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.

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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.

SikhsIndia

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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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