Indian basketball team's Sikh players being forced to remove turbans sparks outrage

New Delhi:, Sports Ministry today expressed "shock and outrage" over the incident of two Sikh players being asked to remove their turbans at the recently-concluded Fiba Asia Cup in China and sought details from the BFI, which has already taken up the matter with the international body. 

"We have written to them and are awaiting their response. Once we get the response, we will act accordingly," a Basketball Federation of India spokesperson told PTI. 

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the ministry has asked the IOC to issue necessary instructions to international sports federations, so that such incidents are not repeated. 

"We are shocked and outraged. Wearing a turban does not affect fair play and has not been objected to in international sports championships. Therefore, the latest incident has surprised and shocked us. We have spoken to BFI and sought a detailed report from them," Sonowal said.

with thanks : MIDDAY : LINK : for detailed news.

India’s Sikh Hoopsters Forced To Remove Turban in China : NDTV

Indian basketball players were subjected to some racial discrimination and humiliation when the Sikh members of the team playing in Asia Cup in Wuhan, China, were prevented from wearing turbans. According to a report, two Sikh players - Amritpal Singh and Amyjot Singh - were asked to remove their turbans before India's match against Japan on July 12. Match officials informed the players that they were breaking international basketball federation (FIBA) rules by wearing turbans. Ranked 11th in Asia and 61st in the world, India finished seventh in the Asia Cup after swamping Singapore 85-36 in a placing's match. India had shocked hosts and Asia No.1 China 65-58. They defeated Indonesia 91-55 in their last league game before losing to the Philippines in the quarters. 

(Video Courtesy: Asian Basketball Federation)

LINK TO NDTV VID.

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Separate Sikh panel recommended for Haryana: Hooda

IANS

Chandigarh, July 1 (IANS) Amid a growing controversy over the issue, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda Tuesday said a committee set up by the state government on the issue of a separate managing committee for Haryana gurdwaras was in favour of a separate Sikh body for the purpose.

"The government would take a decision in view of the larger interest of Sikhs of the state," Hooda told reporters here.

The committee, headed by state Finance Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha, who is himself a Sikh from Haryana, has in its report submitted to the state government, recommended the setting up of a separate body to manage Sikh shrines (gurdwaras) in Haryana. The gurdwaras are presently under the control of the Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Commitee.

The SGPC and Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal have strongly opposed the move by the Haryana government to create a separate body for Sikh shrines in Haryana.

There are 72 gurdwaras in Haryana under the SGPC and they contribute over Rs.300 million to the SGPC kitty.

Hooda said that the Chatha committee report was being legally examined.

The SGPC has warned that it will drag the Haryana government to court if a separate managing committee was set up in the state.

with thanks : IANS : LINK

Defamation case: Tytler offers apology, Phoolka refuses

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, accused in a criminal defamation complaint filed against him by a senior lawyer representing victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases, today told a Delhi court that he was ready to tender "unconditional apology" to the advocate to settle the matter. 

However, senior advocate H S Phoolka, who is a complainant in the case, refused to accept Tytler's offer, saying "any compromise" in a serious matter like this would send a wrong message to the people. 

His response came after Tytler's counsel told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Gaurav Rao that his client has offered to tender unconditional apology as no public interest was involved in the complaint filed by an individual. 

"The (alleged) issue is of 2004. We are in 2014. Much time has expired. My client (Tytler) is in public life....And he has been not held guilty by any court...My client will tender unconditional apology," Tytler's lawyer told the court. 

The court asked Phoolka whether he was ready to settle the matter and accept the apology tendered by Tytler as "it is a defamation complaint and it has nothing to do with the riots." 

Phoolka, however, did not accept the suggestions of the court and said, "The matter is of great importance and any settlement will send a wrong message among the people. I can not settle the matter and any compromise is not possible." 

with thanks : business standard : LINK : for detailed news.

UK Sikhs reassure WA parents concerned over a pupil carrying a religious blade to school

BRITISH experts have moved to reassure WA parents concerned by a Perth pupil being given permission to carry a ceremonial blade to school for religious reasons.

Sikh children have been carrying Kirpans in UK schools for the past 50 years – and there has never been a single incident, The Sikh Federation (UK) says.

The comments came after a representative from Perth’s Sikh community addressed the parents and citizens committee at the public primary school last night about the significance of the Kirpan.

The ceremonial blunt blade, which is only 5cm long in this particular case, is one of five religious articles that must be worn by initiated Sikhs.

A spokesman for The Sikh Federation (UK) told PerthNow that WA parents have “nothing to fear”.

“The fact that there has not been a single case in a school in the UK for the last 50 years involving the Kirpan demonstrates parents of non-Sikh children have nothing to fear,” he said.

“We suspect there are incidents in Australian schools every week that involve some form of violence and possibly the use of weapons so this needs to be put into context.

“Sikh children have probably been wearing Kirpans in UK schools for up to 50 years.

“We estimate there may now be as many as 10-15,000 Sikh children in the UK who are practising (Amritdhari) Sikhs in schools.

“The Department for Education some 10-12 years ago gave specific guidance to schools pointing out practising (Amritdhari) Sikh children in schools were allowed to wear the Kirpan and teachers denying Sikhs this right could be prosecuted for discrimination under UK law.”

with thanks : perthnow : LINK : for detailed news.