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PLEASE SHARE WITH NEWSPAPERS, NEWS NETWORKS, FACEBOOK, TWITTER Joint statement by Sikh youth bodies UK. Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Guru Roop Sadh Sangat Ji. In relation to Anand Karaj incident in Swindon 30th July, it is very disturbing how disgruntled members of the community are using this platform to grossly exaggerate events and tarnish the Sikh image in the media. Facts and Time line of Events: 1. Swindon Gurdwara’s 3 previous marriages have been put to question. Committee confirm 2 inter-faith marriages took place pre-2007, before Akaal Thakt issued clarification of Anand Karaj criteria. Since then one wedding took place where the bride had adopted the Sikh faith. 2. The Anand Karaj maryada has been clearly on display outside the booking office in the Gurdwara for many years now. 3. Harbhajan kaur Momi, the mother of the bride, booked this wedding by not declaring the Boys faith. 4. The committee were made aware of the groom’s faith from 3rd parties some 4 weeks prior to the Anand Karaj date. 5. Since then, dialogue between the committee & family to change arrangements have all failed, the family have refused to change plans, and have threaten to sue the Gurdwara. 6. The family were contacted by senior members of the Sikh community, again there was a refusal to consider any options. 7. A week before the Anand Karaj, 5 pyaareh (5 Beloved ones) gave a polite hukam (request) to the family to confirm the groom has adopted the Sikh faith, if not, they can still attend the Gurdwara on the day and do kirtan and Ardas to see their guests off. 8. The resident Giani’s (priests) of the Gurdwara, refused to carry out the Anand Karaj on hearing this hukam from 5 Pyaare 9. The family responded by saying they will bring their own Giani (priest). 10. The Gurdwara do not have any knowledge of this new priest, his background or track record, therefore cannot allow an unknown person to take Sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. 11. On the day of the Anand Karaj, the President of The Gurdwara, the Vice President and Ex President were all present, along with senior members of the Sikh community from outside Swindon. 12. The allegation of 40 men from Birmingham and Southall entering the Gurdwara has been grossly exaggerated. Many of these people were from Swindon and included a local football team, which included some non-sikhs too. 13. The gates were closed by the President of the Gurdwara, who decided on the back of i) Marayada ii) Families aggressive attitude iii) Unknown person to take charge of the stage and sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. iv) 5 pyaarey Hukam After consultation with the committee and senior members of the Community. 14. The police arrived outside the gates shortly, the President said “I am in charge; we have decided to cancel a wedding. It is a private matter, it is a private property” 15. Absolutely no member of the family came to the gurdwara. (neither did the groom) False reporting by the Sun “newspaper” 16. Absolutely no violence, intimidation, or banter was present. 17. The langur was served by the Gurdwara sewadars. 18. Catering staff joined in with prayers, there was no intimidation what so ever. 19. The Aunt and uncle of the Bride entered much later, they used abusive language to senior members of the community, but were allowed to release their frustration unchallenged. 20. We can confirm the new priest who was called to do the Anad Karaj, was also lied to, and he had refused and went home straight away. Quotes by: Raghdir Bains: A radical who is disgruntled and has been sidelined by the community for his continuous defiance of allowing Meat and alcohol in Guruwara owned properties. This person has a track record of opposing orthodox Sikh teachings. He has previously resorted to violence and intimidation with elderly members of the community. Dr Harbans Popli; Was not present on the day, has made a statement because of his close personal ties with the family and has only 2nd hand information via the family. Biased Newspaper coverage: “This is Wiltshire” Article: Grossly exaggerated and hugely offensive article based on one families interpretation of what took place. The family was not present at the Gurdwara, nor was the groom to have any first hand information. No interview with the management committee of the Gurdwara, why not? Threats to kill: Completely unsubstantiated. We can only conclude this is amateur reporter, Josh Layton does not have the experience and unable to report both sides of a story. The Sun Article: based entirely on Josh Layton’s article, with even more exaggerated claims: “This is Wiltshire” Article: “We had a caterer in charge of the breakfast. They ate all the food and then told him ‘go or we’ll kill you’ – Referring to the Caterer The Sun Article: “They ate all the food and then told him (the groom) ’go or we’ll kill you’. – The Groom was not even present This is comical one sided reporting – We urge the media to be responsible in their reporting Sikh leaders have confirmed they are in dialogue with the police and no threats or intimidation have been report. The police confirm it was a private function, on private property, cancelled by the management. The Anand Karaj ceremony is a Sikh specific ceremony and interfaith marriages via Anand Karaj is against the Sikh code of conduct. This does not mean Sikh’s object to inter faith marriages or choices people make in the personal lives, via any other means. Court Marriages etc. The Sikh Code of Conduct is quite clear, and vast majority of Gurdwaras abide by it. Sikh Youth bodies UK

With Guru Sahib's kirpa, I will write a rebuttal to all their delusions and pathetic lies. Those who want to contribute, pm me so we can have a better combined response rather than repeat ourselves. I will start in a few days.

Beat them until it sinks in. What do you think?

http://taeja.com/index.htm https://www.facebook.com/#!/TaejaDotCom

I was on the bus this morning, looking out the window and I see an adult man, with a dhari and patka... and a cigarette in hand. The immediate thought came in my mind that I should get off at the next stop and go back to speak to him. Then I just thought, forget it the bus is going hes not going to listen, but just as the bus doors were closing I could not bear it and got off to go find him. There he was on a busy high street shamelessly smoking away. He did not even seem to care when he saw me, with my dumalla and open dhari, approaching. I started speaking to him in punjabi saying "sardarji tusi ki kare ho, ah ki ah?", with no sharam at all he replied, 'cigarette hai' . I said to him how can you do this with a dastaar on (dastar automatically came out of my mouth). And with complete confidence his gobsmacking reply was 'Eh dastaar nai hai, patka hai'! I said, 'Kes ta rakhe ne, kara ta hai' (a gold 'kara' was on the same hand with which he was holding the cigarette). I said to him do you not know what Sikhi says about this? While blowing smoke into my face he just mumbled away and then told me to just go and get on with my own business. I replied that I cannot do this as you have taken my Guru's roop and are doing badnaami of it. I recalled to him the sakhi of Guru Sahib's ghora but of course he did not care. After a while he just chucked his cigarette away and walked into a shop which I think was his. I bore his insulting attitude as I believe our approach, especially the first approach should be one of pyar (but of course firmness) and the giving benefit of the doubt. I think if I see him again I will not be taking this approach. Some important points to take away from this: -A guy with sikhi saroop is smoking on a busy high street with no care that this is wrong -This street has a fair amount of Sikhs walking up and down it, the confidence with which he is openly smoking tells me that other Sikhs must not be confronting him. -No sharam even infront of someone who clearly looks amritdhari. The purpose of me posting this is mainly to say, if you see something like this, make sure you don't just ignore it but give the person a piece of your mind. At the very least we must make sure that such people do not dare smoke out in public like this, or realise they must get rid of all outward displays of Sikhi if they insist on continuing. I had to walk the rest of the way home but I just could not tolerate what I saw. It is our duty to make such people account for themselves.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh I'm pretty sure this topic may have been discussed elsewhere but I could not find it. Recently I have really been striving to listen to some katha for inspiration and I started listening to a few of Giani Sant Singh Maskeen Ji's kathas however it all went above my comprehension. I was wondering if Sangat Ji could list some sadhi, simple katha which is easy to comprehend for someone like me who does not have much gian. Bhul Chuk Maaf Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Thanks Bijla singh veer..look fwd to your rebuttal to them. Regarding their claim that Sikh saved hindu was a myth...you may want to quote swami baba ram dev talking about sri guru gobind singh sacrifice- he cleary state if it wasn't for sri guru gobind singh maharaj sacrifice followed by his sons and sikhs- there wouldn't be any bharti saskriti(culture)

Yeah you're right. My bad. The Sikh misls came to prominence after the fall of the Mughal empire. Guru Gobind Singh put Banda Singh Bahadar in charge of punishing the enemies of the Sikhs in Punjab, while Guru ji marched south with the Mughal emperor. It was on that march that assassins snuck into Guru ji's tent and stabbed him. The assassins were cut down by Guru ji's bodyguards, but Guru sahib later succumbed to infection and died. He proclaimed Guru Granth to be the next guru on his deathbed. Meanwhile Banda Singh Bhadur continued his campaign in Punjab. One of his goals was to put and end to the zameendari system of the Mughals. This meant that the Jatts would no longer have to pay tribute to Mughal overlords. They could own their land outright. The emancipated Jatts then organized themselves into Misls that filled the vacuum left over by the declining Mughal Empire. Out of one of these misls arose Ranjit Singh, who incorporated all of the Misls into the Khalsa Raj, which eventually expanded into Kashmir and Afghanistan. Bhul chuk maaf.

Good luck brother. The fact that you're trying to resist such nonsense is a good sign. Be good, behave yourself, and hopefully you'll find a missus who wants the same things as you.

Joint statement by Sikh youth bodies UK. Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Guru Roop Sadh Sangat Ji. In relation to Anand Karaj incident in Swindon 30th July, it is very disturbing how disgruntled members of the community are using this platform to grossly exaggerate events and tarnish the Sikh image in the media. Facts and Time line of Events: 1. Swindon Gurdwara’s 3 previous marriages have been put to question. Committee confirm 2 inter-faith marriages took place pre-2007, before Akaal Thakt issued clarification of Anand Karaj criteria. Since then one wedding took place where the bride had adopted the Sikh faith. 2. The Anand Karaj maryada has been clearly on display outside the booking office in the Gurdwara for many years now. 3. Harbhajan kaur Momi, the mother of the bride, booked this wedding by not declaring the Boys faith. 4. The committee were made aware of the groom’s faith from 3rd parties some 4 weeks prior to the Anand Karaj date. 5. Since then, dialogue between the committee & family to change arrangements have all failed, the family have refused to change plans, and have threaten to sue the Gurdwara. 6. The family were contacted by senior members of the Sikh community, again there was a refusal to consider any options. 7. A week before the Anand Karaj, 5 pyaareh (5 Beloved ones) gave a polite hukam (request) to the family to confirm the groom has adopted the Sikh faith, if not, they can still attend the Gurdwara on the day and do kirtan and Ardas to see their guests off. 8. The resident Giani’s (priests) of the Gurdwara, refused to carry out the Anand Karaj on hearing this hukam from 5 Pyaare 9. The family responded by saying they will bring their own Giani (priest). 10. The Gurdwara do not have any knowledge of this new priest, his background or track record, therefore cannot allow an unknown person to take Sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. 11. On the day of the Anand Karaj, the President of The Gurdwara, the Vice President and Ex President were all present, along with senior members of the Sikh community from outside Swindon. 12. The allegation of 40 men from Birmingham and Southall entering the Gurdwara has been grossly exaggerated. Many of these people were from Swindon and included a local football team, which included some non-sikhs too. 13. The gates were closed by the President of the Gurdwara, who decided on the back of i) Marayada ii) Families aggressive attitude iii) Unknown person to take charge of the stage and sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. iv) 5 pyaarey Hukam After consultation with the committee and senior members of the Community. 14. The police arrived outside the gates shortly, the President said “I am in charge; we have decided to cancel a wedding. It is a private matter, it is a private property” 15. Absolutely no member of the family came to the gurdwara. (neither did the groom) False reporting by the Sun “newspaper” 16. Absolutely no violence, intimidation, or banter was present. 17. The langur was served by the Gurdwara sewadars. 18. Catering staff joined in with prayers, there was no intimidation what so ever. 19. The Aunt and uncle of the Bride entered much later, they used abusive language to senior members of the community, but were allowed to release their frustration unchallenged. 20. We can confirm the new priest who was called to do the Anad Karaj, was also lied to, and he had refused and went home straight away. Quotes by: Raghdir Bains: A radical who is disgruntled and has been sidelined by the community for his continuous defiance of allowing Meat and alcohol in Guruwara owned properties. This person has a track record of opposing orthodox Sikh teachings. He has previously resorted to violence and intimidation with elderly members of the community. Dr Harbans Popli; Was not present on the day, has made a statement because of his close personal ties with the family and has only 2nd hand information via the family. Biased Newspaper coverage: “This is Wiltshire” Article: Grossly exaggerated and hugely offensive article based on one families interpretation of what took place. The family was not present at the Gurdwara, nor was the groom to have any first hand information. No interview with the management committee of the Gurdwara, why not? Threats to kill: Completely unsubstantiated. We can only conclude this is amateur reporter, Josh Layton does not have the experience and unable to report both sides of a story. The Sun Article: based entirely on Josh Layton’s article, with even more exaggerated claims: “This is Wiltshire” Article: “We had a caterer in charge of the breakfast. They ate all the food and then told him ‘go or we’ll kill you’ – Referring to the Caterer The Sun Article: “They ate all the food and then told him (the groom) ’go or we’ll kill you’. – The Groom was not even present This is comical one sided reporting – We urge the media to be responsible in their reporting Sikh leaders have confirmed they are in dialogue with the police and no threats or intimidation have been report. The police confirm it was a private function, on private property, cancelled by the management. The Anand Karaj ceremony is a Sikh specific ceremony and interfaith marriages via Anand Karaj is against the Sikh code of conduct. This does not mean Sikh’s object to inter faith marriages or choices people make in the personal lives, via any other means. Court Marriages etc. The Sikh Code of Conduct is quite clear, and vast majority of Gurdwaras abide by it. Sikh Youth bodies UK

Make efforts to understand and realize the expansive territory of life, because I have no idea of the direction of the morning breeze from where it came or where it was headed to. Bhai Nand Lal Goya

Great initiative. Also the Sikhi Camps this summer should focus on this issue as many our kids don't seem to feel empowered enough to fight their corner when it comes to being asked to remove their kara for PE. When the issue arose at my 5 year old kid's school we found out he was the only Sikh kid in his year who wanted to keep his kara on during PE, the other 20 Sikh kids had no issue and were happy to remove. The school agreed on the sweatband as a covering and as time went on a few of the other Sikh kids also started wearing the sweatbands to cover their kara during PE. We live in an age of "Health & Safety" risk assessments which sometimes has an effect on the right to wear our kakaars. Unfortunately Jathebhandis/Sikh bodies aren't really addressing the issue top down so it's left up to indvidual families to deal with the kaakar issues as and when they manifest at a local level.

If we get away from pointing fingers and grading people and that he is better than him because he does this that and the other we can look at this from a different point of view. Try letting go of these prejudices, they all derive from our 5 chore within us. We need to bring love and hate onto one platform, feel pleasure and pain the same, tears and laughter, attraction and repulsion, all have to be looked at with the same emotion. If a full saroop person is walking towards you, you feel joy when a clean shaven sikh walks towards you, you feel repulsion, yet Akaal Purkh is sitting in the first person and in the clean shaven person. You feel repulsion towards that guy you are doing it to the divine jyote within him. Who has made the robber the way he is? Who has made the drunken gambler the way he is? Ultimately they are all being controlled by Akaal, for He sits within them as He sits within the giani and the gurmukh. That is not to say that we do not do parchar or that we do not encourage people to start following Guru Ji’s path that is our duty, BUT we must get away from even the mild hate/repulsion that we get when we see someone we do not like. All are Akaal, the Gurmukh and the manmukh so treat them as one. Have the same joy to see a clean shaven person as you do when you see a gurmukh, do not see the body but the divine jyote within them. Better still look within yourself rather than at other people what errors and ‘augan’ can you see within you. Ultimately you have to answer for yourself so make improvements in your life and let others be as they are if that is how they choose to be for they are all following Akaal Purkhs hukam. You have a flowing beard and you do your nitname? It is nothing if you harbour animosity towards your fellow man, for the Guru that sits within you is watching and if you are hating or pointing fingers at His creation and His created beings then you are not going to get His blessing.

http://9gag.com/gag/2980972 A post like the one above has the power to reach many people through the internet. We can post stuff like this on websites, go and vote up the post, and then it will be brought onto the main pages of websites like reddit or 9gag or any other frequently visited forum. We can even establish a set time we can all do this or maybe contact Singhlionz or some one like taht on twitter, get them aboard, and then they can send out a link like the one above to their followers once a week asking them to like it! While you're at it, please thumbs up the above post on 9gag. I can upload it agian if there's a time limit on how long a post can stay up before its unable to get to the main page, but i think 100 likes gets it too the hot page and then 1000+ means the main page, but I'm not entirely sure. Thanks.

Great Job bhai sahib for taking this sewa, its interesting that the anti-sikhi website doesnt mention where it got its facts from. also everyone check this website out sanatan hindu sikhism there bashing sikhi and our Gurus saying that Guru Nanak Ji wore a topi not a turban, Guru Nanak Ji was a Vishnu Bhagat and sikhi is full of castism and inequality for women. I am seeing these kinds of websites springing more now, i think we need to have answers ready. Were being attacked from every sides Namdharis www.namdhari faithweb.com/ Radhaswami saying were not going to reach Sachkhand without a living Guru HInduism saying were an off shoot of there faith with nothing new. That Guru Nanak Ji was just another avatar. Islam saying because the name of muhammad is mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib Ji that we should convert to there faith. Christianity doing hugh missionary work inside panjab converting towns into christians. and all the other little deras that are threat to Sikhi. I think we should all answer these questions and be informed about the tactics there using.

your married singh surely this is a discussion you should have with your wife...asking sangat if you should kiss your wife is a bit weird

Look! Here is Holy Light! Neither the whirlpool bars the lover’s way or the torrent, or the shore. Why, O heart, are you vainly wandering round the desert and the wood, the queen of beauty resides in your own eyes. Wherever I look, I find nothing else but Holy Presence. Then, O Goya, where can I go, if I leave the world and its trappings?

May my life be a sacrifice unto Guru Gobind Singh Ji. And may my head stay at the feet of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Guru Ram Das, the asset and the treasure of the entire world And, is the guardian of the realm of faith and chastity. (Ganj Nama)

Also see this story about a Nihang keeping a Falcon: http://www.sikhnugget.com/2012/04/nihang-and-falcon-of-guru.html

Gurfateh ! Last weekend I went to Elveden - the country estate once owned by Maharajah Duleep Singh - It is a tradition in our house that all visiting relatives get a tour of London and Cambridge (including Elveden) - it is probably the reason why I have such an interest in Punjabi History, Museums, paintings and the like (Thanks Dad !). I have always wanted to see the interior of Elveden Hall - the closest I have ever got is looking through the windows and the gardens (as you know Punjabis never take any notice of 'Private Property' 'No Entry' and 'enter at own risk' signs !) Here are a collection of Photographs that show Elveden Hall as it was when Duleep Singh bought it , his renovations and the later additions. The photographs also show the famous paintings that hung in Elveden Hall - a constant reminder of more grander times and past glories. The Maharajah bought Elveden Hall ( located in Suffolk near Thetford) in 1864 - for £105,000 - the money raised by a loan from the India Office at 4 percent interest. It was a sprawling sporting estate of some 17 thousand acres -it rivalled nearby Sandringham (The Queens estate) as one of the best places to hunt and shoot - Duleep Singh was rated fourth best shot in Britain. The original building was quite plain - Duleep Singh practically rebuilt it in Italian Renaissance style - but the inside was based on the Mughal Style of the Lahore Fort. The Drawing room was styled after the Shish Mahal - the Hall and main rooms decorated with Indo Persian / Mughal arches and pilasters. The famous Dussehra painting of Ranjit Singh's Darbar hung in the Hall and a copy of Winterhalter's portrait of Duleep Singh in the Dining Room. Elveden was sold by Duleep Singh's trustees after his death in 1894 for £159,000 to the Lord of Iveagh - the Guinness Family (yes - as in the 'Black Stuff') they still own the estate. **Black and White photographs from The Collection of the Thetford Library. Elveden Hall in 1863 The renovations made by Duleep Singh Duleep Singh Standing in the portico of Elveden Hall Elveden Hall 1877, Lord Frederick Fitz-roy, Lord Leicester, Duke of Athol, Lord Dacre, Prince of Wales, Lord Rendlesham, Lord Holmesdale, Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Maharajah, Lord Ripon, Lord Westbury, Sir R. Beauchamp, Capt. Goldingham The Interiors The Main Hall - showing the famous August Schoefft 'Dussehra' painting of Ranjit Singh's Darbar on the right and a portrait of Duleep Singh by Capt. Goldingham on the left. Both paintings are now in the Princess Bamba Collection in the Sikh Gallery of Lahore fort the Schoefft and Goldingham paintings The Dining Room - with a copy of the F X Winterhalter's portrait of Duleep Singh above the fireplace the Winterhalter painting The sitting room of Redneck Farm on the Elveden Estate - you can see the August Schoefft portrait of Maharaja Sher Singh - seated on the Golden Throne - hanging on the right as well as a portrait of Ranjit Singh. the Schoefft painting - now also in the Princess Bamba Collection The hall The drawing room The dining room Elveden Hall as it is today - the Dome and extension were added by Lord Iveagh The Gravestones of Maharaja Duleep Singh his wife and son at St Andrews church on the Elveden Estate as they are today Hope you enjoyed the post Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

I don't think burial or cremations determine whether someone is Sikh. Sikhism stresses the soul, the body is a mere vessal for that. Whether burnt or cremated would make no difference. Cremation is preferred in hotter climates for obvious reasons but this is cultural not religious.