Will take action only after getting clarifications: Akal Takht

Akal Takht, the highest spiritual- cum-temporal Sikh seat, has denied giving clean-chit to the controversial movie 'Nanak Shah Fakir' and said it will take action only after receiving clarification from the film maker. 

"The clarifications would be available by tomorrow. After going through the clarifications, Akal Takht will take action," head of Akal Takht Gurbachan Singh told reporters. 

He denied that he had given any clean-chit to the film. 

Several Sikh bodies had been opposing the release of the movie, produced by Harinder Singh Sikka, alleging the film subverts fundamental belief-system of Sikh faith by allegedly portraying Guru Nanak Dev in human-form, via computer graphics or blurred images. 

They also objected to playing role of major characters by "apostates". 

They argued that since Sikhism was a monotheistic in character and believed in a formless God, the film had hit a low standard with its contentious contents.

with thanks : Business Standard : Link : for detailed news

SGPC against non-baptised Sikh as chief of Maha Board

Phagwara, Apr 6 (PTI) SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar said he will oppose at every level the appointment of a non-baptised Sikh as chief of the Management Board of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib at Nanded in Maharashtra.

If needed, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard, he said here yesterday night.

Makkar termed the recent appointment of BJP MLA Tara Singh by Maharashtra government as Board's chief a "blatant violation of established Sikh tenets, the highly venerated Sikh norms and 'maryada' and direct interference in the religious affairs of Sikhs".

He alleged that a non-baptised Sikh was appointed by Maharashtra government to the key post despite opposition from all concerned quarters, including Sikh 'sangat'.

"If required, I will lead a delegation to PM Modi for seeking his intervention in this connection," he said, adding, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had written to Modi in this connection.

with thanks : PTI News : LINK : for detailed news

Wet weather failed to dampen enthusiasm for the Australian Sikh Games in Woolgoolga

The Australian Sikh community's major sporting and cultural event was staged at Woolgoolga, north of Coffs Harbour over the Easter weekend.

An estimated 15,000 athletes and spectators from across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia converged on the Coffs Coast for the Australian Sikh Games.

The first Sikh Indians to come to Australia from the Punjab, came here to Woolgoolga

Manjit Singh Sidhu, Coffs Harbour-Woolgoolga Sports Club

Heavy rain forced the cancellation of outdoor events on Saturday, but the weather cleared on Sunday.

Woolgoolga was an early centre of Sikh migration to Australia and has one of the largest Sikh populations outside India.

The Games included traditional sports like Kabaddi, as well as tug-of-war, cricket and wrestling.

with thanks : abc : LINK : for detailed news.

Wolverhampton Sikh worshippers in wheelchairs 'forced to sit behind screen'

with thanks : expressandstar : LINK : for detailed news.

Brutal Assault On British Sikh Man In Birmingham Captured On Video

LONDON – A video showing a Sikh man being brutally beaten up on a crowded street in Birmingham, the UK’s second-largest city, went viral on Internet, prompting the police to launch a probe into the suspected hate crime.

The video, titled ‘Singh Brutally Beaten in Birmingham’, was posted online on the ‘Daily Sikh Updates’ Facebook site. It shows the Sikh man desperately trying to protect his face as a man punches and kicks him while a crowd looks on.

“It is unknown why the Singh was attacked, but the suspects are on the loose. A person can be seen on the doorway unconscious and probably the first victim of the attack. The bystanders refused to help the two victims until a person from the crowd comes in towards the end of the video,” the website said in its appeal for information.

The police have urged the victim to come forward, as they investigate if the attack which took place on Sunday was religiously motivated.

with thanks : thelinkpaper : LINK : for detailed news

CPD Program for GHPS( India Gate)Teaching Faculty : Collaboration with Helga Todd Teachers' Education Foundation ,UK

Madhurima Tuli to play a Sikh queen in Hollywood film The Black Prince

Madhurima Tuli joins the cast of Hollywood film The Black Prince as the last Sikh queen of India.

She made her Bollywood debut in a bit-role as Akshay Kumar's wife in Baby, but Madhurima Tuli's next onscreen turn will be a a grander affair. The actress has joined the ensemble cast of The Black Prince, which includes names like Jason Flemyng, a regular fixture in Guy Ritchie films like Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and RocknRolla, Boyzone singer Keith Duffy and Tony nominee Amanda Root.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK : for detailed news.

Guru Nanak biopic director moves High Court against producers

The movie, Nanak Shah Fakir, has courted yet another controversy after its director Sartaj Singh Pannu moved the Delhi High Court against producers Harinder Singh Sikka and Oscar winning sound artiste Resul Pookutty.

Sikka, according to Pannu, is claiming that he has directed the movie, which is a biopic of the first Sikh spiritual guru. Sources said the case has been filed by Pannu with 60 testimonials, mostly from the members of the film crew.

The affidavit has also been signed by Tom Altar, who plays the role of Guru Nanak in the film. Pannu has claimed the support of two other artistes - Adil Hussain who plays the role of Rai Bhullar and Arif Zakaria who plays Mardana's role.

With thanks : India Today : LINK : for detailed news.

Sikh festival coming to Livingston on Sunday

The 17th annual Sikh festival will make its way into town on Sunday, drawing crowds of more than 3,500 from all over California.

The free event features a festive procession with bright colors, lively music and awe-inspiring displays of swordfighting. The display of mock battles and swordsmanship is a tradition dating back more than 300 years.

The festival also gives attendees a taste of many traditional foods.

The parade will last about four hours, beginning at noon at the Gurdwara Sahib Temple at 2765 Peach Ave., then move along Main Street to the Guru Nanak Temple on B Street.

Livingston Mayor Pro Tem Gurpal Samra, who helps organize the event, said it isn’t only for Sikhs, but for everyone in Livingston and beyond. Thousands of people from Fresno, Los Angeles and the Bay Area make their way to Livingston for one of the biggest Sikh events in the region.

with thanks : mercedsunstar : LINK : for detailed news.

Read more here: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/community/livingston/article16535882.html#storylink=cpy

Ex-alcoholic's warning ahead of weekend focusing on Derby Sikhs' drink and drugs addiction

AN ex-alcoholic has delivered a sobering warning about the dangers of drink in a bid to highlight help that is available.

Jaz Rai knows first-hand how addiction can damage not only the individual who is drinking but also their friends and family.

Mr Rai said: "I am a recovering alcoholic. At my worst I was drinking a litre bottle of vodka a day and ended up in hospital because of my drinking.

"The effects on my family were terrible.

with thanks : derbytelegraph : LINK : for detailed news.

DSGMC stage massive protest against the move of CBI over clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in 1984 Anti-Sikh Genocide Case

DSGMC president demands that Court should reject CBI clean chit to Tytler and instead make him face trial.

Hundreds Sikhs and supporters of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today staged huge protest outside the headquarters of Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) against the move of CBI to give clean chit to congress party leader Jagdish Tytler in 1984 anti-Sikh genocide case in which thousands of innocent Sikhs were massacred in brutal manner in Delhi and simultaneously in other parts of the country.

Protesters raised slogans against the CBI and congress party for shielding Tytler. Speaking on the occasion, President of DSGMC Manjit Singh GK said that the clean chit to Tytler was atrocious given in most arbitrary manner. He alleged that CBI at the behest of the congress party which was heading the government of India for ten years till 2014 never conducted thorough investigations against the genocide accused who are a part of congress party. “It is really painful that even 30 years after the genocide; justice to Sikhs is still a distant dream,” said DSGMC president.  

The Delhi police used water cannon to stop protesters from entering the CBI headquarters in which number of protesters suffered injuries. Despite being stopped by Delhi police the protesters managed to reach the main gate of CGO complex. Later  Delhi police arrested DSGMC president, general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa and former MLAs Harmeet Singh Kalka and Jatinder Singh Shanty and took them to the Lodhi police station.

“Tytler led mobs to kill innocent Sikhs at the behest of Congress party leadership of 1984 and the congress party made all efforts to save Tytler and other leaders of its party accused of killing innocent Sikhs,” said GK adding that that CBI has filed a closure report in the trial court in the month of December last year in a most secret manner giving clean chit to Tytler, and the court also took it into its record. GK was addressing the protestors.

He demanded from the court to deliver justice to Sikhs by rejecting the closure report and asking the CBI to make Tytler face trial.

Calling the investigations carried by CBI as lopsided because a number of witnesses were never heard, Manjit Singh GK sought directions of the court to CBI to examine the left out witnesses and draft a strong chargesheet against Tytler because the fact can never be denied that Tytler had no role in the anti Sikh genocide of 1984 which is the worst and most brutal incident of recent times.

DSGMC president further added that the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Bharatiya janata party (BJP) led by national democratic alliance (NDA) government would reopen the case not properly investigated by CBI.

With Thanks : Media DSGMC