Dal Khalsa to SGPC: After kumb mela, display Sikh exhibition during Eid and Christmas also

JALANDHAR: Dal Khalsa slammed Shiromani Akali Dal for pressurizing the "incompetent and inefficient" president of the SGPC, Avtar Singh Makkar, to pass a resolution favouring the participation of Sikh institution in the Kumbh mela despite three senior members of the executive lodging their dissenting views.

Party general secretary Dr Manjinder Singh and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said after making the SGPC its extension counter, the Badals had now mortgaged the SGPC's authority to Hindutva forces.

Taking a dig at Makkar, they said the flip-flop in decision to display books on Sikh history instead of taking part in the mela was taken after the SGPC faced strong criticism from Sikh groups. "Makkar has been reduced to a puppet", they rued.

Quoting Makkar that the idea behind this move was to acquaint people of all faiths who take part in the Kumbh Mela about Sikhism and the valour of Sikh gurus and warriors, the leaders of Sikh hardliner group wondered what stopped the SGPC for resolving to display the same exhibition for people who takes part at 'Jama Masjid and Ajmer Sharif Dargah' during Eid and 'Se Cathedral' church in Goa on December 25. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Sikh organisations oppose SGPC’s move to participate in Kumbh

The decision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to participate in the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad has been opposed by various Sikh organisations, which criticised the apex body for “undermining the basic principles of the faith.” It is the first time the body has opted to participate in the event.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar, in a recent interaction with journalists in Amritsar, disclosed the decision of the committee to set up a stall at the mela to display books and create “awareness” about Sikhism, its history, the teachings of the Gurus, principles and practice. The SGPC, which has decided to organise a photo exhibition and hold langar (community kitchen), has gathered its literature published in Hindi to be displayed at the mela.

Interaction

Mr. Makkar is quoted to have said that every religion must interact with other faiths. He said there was evidence that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, had participated in the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar. Gurdwara Gyan Godri Sahib stands testimony to the event, he argued.

Reacting to the development, radical organisation Dal Khalsa said that betraying the purpose for which it was formed after a major struggle, the SGPC first became the “extension counter” of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, which mortgaged it for petty political considerations to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “Participation in the Kumbh only denotes the complete saffronisation of the SGPC,” remarked the outfit’s spokesman, Kanwarpal Singh.

President of the All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) Karnail Singh Peermohammed said that by accepting the invitation of the RSS chief to attend the Kumbh Mela, the SGPC put a stamp of approval on “following superstitions” against which Guru Nanak Dev had preached so extensively and laid the foundation of Sikhism.

“Identity damaged”

SGPC member Hardeep Singh, while talking to journalists, said the body had only certified the stance of the RSS and other ideologues of the Hindutva stream that Sikhism was a mere extension of Hinduism. He said the decision of the SGPC had damaged the exclusive and distinct identity of the Sikh community.

Chief of the Shiromani Khalsa Panchayat Rajinder Singh said the SGPC’s decision was a setback to those Sikhs who were struggling to get an amendment to Article 25 and seeking to restore Sikhism as a separate religion.

The leaders have urged the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the apex religio-temporal seat of the community, to take a tough stand on the issue and protect its interests. They asked the SGPC leadership to concentrate more on the affairs within the community.

The leaders pointed out that the SGPC had done precious little when more than 85 per cent of the youth were becoming apostates and a large number of “Gursikhs” were being attracted to the proliferating “dera” culture.

with thanks : The Hindu : LINK

SAD faces Delhi Akali Dal in Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee elections

 

The elections to the 46-member general house of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) have become crucial for Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal .

The SAD is pitted against the Delhi Akali Dal led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is also the incumbent DSGMC president.

The Delhi Akali Dal, which is said to have the backing of the Congress, has been dominating the Sikh religio-political affairs for nearly a decade.

The DSGMC elections, scheduled to be held on January 27, assume more importance in view of the fact that the assembly elections in Delhi are due later this year.

If the Delhi Akali Dal manages to stick to power, it would benefit the ruling Congress in the assembly poll.

On the other hand, if the SAD wins the gurdwara elections, it would enhance Badal's stature on home turf.

The DSGMC elections are a challenge for Badal junior as Sarna is entrenched in the Sikh religious politics for a long time. Sources in the SAD said that Badal had been taking care of the election management himself in a bid to unseat Sarna.

 

Badal has already proved his capabilities by steering his party to the second consecutive term in Punjab last year.

His strategy had divided or depleted the Congress votes in Punjab. In the same way, he has already started poaching the Delhi Akali Dal leaders.

The SAD president has already announced two lists of candidates for the DSGMC poll. The early declaration of the candidature is likely to give the SAD an edge over the rival party as the nominees have started canvassing for the elections.

Sarna has a tall stature in the Sikh politics and is believed to have the patronage of the Congress. The SAD is supported by its traditional ally, the BJP.

The DSGMC elections are being held following a direction of the Supreme Court.

The Delhi Akali Dal had proposed to amend the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, and wanted direct elections to the post of the president.

The Sheila Dikshit government has approved the amendment and it would be put up in the Delhi Assembly. The SAD had opposed the amendment.

with thanks : India Today : LINK

Happy Lohri to all of you

HAPPY LOHRI !

DSGMC elections: Sukhbir calls SAD leaders to Delhi

Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president and Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday deputed senior leaders of the party, including cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, MLAs and district unit presidents, for the upcoming Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC)elections. 

Sukhbir asked them to reach Delhi by the evening of January 14. The elections are scheduled to be held on January 27.

In a statement issued on Friday, party spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said Sukhbir would preside over an important meeting at Delhi on January 15 to chalk out the strategy for the elections. Cheema said all SAD (Badal) candidates and leaders of the party's Delhi unit would also attend the meeting, during which duties would be assigned to leaders from Punjab.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK

Kumbh Mela: SGPC to display books on Sikh history

Perhaps for the first time, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will display books on Sikh history, religion and culture at Allahabad during the coming Kumbh Mela. 

Besides books, paintings that depict Sikh history and culture will also be on display at the SGPC stall.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar took this decision here on Friday. He said the idea behind this was to acquaint people of all faiths who take part in the Kumbh Mela about Sikhism and the valour of Sikh gurus and warriors. 

 

"Sikh history and religion is not something that must be confined just to those attached with this religion. People of other faiths should also be told about our history, our religion," Makkar said, pointing out that Guru Nanak had attended the Kumbh Mela at Haridwar.

with thanks : HINDUSTAN TIMES : LINK

DSGMC elections: SAD-Badal protests against gurdwara poll directorate

Members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) on Wednesday staged a demonstration outside the office of the directorate of gurdwara elections in Delhi, protesting against alleged favouring of two SAD-Delhi candidates by the directorate.

Delhi unit president of SAD (Badal) Manjit Singh GK on Wednesday alleged that on January 8, the last day of scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates for elections of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), scheduled for January 27, two candidates of SAD-Delhi were found having filled nomination papers inappropriately.

"But instead of rejecting their candidature, the directorate is delaying any decision and making attempts to declare them independent candidates," said GK. During the protest, workers and leaders of the SAD (Badal) raised slogans against the directorate, Delhi government and SAD (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is the DSGMC president.

Nomination papers of SAD (Delhi) candidates Gian Singh (Naveen Shahdara) and Maharaj Singh (Dilshad Garden) were found inadequate as forms A and B were missing, which as per law are mandatory to be filled by candidates of a political party, GK alleged, adding that the candidature of both should have been rejected immediately. "Gurdwara affairs minister Arwinder Singh Lovely is helping SAD (Delhi) candidates," he said.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.

American-turned-Sikh to restore ancient gurudwaras

An American-turned-Sikh has vowed to restore all the Sikh shrines in India and Nepal visited by Guru Nanak Dev Saheb to their pristine glory. Born in a Christian family in America, David, popularly known as Simran Singh Khalsa, after he turned Sikh, is mobilising funds since long for the restoration of Sikh shrines to their original form.

With beard and yellow turban on his head, he looks like any other devout Sikh. Adding to this is his affable nature which easily wins hearts. “That’s what I have learnt from my revered guru and Sikh religion,” says Simran Singh Khalsa who took to Sikhhism amid heavy protest by his family members 40 years back.

Presently in Allahabad at Shri Panchayati Akhada Naya Udaseen Nirvan camp in Kumbh Mela to make a documentary on Naya Udaseen Akhada, Singh feels that ancient Sikhs shrines are losing their past glory, be it in India or Nepal. Guru Nanak Dev Saheb lived in Nepal for one year to spread the light of Sikh religion there.

“These humble structures, which are related to our revered Guru Nanak Dev Saheb, are either being modernized or are lying in a neglected state. My mission is to restore them to their original form so that people may relate to them. There’s no charm in the modernized structures,” Singh adds.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK : for detailed news.

Kidnapped Sikh found dead in Bara

BARA: The body of an abducted Sikh community member was found in Chora area of the Khyber Agency on Tuesday, tribal and official sources said.

The sources said that Mohinder Singh, who was running a shop of herbal medicines in Tabia area of Bazaar valley in Khyber Agency, was kidnapped by unknown armed persons from his shop on November 20.

Talking to The News his brother Daswant Singh said that after the abduction of his brother, they approached the pro government Zakhakhel tribal militia named as Tauheedul Islam (TI) for recovery of his brother but they showed ignorance about the whereabouts of Mohinder Singh.

“After we tried and used all tribal channels and sources for the recovery of my brother we sent an application to Mutahir Zeb, Political Agent of the Khyber Agency, on December 13 to seek his support,” he said. He added the official assured them that Mohinder Singh would be recovered within a week time but to no avail.


with thanks : The News : LINK : for detailed news.

2nd list of candidates from SAD Delhi