Virasat-e-Khalsa soon becoming a place of worship for Sikhs

Pic from virasatekhalsa.in

Virasat-E-Khalsa, the new museum of Sikh history at Sri Anandpur Sahib, is increasingly being regarded as a place of worship by thousands of Sikhs who visit it daily.

The museum celebrates the 500-year-old Sikh heritage and chronicles the events that led to the birth of Sikhism. The symbolic representation of the 10 Sikh Gurus has elevated the museum in the eyes of the tourists here — mostly Sikhs who come visiting from the country or abroad.

The museum, which was thrown open to the public in November last year, is open from 8 am to 8 pm. Around 8,000 tourists daily visit this complex spread over 65 acres.

A large number of visitors are seen entering the Khalsa Heritage Complex barefoot and with covered heads. Though musuem authorities gently tell tourists that they don’t have to enter barefoot, but devotion takes precedence over any such advisory.

Chief Executive Officer of Anandpur Sahib Foundation, Dr Karamjit Singh Sra, said: “A guard near the pass windows suggested that we should have carpets on the walkway, leading from the parking area to the museum building. He said the days are getting hot and visitors face trouble walking barefoot. When I told him to request people to keep their shoes on, he said a large percentage of visitors leave their footwear in their vehicles before they reach the pass windows.”

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK for detailed news.

India orders stay of Rajoana execution after appeals for mercy

India has granted a stay of execution in the case of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was found guilty of playing a key role in the assassination of the chief minister of the north-western Punjab state in 1995.

The hanging scheduled for Saturday would have been India's first capital sentence in eight years.

Indian press reports confirmed the country's home ministry had ordered a stay of execution to allow time for consideration of mercy petitions to President Pratibha Patil by top Sikh clerics. The chief minister of Punjab also met Patil on Wednesday night to ask for clemency on Rajoana's behalf.

This week, a court in the Punjab state capital, Chandigarh, rejected an appeal by the director of the jail where Rajoana is being held.

Rajoana was convicted in 2007 after an 11-year trial and has refused to plead for clemency, although co-conspirators have successfully appealed against their sentences.

Many Punjab traders and businesses observed a one-day strike on Wednesday called by Sikh organisations in protest at the planned execution. Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed around Punjab in recent days to maintain order.

Some groups have called him a "living Sikh martyr" and there are fears the execution could reopen old wounds.

"The death penalty is always wrong and the Indian government should immediately stop this execution," said Meenakshi Ganguly, south Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

With thanks:
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/29/india-stay-rajoana-execution-appeals

ITALY SIKH COUNCIL

Sd.Sukhdev Singh Kang,Senior Vice-President Shromani Akali Dal, Delhi ( Unit Italy ) along with other dignateries /representatives of Sikh community in Italy met honourable Mr.S K Verma, Consulate General of India, Milan on 26th March to hand over a memorandum in concern with legal redress and clemency for death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana .

Observe 31st March as Fateh Diwas :DSGMC

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managment Committee President Sd Paramjit Singh Sarna thanked the President as well all the Sikh bodies worldwide on the stay on hanging of Sd. Balwant singh Rajoana & requested to observe it as Fateh Diwas.

The Turban controversy with Mr Nitin Gadkari : DSGMC : SikhsIndia

We found the pics on the Facebook pages and asked Sd Paramjit Singh Sarna in this regard. We seek a clarification from Mr Nitin Gadkari too. Can anyone explain that why the Turbans that are the pride of Khalsa are lying on the table of a leader. Though we do not know that these pics are real or fake & what's the motive. But still, we can say that these pics are shocking. 

Mercy petition for Sd. Balwant Singh Rajoana, filed with President Smt. Pratibha Patil, by Sd Paramjit singh Sarna, President, DSGMC.

SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com
SikhsIndia on : Blog, Facebook, Youtube,
Twitter, Flickr.

No death penalty-Italy Sikh Council

The Sikh community in Italy organized a demonstration in Piazza Fontana ( near Duomo), Milano on 26th March 2012 from 9am.till 3 pm.against death penalty given to Balwant Singh Rajoana. Hundreds of Sikhs gathered from all over Italy to participate in this peaceful protest and to seek legal redress ..

After demonstration, delegation of Sikhs under representation of Sd.Sukhdev Singh Kang,Senior Vice-President Shromani Akali Dal, Delhi ( Unit Italy ) met honourable Mr.S K Verma, Consulate General of India, Milan to hand over a memorandum.

Sd.Sukhdaev Singh Kang in his statement said " Our only motive is to seek legal redress and clemency for death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana ."























News was covered by Italian media .See the following link :
http://milano.corriere.it/milano/foto_del_giorno/12_marzo_26/indiani-2003835196070.shtml

Beant killer wants no mercy, terms Akalis 'traitors of religion'

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its government may have pledged to make all possible attempts to save him from the gallows, but Balwant Singh Rajoana has scant regard for the "neeliyan paggaan wale (blue-turbaned)" leaders.

"I read it in newspapers that the Akali leadership, SAD-BJP government and the Shiromaani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) are making efforts to get me mercy. Let me make it clear that I don't want or need any mercy of the leaders of an Indian State that I do not believe in," said Rajoana, the Babbar Khalsa militant convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case and currently lodged in Patiala Central Jail, in letter sent to the media through his sister Kamaljeet Kaur.

He described the Akali leaders as "cheaters of Sikh religion", who "deserted the original path of Sikhism under pressure of the Delhi-based central government". For the denial of justice to several victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, too, Rajoana blamed the entire Akali leadership of Punjab.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK for detailed news.

Poorvanchalis, sikhs feel left out of BJP nomination list

Rifts triggered by regional concerns have emerged within the BJP. The party leadership is being criticised for not giving enough representation to Sikhs and Poorvanchalis in the list of candidates for the MCD elections.

Not one Sikh party activist was given a ticket by the leadership to contest the elections. Poorvanchali candidates, who were expecting to be nominated for at least 30-40 seats, got just 20.

Awdhesh Singh, a Poorvanchali councillor and chairman of Shahdara North zone, was denied a ticket leading to a lot of heartburn.

“The number of Poorvanchalis in the city is high and we were expecting a bigger chunk,” said a Poorvanchali party worker. In the 2007 MCD elections, the party had given tickets to 25 poorvanchalis candidates and 10 were elected.

Several upset Sikh party workers went to meet the BJP’s national president, Nitin Gadkari, to register their protest.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK for detailed news.

Sikh high priests urge community to follow March 23 directions

AMRITSAR: Sikh high priests have once again cautioned Sikh organizations, which have chalked out separate programmes to protest against hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on a death row in case of assassination of former state chief minister Beant Singh.

After holding a meeting with four other Sikh high priests on Monday, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that every Sikh should obey the March 23 directions issued by the Sikh clerics and not chalk out any individual programme that could disrupt hard-earned peace in the state.

A few Sikh organizations, including Khalsa Action Committee, Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar) Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), have announced their programme to take out a march from the Akal Takht to Patiala on March 29 and hold a religious programme outside Central Jail, Patiala, till March 31.

The Akal Takht on March 23 had directed the Sikh men and women to wear saffron turbans and dupattas, respectively, on March 28, and put up Khalsa insignias on their business complexes, houses and vehicles. It also asked them to offer prayers and perform ardas for 'chardi kalan' (high esteem) of Rajoana by keeping aside their professional commitments.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK for detailed news.

MCD Elections : Janpath : Delhi AajTak

Goindwal Sahib : SikhsIndia

We salute Sd. Bhagat Singh on his Martyrdom day alongwith Rajguru & Sukhdev : SikhsIndia

SikhsIndia
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.in

10 Sikh Women You Should Know and Why You Should Know Them

Sikh Legends 
1. Mata Nanaki (1464-1518) -- The First Sikh 
2. Mata Khivi (1506-1582) -- The First to Serve Langar 
3. Mai Bhago (Late 1600s-Early 1700s) -- The Fearless Warrior-Saint 
4. Rani Sada Kaur (1762-1832) -- The First Woman Commander-in-Chief 
5. Maharani Jind Kaur (1873-1863) -- The First Female Freedom Fighter 


Modern Heroines 
6. Amrita Pritam (1919-2005) -- The Great Poetess    
7. Dr. Inderjit Kaur (1942- ) -- The Fierce Social Worker 
8. Prakash Kaur (1951- ) -- The Champion for Girls 
9. Amrit Singh (1969- ) -- The Civil Rights Lawyer 
10. Dr. Anarkali Kaur Honaryar (1984- ) -- The Senator




with thanks : huffingtonpost : LINK for detailed news story.

Gobind's Shorn Flock : it's the crest of Sikh identity. But the clergy is worried as rural Punjab shaves its locks.

WHILE SURFING THE NET I FOUND THIS HORRIBLE N SHOCKING NEWS STORY WITH A PIC THAT I CAN'T EVEN THINK OF UPLOADING ON MY BLOG. IT WAS PUBLISHED IN OUTLOOK MAGAZINE ON OCT. 23, 2006. THE ORIGINAL LINK IS GIVEN BELOW FOR DETAILED NEWS.

One is often told that a Sikh without his flowing hair and turban is like a king without a crown. But, across Punjab, and more so in the countryside, young members of the community are giving up the most visible religious symbol of Sikh identity—long hair and the turban. The trend, which has been growing in the last four to five years, has reached "epidemic" proportions and now has the Sikh religious leadership worried.So much so that desperate campaigns have been launched to revive the use of the turban.

 "With a turban on his head, a Sikh will feel guilty of breaching his faith. Its absence frees him from such qualms." Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti

When Outlook began examining this trend, Sikh organisations engaged in saving the turban estimated that about 80 per cent of the Sikh youth in rural Punjab have cut their hair and discarded their headgear. An exaggeration, one thought. But president of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), the highest decision-making body for the Sikhs, Avtar Singh Makkar, confirms this trend. He told Outlook: "Yes, it's true that in many places about 80 per cent of Sikh youth have indeed cut their hair. Sadly the 'dastaar bandhi samaagam' (a turban-tying ceremony for young boys), too, has become rare in villages because very few boys of 13 or 14 years of age have long hair."

Does this mean that the day is not far when a Sikh village in Punjab won't have a single turbaned male to show? This is not just in the realm of possibility but an inescapable reality according to a dismayed and rather helpless Sikh leadership.

But why are Sikhs, otherwise very dedicated to their religion, saying goodbye to turbans and going in for haircuts? Scholars say it is a combination of various factors, both social and economic, at play. The most common reason cited is the convenience of not having to go through the elaborate rigmarole of maintaining a beard and tying a turban. Says Baldev Singh, the patriarch of a large family in Adliwal near Amritsar, "Except I and my two brothers, all our sons and grandsons have shorn their hair.

"The SGPC has given up its traditional role of preserving Sikh values and heritage and is more embroiled in politics."

It does pain me to see my family like this but no one listens to us nowadays." His daughter-in-law Roominder Kaur is quite happy with a clean-shaven son as she doesn't have to go through the tedium of combing and tying his hair each morning.

with thanks : OUTLOOK : LINK FOR DETAILED NEWS PUBLISHED IN OCT. 2006

SAD protests against cutting of Sikh youth's hair

Ambala, Mar 21 (PTI) The alleged cutting of a Sikh youth's hair in Panipat sparked protests here today with members of the Shiromani Akali Dal terming the incident an "insult" to the community. Akali Dal convened a meeting in the city today in which senior party leaders were present. Expressing outrage over the incident, SAD spokesperson Sant Singh Kandhari termed the incident "an insult to the Sikh community" and demanded the Haryana government to take strict action against the perpetrators. "Some anti-social elements are conspiring to damage the communal harmony and brotherhood of this state by perpetrating such unpardonable actions," he alleged. The Sikh youth was allegedly roughed up by a group of unidentified assailants, who forcefully cut his his hair, in Panipat yesterday.

with thanks : IBNLive : LINK for detailed news.

Punjab village rises to save Canadian gurdwara up for sale

 

A 92-year-old gurdwara in Canada, which has been put on sale by a bank, has raised the hackles of Sikh organisations in Punjab who have called for efforts to save the place of worship.

 The gurdwara at Paldi near Duncan on Vancouver Island was built in 1917 and is being put up on sale following a court order. The religious place and adjoining land is on sale for $1.65 million (Rs8.3 crore) after a failed business venture.

The Canadian town in British Columbia's lumber country is named after its founder Mayo Singh's native village of the same name in Punjab's Hoshiarpur.

Mayo Singh had immigrated to the US (San Francisco) in 1906 and had later moved to the Vancouver Island where he set up the Mayo Lumber Company and founded the town and named it Paldi. Satbir Singh, a businessman from Paldi village in Punjab, said they were making attempts to ensure that the sale of the gurdwara was prevented.

with thanks : dailymail : LINK for detailed news.

CBI fails to respond to plea against Jagdish Tytler

The CBI today failed to submit to a Delhi court its written arguments in reply to a 1984 anti-Sikh riot victim claim that there was enough material to proceed against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler but the CBI had "deliberately" given him clean chit in the case.

 The probe agency was directed by Additional Sessions Judge KS Pal to file its written arguments to rebut complainant Lakhwinder Kaur's claim that the CBI deliberately exonerated Tytler.

The court sought the CBI's reply by April 30, the next date of hearing even as the probe agency said it can make oral submissions.

Lakhwinder Kaur had in February this year moved the court against a magisterial court's decision to accept the CBI's report to close a riot case against Tytler.

In her written submissions, Kaur had sought the court's directions to the CBI to re-investigate the matter "to bring on record the available incriminating evidence against the accused (Tytler) in the interest of justice."

with thanks : DNAIndia : LINK for detailed news.

1984 riots: CBI to reply on Tytler today

New Delhi: The CBI is expected to file its reply on Monday to the accusations made by the widow of a 1984 anti-Sikh riots victim. 

She had accused that the investigating agency was quick to bail out Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who faces charges for inciting the mob against the Sikhs. 

 In the last hearing, the widow of a victim told the Court that the CBI hastily bailed out Tytler and didn't counter-check his defence claims with key witnesses. CBI to file its written arguments on the next hearing on Monday at the District judges court in Karkardooma court. The CBI is expected to file its reply on Monday to the accusations made by the widow of a 1984 anti-Sikh riots victim.

with thanks : IBNLive : LINK for detailed news.

Police investigate suspicious fire at Sikh temple site

Police are investigating a suspicious fire at the site of a Sikh temple in Surrey, B.C. RCMP Staff Sgt. Murray Hedderson says a 911 caller reported the blaze at about 3:30 a.m. PT Saturday after seeing three youths flee the area. The witness told police the teens appeared to be about 16 and that one was seen on a scooter and another was carrying a red gas can. Hedderson says the witness also reported that two of the youths wore dark hoodies and another donned a red hoodie.

with thanks : CBA.CA : LINK for detailed news.

Anti-Sikh riots: US court rejects plea against Kamal Nath

A US judge has dismissed a court complaint against Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath for his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the Indian leader in the case. 

 New York-based 'Sikhs for Justice' had filed a complaint in a court here against Nath in April 2010 and an amended complaint a year later, alleging his involvement in aiding and abetting the anti-Sikh riots that had erupted in the country following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

 In a 22-page order, Judge Robert Sweet of the US District Court Southern District of New York, granted a motion moved by Nath to get the complaint filed against him by SFJ dismissed. 

 Sweet said: "the amended complaint as to Nath is dismissed" since SFJ did not serve the summons and its complaints to Nath in an appropriate and desired manner and neither did it fulfill its burden to establish that the New York court has jurisdiction over Nath.

with thanks : Indian Express : LINK for detailed news.

DSGMC will solar power its Gurdwara's and make Nagar Kirtan's plastic

AMRITSAR: Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) will make Gurdwaras under its management solar powered and Nagar Kirtans plastic-free and clean. DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna told TOI on Friday that in all the 16 Gurdwara's managed by DSGMC , the sangat was informed about their eco drive and was encouraged to plant trees and save water at homes.

with thanks : TOI : Link for detailed news.

US court to hear 1984 anti-Sikh riots case on March 29 as Congress hires US law firm to defend itself

JALANDHAR: A US federal court has granted Congress an extension of 2 weeks to respond to the motion for "Default Judgment" filed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for its (Congress') failure to defend the charges of conspiring, aiding, abetting, organizing and carrying out attacks on Sikh population of India in November 1984.

 Judge Robert W Sweet of the US federal court was scheduled to hear the plaintiff's motion for entry of "Default Judgment" on March 15 but on March 13 attorney Thomas E Lynch, on behalf of the Congress, wrote a letter to Judge Sweet requesting an adjournment of the hearing on plaintiff's motion for a judgment by default so as to allow him time to review the relevant facts and to prepare a response to the plaintiff's motion.

 "Jones Day", a law firm with expertise in defending organizations accused of human rights violations has been retained by Congress to defend it against the pending charges of genocidal attacks on the Sikhs in November 1984.

with thanks : TOI : LINK for detailed news.

Must view !

Over thousand gurdwaras celebrate 2nd Sikh Environment Day

Washington, Mar 15 (PTI) Over thousand gurdwaras across the world have celebrated the second annual Sikh Environment Day at the initiative of a Washington-based Sikh organization. March 14th is the day when Har Rai, a famous nature and animal lover, became the seventh Sikh Guru in 1644. "Guru Har Rai's life has inspired so many individuals to lead efforts at the local levels in India and all across the globe to take meaningful actions dedicated to this day," said Rajwant Singh, president of EcoSikh, which started the global environment movement among the Sikhs last year. In the first year, around 450 gurdwaras across the globe had observed the Sikh Environment Day. "Many Gurdwaras are engaging in the local environmental issues in North America in their own localities and many are becoming eco-friendly in their operations. Southhall based largest gurdwara in Europe has organised a major green drive on this day," said Bandana Kaur, New York-based programme director of EcoSikh in North America.

with thanks : IBNLive : LINK for detailed news.

Please VOTE for the Nomination : 2012 PTC PUNJABI MUSIC AWARDS

This Video is Nominated for the "2012 PTC PUNJABI MUSIC AWARDS" .. IN "Best Music Video of a Religious Song (Traditional)" Category... Plz Plz vote for the Video and Pray. Plz send sms Type "BVR 5" send to "58888" ****((click on link below for Online voting))**** 

http://www.ptcpmusicawards.com/voting.php
Please watch the vid here :

Happy New Year

MCD poll: SAD (Badal) wants 16 seats

The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) that has alliance with the BJP in Delhi as well as Punjab has asked the saffron party for 16 seats out of 272 for contesting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi election to be held on April 15. 

Delhi unit chief of the SAD Badal, Manjit Singh (GK) said, "We are demanding 15-16 seats, but nothing has been finalized so far. Last year, the SAD had contested municipal election from 13 wards - Nangal Rai, East of Kailash, GTB Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Karol Bagh, Punjabi Bagh, Jaitpur, Nilothi, Mangolpuri, Taigore Garden, Tilak Nagar and two seats in the Trans-Yamuna area. Of them, we had won six seats - Nangal Rai, East of Kailash, GTB Nagar, Vivek Vihar, Karol Bagh and Punjabi Bagh." 

Manjit said, "In this election, we want some change as some of the Akali seats have been reserved for women. As we do not have women candidates, these seats will be useless for us."

with thanks : Tribune : Link for detailed news.

Gen Secy SAD ( Delhi ) joins BJP

General secretary of Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (DSGPC) Gurmeet Singh Shunty along with hundreds of his followers joined BJP on Tuesday at the BJP Delhi Pradesh headquarters in the presence of Pradesh president Vijender Gupta. 

Shunty alleged that Congress has lost its direction and only BJP can provide direction to the country. 

“The welfare of the people and the development of the country can be achieved only through BJP. Hence we have joined the BJP,” said Shunty.

Gupta said relations between BJP and Sikh community are very old and party will solve the problems of Sikh community when it comes to power. 



with thanks : Deccan Herald : LINK for detailed news.

Gurdwara Chehrata Sahib, Amritsar : SikhsIndia

Why do good people suffer ?

Once there were two friends, one was a Gurmukh and the other was a Manmukh. Their friendship wasdeep but Gurmukh believed in God while Manmukh did not. Gurmukh would wake up early in the morning, take a bath and recite the holy hymns while Manmukh would still be in bed sound asleep.

Once they were traveling through a forest. As they were passing through the forest, Manmukh found a bag of coal. He was very happy because he could sell it and make some money. As they further walked while talking about how lucky Manmukh was to find the bag of coal, Gurmukh screamed with pain. It appeared that a splinter went in Gurmukh’s foot. While Gurmukh was in pain, Manmukh started laughing. Gurmukh was surprised and asked him why was he laughing? Manmukh said, “You have been worshipping God everyday and what you got as a result is a splinter in your foot. I have never worshipped God and I still got a bag full of coal.”

An old wise man happened to be passing by when he heard Manmukh’s comments. The old man had a big ironic smile on his face. Manmukh was astonished when he saw the old man smile. Manmukh asked the old man about the reason for his smile. The old man replied, “You are naïve. You do not worship God. You were destined to find a bag of diamonds today if you have been worshipping God. And Gurmukh, you were destined to die at the moment you got the splinter in your foot. Because you have been worshipping God, the pain of death simply turned into a splinter.”

with thanks : Sd. Inder Preet Singh

Thousands converge at shrine for Hola Mohalla

Tens of thousands of people from across Punjab and other parts of India converged at the Sikh holy shrine of Takht Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib town Thursday to be part of the three-day Hola Mohalla festival which coincides with Holi the Hindu festival of colours. As people offered prayers and were later part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations at the shrine, it was a virtual sea of humanity.

Anandpur Sahib located about 85 km from Chandigarh is the second most important shrine of Sikh religion. It was here in 1699 that the tenth Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh baptised five men and founded the Khalsa Panth which is the modern day Sikh religion.

Elsewhere in Punjab the festival of Holi was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm.

Youngsters and families could be seen applying colours to each other across the state.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : Link  for detailed news.

51 Akhand paths : Part 2nd : SikhsIndia

51 Akhand paths : Part 1 : SikhsIndia

Construction of new Guelph Sikh temple to start this spring

GUELPH — The construction of the new Sikh temple on Clair Road is set to begin as soon as the ground thaws.

“We’re expecting to get the final approval from the city by the end of next week,” said Dr. Ravi Rai, president of the Guelph Sikh Society on Wednesday.

He said the landscaping is set to begin as soon as the frost leaves the soil. After that comes the grading process in preparation for construction of the building.

In 2011, the Sikh Society’s development project faced opposition from the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association when it was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Although it was eventually dropped, the society incurred $10,000 in fees and a four-month construction delay preparing to defend itself against the appeal. As an act of neighbourly reconciliation, the Society decided it would pay the fees without trying to recoup these expenses.

with thanks : Link for detailed news.

Congress MLA resigns as Parliamentary Secretary to Delhi CM.

Senior Congress MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah today resigned from the post of Parliamentary Secretary to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit following allegations that he got his daughter admitted in a Delhi University college using fake documents.

The resignation came a day after Delhi BJP President Vijender Gupta released documents related to a police complaint filed by Mata Sundri College against Marwah.

"Tarvinder Singh Marwah has resigned from the post of Parliamentary Secretary to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit," sources close to the JungpuraMLA said.

with thanks : DNA News : Link in the headline above for detailed news.

MCD elections on Delhi AajTak : Janpath : B S Vohra

It’s official: Lt Gen Bikram Singh to be next Army chief

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, the Eastern Army commander, would be the next Army Chief. 

The formal announcement for the next Chief of Army Staff made on Saturday has put an end to all doubts about who would succeed General VK Singh, thanks to the persistent speculation about Singh's possible resignation and widespread efforts to stall Lt Gen Bikram Singh's appointment. 

"This is a great honour. I want to thank the government for reposing faith in me. I hope to live up to the honour and values of this great institution," Lt Gen Bikram Singh told TOI an hour after defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma called up the senior Army commander in Kolkata to inform him about the government's decision. Lt Gen Singh was also given the government notification of his appointment. 

A formal announcement from the spokesperson of the ministry of defence (MoD) said, "The Eastern Army Commander, Lt Gen Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC has been designated as the next Chief of Army Staff, in the rank of General, with effect from the afternoon of May 31, 2012. He will succeed the present COAS, General V K Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, who retires from the service on May 31, 2012." 

The announcement draws to a close acrimonious bids to scuttle the appointment of Lt Gen Singh as the next Army Chief. Several letters did the rounds, hurling various allegations against Lt Gen Singh, who was the Army spokesperson during the 1999 Kargil conflict. 

with thanks : TOI : link in the headline above for detailed news.

Brawl at Gurdwara Bala sahib in Delhi

Gurdwara Bala sahib premises turn battleground between Sikh factions

Gurdwara premises turn battleground

A group of locals claiming to be from Sikh Sangat of Delhi in the Sunlight Colony area fought with the members of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on the issue of construction of a medical college inside the premises of Bala Sahab Gurdwara.

The situation turned violent on Friday afternoon after bottles were thrown in the air and vehicles were put on fire. Later, the local police had to use tear gas to take the situation under control. However, the Sikh groups will hold a protest on the matter on Saturday.

with thanks : dailypioneer : link for detailed news.

Two groups clash over Gurdwara land dispute

Tension prevailed in Gurdwara Bala Sahib in south Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan following a clash between two groups on Friday. A dispute over alleged allotment of the Gurdwara’s land to a private organisation to build a hospital was the reason, police said. 

Several policemen were deployed in the area to prevent escalation of the situation between two sword-brandishing groups.

While four persons were injured in the clash, two four-wheelers were damaged. At least 200 people from both sides pelted stones.

Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. They mounted a baton charge to clear the crowd.

According to police, trouble started at 11 am when Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna’s brother Harvinder Singh Sarna was allegedly assaulted by two relatives of a local Sikh political leader and their supporters.
Police said some residents beat up Harvinder Singh Sarna, alleging that the land owned by DSGMC was being given to a private company to build a hospital.

The residents also tried to prevent a bhoomi pujan from being performed on the land by the committee’s vice chairman, Harvinder Singh Sarna.

Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, a resident, alleged that the chairman of the committee sold the land to private B L Kapoor Group to build the hospital. 

Paramjit Singh Sarna told police that the allegations were false. 

with thanks : DECCAN HERALD : LINK for detailed news.

Interview of Sd. Harvinder singh Sarna after the Brawl at Gurdwara Bala sahib in Delhi

Check your voters list for DSGMC Elections in Delhi

with thanks : HT : DGE

HC Allows City Govt Polls for Sikh Gurudwara Committee

The Delhi High Court today reversed the judgement of its single-judge bench and allowed the city government to hold polls for the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw set aside the order of a `single-judge bench restraining the Directorate of Gurudwara Elections (DGE), which is under the city government, from issuing a notification for elections of the DSGMC.

It asked the government to hold polls at the earliest for all Gurudwaras in the capital by fixing a fresh schedule.

The court, which had reserved its judgement on February 22, upheld the decision of Lt Governor on the issue.

"The process of delimitation and preparation of fresh electoral roll is undoubtedly alright and is in the process and no error can be found in with the decision of the Lt Governer..., the court said.

Earlier, the single judge had directed city government to complete the exercise of delimitation in 46 wards within a month and also prepare the electoral rolls with photographs of voters for the elections before issuing the notification.

DGE challenged the verdict alleging that the single judge bench had no right to pass such orders once the poll process was set in motion with the issuance of the notification.

"The work of delimitation and preparation of fresh electoral rolls if found to be necessary shall be undertaken immediately and ought to be completed, well in time so that such a situation does not occur when the next election becomes due," the bench observed, asking the DGE issue fresh schedule for the elections for the posts of the DSGMC.

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