with thanks : modbee : LINK : for detailed report & more pics.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Central San Joaquin Valley Sikhs call for end to bullying
You are from an Arab country -- go back. Terrorist. You don't belong in this country.
And the hurtful actions: A shaving razor thrown at a Sikh boy who has a long beard, a rock thrown at a Sikh girl in her traditional dress.
These are all things that have been said and done to Sikh children in the central San Joaquin Valley, leaders of the Sikh Council of Central California said Saturday.
During one of their council meetings Saturday in Selma, about 20 Sikh leaders talked about the bullying of Sikh children at school.
The catalyst for the discussion was a report issued earlier this month titled "Go Home, Terrorist,"written by the Sikh Coalition. The coalition, created after 9/11 when Sikhs experienced violence and discrimination,works toward civil and human rights for all.
The report outlines the findings of surveys given to Sikh children in Fresno County and three U.S. cities in 2012 and 2013.
Of the four areas surveyed, the report shows Fresno County has the highest percentage -- 51% -- of Sikh students who said schools didn't take any action after they reported bullying, and the second-highest percentage -- 54.5% -- of Sikh students who said they had been bullied.
with thanks : fresnobee : LINK : for detailed report.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
अमेरिकी रैपर ने सिखों पर की नस्ली टिप्पणी
अमेरिका के एक रैपर ने एक वेबसाइट पर सिख व्यक्ति वाली तस्वीर पोस्ट करके नस्लभेदी टिप्पणी की, हालांकि विवाद बढ़ता देख उसने तस्वीर हटा ली.
हिप हॉप समूह ‘स्लॉटरहाउस’ के सदस्य जो बडेन ने पिछले सप्ताह फोटो एवं वीडियो शेयरिंग वेबसाइट इंस्टाग्राम पर तस्वीर पोस्ट की थी. इसमें एक सिख व्यक्ति को हवाई अड्डे की सुरक्षा जांच की कतार में खड़े दिखाया गया था.
पोस्ट करने वाले शख्स ने फोटो के नीचे टिप्पणी की जिसमें उस व्यक्ति के आतंकवादी होने का संकेत दिया गया था. इसको लेकर ऑनलाइन विवाद खड़ा हो गया. सिख कोएलिशन नामक संगठन ने इसको लेकर चिंता जताई. बाद में रैपर ने इस पोस्ट को इंस्टाग्राम के अपने पेज से हटा दिया.
With thanks : AAJTAK : LINK
Pritty Kaur raised Turban issue in European Flemish Parliament in Belgium
"WE COVER OUR HAIR NOT OUR BRAINS" PRITTY KAUR GO FOR IT !
ਬੈਲਜੀਅਮ 29 ਮਾਰਚ (ਹਰਚਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਢਿਲ੍ਹੋ) ਯੂਰਪ ਦੀ ਧਰਤੀ ਤੇ ਸਿ¤ਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਚਿੰਨਾ ਦਾ ਮਸਲਾ ਭਾਵੇ ਹਲ ਨਹੀ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ, ਪਰ ਸਿ¤ਖ ਜਦੋਜਹਿਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ ,ਅਜ ਬੈਲਜੀਅਮ ਦੀ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਬਰੁਸਲ ਵਿਚ ਫਲਾਮਿਸ਼ ਪਾਰਲੀਮੈਟ ਵਿਚ ਸਭ ਧਰਮਾ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾ ਵਲੋ ਆਪੋ ਆਪਣਾ ਹ¤ਕ ਦਰਸਾਉਣ ਜਾ ਧਰਮ ਉਤੇ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਜੁਲਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਸਤਾ ਦ¤ਸਣ ਲਈ ਅਹਿਮ ਇਕਠ ਹੋਇਆ ਇਸ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਵਿਚ 55 ਕੁ ਦੇਸ਼ਾ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੇ ਹਿਸਾ ਲਿਆ ਟੋਟਲ ਲੋਕਾ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ 400 ਦੇ ਕਰੀਬ ਸੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿ¤ਖਾ ਵਲੋ ਦਾਸ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤੀ ਕੌਰ ਸਨ , ਪ੍ਰੀਤੀ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੁਝ ਮਿੰਟਾ ਦੇ ਭਾਸ਼ਣ ਵਿਚ ਸਿ¤ਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਚਿੰਨਾ ਅਤੇ ਸਕੂਲਾ ਵਿਚ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਤੇ ਆ ਰਹੀਆਂ ਦਰਪੇਸ਼ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬੜੈ ਜੋਸ਼ ਨਾਲ ਅਵਾਜ ਉਠਾਈ ਕਿ ਜਦ ਅਸੀ ਸਿਖ ਇਸ ਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ ਕੁਰਬਾਨੀਆਂ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹਾਂ ਕਾਰੋਬਾਰਾ ਦਾ ਟੈਕਸ ਬਲਾਸਟਿੰਗ ਤਾਰਦੇ ਹਾ ਬੈਲਜ ਕਮਿਉਨਿਟੀ ਦੀ ਹਰ ਸੰਭਵ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾ ਤਾ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਚਿੰਨ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਤੇ ਪਾਬੰਦੀ ਕਿਉ ? ਤਾ ਸਾਰੇ ਲੋਕਾ ਨੇ ਭਰਵੇ ਹੰਗਾਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਤਾੜੀਆਂ ਮਾਰਕੇ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਕੀਤਾ, ਪ੍ਰੀਤੀ ਕੌਰ ਜੋ ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਮੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਬੈਲਜੀਅਮ ਚੋਣਾ ਵਿਚ ਹਿਸਾ ਲੈ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ , ਸਾਨੂੰ ਮਾਣ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿਖ ਬਚੇ ਇਥੌ ਦੀ ਪੜਾਈ ਕਰਕੇ ਗੌਰਮਿੰਟ ਦੇ ਸਰਗਰਮ ਕੰਮਾ ਵਿਚ ਹਿਸਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਹਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਵਾਜ ਉਠਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਭਾਵੇ ਇੰਡੀਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਸਾਡੀ ਅਵਾਜ ਦਬਾਈ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ, ਸਾਡਾ ਸਿ¤ਖ ਧਰਮ ਰਜਿਸਟਰ ਨਹੀ ਸਿ¤ਖ ਮੈਰਿਜ ਐਕਟ ਨਹੀ , ਇਥੋ ਤ¤ਕ ਕਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਵੀ ਸੁਰ¤ਖਿਅਤ ਨਹੀ ਹੈ, ਕਾਨੂੰਨੀ ਹ¤ਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਲਈ ਮੁਜਾਹਰਾ ਜਾਂ ਇਕ¤ਠ ਕਰ ਵੀ ਲਈਏ ਤਾ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦੀਆਂ ਡਾਂਗਾ ਨਾਲ ਪੂੜੈ ਸੇਕ ਦਿ¤ਤੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਨੰਨੀਆਂ ਛਾਵਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੁ¤ਤਾ ਤੋ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਭਵਾਟਲੀਆਂ ਦਿ¤ਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਂਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ,ਪਰ ਇਥੈ ਯੁਰਪ ਵਿਚ ਅਸੀ ਸ਼ਾਤ ਮਈ ਤਰੀਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਅਵਾਜ ਉਠਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਸੁਣਵਾਈ ਵੀ ਹੂੰਦੀ ਹੈ, ਕਾਂਸ਼ ਮਹਾਨ ਭਾਰਤ ਵੀ ਐਸਾ ਹੂੰਦਾ !
Link:http://www.europesamachar.com/?p=59231
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Pritty Kaur (Female Sikh candidate) contesting Federal Election,2014(Belgium)
“She is the personification
of someone who has integrated well in Belgium .Pritty has succeeded in
maintaining her native culture and in embracing the culture of Belgium. She
knows how to reconcile both cultures perfectly while maintaining a balance between
her eastern and western values.. In short, she is an example to the current
integration policy and it is entirely at her own merit".
"I motivated Pritty
Kaur to come forward and contest in the local municipal elections of 2012 and
now in the federal elections of May 25, 2014, because a list of candidates should reflect
the population. Pritty is an ideal person to represent the migrant population
in general and the Sikh community in particular in the Belgian Parliament
(Chamber of Deputies). Pritty can convince voters because of her dynamic charismatic
personality, input and her persistence”.
Pritty’s slogan which
was used in the local elections, ‘No
integration without communication’, will be even more relevant in the coming
parliamentary elections.”
Those who want to help
Pritty’s campaign can do so by word of mouth, by hanging posters, placing
signs, distributing flyers and convincing family members, friends, neighbours and acquaintances to vote
for her and canvassing through their face book profile also. They can send an
e-mail to her email address: palwinder.prittykaur@gmail.com
Help and support Pritty in her campaign to
become a member of the Belgian Parliament!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Uganda releases stamps on Sikhism
The Uganda postal service Posta Uganda has commemorated 100 years of Sikh presence in the country by issuing four postage stamps releasing a book titled 'The Human Rights of Women in Sikhism', by Justice AS Choudry, in a function held at Resort Beach Hotel, Entebbe, recently.
The four stamps depicted the gurdwara on Sikh Road, Kampala; the Khanda, the Nishan Sahib and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
This is the first time that a country has issued four triangular stamps in recognition of the contribution of the Sikh community.
The stamps were released jointly by Posta Uganda and invited members of the Sikh community, with high court judge Lady Justice Catherine Bagumeriere as the chief guest.
Chief of Posta Uganda Emmanuel Okurt said the triangular stamps would market Uganda to Asians.
Justice Choudry said, "I am thrilled and humbled to see these stamps, as they mark our existence in Uganda over the last 100 years, and recognise the contribution of our forefathers, who were the pillars of the economic and social development of Uganda, which we enjoy today." He has also edited the Sikh Centenary Magazine.
Pastor Bosco Odiro said the Sikh history and contribution should be reflected in the curriculum of school history books.
In reply, Lady Justice Catherine described the Sikhs as a "meek, humble and peaceful" community, which has existed alongside Ugandans without any conflict, adding that their character should be emulated by all foreigners in Uganda. She assured the audience that she would present the concern raised by Pastor Bosco to the ministry of education.
The names of nearly 40 people were announced as winners of the Sikh Centenary Gold medals, which would be awarded at a function at the end of this year.
Participants included Gurmel Singh, secretary general of the UK Sikh Council, and Baldev Singh Bains, a member of the Sikh Council.
The Sikhs came to East Africa in the 1880s as soldiers who offered skilled and semi-skilled labour at a time when the region had no infrastructure, and curbed Kabaka's mutiny in 1899.
with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK
Friday, March 21, 2014
Jersey City Sikhs protest at City Hall against recent bias violence
Members of the Sikh community held a vigil and protest against an attack they believe was a hate crime.
JERSEY CITY - Members of the Sikh community held a vigil and protest against attacks they believe were hate crimes.
Sikhs are from South Asia, wear turbans and have beards, but they want others to know they are not Muslim. They are often prime targets for bias crimes.
The demonstration comes after two severe attacks in the past two months in Jersey City, where bias was an element.
In January, Sikhs were attacked near Liberty Avenue and Spruce Street. "It wasn't the attack on me that shook me," says Prabhujeet Singh, one of the victims. "It's the thinking that some elderly gentleman might be attacked."
Then, in February, a man named Inderjit Singh was allegedly beaten with a shovel in a dispute over snow that he says escalated into bias when he was called "Osama" and told to "go home." Parts of his beard were ripped from his face during the attack, he says.
Sikhs say they've lived in peace in Jersey City, and have seen their population grow, but they say residents still don't know enough about them. Thursday's rally was also an outreach.
"Whether it's against Sikhs or other religions, bias attacks or bullying are unacceptable," Inderjit Singh says.
Despite their efforts, Sikhs say they feel more hate crimes could come their way.
with thanks : newjerseynews : LINK for news story & Video
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sikh youth case: Police arrest 8 persons
Amritsar, Mar 16 (PTI) Police have arrested eight accused in connection with an incident in which a Sikh youth was allegedly beaten up by people of a community protesting over a religious issue near Hall Bazaar here, police said today.
Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh told reporters here that a case under various sections of IPC, including an attempt to murder, was registered against the accused.
with thanks : PTI : LINK
Uniform Rule May Keep Religious Americans From Military Service
Monday, 105 lawmakers from both parties sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, urging him to change a relatively obscure uniform requirement for the U.S. armed forces that some argue infringes on religious beliefs.
People who observe religions that require specific hair or dress traditions have to seek an accommodation from a superior to break the Defense Department's uniform requirements.
Dr. Kamal Kalsi was the first observant Sikh to apply for the accommodation since the rule took effect in the 1980s. As a devout Sikh, Kalsi doesn't cut his hair. He wraps his hair up in a turban and doesn't shave his beard. Keeping his hair long is an obligatory article of his Sikh faith.
with thanks : KERANEWS : LINK : for detailed news.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
No foul play suspected in fire that ripped through Sikh temple off Sutherland Avenue
KNOXVILLE — Authorities said there is nothing suspicious about a Friday morning fire that burst through the roof of East Tennessee’s only public Sikh gurdwara.
“This is the only public gurdwara (temple) in East Tennessee and it was the first public gurdwara in East Tennessee,” said Brandon Singh, music coordinator for the Sikh Sangat of East Tennessee.
Singh said the temple served several hundred Sikhs in East Tennessee, from Bristol to Chattanooga. He said 40-45 people regularly attended Sunday services.
Knoxville firefighters learned of the blaze shortly after midnight, according to Knoxville Fire Department spokesman Capt. D.J. Corcoran. A neighbor reported flames at the temple at 704 Washburn Road off Sutherland Avenue.
with thanks : KNOXNEWS : LINK : for detailed news.
Sikh killed in Khyber Pakhtunwa by unidentified assailants
A Sikh herbal merchant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the Khyber Pakhtunwa province of Pakistan.
The victim, Paramjit Singh, 35, was murdered in broad day light on Thursday when he was sitting at his shop. Another person, who came to his aid and tried to nab one of the assailants, was also killed.
The incident has sent shock waves amongst the minority Sikh community in the area.
This is the second murder of a member of the minority community in less than two months, and many victims has fallen prey to the bullets in the recent pasts.
Earlier, two Sikhs were abducted at gun point from Dera Ismail Khan and there is no news about their whereabouts.
Sikhs traders are living in fear because they are being asked to pay jaziya (a tax paid by minority religious group), and those who refuse, are killed.
The area is infested with the gun-toting fundamentalists, including Taliban who roam around in the area freely. There are more than 25000 Sikhs living in the area, and recently had been facing violence, abduction and ransom from the terrorists groups.
Swaran Singh, a member of the provincial assembly and former President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, informed that he himself went to the place and brought the body back at Peshawar.
He said North West Frontier Province chief Minister Parvez Khattak has taken a personal interest in the killing of the Sikh gentleman and has assured security to the minority community and safety of their properties.
with thanks : Business Standard : LINK
Punjab: SAD caught in poll code breach row
The Congress in Punjab has lodged a complaint to the state Election Commission about its decision to allow the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal organise a "political conference" in Anandpur Sahib on March 16.
PCC president Pratap Singh Bajwa, in his complaint to Chief Electoral Officer V. K. Singh on March 10, had asked the CEO to ban the conference as it violates the model code of conduct. Bajwa said the conference venue is close to the famous gurdwara where lakhs of Sikh devotees pay a visit during Hola Mohalla.
A week-long fair, Hola Mohalla usually takes place mid-March beginning on the first day of Sikh New Year. Bajwa contended that the venue, where the Akali Dal is organising the conference on March 16, is the property of the Akali-dominated Shiromani gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC).
Acting on the Congress' complaint, Singh had asked the Deputy Commissioner, Roopnagar, to submit a report on the issue. Sources said the Deputy Commissioner, in his report, has informed Singh that the rally venue is not part of the gurdwara complex, but a part of the SGPC. The report also said that political rallies were also held previously during Hola Mohalla and elections.
"The rally ground is not part of gurdwara complex, but is owned by the SGPC. Rallies were organised at the same venue during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Hence, the permission to organise a rally can be given," the Deputy Commissioner said in its report.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Amarinder Singh accused the CEO of favouring the ruling Akali Dal and not taking any action on the complaints filed by the Congress and other parties. "He should quit his job if he has no moral courage to respond to the ever-increasing pile of complaints," Amarinder has said.
with thanks : India Today : LINK
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
"Fateh Diwas in Delhi" : Fateh Diwas March Past
National Service Scheme students of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi,Dev Nagar participated in "Delhi Fateh Diwas march past" from Tees Hazari to Red Fort on 9th March 2014 organised by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee ( DSGMC) .
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Saturday, March 8, 2014
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Thursday, March 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Abandoned Sikh youth reunites with uncle after 20 years
Vadodara: Joy of 21-year-old Vir Singh, abandoned by his father, knew no bounds when he reunited with his paternal uncle after a gap of about 20 years here.
Vir, the youngest of the three siblings, was left at children's remand home 'Balgokulam' here by his father Biyant Singh when he was about one-and-a-half years old, since his mother had passed away and his father was finding it difficult to take care of him.
Thereafter, his father went to Chandigarh along with his two elder sons and never got in touch with the remand home.
After Vir turned 18, the remand home's rules did not permit him to stay there any further, superintendent of Balgokulam, Seemaben Yadav said.
However, being kind to him, the authorities employed him as a guard.
"He was not entitled to stay in the Balgokulam after attaining the age of 18 years. So, we decided to employ him as a duty guard here as he had no place to go," Yadav said.
In the meantime, Vir's uncle Santok Singh Tonk, a resident of Khodiyarnagar locality on Waghodiya road here, last week referred to his neighbour about his elder brother Biyant, who had died some time back, and his missing sons.
The neighbour then told him about a youth at the children's remand home, following which Santok Singh and his wife met Yadav claiming that they were Vir's uncle and aunt.
Santok produced old family photographs and documents to establish the relationship to the remand home authorities, when they asked him to prove his relationship.
Finally, after the verification, Vir met his uncle and aunt yesterday and was overjoyed meeting his family members.
"I am very excited and delighted over meeting my uncle and aunty after a gap of 20 years and feel there is someone who are my close relatives and family members. I am sorry to learn about the death of my parents and missing elder brothers," Vir told a news agency today.
"Though I am a Sikh, I do not know my mother tongue Punjabi, which I have started learning now," he said, adding that he will not give up his job as guard in Balgokulam, which took care of him all these years.
PTI
with thanks : Zee News : LINK
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
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