Hair Sampling Bill Poses Threat to Sikh Operators in USA

On October 30, 2013, Congressman Eric “Rick” Crawford (R-AR) introduced the Drug Free Commercial Driver Act of 2013 (H.R. 3403). It has been co-sponsored by Representatives Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tim Griffin (R-AR), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Steve Womack (R-AR), Jeff Miller (R-FL), Sean Duffy, (R-WI), and Randy Weber (R-TX). As stands, the bill has been assigned to the Highways and Transit subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee.

This bill would allow Employers to force a Sikh operator to provide a hair sample, thereby preventing Sikhs from seeking employment as operators due to their inability to cut their hair for any purpose.Once again,Sikhs would have to choose between employment, and their faith.

United Sikhs have vigorously been tracking this bill, reaching out to other organizations, and creating dialogue with the appropriate staffers on this bill to educate them on the tenants of the Sikh faith and how detrimental this would be to our community.

 Last year,United Sikhs wrote a legal demand letter to a trucking company in Arizona which refused to hire an elderly Sikh unless he submitted a freshly cut sample of his hair for drug testing. The company refused to accept urinalysis, or other means of testing which are commonly used in the trucking industry. After failing to get a response to their letter, United Sikhs filed a complaint with the EEOC who are currently investigating the matter.

If this proposed bill goes through, it will unfold disastrous consequences for Sikh truck drivers. It will essentially give the trucking industry a free hand to impetuously reject Sikh applicants .

Devout Sikhs should not be forced to choose between employment, and their faith. 

 While this bill has not yet been brought to a vote,  United Sikhs urge community to sign this petition  to your elected officials, especially constituents of those officials who have sponsored, or co-sponsored the bill, and request them not to proceed with it. The officials should be informed of the detrimental effect of this bill on the Sikh community, and that overall, it stands in stark contrast to the free exercise clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

With thanks :

www.unitedsikhs.org

http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50846/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=13648

Baisakhi Celebration and Gatka demonstration in Hoepertingen ,Belgium

    
























Photo's Courtsy of Louke Manpreet Kaur Bamps

Biggest Sikh temple in Nottinghamshire opens its doors

with thanks : nottinghampost : LINK : for detailed news.

Happy Baisakhi to all of you from SikhsIndia !

“Conducting Elections in a Plural Democracy” Talk by Dr S.Y. Quraishi in Uppsala University, Uppsala,Sweden

It will be the biggest election in the world when 814.5 million people will cast their vote in India general election between 7 April and 12 May. To mark the occasion, On Friday , 11 April 2014  the Forum for South Asia Studies at Uppsala University hosted a talk by Dr S.Y. Quraishi, the former election commissioner of India ( A Member of the Board of Advisors of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA),at Uppsala University, at Blåsenhus. 

Dr Qureishi spoke about“Conducting Elections in a Plural Democracy”, and was joined by Ambassador Maria Leissner,Secretary General at Community of Democracies since 2012, H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Banashri Bose Harrison Embassy of India Stockholm. THE other prominent delegates  were Ingrid WETTERQVIST,Policy offficer,European External Action Service, Professor Torsten Svensson, Vice Rektor,Uppsala University, Professor Ranj Bali ( President FSAS ),Professor Heinz Werner Wessler , Associate Prof.Dr. Gurdeep Kaur ,Eva Kllander and Florian Krampe.

Professor Ashok Swain,Department of Peace and Conflict Research chaired the discussion.

The Forum for South Asia Studies at Uppsala University organised this event in cooperation with the Indian Embassy,Stockholm.

US lawmakers wish Sikh Americans joyous Vaisakhi

Washington, April 11 (IANS) Thirteen members of the US House of Representatives have co-sponsored a House resolution wishing the Sikh American community a joyous Vaisakhi, the Indian harvest festival that also marks the creation of the Khalsa in 1699.

"I proudly represent one of the largest Sikh communities in the nation. For decades, we have confronted the challenges of California together, including education and our current drought," said House member John Garamendi, lead sponsor of the resolution.

Other co-sponsors included the lone Indian-American House member Ami Bera, Judy Chu, David Valadao Joseph Crowley, Doug LaMalfa, Eric Swalwell, Raul Grijalva (AZ), Sheila Jackson Lee, Dina Titus, Barbara Lee, Jackie Speier and Rush Holt.

The resolution noted that "Sikhs in the United States pursue diverse professions and walks of life, making rich contributions to the economic vibrancy of the United States as farmers, engineers, doctors, scientists, and business owners."

It also noted that "Sikh Americans continue to make strides toward securing religious liberty as patriotic members of the United States Armed Forces.

"We are grateful to the resolution sponsors for highlighting the important contributions of Sikh Americans to their communities in all walks of life," said Simran Kaur, Advocacy Manager for the Sikh Coalition.

"Sikhs are an integral part of the American fabric, and we look forward to celebrating Vaisakhi with our fellow Americans," she said.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

Thousands take part in Glasgow Sikh community's Vaisakhi festival

Thousands took part in the Sikh community's Vaisakhi festival, with celebrations in Glasgow including a procession through the community.

This year is the first time the procession, which marks the Sikh new year, will make its way to the new Gurdwara on the city's Albert Drive.

The Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara, Scotland's first purpose-built Sikh temple, was completed last year at a cost of £3.8million.

Organisers said around 3,000 people took part in the procession, which began at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in the West End before weaving through the city centre to the new temple.

Celebrations will be held at the Gurdwara including Indian Dhol players, an outdoor choir, speeches and performances.

Charandeep Singh, of the Glasgow Gurdwara, said: "This is the first year the procession reaches the Gurdwara, the procession has been happening since 1991.

"It's a very memorable and important occasion for the whole community."

with thanks : news.stv.tv : LINK : for detailed news story.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s sword acquired by Indo-Canadian businessman

Toronto: Calgary-based real estate developer Bob Dhillon, reportedly the first Sikh billionaire in Canada, is elated as he has acquired a piece of Sikh history for the first time in Canada — which is a 33.5-inch long curved sword of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1799-1849).

It was sold by London-based auction house Mullock April 3. Though on the official receipt the price is not indicated, the auctioneers have authenticated it.

“Initially there were over 700 bidders from all over the world,” explains Dhillon in an interview.

“Then April 2 there was a private auction with a sealed bid process. The reason for the sealed bid was that a lot of the bidders wanted to remain anonymous; also the final bid amount was to remain private. Close to 175 bidders were international, from Punjab to New York to Mongolia to Hong Kong,” he said.

“We were told on April 3rd that I was the successful bidder on this amazing piece of history.”

Dhillon, president of Mainstreet Equity Corporation with real estate holdings of over a billion dollars, wouldn’t reveal the price he paid in acquiring the sword “but it is a substantial amount I paid”.

He repeatedly said was “absolutely elated” as Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the greatest ruler that Punjab ever had.

“He was the founder of the Sikh empire (1799-1849). After the empire was conquered by the British, most Sikh artefacts remained in the hands of private collectors or museums in Britain. I am humbled that after 165 years, my family can help our community once again become the custodian of our own history,” Dhillon said.

Besides this sword, Dhillon has also acquired a number of manuscripts and miniature paintings.

with thanks : mizonews : LINK

This Rapper's Racist Instagram Photo Has an Important Lesson for America

with thanks : policymix : Link : for detailed news.

Sikh-Americans to honour saviour of Oak Creek shooting

Washington, April 9 (IANS) US police officer Brian Murphy, who was struck with 12 bullets during the Aug 5, 2012 shooting at the Sikh gurudwara in Wisconsin, will be honoured by Sikhs in Washington on Vaisakhi Day (April 13).

Murphy, the first Oak Creek (Milwaukee) police officer on the scene of shooting that left six worshippers dead and three others wounded, will be presented with a Sewa (service) Award by Washington-based community organisation Guru Gobind Singh Foundation.

The white supremacist gunman, Wade Michael Page, killed himself after he was wounded by a rifle shot from Murphy.

Murphy, 52, has recovered from his wounds but has no feeling in his right forearm and leg and has limited use of his left thumb because of the injuries he suffered.

Murphy is travelling with his family from Wisconsin to attend the honouring ceremony at a Gurdwara in Rockville, Maryland, a Washington suburb, on Vaisakhi Day, an important day for all Sikhs, the foundation announced.

The foundation gives the Sewa award annually to someone to recognising their spirit of sewa (service) and contributions towards the Sikh community.

with thanks : YAHOO NEWS : LINK : for detailed news.

Brit-Sikh charged with possessing stash of weapons including 100,000-volt stun gun

A 21-year-old Sikh has admitted charges of possessing 92 weapons following a raid on his home in the UK. Parwinder Baning admitted importing and possessing dozens of prohibited weapons, including a 100,000-volt stun gun, twice as powerful as police Tasers, during a hearing at Leicester Crown court.

Baning appeared in the court on Wednesday following a raid at his home in Leicester in December during which a large number of weapons were seized.

According to Sky News, officers also found knuckle dusters, pepper spray, push daggers and an extendable baton.

with thanks : Hindustan Times : LINK