Court resumes recording of statements in '84 Sikh riots

NEW DELHI: Following the apex court's dismissal of the plea of former MP Sajjan Kumar to quash all the charges against him pertaining to 1984 anti-sikh riots, a trial court on Wednesday resumed recording of statements of witnesses in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against the politician.

The proceedings started with the cross-examination of Jagdish Kaur who rejected suggestions that she was implicating the Congress leader at the behest of his political opponents. ''It is incorrect to suggest that the mentioning of Sajjan Kumar was done and his presence in the meeting introduced for the first time at the behest of his political opponents and Gurudwara persons (Akali Dal),'' Kaur, testifying as first prosecution witness, said before additional sessions judge Sunita Gupta.

with thanks : times of India : link in headline for detailed news.

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Queen's Baton Relay reaching at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib

It is a matter of great pride for all of us that Queen's Baton Relay is reaching at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib on 2nd October 2010 at 8.00 a.m. A grand reception has been organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.A contingent of 21 Vintage Cars in which eminent Sikh personalities,other dignitaries will be sitting,college & school children carrying CWG flags and School Band shall escort the Baton Relay up to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

Since,it is life time opportunity for the Delhities to receive the Queen's Baton in an enthusiastic manner,therefore all are requested to attend the function to make it a grand success.

Harvinder Singh Sarna,Chairman,Reception Committee for Common Wealth Games,Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee,successfully organised/chaired two days Meeting (28th & 29th Sep.2010) along with Bhajan Singh Walia ,Chairmen & coordinators of Delhi's Khalsa aided Schools,Colleges & Institutes at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib to make this event memorable with joint efforts.

Punjab govt to pass resolution for free corridor to Sikh shrine in Pakistan

BATALA: Punjab government has decided to adopt a resolution regarding free corridor from border town of Dera Baba Nanak to Gurdawar Kartarpur sahib in Pakistan in the current session of Vidhan Sabha. This was disclosed by Nirmal Singh Kahlon, Speaker Vidhan Sabha while taking to the newspersons at Dera Baba Nanak Tuesday.

Kahlon said that Punjab government would send the resolution to the union government after passing it in the current assembly session for further consideration. He said that devotees have faith for the corridor and they have been performing monthly prayer on Indo Pak border last so many years.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is located in town by the same name Kartarpur (Ravi) in Pakistan. The nearest town on the Indian side of the border is Dera Baba Nanak [1Km. from Border] in the district of Gurdaspur. The shrine is located about 3 kms from the Indo-Pakistan border.

The original abode established by Guru Nanak was washed away by floods of the river Ravi and the present Gurudwara was established by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Recently, there has been lobbying to open the corridor for Sikhs from India to visit the shrine without any hindrance or visa. It lies only 3km from the border.

When Guru Nanak departed for his heavenly abode, Hindus and Muslims disagreed on how to perform the last rites. The Hindus as per their tradition wanted to carry out a cremation while the Muslims wanted to carry out a burial. A samadh (Hindu tradition) lies in the Gurdwara and a grave (according to Muslim traditions) lies on the premises as a reminder of this discord.

The gurdwara is located next to a small village named Kothay Pind (village) on the West bank of the Ravi River in Punjab, Pakistan. The Gurudwara at Kartarpur can be seen from another Gurudwara located across the border at the historical town of Dera Baba Nanak in India (It is not Daara, as so many people wrongly call it. Dehra is derived from the word Deh or body). Both sites are one of the holiest places in Sikhism located in the Majha region. Recently, there has been lobbying to open the corridor for Sikhs from India to visit the shrine without any hindrance or visa.

with thanks : punjabnewsline : link in headline.

SikhsIndia

Boston firm sued for calling Sikh employee 'Bin Laden'

Boston: Automobile parts retailer AutoZone has been sued by a federal agency for discriminating against a Sikh employee, who was not allowed to wear a turban and was called 'bin Laden' and 'terrorist' by the company's other employees and customers.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination, has filed a lawsuit against AutoZone alleging that it "created a hostile work environment for Frank Mahoney Burroughs because of his Sikh religion".

The lawsuit alleges that a manager at AutoZone asked Burroughs "if he was a terrorist and had joined Al-Qaida and whether he intended to blow up the store".

with thanks : NDTV : link in headline for detailed news.

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Never-displayed rare Sikh chain armour to be restored

The Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham has held a set of Sikh chain armour for over 50 years but it is so frail it has never been on public display.

The set of armour including gauntlet, helmet, breast and back plates dates from the mid 1700s.

It was given to the museum in 1959 by a member of the Corps of Royal Engineers.

Whilst a piece of chain armour like this is not hugely rare, it is rare to find a set so complete, with its original silks.

The piece has been linked to the ‘Lahore Armoury’ and was almost certainly brought to the UK with boy Maharajah, Duleep Singh, and the Governor General of India, Lord Dalhousie.

The armour then became part of Lord Dalhousie’s collection and when he died without an heir, it was sold at auction in Edinburgh on 7 December 1898.

Conservation assessments of the armour have resulted in a cost of approximately £30,000 to restore and to display the piece and the museum is trying to raise the funds to conserve the armour and its history.

Lauren Jones is the museum’s Collections Care Officer:

“The museum is confident the armour can be well conserved, but we are however very keen to preserve its history, a history the armour’s current condition reflects. The armour will not be restored to an as-new condition; this technique would destroy part of the object’s history and allure.

“For all of us at the museum these are extremely exciting times; we have never carried out a project like this before, but we feel this armour is of such cultural and historic importance it warrants the very best attention we can give.”

To highlight the plight of the armour, the Royal Engineers Museum will show the piece for one night only on Thursday 30 September from 7pm to 8.30pm. For more information call 01634 822221 or email collectionscare@re-museum.co.uk

with thanks : Source: BBC News

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Sky to launch Sikh TV in early October

The launch of Sikh TV is set to go ahead from early October, it has been reported.

A digital TV channel dedicated to religion and Punjabi culture will launch on Sky at the start of next month.

Sikh TV has been ready to make its debut transmission since August 2010, but has been prevented from doing so by technical issues, reports the BizAsia website.

However, these glitches have seemingly now been resolved, as the news provider has revealed that Sikh TV will permanently take over channel 848 from October 4th.

with thanks : cable.co.uk : link in headline for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Sikh gets life sentence in Vienna temple attack trial

VIENNA: A radical Sikh man was convicted early Tuesday in Vienna of having murdered an Indian sect leader there last year and was sentenced to life behind bars, the Austrian press agency APA reported.

After hours of deliberations, the jury found four other Indian-born defendants guilty of having aided the crime that took place in a temple of the Dera Sach Khand sect in Austria's capital.

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

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Billionaire Hinduja Brother Insults Sikhs With Games Comments

NEW DELHI – Indo-British billionaire Gopichand Hinduja, who has faced corruption charges in India, tried to give a clever analogy of the Commonwealth Games chaos but ended up insulting Sikhs with his insensitive comments.

“It will be like a rough and ready Punjabi wedding where, amid the caparisoned elephants, brass bandsmen in grubby Sergeant Pepper suits and celebratory gunfire, one or two guests might be wounded by a stray bullet and no one will know whether it’s going ahead until the turbaned groom arrives at the very last minute on a clapped-out old nag,” Hinduja told a British newspaper.

“It’s only in Europe and America where weddings are planned three or four months ahead, the bride’s dress is ready and the guest list finalized,” he said

Many local Sikhs took exception to Hindujas comments, saying he should watch what he says about the Sikh community.

“He could have used a general Indian wedding analogy to describe the games mess but he chose to deliberately bring in a “turbaned” groom into the picture,” said Raj Singh, who was incensed that Hinduja was directing the comments at India’s Sikh Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

with thanks : source : http://www.thelinkpaper.ca/?p=3236

SikhsIndia

Two day 7th International Sikh Film Festival to be held in New York

According to the latest reports, a two day seventh International Sikh Film Festival by the Sikh Art and Film Foundation will be held on Oct. 22-23 in New York.

With a motive to create awareness about the culture and history of Sikhs, this two day event will showcase 12 films based on Sikh stories received either by established or emerging filmmakers.

The premiere will take place at the Asia Society and Museum in New York on Oct. 22 from 7 pm to 9 pm. The event will be concluded on the second day at the Foundations annual Heritage Gala where awards will be presented to winners of the films.

The winners will be awarded $15,000 from the Bollywood actor-cum-politician Raj Babbar.

with thanks : livepunjab : link in headline for more details.

SikhsIndia

Sikh group meets Obama on anti-Sikh riots

NEW YORK: A Sikh group, campaigning for justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, met US President Barack Obama, ahead of his visit to India in November.

The group met Obama in Philadelphia on Monday, according to Sikhs For Justice, a New York-based group, which has initiated a case against Transport Minister Kamal Nath in NYC for his alleged role in the riots.

"It was very brief meeting and he listened patiently and nodded affirmatively," said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice, who also noted that it was an "informal meeting" that took place when Obama came for the fundraiser for Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak's campaign.

with thanks : economic times : link in headline for detailed news.

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Sikh Appointed as Presidential Advisor

WASHINGTON - Amardeep Singh, co-founder of the Sikh Coalition, was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and given a mandate to work on civil rights issues.

Amardeep Singh of Hoboken, New Jersey, was appointed on Sept. 16 to the President's Advisory Commission for Asian American and Pacific Islanders. He was sworn-in, along with 16 other commissioners, at a ceremony on Capitol Hill on Sept. 21. Images by SikhNN.

Amardeep Singh's parents were among nearly 400 guests at the ceremony. Sapreet Kaur(right) is executive director of the Sikh Coalition. Image by SikhNN.

At the swearing-in ceremony Tuesday night on Capitol Hill, he was among the 17 new commissioners charged with finding ways for these communities to have increased access to and participation in federal programs, where they remain under served.

“Given my background, the focus of the advice that I will be giving the president and the administration is going to be on the issue of civil rights,” Amardeep said, following the ceremony. “And I’m happy to say that the commission is quite committed to addressing the issue of school bullying, …specifically the South Asian and Sikh communities. We are also going to be addressing issues of hate crimes, working with the commission to do as much as we can to prevent bias and discrimination going up to the 9/11 10-year anniversary.”

These are some of the commitments the commission has been making during the course of the last two days, since its appointment on Sept. 16.

“Our nation will be well-served by the skill and dedication these men and women bring to their new roles, President Obama said in a White House news release. “I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

The commission will work collaboratively with the White House Office of Public Engagement and designated federal agencies to increase Asian American and Pacific Islander participation in programs concerning civil rights, economic development (loans), sustainable (green) initiatives, educational opportunities and healthcare access.

“How many community members are aware that on Thursday, Sept. 23, everyone in our community who is up to 26-years-old can get on their parents’ healthcare plan?” Amardeep said, as an example. “A lot of kids in college have no idea that they have access. That law is changing and our community needs to know that.

“Our job is to advise the president on how the White House, in particular, can play a role in ensuring that the community is connected to the White House and that the White House is connected to the community,” Amardeep Singh added. “We’ll be reaching out to the community to get a sense from them on what is important for them so that we can report to the president in a way that is helpful.”

The commissioners serve the White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders, which was originally formed under President Clinton and revived by executive order in October 2009. The initiative’s goal is to improve the quality of life and opportunities for these communities by collaborating with top government agency officials and community leaders in roundtable discussions.

Mike Honda, D-California, was the keynote speaker at the commissioners’ swearing-in ceremony. He represents the 15th congressional district in northern California, which has a large Sikh population. Honda has been a stalwart supporter of the Sikh community for many years and has appeared at events hosted by several Sikh advocacy groups, including the Sikh Coalition.

Honda also is chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which worked for several years to revive this initiative, Honda said.

When it came time to select the commissioners, Amardeep Singh, Honda’s longtime acquaintance from the Sikh Coalition, was a logical choice.

with thanks : sikhnn : link in headline for more detailed news.

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Man sues Durham-based convenience stores over turban and beard

DURHAM, N.C. — A member of the Sikh (SEEK) religious faith says a Durham-based chain of convenience stores crossed a line by telling him to get a shave and a haircut.

Surjit Singh Saund sued M.M. Fowler Inc., which owns the Family Fare chain of stores, on Tuesday in federal court.

Saund’s lawsuit says an M.M. Fowler hiring manager told him that he couldn’t wear a turban, have long hair or a beard.

Sikh men refrain from cutting their hair or shaving. They also wear turbans as part of their religious practice.

with thanks : source : WRAL : link in headline for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Dr Surjit Patar awarded the Saraswati Samman - Hindustan Times

Renowned Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Patar was on Friday awarded the prestigious Saraswati Samman for the year 2009 for his Punjabi poetry-collection Lafzan Di Dargah. Union Minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal presented Patar with the 19th edition of the award, instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation in recognition of literary eminence in any of the languages included in the schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. The award money has been increased to R7.5 lakh this year from R5 lakh earlier.

Sibal said that he believed that any civilization, which does not honour its poets and writers, can never be progressive. “In our everyday life, we ‘evade’ ourselves. We fear to express ourselves. Poetry is rare form of expression that is qualitatively different. But it is dying.”

with thanks : hindustan times : Link in headline above for detailed news.

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur

SGPC to meet Pokhriyal for restoration of Sikh shrine

Patiala, Sep 21 (PTI) SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar will lead a delegations of Sikhs to meet Uttarakhand chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in the first week of October for restoration of Gyan Godri Gurdwara at its original place at Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar.

Makkar told a press conference here today that various Sikh organisations have passed a resolution that they will not raise the gurdwara at any other place in Haridwar than at its original place at Har-ki-Pauri.

The Gurdwara, set up at Har-ki-Pauri in memory of Guru Nanak Dev who visited the spot in 1504-05, was demolished during the anti Sikhs riots in 1984.

Meanwhile, Sikhs have planned to take out march from Gurdwara Rakabganj in Delhi to the site in Haridwar tomorrow to press for their demand.

with thanks : MSN NEWS : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Govt can’t find reports of three anti-Sikh riot panels

Even as the trials in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases pick up pace in courts, the reality is that the Delhi government cannot find at least three reports of committees set up to look into the rehabilitation of victims, role of the police and actions against those guilty.

The Delhi government gave this information to the Central Information Commission while responding to a RTI application by activist Suroor Mander seeking copies of reports submitted by as many as seven commissions to address different issues relating to the riots. The applicant also sought the Action Taken Reports on the recommendations of these committees. While the Home Department first sought more time to trace the records, subsequent submissions before the CIC revealed that the department never had several documents.

Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi observed that the Delhi government had initially sent the queries to the Home Ministry, which sent it back, as “presumably” they also did not have the reports. “After that the Public Information Officer at the Delhi Home Department said he could not locate the reports, which must have been produced at a considerable cost to the exchequer. In bits and pieces, they have managed to give some reports and yet the following reports are missing completely — Marwah Commission, Dhillon Committee and Narula Committee,” the CIC noted.

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

SikhsIndia

Trial against Sajjan Kumar in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case to continue: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to quash the charges of murder and other offences against senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and said the trial will continue against him in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

A bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and A R Dave vacated the August 13 interim order staying the trial proceedings against him before a Delhi court.

with thanks : NDTV.com : Link in headline above for detailed news.

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Anti-Sikh riots: Supreme Court to give verdict on Sajjan’s appeal

The Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict tomorrow on a petition filed by senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar challenging initiation of criminal proceedings against him in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.

A bench comprising Justices P. Sathasivam and A. R. Dave had reserved its judgement on September 13 on the appeal filed by Kumar against the Delhi High Court decision which had on July 19 refused to stay the trial against him.

The high court had then refused to quash various charges, including that of murder, against Kumar saying the delay in prosecution has apparently benefited him.

with thanks : The hindu : Link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

First Sikh Actor Cast in an American Sitcom

American-born Guru Singh is the first Sikh to be cast in a situational comedy on network television. He will play the part of an Indian call-center employee in the new NBC show, Outsourced.

“This is my big break,” he said excitedly. “Vadaa-ee-aa for the Panth.” He pulled away from filming the sixth of 13 episodes for this interview.

Guru Singh has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Texas, which his parents thought was a sensible career track. But his long-time passion for acting did not fizzle out. He went back to college for a bachelor’s degree in acting and directing, which he received from the University of Houston. This is his first acting job although he had previously done commercials and student films.

“By chance, I got in front of the casting directors,” he said. Guru Singh has had an agent in Los Angeles for nearly three years who alerted him to this part. There were many people trying out. But he only knows of one other Sikh, a friend, Bhajneet Singh Malik, who tried out for the part. The others may have been non-Sikhs with beards and turbans, he said.

with thanks : sikhnn : link in headline above.

SikhsIndia

November Declared Sikh – American Month

SACREMENTO, CA – In a historic gesture for the 250,000-strong Sikh community in California, the state assembly has passed a resolution declaring November as ‘California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month.’

During the month, Sikh cultural and social events will be held to highlight their contribution to California since their arrival in the state more than a hundred years ago.

The resolution (ACR 181), which was moved by Assemblyman Dan Logue (Republican), was passed unanimously by the state assembly Sept 1.

Yuba City, considered the first Punjabi village in North America, and its surrounding Sutter County areas are home to one of the largest concentration of the descendants of the first Indian immigrants into North America in the 1870-80s.

with thanks : indiajournal : Link in headline above for detailed storey.

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Sufficient evidence to prove Sajjan Kumar role in 1984 riots: CBI

CBI today pleaded before the Delhi high court that it has got sufficient evidence to prove the involvement of senior Congress leader and former MP Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case in which six persons were killed.

"During investigation by CBI, sufficient material establishing his involvement has come on record. He had instigated the mob, armed with deadly weapons, by making highly provocative speeches," the agency said in its affidavit filed before the court.

It filled its reply in response to Kumar's plea that the criminal proceedings against him should be quashed.

Two cases were registered against the former outer Delhi MP for his alleged involvement in anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

The apex court had earlier stayed the proceedings against him in one of the cases in which five persons were killed in Delhi Cantonment area.

With Thanks : DNA india : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Golden Temple’s replica at Nasik is highly objectionable: Akal Takht Jathedar

FATEHGARH SAHIB:Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that Golden Temple’s look alike at Nasik town of Maharastra is highly objectionable.

Giani Gurbachan Singh, who paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib said that his office has received reports about the Golden Temple’s look alike but “There is no place equal to the Golden Temple for Sikhs in the world and construction of its replica would amount to hurting the community’s sentiments the world over”. He said strict action will be taken if anyone violated maryada.

On the recent representation made by ETT teachers before Akal Takht , Akal Takht Jatehdar said that the matter will be discussed in the meeting of five Sikh high priests.

On the self style Haryana Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Jagdish Singh Jhinda attempt to take control of Gurdwaras in Haryana, he said if Jhinda violated maryada the action will be taken against him.

On the removal of Sukhdev Singh Bhaur from the post of genereal secretary of Gurdwara Ponta Sahib Managing Committee and later SGPC president revoked the decision, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that he has no knowledge of the issue.

On his recent meeting with Vishav Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal about Ayodhya issue, he said that he can not interfere in any manner as the matter is still pending in court.

With thanks : PunjabNewsLine : Gurpreetsinghmehak : link in headline above.

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Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,Dev Nagar: Teachers Day

Every year,in India,5th Sep.is celebrated as Teachers Day since 1962 to mark the birth anniversary of India’s 2nd President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. who was a well-known scholar and teacher . He was also made a Knight of the Golden Army of Angels by Pope Paul VI.Many of his students wanted to celebrate his birthday but he said that he would rather want everyone to observe this day as a tribute to the contribution made by teachers to the society.
To observe this day, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College students took very active participation in Best Message Contest .They thank & expressed their love by writing beautiful messages for their college teachers who have been quite instrumental in shaping their present as well as future.

Obama's security team visits Amritsar

Sep 15 (IANS) Ahead of President Barack Obama's India visit in November, a special US team Wednesday conducted a security survey in Punjab's Amritsar district, police said.

'A six-member team had come to Amritsar to conduct recce as President Barack Obama is expected to visit India in November. They inspected various tourist spots, important roads and Sikh shrines in the district today (Wednesday),' K.S. Pannu, deputy commissioner of police, Amritsar, told IANS.

'But this is not confirmation that Obama will come to Amritsar. After evaluating various parameters and security arrangements, they will decide the places where the US president will actually go. Now the team has left for Mumbai,' said Pannu.

with thanks : SIFY : link in headline above for detailed news.

sikhsIndia

Nada Sahib gurdwara turns into a fortress

PANCHKULA: With 250 cops deputed to check any confrontation between Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC), it was a tense day at Nada Sahib Gurdwara on Wednesday, though no untoward incident was reported.

With thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

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SGPC ready to face any situation in Haryana: Makkar

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said that they are ready to face any situation and Haryana and would not tolerate any attempt by anyone to take over the charge of gurdwaras in Haryana. Speaking to media persons after presiding over function at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib Makkar said some Haryana Sikh leaders had issued statements that that they would take control of the gurdwaras in the state on September 15 and set up a separate organisation to run these. Makkar warned them and said the SGPC would oppose any such move at all costs. He alleged that Haryana government was trying to divide the Sikhs in the state and suppress their voice. The party was doing so to garner Sikh votes in Haryana, he added.

“If anybody tries to take control of the gurdwaras and violate the SGPC Act, we will get a case of trespass and dacoity registered against them. We will make sure that have to pay a heavy price for it,” he said.

Makkar said he, along with some other senior members of the SGPC, recently met Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in this regard.

Makkar said last year some supporters of the Jhinda group had tried to take over the Chhevin Patshahi Gurdwara in Kurukshetra, following which an FIR had been registered, ut no action had been taken so far. He said Haryana Congress leaders had also assured that they would not allow the forcible takeover of gurdwaras by those demanding a separate SGPC.

Makkar said that he held meeting with Haryana Sikhs at various places.

with thanks : PunjabNewsline : link in headline above.

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Restore gurdwara land in Hardwar: Sikhs

CHANDIGARH: Almost 500 years after Guru Nanak challenged some of the 'Brahmanical rituals' (karam kaand) on the banks of Ganges, a conflict is building over the rebuilding of a historical shrine which was raised in the First Sikh Master's memory at Hardwar but demolished during the 1984 riots.

While the local administration is accused of facilitating the handing over of the original land of historical gurdwara — Gyan Godri Sahib — to some local shopkeepers, as part of the beautification plan of Har Ki Pauri, opinion is also divided in the Sikh community over the location of the new shrine which the community proposes to build.

To make matters worse, the All India Sikh Conference (AISC), a Delhi-based organization, has given a call to the Sikh community to take out a march from Gurdwara Rakabganj in Delhi to the site in Hardwar on September 22 and 'liberate' the old location for the rebuilding of the gurdwara. This is in direct contradiction to the demand of the local Sikhs, who have agreed to relocate the gurdwara to another place on the banks of a canal fed by the Ganges.

With thanks : Times of india : link in headline above for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

Head of self-styled HSGPC taken into custody by police

Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters of HSGPC took out a march in Kurukshetra in favour of a separate body for the state and to demand immediate release of their leaders who have been taken into custody. The supporters ventured out from Dera Kar Sewa complex where they had assembled in small groups. Police stopped them as they reached the barricade erected near Devi Lal chowk to check their entry to Gurdwara Chhati Patshahi.However, many of them marched towards railway road where they had an altercation with police. The agitating supporters managed to reach Kurukshetra Railway junction and put a blockade on railway track leading to stoppage of a goods train running from Ambala to Delhi. Some agitators squatted on railway lines on the route and blocked rail movements. They kept raising slogans in favour of Haryana SGPC and demanded immediate release of their leaders like Jhinda, Kanwaljit and others.

with thanks : IBNLive : Link in headline above.

SikhsIndia

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Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar

Under the directions of the Hon'ble ,Param Jit Singh Sarna, President ,Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee & valuable inspiration of respective Dr. Man Mohan Kaur,Principal, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar; NSS Unit of the College ,joined "Clean Delhi Drive" on 10th September,2010 in Karol Bagh,New Delhi . Dr.Gurdeep Kaur,Associate Prof. & National Service Scheme Programme Officer,who also participated in this cleanliness awareness drive appreciates;Tarun mithrani;a student & President of NSS Unit of the college for his sincere efforts for initiating students to join for this noble cause.
Presence & participation of Mandeep Kaur Bakshi,Municipal Councillor,Karol Bagh in this cleaning-up programme was also very encouraging to make the programme successful.
As Mr.B.S.Vohra.President of East Delhi RWAs Joint Front www.RWABhagidari.com & www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com has beautifully said that being proud Delhite's;its our duty to join & work together to make Common Wealth Games successful !

Please-Sikh Obama set to visit Golden Temple

US President Barack Obama's maiden visit to India in November won't be all about tackling issues such as terrorism and outsourcing.

His trip may also include a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and a stay at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai.

Sources said a US team has conducted a security survey of the places Obama proposes to visit. His plan to visit the Golden Temple is being viewed as a goodwill gesture towards the Sikhs who form an economically and politically powerful community in the US. In Mumbai, Obama may also visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, which was one of the targets of the Mumbai attack besides the Taj Mahal hotel.

with thanks : IndiaToday : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Sikh leader gives Haryana Government deadline to hand over control of Sikh shrines

Security around major gurdwaras in Haryana has been tightened after Jagdish Singh Jhinda, a prominent Sikh leader from the state, set a Sep 15 deadline for taking over control of these shrines from the Punjab-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Armed personnel from Haryana Police have been stationed outside major gurdwaras in Kurukshetra, Karnal, Ambala and other places, with local police not wanting to take a chance in the event of violence if Sikh leaders led by Jhinda try to forcibly take control of the shrines.

"We have stationed our force outside the gurdwaras for security reasons," Kurukshetra station house officer Jaipal Singh said. Barricades have been erected by the police and the district administration near Sikh shrines to control crowds."

The Sikh leadership in Haryana has accused the SGPC of neglecting the state's gurdwaras and Sikhs, despite these shrines contributing over Rs.100 million (Rs.10 crore) to the SGPC kitty annually, over the past few years.

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

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Sikh man attacked and allegedly killed by Muslim gang

A Sikh man was murdered in his shop by a gang of robbers in Huddersfield. The gang grabbed a wine bottle and repeatedly hit Gurmail Singh.

The Sikh man died in hospital the following day.

All the gang alleged members were Muslim, Umare Aslam, 20, Muawaz Khalid, also 20, 18-year-old Shoaib Khan, Nabeel Shafi, 18, and Rehman Afzal, 18, all from Huddersfield, have denied the murder charge.

Defence lawyers told the jury how smokers outside a pub opposite the shop realised something was wrong when they saw two of the robbers - Afzal and Aslam - walk and then run from the scene.

One of them trapped the robbers inside by holding the door closed as they tried to smash their way out.

with thanks : emgonline.co.uk : link in headline above for detailed news.

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'Punjab's farmers could grow crops on the moon, if needed’

Plz log on to the link in headline above for the Interview of Mr Badal with TOI :

Excerpts :

And now, Punjab's farmers are ready to farm in Brazil? Tell us about this.

Yes, Sukhbir has gone with Sharad Pawar to explore the possibilities. Brazil has fertile land but they say they don't have the famous Punjab farmer. As you know, our farmers can grow crops even on the Moon, let alone Brazil or any other country.

With thanks : TOI

SikhsIndia

REMEMBERING THE BRAVE 21 WHO STOOD AGAINST 10,000

PRESS RELEASE

Come the 12^th of September, it will be 113 years since 21 brave soldiers died doing their duty on the Afghan border. For the first time in the country, this battle is being recognised nationally as Saragarhi Day. There will be a ceremony of remembrance at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington and Warwick on Saturday 11^th September at 4pm. It will be preceded by a short presentation of those historic events which have been recorded by UNESCO as one of 8 examples of collective bravery.

On the 12th of September 1897, 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs of the British Indian Army faced some 10,000 Afghan tribesmen at a small signalling station called Saragarhi in the North West Frontier province of what is now Pakistan. The Saragarhi post, situated on a rocky ridge, consisted of a small block house with loop-holed ramparts and a signalling tower. It was vital to the safety of 2 other forts as it was the only way of maintaining a communication link between them.

A general uprising by the Afghans, which began in August 1897 led to many attempts to capture the 2 forts. When these were unsuccessful, 10,000 Pashtuns attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi, so that communication would be lost between the two forts. The contingent of the twenty-one Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs, lead by Havildar Ishar Singh was hopelessly outnumbered. Undeterred, they all chose to fight to the death. The signalling officer continued to supply vital information to the 2 forts during the fighting, thus saving countless lives.

Saraghari is recognised as one of the greatest last stands in world military history, against overwhelming odds. Each one of the 21 we’re awarded the highest gallantry medal available to them, which is unparalleled in military history for one action. Plaudits for the bravery of the 21 Sikhs could be heard from both Houses of Parliament and Queen Victoria.

This nationwide commemoration will form part of the National Heritage Shared events planned at various locations up and down the country in September, which SHAWL (Sikh Heritage Association Warwick & Leamington) are happy to be involved with. On the 11^th September, the program of events at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick will be as follows:

“Saragarhi Day” – 2.45pm : A short talk followed by a commemorative ceremony to the 21. In attendance will be direct descendants of the 36^th Sikh Regiment.

“Frames of Bravery” Exhibition Launch – 4.00pm (11^th – 26^th September 2010) : Launched in Malaysia this photographic exhibition captures images of Sikh military history from the 18^th century onwards including major contributions during WW1 & WW2.

“The Flying Sikhs” film – 5.00pm : A short documentary looking at the little known contribution of Sikh pilots during the Battle of Britain.

For further information please contact:
SHAWL representative, Dharminder Singh Sanghera on 07734883833.

All the above events are at the Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick, Tachbrook Park Drive, CV34 6RH.

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Poland bows to Sikh demands

WARSAW: Polish authorities have bowed to a demand by the Sikhs to set aside a special room at airports for security check-up as the matter was "very sensitive" for Sikhs who were asked to remove their turban.

Commandant of the Airport Security Wieslaw Raban told Polish TV on Wednesday morning that the proposal has been agreed upon with immediate effect and orders have been issued. Raban asked the Sikh community for their support to comply with the rules and regulations as decided by the European Union.

Sikhs in Poland were unhappy as they had been told to remove their turbans for security reasons at the airports. This had been going on for the past three months. Though the Sikh travellers resented it, they reluctantly complied. JJ Singh, president of Polish Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee, said: "The matter is very sensitive for Sikhs who reside and work in Poland. But this discrimination is not only against the Sikhs. The Orthodox Jews are also asked to remove their hats for security check."

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

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UNITED SIKHS launches the Global Protect Our Identity Campaign

Press Release

UNITED SIKHS launches the Global Protect Our Identity Campaign

Fremont, California: In wake of security policies and societal situations that threaten the Sikh identity across the world, UNITED SIKHS launched the global “Protect Our Identity” campaign to actively advocate for Sikh Civil Rights issues at a global level at the Gurdwara Sahib in Fremont, California on August 8, 2010. Under the aegis of the campaign, the Sikh community across the world will unite to form a collective voice strongly advocating for rights that protect the Sikh identity and way of life. Sikhs face an unprecedented attack on their identity and dignity. Sikhs are being racially profiled daily in domestic and international airports and they are arbitrarily being stripped of their dignity by having to remove their turbans at security checkpoints in many European countries. In Kashmir, Sikhs live in a constant state of intimidation and have received death threats to leave the valley. French schools continue to ban the Sikh turban and make it difficult for our children to receive an education. In some parts of Europe (i.e. Belgium) Sikhs are fighting just to be recognized as a religion. Finally, justice continues to be elusive for victims of 1984 as courts stall not only the process of vindication but also reconciliation. A multi-national, multi-dimensional campaign, Protect Our Identity will focus on issues of importance to the global Sikh community such as Right to Turban, airport security in European Union and United States, Anti-Bullying Initiatives, Rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan, Equality in employment, Right to Kakaars, seeking recognition of Sikhs as a religion and ethnicity in UK and US Census, and raising awareness of Sikhs and Sikhism to reduce acts of violence and xenophobia against Sikhs.

UNITED SIKHS Volunteers talking to Sangat members in Fremont Gurdwara, CA

The Protect Our Identity campaign is engaging in new initiatives seeking to confront emerging policies and practices globally that threaten the Sikh identity, and integrating existing projects that protect global Sikh civil and human rights. Hansdeep Singh, Senior Staff Attorney at UNITED SIKHS says, “The campaign is a collective community voice against the onslaught of a movement toward religious suppression, the impact of which is most visible in Europe. This tide must be stemmed before the suppression of an external religious identity becomes an established norm in other parts of the world,” Hansdeep says. He adds, “Followers of Sikh values have been degraded, humiliated, and disparaged, and the external manifestation of the visible identity is treated with such contempt that it will only make it more difficult for the wearer to consistently endure this indignity.”

UNITED SIKHS Protect Our Identity Campaign Poster

Volunteers and UNITED SIKHS members across the Bay area are building teams to take the campaign to the Sikh community in several cities across the Bay area. So for our members and supporters in the Bay area, lookout for the “Protect Our Identity” campaign materials and presentations over the next few weeks and support the cause generously, both with your time and financially. During the presentation at Fremont Gurdwara detailing the initiatives under Protect Our Identity, Loveleen Kaur, UNITED SIKHS volunteer implored the sangat to step up and support the campaign saying, "How do we as a community bring the compassion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who made the ultimate sacrifices necessary to protect our identity? If we don't save our identity, all the Sikh religious institutions will be nothing but monuments to a brave and selfless people that once existed. Just like blood is the life force for human beings, UNITED SIKHS needs a continuous stream of support through seva and funding in order to fulfill its mandate of serving mankind."

Loveleen Kaur, addressing the Sangat at Freemont Gurdwara Members of the Protect Our Identity Campaign Launch Team

SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN, IT BELONGS TO YOU! The campaign is of the people, by the people, and will be spearheaded by dedicated volunteers from the community who will spread the rallying call of “Protect Our Identity” to members of their Sangat. The campaign is traveling to the United States East Coast and from there to different parts of the world. No matter where you are in the world, if you are passionate about the issues the campaign represents, and would like to contribute to the cause, volunteer with us, and be the leader in your community to talk about these issues and how they affects members in your Sangat. Join us by clicking here, and email us at law-global@unitedsikhs.org for any questions or concerns. DONATE GENEROUSLY; WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! The Sikh community’s commitment to recovery efforts in Haiti personifies the Sikh principle of selfless service to humanity and earned us a mention in President Barack Obama’s address at the National Prayer Breakfast meeting. The Protect Our Identity campaign encompasses different initiatives that advocate for the community's right to practice their religion freely. We need support from community members like you to help us to carry forward those initiatives and our mission. We see that we now need to do even more but only if we have a dedicated support system, and know that we can count on monthly recurring donations. No amount is too small. Monthly donations of $10, $20, $40, $50 or $100 will help by supporting this cause to protect the Sikh identity with respect and dignity. Donate to UNITED SIKHS by clicking here. Volunteer for Protect Our Identity Campaign! To see a previous press release detailing UNITED SIKHS' advocacy work around the world, please visit: http://unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-25-12-2009-00.html Issued by: Kashmir Singh Director 1-888-243-1690 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-243-1690 end_of_the_skype_highlighting law-global@unitedsikhs.org

Sikh sues Poland’s border guards after ordered to take off turban

A British Sikh is bringing a law suit against Poland’s border guards after he claims they tried to make him remove his turban at the International Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw.

Shaminder Puri (pictured) a British citizen of Indian descent, says he was outraged when he asked to take his traditional Sikh turban off at the airport. “Something like that had never happened to me in 40 years at any other airport,” Puri is quoted by the PAP news agency as saying.

Shaminder Puri works as an expert for international NGOs and the EU. He travels to many countries, including Poland, where he studied in 1960s.

Mr. Puri says that he left his laptop, briefcase, jacket, belt, watch, shoes and metal objects at the airport gate and passed through it wearing just his clothes and a turban. The alarm did not sound. Nevertheless, Puri was asked to take off his turban, an outrage to Sikhs.

Puri tried to explain, in Polish, that his religion does not allow him to remove the turban and suggested that a border guard inspects it manually. But the guard insisted on Puri taking off his head cover.

According to safety procedures at airports around the world, if a border guard suspects that a Sikh is smuggling something under his turban, he is asked to touch the turban himself and then a guard inspect him with a special detector.

with thanks : thenews.pl : link in headline for detailed news.

SikhsIndia

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Uncertainity over release of film on Banda Bahadur irks the faithful

CHANDIGARH: The release of SGPC-produced film on legendary Sikh general Banda Singh Bahadur, to commemorate 300 years of the establishment of Khalsa Raj, remains uncertain in the tercentenary year.

A large number of viewers, eagerly awaiting the first ever cinematic presentation of a Sikh character associated with the Gurus, have been scouting the market for CDs and DVDs of the film ever since it was screened before media on June 30.

Admitting delay in the release of film, director Harjit Singh Riki admitted to getting calls from Sikhs settled across the world, with queries on where can they get the film from. However, he refused to divulge reasons behind the delay, which has surprised many considering the fact that the script was cleared by an expert committee of historians and religious intellectuals led by stalwarts like Roop Singh and Simarjit Singh. It also had the nod of the five Sikh high priests and was screened before the media in Chandigarh by none other than Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh in a very rare event.

with thanks : times of India : link in headline above for detailed news.

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Wearing their faith

Faith now comes in wearable forms, and celebs seem to be all gung-ho about it. Over the weekend, designer Rohit Bal was spotted wearing a Khanda - the Sikh religious symbol, around his neck. Entrepreneur Priya Sachdev Chatwal, too, was seen wearing the religious icon as an armlet at the same do. Priya’s sister Charu, also a follower of the trend, says, “It’s nice to wear your faith in an aesthetic manner. I like wearing T-shirts with gods and goddesses on it.”

Others say wearing their faith has a calming effect. “I wear a wooden Buddha ring; it has a very soothing effect on me,” says VJ Kim, who swears by the charm.

However, not everyone thinks of the statement as ‘sacred’. “I don’t advocate wearing religious symbols. If you are wearing a tee with God on it, you need to be very careful - you’re going to visit the washroom wearing it!” says model Jesse Randhawa.

with thanks : Hindustan times : link in headline for detailed story.

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Sikh temple to open controversial free school for children of all religions

A SIKH temple is planning to create two controversial “free schools ” in Birmingham – but they will be open to people from all religions.

An education trust created by worshippers at Gurdwara Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha, in Soho Road, is to open a new secondary school on the site of a former factory in Hockley.

It is also to create a new primary school in Soho Road, Handsworth, under Government plans to open schools led by private organisations such as parents’ groups, faith bodies or teachers themselves.

The state-funded schools were among 16 proposals for new “free schools” to receive early approval from Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Nishkam Secondary School will open on the former Lucas factory site in Great King Street, Hockley, if the scheme goes ahead.

It will serve up to 1,000 pupils and children from the Sikh community will be given preference for half the places, while the other half will be open to all youngsters regardless of their religion.

Although free schools receive government funding, residents have already raised more than £2 million to buy the site. Co-ordinator Ranjit Singh said: “We want good exam results, but also to emphasise the value of morals and ethics.

with thanks : Birmingham mail : link in headline above for detailed story.

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