link in headline above for the detailed news.

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‘Sikhs not coming forward to participate in SGPC polls’

In the light of poor response from Sikh voters to get their votes made ahead of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, the state government extended July 14 deadline by a month.

The Sikh leaders have been making appeals to the Sikhs to get forms filled up and submit to the MCs in urban areas and patwaries in the rural areas before August 14.

To mobilise the Sikhs qualified for becoming voters, Jathedar Harpal Singh Pali and Haryana Akali Dal Secretary General Jathedar Ranbir Singh Fauji held a joint press conference here today, admitted that Sikhs were not coming forward to participate in the electoral process.

with thanks : source : Indian Express : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Phoolka says allegations part of deep rooted conspiracy

Accusing the DSGMC of levelling reckless allegations against him, senior lawyer H S Phoolka, who has been appearing for the victims in 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases, on Saturday claimed it was part of deep rooted conspiracy as some of cases were finally reaching a logical conclusion. The advocate had announced his withdrawal from all the riots cases following allegations of "personal benefits" levelled against him by a Delhi High Court judge and President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

However, he took back his decision after Akal Takth --the apex decision making body in the Sikh religion --intervened and asked him to continue appearing on behalf of the victims.

"No money whatsoever has been paid to me by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for the expenses or for the fee," Phoolka said in an email.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee comes under RTI :HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court has held that Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) is a public authority making it mandatory to reveal information under the RTI Act.

Justice S Muralidhar dismissed the plea of the committee for not bringing it within the ambit of the transparency law.

The committee had approached the court after the Central Information Commission had directed it to reveal information sought under the RTI Act and set up the necessary infrastructure for the purpose.

with thanks : source : Times of India : link in headline above for the detailed news.

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Phoolka to file case against ex-HC judge

After the tussle between the president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Paramjit Singh Sarna, and senior advocate H S Phoolka, a fresh twist developed on Friday, with the lawyer saying he would file a defamation case against former Delhi High Court judge R S Sodhi for terming his actions “professional misconduct”.

Phoolka had on Wednesday morning announced he would withdraw from all 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases as Sarna had accused him of “wasting” money given to him for the cases on behalf of the victims. However, after the Akal Takht intervened and requested Phoolka to stay on, he deferred his final call till Monday, when Sarna would explain his statement to the Takht.

A day later, Justice (retired) Sodhi, who now practises in the Supreme Court, said a lawyer must render the accounts whenever asked for by his client. Not doing so amounted to professional misconduct, he added.

With thanks : source : Indian Express : Link for the detailed news in headline above.

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Students’ body protests against Sarna brothers, burns effigy

Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) held a state-wide protest on Thursday against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother Harvinder Singh Sarna, for alllegedly making derogatory remarks against H S Phoolka, counsel for the 1984 riot victims.

Under the leadership of their president Paramjeet Singh Khalsa, the members of SSF (Mehta) held a protest march from Gurdwara Kalgidhar Singh Sabha to Jagraon Bridge and burnt the effigies of Sarna brothers. Khalsa said, “Phoolka has been sincerely fighting for the cause of the victims of 1984 riots. By commenting against such person, the Sarna brothers have exposed that they are hand-in-glove with the Congress government and with anti-Sikh forces.”

with thanks : source : Indian Express : Link in headline above for the detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Akal Takht summons Sarna over his remarks against Phoolka

Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday summoned Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Parmjeet Singh Sarna to clarify his stands on the allegations that he has made against Advocate H. S. Phoolka.

Advocate Phoolka has been fighting cases for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots cases for over 26 years.

Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday summoned Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Chief Parmjeet Singh Sarna to clarify his stands on the allegations that he has made against Advocate H. S. Phoolka.

Advocate Phoolka has been fighting cases for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots cases for over 26 years.

Perturbed by the allegations by Sarna, Phoolka has threatened to withdraw from all the cases he has been fighting to get justice for the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He has approached Akal Takht in the matter.

DSGMC chief Sarna has alleged that the advocate has wasted the money in course of the campaign for personal gains.

Sarna claimed that DSGMC has spent over one crore rupees to fight the cases in courts.

Following his remarks, Sarna has been summoned to appear before the Akal Takht on July 25 and 26.

In Amritsar, addressing the media, Akal Takht Chief Jathedar Gurbachan Singh said that Sarna's allegations against Phoolka was a serious matter, and it's been decided to call Sarna before the Akal Takht for clarifications.

with thanks : source : SIFY : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Senior lawyer Phoolka withdraws from anti-Sikh riot cases

A senior advocate, appearing for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims in different courts, on Tuesday decided to withdraw from all the cases following allegations of “personal benefits” levelled against him.

“I’m constrained to take a hard decision to withdraw from all the cases of 1984 riots in view of a statement made by Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.

“I have not charged a single penny for the (riot) cases but now even near clerical expenses incurred by the Gurudwara Committee are termed as wastage,” senior counsel H.S. Phoolka said.

“I’m forced to take this drastic step because these allegations immensely disturbed me,” he said.

with thanks : source : The Hindu : for detailed news, plz click the link in headline above.

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Sint-Truiden & Borgloon Gurudwara,Belgium.

HC dismisses Sajjan Kumar’s plea in anti-Sikh riots case

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s petition challenging a trial court’s order to frame charges against him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

Former Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar is facing prosecution in two cases in which he has been accused of inciting a mob against Sikh community in the aftermath of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984, leading to killings of several persons.

In the order, Justice Vipin Sanghi questioned the motive of Delhi Police for cancelling the FIR against the politician when the matter was still being probed by the CBI.

A trial court had termed the case as “untraced” in July 2008 after the Delhi Police filed a cancellation report stating that the complainant was not traceable.

Rejecting the plea of Kumar, Justice Sanghi directed the trial court to hold the proceedings against him expeditiously in the anti-Sikh riots cases.

The trial court had in May this year framed charges under Sections 302 (murder), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief to property), 153A (promoting enmity between different communities) and other provisions of the IPC paving the way for trial of Kumar and five others.

CBI had accused Kumar of provoking people against members of a particular community during the carnage that led to the killing of five persons in Delhi Cantonment area.

with thanks : source : THE HINDU : detailed story can be viewed from original link in headline above.

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Your feedback / comments please : sikhsindia

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Can we have your valued feedback / comments on this blog.

Best regards

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US-based NRIs raise funds for imparting education to Punjab's needy students

ANI

The contribution of NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) belonging to Punjab is immense as far as providing help in the sectors of health, sports and education.

NRIs residing in the United Sates have been making efforts to encourage and mobilise education in Punjab.

Members of the Washington-based Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) has raised over 100,000 dollars for providing scholarships for Punjab's needy students. The aim is sound and clear - to persuade students to go for higher studies.

According to an estimate, over five million, almost one third of the total Indians overseas, belong to Punjab. They have invested huge amounts of money in setting up mansions, schools, hospitals and sports complexes in the state.

With thanks : source : SIFY : Link in headline above for detailed news.

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BJP favours granting citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs from Pak

JALANDHAR: The BJP has demanded that the government grant citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs from Pakistan who have fled to India after facing harassment there.

"Every person who wishes to return to our country, should be granted citizenship, irrespective of the community he or she belongs to," BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu said here. He was asked about the demand of Hindu and Sikh families from Pakistan, who have been residing here for over a decade, that they be given Indian citizenship.

with thanks : source : Times of India : Link in headline above for detailed news.

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Court orders destruction of Sikh temple in Texas, USA

Sikhs are shocked and outraged at a ruling by a Texas Court of Appeals ordering that the only Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) in Austin, Texas be torn down.

Austin Gurdwara Sahib (AGS), a non-profit, Sikh organization purchased land in West side of the Greater Austin area in 2003 to start the first permanent Gurudwara in the Capital City. For years, religious services were hosted weekly in a manufactured home located on the property. In 2005, to improve the facilities, AGS, with the congregation’s support, decided to build a more contemporary building. In this regard, AGS applied for, and was granted, all the necessary permits from the city. The approval process from the city included meetings with Planning & Zoning committees as well as the City Council at large. AGS also met with and provided full disclosure to the neighborhood association.

With thanks : source : Punjab NewsLine : Link in headline above for detailed story.

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26 years on, Akal Takht declares 1984 anti-Sikh riots as ‘genocide’

After an extraordinary, marathon meeting of Jathedars at the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs —the community’s five high priests on Wednesday declared the anti-Sikh riots 26 years ago as ‘genocide’ and demanded justice for the victims.

The decision seems to have been motivated by the recent resolution introduced by Indian-origin Sikh MP Sukh Dhaliwal in the Canadian Parliament, where he sought to get the bloodshed declared as a ‘genocide’. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, who headed the meeting of the Sikh priests, admitted the move by Dhaliwal had “awakened” them to correct history. He said: “The decision regarding this should have been taken long ago. But we feel justice has not been meted out to victims.” Apart from in Delhi, over 3,000 Sikhs were killed in various parts of the country after the then prime minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguard on October 31, 1984.

With thanks : source : Indian Express : with link in headline above for detailed news.

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School spent at least £170,000 on failed bid to ban Sikh bangle

A SCHOOL that fought a legal battle to force a Sikh pupil to remove a religious bracelet spent at least £170,000 on the lost case, it emerged last night.

Sarika Watkins-Singh, then 14, was suspended from Aberdare Girls’ School in 2007 after insisting she should be allowed to wear a silver Kara bangle, one of the five symbols of Sikh identity.

The school argued she could not wear the bracelet because it contravened a ban on jewellery, but the High Court ruled in the pupil’s favour.

Yesterday Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd detailed her two-year battle to force the school to reveal the true costs, and the reason behind the decision to fight the case in the courts.

Speaking in Westminster Hall, she said she feared the total costs were much higher than the £170,000 revealed so far, and accused the school of using technicalities to avoid releasing more information.

“My patience has now run out. The school has run rings around the law to avoid explaining how much money has been wasted on this stupid ill-considered action in defending the indefensible.”

with thanks : source : WalesOnline : link in headline above for detailed story.

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Sikh Association gets 10000-dollar grant from Victoria govt in Oz

A Victoria-based Sikh association on Tuesday received a grant of 10,000 dollars from the Australian state's Labour government as part of a programme to strengthen multi-cultural communities through inter-faith dialogue and collaboration.

James Merlino, Minister assisting Premier John Brumby on Multicultural Affairs, and Member for Burwood, Bob Stensholt, presented the Victorian Sikh Association with the grant.

"Victoria is the most multi-cultural, harmonious state in Australia and rivals any of the multicultural centres of the world," Merlino said.

"Our Government is working with dedicated community organisations like the Victorian Sikh Association to promote interfaith dialogue and collaboration and religious harmony," he said.

This funding will provide a multitude of benefits to the Victorian Sikh community and to the broader Victorian community as they strengthen multi-cultural communities, Merlino said.

with thanks : source : INDIAN EXPRESS : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Sikh temple shooting trial starts in Austria

VIENNA – Six men went on trial Monday in connection with last year's bloody shooting at a temple in the Austrian capital.

A Sikh sect leader was killed and more than a dozen others were wounded — including a second Sikh cleric — during the incident May 24 in which worshippers used a frying pan and microphone stands to fend off assailants wielding knives and a handgun. The rampage triggered riots in several cities in northern India.

The main suspect is charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder. The other five are accused of accessory to murder and attempted intentional aggravated assault. None have been officially identified but the Vienna public prosecutor's office said five are Indian citizens and that the nationality of a sixth suspect is unknown.

With thanks : source : News Yahoo : Link in headline above for detailed story.

SikhsIndia

Delhi HC gives compensation to anti-Sikh riot victim

PTI

New Delhi: The Delhi high court has awarded a compensation of Rs7 lakh to a 90 year-old man who lost his young son in 1984 anti-Sikh riots here.

Directing the government to pay the amount within 8 weeks, justice S Muralidhar said "if the payment is not made within time, the government has to pay further 6% rate of interest per annum".

"It appears to be a genuine case where a 90 year-old father has been fighting for justice for the death of his son in the unfortunate incident that took place in Delhi in the aftermath of the assassination of the former prime minister Indira Gandhi," the court said and allowed a petition filed by S Hardayal Singh seeking a direction to government to grant compensation.

With thanks : source : DNA : Link in headline above for detailed news

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Policemen were among anti-Sikh rioters in 1984: Witness

NEW DELHI: A woman, who lost five of her family members in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, today claimed before a Delhi court trying Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others that she did not go to the police station after the incident as policemen were among the rioters.

"I did not want to go the police station because the police officials were among the rioters," Jagdish Kaur told Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta.

Recording her statement before the court, she said "I had lost faith in everybody and therefore I did not approach the Chief Minister, Home Minister or any other Minister in Punjab or any other authority."

To a question posed by counsel S A Hashmi, appearing for accused Balwan Khokhar, nephew of Sajjan Kumar, the 69-year-old witness said she came to know about CBI only when they approached her for recording her statement.

with thanks : source : Times of India : Link in headline above for detailed story

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Witness Identifies Sajjan Kumar In 1984 Massacre Of Sikhs Case

NEW DELHI – Jagdish Kaur, a witness of November 1984 Sikh massacre, during her cross examination in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta identified Sajjan Kumar as a person instigating the mob during the massacre.

Along with Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Kaur identified Sajjan Kumar’s nephew Balwant Khokkar, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal as accomplices. Further, she told the court that she had made the same statements before all authorities, be it Nanavati Commission, CBI or the magistrate in Punjab.

She further stated in the court that on November 2 and 3, she went to the police post in the area but the report was not lodged and the officer told her that ‘abhi aur log marne hain, ikkathe report likhenge’”.

with thanks source : the link paper : plz view link from headline for detailed news.

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Canadian Sikh Wins Discrimination Lawsuit Against Home Depot

TORONTO – A Canadian Sikh security guard in Toronto, who moved the Ontario provincial human rights commission for being forced to wear a hard helmet by Home Depot, has won his case against the world’s largest home-improvement retailer.

In its ruling, Ontario’s Human Rights Tribunal said Home Depot (Canada) discriminated against Deepinder Loomba by “enforcing” a hard hat on him and threatening him with dismissal if he didn’t comply.

Headquartered near Atlanta in the US, Home Depot has about 180 stores across Canada.

In its ruling, tribunal vice chair Ena Chadha has named Home Depot assistant manager Brian Busch for “discriminatory treatment” of Loomba and using “rude and offensive comments” against him because of his religion.

“I am satisfied that the complainant was treated differently because of his turban and that this was negative differential treatment,” Chadha said.

With thanks : Source : thelinkpaper : with original link in headline for the detailed news.

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B S Vohra in Hindustan Times - HT Live East

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times

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Sikh centre given an award by the Queen

The Queen has recently given the Sikh Nishkam Centre in Birmingham an award for its exemplary voluntary services to society. The group running the centre is headed by “Bhai Sahib” Mohinder Singh, whom I previously discussed in the “Music of Unity/Politics of Division” article.

Bhai Sahib is also the chairman of the British Sikh Consulative Forum (BSCF), and has been heavily involved in numerous charitable and humanitarian activities along with interfaith bridge-building efforts for many years. As mentioned in the previous article, Bhai Sahib was responsible for escorting the Queen around the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, India during her visit there in the late 1990s; he has also been involved in co-ordinating multifaith efforts to counteract the growing bigotry and hostility towards ordinary British Muslims in recent years. Bhai Sahib’s other activities have included visiting Jewish leaders in Israel, and participating in the global conference of religious leaders last December which was attended by numerous dignitaries including the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, BSCF’s director, Dr Jasdev Rai, has publicly condemned the EDL’s “Sikh” spokesman Guramit Singh (sometimes known as “Amit” Singh) for his anti-Muslim propaganda and his virulent efforts to whip up hatred against ordinary Muslims.

The Nishkam Centre, which is staffed by volunteers, is based on the Sikh principle of selflessly performing humanitarian work for the assistance of others and for the uplift of society as a whole, in the spirit of “Sarbat da Bhalla”, ie. “Goodwill to the whole of Mankind”. It focuses on providing educational services, training, medical services (specifically health screening), counselling, employment assistance, art and heritage, along with promoting interfaith, intercultural, intercommunity dialogue, and championing social justice and inclusion.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Pickled Politics

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1984 anti-Sikh riots case: Charges framed against Sajjan Kumar

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday framed charges of murder and rioting against senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and others in connection with a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which six persons were killed in Sultanpuri in New Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta, after finding prima facie evidence against the Congress leader and others, decided to record statements of witnesses from August 23.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source PTI & NDTV

SikhsIndia

Anti-sikh riots witness again fails to record statement due to ill-health

NEW DELHI: After seeking exemption from deposing before the court on Monday citing ill-health, a key witness in the 1984 anti-sikh riots case allegedly involving senior congress leader Sajjan Kumar once again failed to get her statement recorded after she developed uneasiness during the proceedings on Tuesday.

Additional sessions judge Sunita Gupta posted the matter for Wednesday as Jagdish Kaur, a key witness in the Delhi Cantonment case, developed high blood pressure while in court. She was taken to a hospital due to the same problem on Monday. Her counsel had yesterday informed the court that her blood pressure was very high and she was being treated in Ganga Ram Hospital.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Times of India

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Pics of 21 Akhand paths held earlier at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Krishna nagar

Pics of 21 Akhand paths held earlier at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Krishna nagar

Pics of 21 Akhand paths held earlier at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Krishna Nagar

Guru Har Gobind sahib ji de parkash purab diyaan lakh lakh vadhaiyaan

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210 years on, Golden Temple gates removed for repairs

Amritsar Sikh bodies protest move; SGPC says the doors will be back in a year

Amid controversies related to their origin, the centuries old and huge gates at Darshani Deori, which serve as entrance to the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple, were removed on Sunday for “preservation”. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) decided to remove the gates as they were in need of immediate repairs. The sandalwood base had started crumbling and the ivory carving and golden screws on the doors had suffered damage after withstanding the vagaries of time.

Since their installation in 1800 AD by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, this was for the first time that the gates were unhooked. While these traditionally-decorated doors have been at the Golden Temple for the last 210 years, a section of historians believes the gates were originally from Gujarat’s Somnath Temple, which were looted by Afghan invaders in the 12th century, and which were later brought back by the Sikhs from Afghan hands.

A few Sikh bodies have raised suspicion that the doors are being removed to be sent back to Somnath under pressure from the BJP, which shares power with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. They say the Sikh warriors, after possessing the precious gates from the Afghans, had offered them to Hindus but the Somnath management had refused to accept the doors, terming them “impure” as these had been looked at by the Afghans.

Details news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Express India

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VS links Rajiv to Sikh riots, Anderson escape

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Inviting sharp reactions from Congress, Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan has alleged that former PM Rajiv Gandhi led the massacre of Sikhs in Delhi in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.

The CM made the controversial remarks while inaugurating a CPM office in Alappuzha on Saturday. On July 2, the CM had faced protests by Congress MLAs after he invoked Rajiv Gandhi in place of his brother Sanjay during a debate in the Kerala assembly on the high court order banning wayside public meetings in the state.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : Times of India

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1984 anti-Sikh riots: Witness identifies Sajjan Kumar, others

NEW DELHI: A key witness, who lost her five family members in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots here, on Saturday identified in a court senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar as a person who had instigated the mob during the carnage.

Jagdish Kaur, the witness who was cross-examined on Saturday by the defence counsel before the court of additional sessions Judge Sunita Gupta, also identified Sajjan's nephew Balwant Khokkar, Girdhari Lal and Captain Bhagmal as accomplices.

The defence counsel, who started cross-examining Kaur after recording of her statements was completed, pointed out several inconsistencies in the riot victim's testimonies before various authorities from time to time.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Times of India

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Quota for ’84 riots victims too

MOHALI: After setting aside quota for physically-challenged persons, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) has now decided to give 5% reservation to 1984 anti-Sikh riots and terrorism-affected victims in the Aerocity project. A decision has already been taken to this effect on Friday and dates for inviting application from those falling under this category are expected to be announced soon.

In a statement issued by GMADA, the development authority has made it clear that people falling under the category of anti-Sikh riots and terrorism-affected victims need not apply at present as separate dates will be announced for such applicants.

Additional chief administrator, Balwinder Singh Multani, said, “Details regarding the reservation quota for the new category will be announced on Saturday.” Sources said that the decision was taken after GMADA found out that people from this category were already making enquiries with various banks.

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with thanks : source : Times of India, Chandigarh

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Court to frame charge against Sajjan in another riot case

In another setback to senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, a court here Thursday decided to frame charges against him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riot case, two months after charges were framed against him in a separate case relating to the riots.

Additional Sessions Judge Sunita Gupta fixed July 5 for framing of charges against Kumar and others in connection with the killing of six persons in the case. "The framing of charges shall be done on July 5," said the ASJ who had on June 5 reserved its order on framing of charges against Kumar and others.

CBI is seeking prosecution of Kumar, former outer Delhi MP, and Brahmanand Gupta, Peru, Khushal Singh and Ved Prakash for the murder of six persons at Sultanpuri area in north-west Delhi in the riots that took place in the aftermath of the assassination of the then Prime Minister.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times

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Malaysian Punjabi Party Gets First Woman President

KUALA LUMPUR - An ethnic Indian Sikh has been elected as the first woman President of Parti Punjabi Malaysia party, the 24-year-old political group that was formed to take care of the interest of the Sikh community in the country.

Susheel Kaur, 59, whose father Jeswant Singh founded the party in 1986, became its first woman President, elected unopposed by more than 50 delegates at the party’s biennial general meeting here.

Multi-ethnic Malaysia has a sizeable Indian population comprising about eight per cent of the total population.� Though a majority are Hindus, there are more than 100,000 Sikhs who came here for trade and business several years ago.

Susheel Kaur, a senior consultant who majored in social impact studies, felt that she was not cut out to be a politician but stressed that she felt responsible for the party which was founded by her father.

She took over the reins from her cousin, Gurdeep Perkash Singh, who led the party for the last six years. She had served as the party’s secretary for 10 years.

With a PhD in population geography from Punjab University, Chandigarh, she believed that her academic qualification and working experience would assist her in formulating a new direction for the party.

Detailed story can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : IndiaJournal

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U-turn on 'humiliating' turban airport security searches for sikhs

Sikhs travelling through Britain's aiports will no longer undergo 'humiliating' searches of their turbans following fierce criticism of the policy.

Just two months ago security staff were told they could pat down and unravel a sikh's turban if the metal detector bleeped as they walked through.

But these powers - given under European legislation - were branded as unaccpetable by the religion's leaders in Britain and the Department of Transport has had to act quickly.

'It is considered very offensive to remove or touch a Sikh's turban, especially in public,' said Dr Indarjit Singh CBE, advisor to the Commission for Racial Equality.

'It's the equivalent of asking someone to undergo a strip search in public in western culture.

'Different things are considered insulting in different cultures - there are different ways of upsetting people, and we should try to keep that to a minimum.'

A spokesperson for Birmingham International Airport said: 'On Thursday the Department for Transport advised all UK airports to continue using the previous methods of screening religious headwear, which eliminates the need to carry out hand searches. We have reacted accordingly.'

Sikhs who set off alarms at airport body scanners will now have their turban scanned by a hand held wand, and will only be subjected to searches by hand if metal is detected in the turban.

Detailed story can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : dailymail

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SRK wouldn't have qualified for this role

CHANDIGARH: Even if the czars of Bollywood, the Khan trio of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, wanted to land this role, they would not have qualified for it!

Unlike the other stars performing in the make-believe world of films, Gurpreet Singh, the 6ft tall and handsome Sikh who enacts the role of the legendary Sikh general Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, would not only “not drink or smoke and maintain complete ‘Sikh Swarup' — the 5 Ks of Sikh identity in his real life — but would also refrain from accepting any such role in future which could bring a blot to the name of the great Sikh general.” When translated in black and white, this rules out any role, which involves enacting the role of a drunkard, raping a woman, or any other ‘debased' act.

Detailed story can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Times of India

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The Great General

A new film celebrates the life and exploits of Sikh general Baba Banda Bahadur Singh

In the early 18th century, Sikh warrior Baba Banda Bahadur Singh set forth from Nanded in Maharashtra to Punjab, where governor Wazir Khan had unleashed a rule of tyranny and brutality. He was accompanied by 25 soldiers and a hukamnama (edict) from his master, the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. Banda Bahadur’s strategies and courage, still celebrated in song and lore, won the battle of Sirhind, the Mughal provincial capital which was second only to Delhi in importance. Now, Banda Bahadur’s exploits will be celebrated in Cinevision writer-director Harjinder Singh Ricky’s feature film called Baba Banda Bahadar Singh. The film, being produced by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was released at a press conference at the Government Art Gallery and Museum, Sector 10, on Wednesday.

Detailed story can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Indian Express

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