SGPC chief elected head of Patna Sahib panel

AMRITSAR: Paramjit Singh Sarna-led SAD (Delhi) suffered a huge blow as SAD (Badal) wrested the control of Takht Patna Sahib Management Board on Friday. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar has been elected as the board president. Both Akali groups will also have a faceoff in the executive committee elections of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) next week.

Makkar was elected with majority votes from 15 members of the board. SAD (Badal) president Sukhbir Singh Badal had sent DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK and general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa as his special 'envoys' to Patna for the elections. Both of them had paraded their loyalist board members in the recent past at Chandigarh.

with thanks : TOI : LINK : for detailed news.

Exhibit on Sikhs in Texas

The Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) at the University of Texas in San Antonio will host an exhibit “Sikhs: Legacy of the Punjab” from February 21, 2015 to January 3, 2016.

Developed by the Smithsonian Institution and sponsored by the Sikh Heritage Foundation, it “features a collection of traditional Sikh art, information on the culture’s history and beliefs, artifacts such as ceremonial weapons and armor, and a model of the Golden Temple.” March 21 will be “Sikh Family Day,” offering hands-on opportunities to learn about the Sikhs and their traditions.

Religious statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended ITC for sharing the rich Sikh heritage with the rest of the world through this Sikhism focused exhibition. Sikhs had made remarkable contributions to the world, nation and society and these needed to be highlighted, Zed added.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that world needed to have a broader and more inclusive outlook about religion and urged major museums/art-galleries of the world to organize more such exhibitions.

with thanks : eturbonews : LINK : for detai;led news.

US Sikhs hire Obama’s poll gurus to fix community’s public image

If they could help an obscure politician win a senate seat and then the White House, twice, they surely have what it takes to help a beleaguered community find acceptance.

AKPD, a media consultancy founded by President Barack Obama’s top campaign managers, has been hired by US Sikhs to re-introduce the community to Americans.

Though Sikhs have been around for a long time, they have felt threatened, and have been attacked, by those who know either little or nothing about them, specially since 9/11.

A country-wide survey commissioned to identify the problem and suggest remedies — whose findings were released on Tuesday — came to basically two conclusions.

One, Americans don’t know anything about Sikhs and were, therefore, cool towards them. Two, when informed about the community, its religion, they warmed up to it.

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

RPS Butter Fly Valves

Union Government formed SIT to investigate 1984 Anti-Sikh Genocide

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has welcomed the decision of the Union government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for formation of Special Investigate Team (SIT) to investigate all the cases of 1984 anti Sikh genocide in which thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed mercilessly.

“The long battle fought by Akali Dal and its patron and Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal for justice has been accepted by the BJP government and we are thankful to the leadership including PM Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh and finance minister Arun Jaitley who have played key role in formation of SIT,” said SAD Delhi unit president Manjit Singh GK, reacting to the reports that the government of India would constitute SIT within a week.

Badal has wrote a letter to the BJP led government of India demanding re-investigation of genocide cases and it followed number of meetings between cabinet ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley and Harsimrat Kaur Badal.  

“Though it never seemed possible under congress party led UPA government, but the consistent efforts of Delhi unit of SAD has gven results and once again it has been proved that SAD fights for cause of Sikhs,” said GK.  

The government of India constituted a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice GP Mathur in the month of December last year who have recommended setting up of a SIT ten days ago, and Government of India has accepted its recommendations.

Manjit Singh GK hoped that the SIT would bring the entire genocide to a conclusive end by giving justice to the families of the victims and punishing the perpetrators, who happen to be the congress leaders - Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler.  

“The Congress party which was behind the genocide never wanted justice be given to the Sikhs because of reasons best known to everyone. Incase Sajjan and Tytler are convicted, the top leadership of the congress fear that they may also take names of those Congress leaders on whose behest they perpetrated the genocide,” said GK who is also president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

He added that, shockingly as per government record 3,325 Sikhs were killed out of which 2,733 were killed in Delhi alone and in past 31 years 30 persons were convicted. “Out of total 587 FIRS registered 237 were arbitrarily shut by the Delhi police,” informed GK assuring all support to the SIT by setting up a separate wing in DSGMC which would procure evidence and pass it on to the SIT to expedite justice for the genocide victim families.

In the memory of those killed in the genocide, SAD’s Delhi unit has built a memorial in Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib after the Delhi government denied land.

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

DSGMC President lashes Congress for Rejecting SIT to Investigate 1984 Anti Sikh Genocide

The President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK today lashed on the Congress party for rejecting the recommendations for formation of a Special Investigation team (SIT) to open all cases of 1984 Anti Sikh genocide as a political gimmick. GK welcomed announcement by PM Narendra Modi for assuring formation of the SIT.

Referring to the reports of recommendations by the retired Supreme Court Judge Justice GP Mathur committee constituted on 27, December 2014 by the BJP government to form SIT Manjit Singh GK said that there is a hope for justice for the Sikh families who suffered at the hands of the Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler who perpetrated the genocide 31 years ago.

DSGMC president also questioned that Aam Admi Party (AAP) for calling it a political stunt and its inability to do anything for the genocide victim families during its 49 day government in Delhi.

“Tytler was present in the rally addressed by Sonia Gandhi in Badarpur few days ago, shows that congress party is blatantly shielding the perpetrators of genocide, knowing that the Gandhi family would be exposed in case action is taken against Sajjan and Tytler who unleashed terror on the innocent Sikhs 31 years ago killing thousands of them,” said Manjit Singh GK.

GK said AAP has a tacit support of the congress party in the elections and Sikhs have no hope from them. “AAP during its 49 days government on ventilator and oxygen was given by the Congress party which shows that it could never act against the Congress leaders on whose behest innocent Sikhs were killed,” adds GK.

It is only the Akali Dal which is fighting for the Justice to the genocide victim families since 31 years and Narendra Modi government has also acted swiftly by formation of SIT. He hoped that very soon the perpetrators of the genocide would be punished as per laid legal provisions.

With thanks : Media DSGMC

Adventure Camp at GHPS, Hargobind Enclave

Flag Hoisting Ceremony : Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College, Dev Nagar, New Delhi Celebrated Republic Day by organizing National Flag Hoisting Ceremony on 24^th January 2015. The Event was attended by Dr. Man Mohan Kaur,- Principal,Staff members and Students . S. Manjit Singh G.K. - President (DSGMC) hoisted the Flag. S. Ravinder Singh Khurana - Senior Vice President (DSGMC) graced the occasion by his presence.After unfurling the Flag, National Anthem was sung by all present there followed by distribution of sweets. The function was organized by NCC Unit of the College. 
with thanks : Media DSGMC

KIRAN BEDI AT SHIROMANI AKALI DAL OFFICE

With Thanks :SHIROMANI AKALI DAL DELHI STATE SAD

Memorandum to PM : Demand for Amendment in Constitution for Separate Identity to Sikhs

A delegation of Sikhs led by the president Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Manjit Singh GK, today submitted a memorandum to Director of Prime Minister office shri. santosh vaidya  seeking amendment in the Constitution of India whereby Sikhs have been mentioned as Hindus.

In the memorandum submitted by the delegation, amendment was sought in Article 25(B) of the constitution so that Sikhism is treated as an independent religion.

The delegation also comprised Manjinder Singh Sirsa General Secretary of DSGMC, demanded removal of names of large number of Sikhs living in the foreign countries from the blacklist of MHA, because these Sikhs have gone to earn their livelihood have been blacklisted for no fault. “The third generations of these families are being stopped from entry to India of no fault. They want to visit their country, the places of their forefathers and religious places,” said GK demanding visas for the families of blacklisted Sikhs and removing their names from the list.

GK adds that Sikhs have played vital role in protecting borders of the country, fighting for nation’s freedom and have been playing key role in development of the country, but despite that their genuine demands were suppressed.

The delegation also demanded release of large number of Sikhs languishing in different jails in the country. “These prisoners are undergoing political sentences and the Government of India should give them a chance to join the mainstream,” demanded the memorandum submitted to the PM.

Citing examples from the history, GK said that there have been series of bloody civil wars in Ireland by Irish republican army (IRA) and those behind the war were allowed to join mainstream & number of Kashmiri militants have joined the mainstream and have even contested polls.

“Why Sikh prisoners can’t be given premature release when they have completed the mandatory jail sentence,” questioned GK, demanding a humane treatment for them.

Touching on the issue of 1984 anti-Sikh genocide, the memorandum demanded setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) for a through probe into the killing of thousands of innocent Sikhs all across the country. “So far we are awaiting justice, congress leader who perpetrated riots such as Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, are roaming free, and were given facilities and positions in UPA rule. A large number of cases were either never registered or were closed without investigation,” informed the memorandum.

“We have big hopes from the Prime minister who is leading NDA government of which Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is also a part and we are sure demands of the Sikhs are fulfilled with most earnestness and in time bound manner,” said the memorandum.

Speaking about SAD led Punjab government in coalition with BJP, GK, said the state has been peaceful during SAD-BJP government, which has proved that government is working efficiently and the Sikhs are a peace loving, hardworking and development oriented community.

With Thanks : Media DSGMC

DSGMC delegation meeting with Justice Mathur : Demand for time bound report on 1984 Genocide

A delegation of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC)  met Justice GP Mathur, a retired Supreme Court Judge, who is heading a commission formed by the union government to investigate the cases of anti-Sikh genocide of 1984.

DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK who led the delegation demanded that clear cut terms of reference be decided by the commission which should include - first information report be registered in all the cases of genocide which were denied in the past and all the cases which were closed without proper investigation be reopened.

The delegation demanded time bound results of the report unlike previous commissions and committees, fate of which was never known.

The delegation also comprised DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and senior Akali leaders Onkar Singh Thapar, Amarjeet Singh Pappu, Harvinder Singh KP, Jaswinder Singh Jolly and Narinder Pal Singh Palli, also demanded that the issue of rehabilitation of the families of the genocide victims be looked into sympathetically and compensation of Rs. 5 lakh announced by the union government be disbursed at earliest.

“We have also demanded setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) which would thoroughly probe genocide of 1984 in which thousands of innocent Sikhs were killed mercilessly,” said DSGMC president adding that a test case of an FIR registered in Nangloi police station against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, chargesheet of which is kept on hold since 1992 and was never sent to the court for trial.

DSGMC has also offered to assist the commission with evidence of riot cases, to which Justice Mathur agreed because according to him, it would fasten the work of the commission. GK also told Justice Mathur, that Sikhs being very less in population in the entire country plays a pivotal role in development and protesting borders of the country, but the community has been denied justice and was humiliated.

He adds that out of about 587 FIRs registered of riots, in Delhi alone, 241 were shut without any reason and rest also never reached a conclusion. He raised the issue that as per government records 3,000 people were shown as killed in genocide but actual number is much higher which needs to be probed.

With Thanks : Media DSGMC