Wednesday, March 9, 2011

NanakShahi Calender : Discussions by DSGMC

Sarna ji has invited the Sangat for discussions. It's a welcome step. We must reach there n participate in a healthy discussion. If Sarna ji is willing to bring unanimity on this issue, we must support him. How long we can have two dates for Gurupurab, Sangrand and other important days. We have to reach a conclusion.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Discussions on Nanakshahi calender by DSGMC

Punjab town tense after Sikh group-Dera followers clash

There was heavy police presence in Moga and the nearby Dhauleke village on Tuesday, a day after clashes between followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and a radical Sikh group left over a dozen people injured. Followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, which has its headquarter in Haryana's Sirsa town, are demanding action against members of the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, a radical Sikh organisation, for allegedly disrupting their religious function at Dhauleke village Sunday. They also accuse the group of burning the effigy of Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Members of both groups clashed at Dhauleke village on Monday, injuring over a dozen people and some policemen. Agitators also set a Punjab roadways bus on fire and damaged some private vehicles in Moga, around 250 km from the state capital Chandigarh. 

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above for detailed news.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Reward offered in Calif. shooting of 2 Sikh men

ELK GROVE, Calif. (AP) — The Council on American-Islamic Relations has offered a $5,000 reward after two Sikh men were gunned down — one of them fatally — on a sidewalk in a Northern California suburb.

The executive director of the council's Sacramento Valley chapter noted that Sikh men in beards and turbans are often targeted by those who mistake them for Muslims.

"The Muslim community offers its condolences and support to the Sikh community in this time of sorrow," Basim Elkarra said.

The reward for information leading to a conviction in the Friday afternoon shooting in Elk Grove comes as police cautioned there was no evidence it was a hate crime. However, the Sacramento suburb's police chief, Robert Lehner, said there was no other apparent motive.
 
with thanks : mail : link above for detailed news.

Followers hold congregation amid protest

FEROZEPUR: In the wake of approaching assembly elections in the state, the ''reported understanding'' between SAD and Dera Sacha Sauda helped the followers of the latter successfully hold a naam charcha (congregation) in the community centre of Bajidpur village, near the historical Jamni Sahib Gurdwara, here, on Sunday.

The congregation, attended by more than 1,000 premis, was organized under a heavy police protection. When members of various Sikh organizations learned about it, they, including women, reached Bajidpur village and tried to disturb the congregation, but were checked by senior police officers. The Sikh protesters then blocked Ferozepur-Moga GT Road to mark their protest against it

With thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.

Two Sikh men in Sacramento gunned down, possible hate crime

Police said Saturday that they don't know why someone gunned down two men – frail from heart attacks and advancing years – as they slowly ambled through a quiet Elk Grove neighborhood during their daily afternoon walk.

Surinder Singh, 67, died Friday afternoon on the sidewalk along East Stockton Boulevard near Geneva Pointe Drive. Gurmej Atwal, his 78-year-old friend, was shot twice in the chest. His family said he was in critical but stable condition.

with thanks : sacbee : link above for detailed news.

SGPC gives Rs 2L to each victim after 26 years

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of the victims of the Hondh Chillar incident that saw 32 innocent Sikhs massacred on November 2, 1984.While the killers have not yet been identified, Haryana government had compensated them in 2006.The SGPC also announced to raise a memorial at the pogrom site in Rewari district of Haryana after the "bhog" of "Akhand path" in the memory of the victims.

Sikh's prominent seminary Damdami Taksal president Harnam Singh Khalsa has demanded that an all-party delegation should visit the site. Addressing the gathering, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said that efforts should be initiated to free the Sikh's languishing in jails for a long time. He said, "Traditional arms are required to protect oneself and others and not the television."

He honoured relatives of the victims: Inder Singh, Balwant Singh, Harnam Singh, Parap Singh, Savan Singh, Uttam Singh, Prem Singh, Chattar Singh, Kesar Singh and Ranjit Singh – with siropas. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said that the carnage of 32 Sikhs was adeliberate act of brutality. 

with thanks : TOI : link above for detailed news.