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Pyara

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Everything posted by Pyara

  1. I think the original poster might be talking about the issue below... http://www.sikhsanga...160#entry541160
  2. It's both Parkash/Sukhasan and Meat, Intoxicants etc issue. However, the main question really is, if there is only a weekly Sikh service at the Prison then should Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Saroop be kept permanently on the complex? As far as I know this is the only set up in HM Prisons in the UK where Maharaj's Saroop is kept. Perhaps someone who has spent time in Prison (or knows someone who has) can comment? I know a Singh who spent time in Rye Hill prison, Warwickshire he told me that there was a weekly visit from a Granthi who would hold an hour long diwan where they read Japji Sahib, did Kirtan and Kathan...but they never brought Maharaj's Saroop to that Prison. NamoSarab has some valid points above and I agree with the core of what NamoSarab has outlined. However, in my over-simplistic mind, unless there is daily sewa, parchaar and vichaar of Gurmat then the presence of Maharaj's Saroop is no different from mere idol worshiping...apologies if this offends anyone, this is just my personal view.
  3. Some members of the sikhsangat.com may already be aware of this. HM Prison Ford (informally known as Ford Open Prison) is a Category D men's prison, located in West Sussex, England. Within the prison is a Chaplaincy which is used by all faith groups. Within the prison chaplaincy is a section where the permanent parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj is kept. The section is set up with a tabya, cushions, rummala, canopy as you would expect. However, the sewa only takes place once a week on Thursdays, when the actual parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroop is carried out. The rest of the week Maharaj’s saroop is in Sukhasan. It is evident to many of us that there are massive concerns of Satkaar around this whole set up, not just around the issue of weekly parkash, but whether Maharaj’s saroop needs to actually be there. The Sikh Chaplaincy Service (SCS) part of the NSO (http://www.nsouk.co.uk/members.htm) do a great seva in ensuring the UK Prison service have Sikh support across the country. HM Prison Ford is just one of the many prisons SCS provide Chaplin seva to. The Granthi Singh comes from Gurdwara Nanaksar in Portsmouth every Thursday to the prison to carry out the weekly Sikh service during when prakash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj is carried out. The issue here is about whether it is acceptable or unacceptable to have Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji Maharaj’s Saroop in UK prisons, particularly around the issue of Satkaar. Firstly, we are not sure on the consumption of meat, alcohol, tobacco, drugs on the complex. Secondly, the parkash sewa is not carried out on a daily basis, so the question arises whether Maharaj’s saroop needs to be there. The number of Sikh inmates in Ford prison is not clear. The above issue has been known to many members of the sangat for over a month now, but the issue has received mixed opinions to the extent that it now seems to have become a “non-issue”. There have been a number of formal dialogues between different members of the Sangat (including Satkaar Campaign) with Sikh Chaplaincy Service, the Granthi, prominent Sikhs, various Prabhandaks around the country, Sikh Council UK and even the Governor of the Prison. But nothing has really materialised. Now it’s time to ask the aam Sangat of what their opinion is? To many of us the set up does not seem right and it feels a beadbi is taking place. However to others, particularly some “influential” Sikhs, there seems to be no issue or the issue is too high profile to tackle as it involves the HM Prison Service and Lord Inderjit Singh, Chairman of the NSO (who run the Sikh Chaplaincy Service). What’s the Sangat’s opinion? Please give some input as the elders and jathebhandis aren’t really providing any direct guidance? Below are some exerts from SGPC Rehit Maryada and other Akal Takht directives: Aadesh from Sri Akal Takth Sahib on protocol from Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, letter reference 3/12/3609 dated 24th January 2012: “…The Guru Granth Sahib should be opened, read and closed ceremonially with reverence in in order to prevent any disrespect…” Sikh Rehit Maryada, Section Three, Chapter IV, Article V. “.... The place where it is installed should be absolutely clean. An awning should be erected above. The Guru Granth Sahib should be placed on a cot measuring up to its size and overlaid with absolutely clean mattress and sheets. For proper installation and opening of the Guru Granth Sahib , there should be cushions/pillows appropriate kind etc. and, for covering it, romalas (sheet covers of appropriate size). When the Guru Granth Sahib is not being read, it should remain covered with a romala. A whisk too, should be there…” Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji must not be taken into any environment where alcohol, meat and tobacco will be consumed or served. This Hukamnama Religious Order) was issued in 1998 and specifically states: “...This Hukamanama instructs that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh Holy Scriptures treated as the living Guru) must not be taken to a hotel, banqueting suite, club, pub, bar etc as this is direct abuse to Sikh Principles. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji must not be present where alcohol, meat or tobacco is served or consumed…”
  4. It's the only video report I have seen in the India media and it actually highlights to the mainstream Indians how Sikhs globally express their feelings about 1984. I think it's a good news report. We need to see more Indian media at the event to get impact back to the Indian public. Invite and use the "AGENTS" to your advantage.
  5. Saturday 16 June 2012 7pm (GMT). Seva84 sevadars and Sikhs from around the country are outside Keith Vaz's party right now raising awareness about the November 1984 Genocide and involvement of Bachchan. The reception has been most welcoming with many party invitees taking an interest in the assembly of Sikhs and the issue being addressed.
  6. Pyara

    Ramgarhia Kom?

    Another "gem" is in the form of a dehadhari guru http://www.ramgarhiakom.com/com/gems_03.html
  7. Well done Seva84 for highlighting the issue. Many of us would not have been bothered to have made an issue of this if Seva84 hadn't taken the lead and raised the profile. At least Bachchan's incitement in the 84 Genocide became the talk of the town again and many people who didn't know about it do now.
  8. From a conversation with Keith Vaz office, I have been made aware that the local Gurdwara represantatives are attending the party. Vaz office were never advised by any of the high profile Sikh invitees about Amitabh and the incitement of mobs in 1984. The Leicester Sikh reps are still planning to attend the party as Vaz "works closely with Sikh community". Anyone from Leicester Gurdwaras want to comment? Thanks
  9. What's the Leicester Gurdwara Committees' take on the Keith Vaz event? I assume some of them will be attending or leading the Panthic protest for justice? I haven't heard much come put of the Leicester prabhandaks...they usually shout loud Khalistan Zindabad naras
  10. Regarding the abolition of caste divided Gurdwaras, question now is how do we (the collective Sangat) implement this directive from Akal Takht??. Are the likes of Sikh Council UK really willing to take this issue on and start to address it with the Ramgharia, Bhatra and Ravidas labelled Gurdwaras in the UK?? Currently, I don't believe the Sikh leadership in the UK have an "appetite" to take this issue on and I think it will be another directive from Akal Takht that Sikhs just ignore. It's too "culturally sensitive" as it's caste divisions play a big part of the previous generations thinking. Is it then up to the sangat (the non-influential) to accept ownership and implement Akal Takht's directive?
  11. Great letter from Leicester Sikh Alliance. At last a formal partnership with Amnesty International!
  12. I assume it is to avoid the attire of those protesters who come with hoodies and face coverings. As the event is likely to be a "stylish" and "posh" occasion perhaps a smart outlook would not be such a bad idea, but I wouldn't get too hung up on the point. My trainers cost me more than my smart shoes...
  13. Excellent informative video and the 10 day campaign was a great idea. Well done NSYF. We need more innovative approaches like this to be brought forward.
  14. Don't take this personal veer. This is a general comment. It's best the lions who cover the faces stay at home on the day so that a sustainable campaign can be carried out. We've witnessed many of the lions who take it to another level run home after these protests and leave others to pick up the pieces. This should be a series of serious transparent campaigns to raise awareness for those willing to show their faces and put their necks on the line. Our morchas need to be sustainable. It's about being a clever lion! Great comment from Kaljugi
  15. It is Vaz's high profile do, so he needs to take responsibility. But you're right the power and prestige is likely to prevail. It's the power and contacts that's successfully kept Bachchan's involvement in 84 massacres out of the public eye. Interesting article below from TOI dated Oct 2011, an interview with the inspirational Bibi Jagdish Kaur. http://articles.time...ts-jagdish-kaur 1984 riots: 'Why nobody noticed Amitabh Bachchan spewing venom in India’ Yudhvir Rana, TNN Oct 20, 2011, 05.54PM IST AMRITSAR: A prime witness in 1984 anti-Sikh riots said that everyone who had been watching Doordarshan saw how superstar Amitabh Bachchan provoked the rioters. "I wonder why no one in India lodged case against Amitabh Bachchan for provoking killing of Sikhs," said Jagdish Kaur, prime witness in 1984 anti- Sikh riots while talking to TOI on Thursday. Following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, India erupted in riots against Sikhs in 1984. Reminiscing the sad memories of hate crime against Sikhs she said, "I watched live relay on Doordarshan and saw Amitabh Bachchan raising his arm and shouting the slogan, 'khun ka badla khun sae laengae' (Blood for blood) two times. " Jagdish Kaur said that everyone who had been watching Doordarshan was witness to how the bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan provoked the anti- Sikh riots. "I am not concerned that a case has been registered against him in Australia but all I want to know why nobody noticed Amitabh's provoking statement in India," Kaur asked. She said that ever since she saw Amitabh spewing venom in full public glare she never watched any of his movies or programmes on TV. "Any mention of him or his work reminds me of his role in the 1984 riots," she said. Recently a US-based Sikh human rights group lodged a criminal complaint against Bachchan in Australia for instigating and abetting 1984 anti Sikh riots. Australia's 'Criminal Code Act 1995' states that Australian courts can have jurisdiction over cases involving crimes against humanity irrespective of whether the offense was committed in Australia or not. Jagdish Kaur, then 42, had seen her husband and son being murdered in cold blood by a frenzied mob inside her house in Palam Colony (West Delhi) on November 1st 1984. She also saw her three brothers Narinder Pal Singh, 35, Raghwinder Singh, 28 and Kuldeep Singh ,21, all contractors with MES, burning to death by the mob while they were trying to save themselves.
  16. US based Sikh group has a lodged a criminal complaint against superstar Amitabh Bachchan for his alleged role in November 1984 anti Sikh riots Above video report in relation to Amitabh Bachchan's "stand" on the Gujrat Violence of 2002
  17. http://twitter.com/#!/keithvazmp Whoops! Please ignore twitter details. Looks like Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP is not on twitter.
  18. Rt. Hon Keith Vaz MP http://www.keithvazmp.com/ Keith Vaz Casework Centre 292 Victoria Road East Leicester, LE5 0LF Phone: 0116 246 0163 Fax: 0116 246 1135 E-mail: casework@live.co.uk
  19. http://www.sikhsforj...achchan_incited Amitabh Bachchan’s Involvement In “84' Sikh Genocide” During “84' Sikh Genocide”, Amitabh Bachchan was shown on television inciting people to kill Sikhs after the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He said, “Sikhs had not only assassinated Indira Gandhi, they had killed the mother of the nation.” He raised the slogan ‘Khoon ke chheente Indira ko marne walon ke gharon tak pahunchne chahiye (The bloodstains must reach the houses of those who killed Indira)’ Bachchan incited killing of Sikhs in '84 riots, says film Sikh groups AISSF and SIKHS FOR JUSTICE to file plea against Bachchan, 200 others Charges against Big B Amitabh’s role under scanner ​
  20. Sikhs For Justice | AMITABH BACHCHAN http://www.sikhsforjustice.org/?q=content/amitabh-bachchan The above link gives some history.
  21. Maybe we've made that into our permanent excuse. Time to be self-critical here, all the awareness we create is purely insular, it's effectively aimed solely at the Sikhs. To narrow it down further, it's aimed mainly at the more righteous minded panthic Sikhs not even the mainstream Anglo-Punjabi/Sikh community. We are pulling out the same creased up banners, the same slogans, the same speeches from the last 20 plus years. Many of the same old faces still putting themselves forward with little to add since the same speech they probably did in year 1984 itself. The large 84 rally turnout is purely based on loyalty, emotions and commitment of the Sangat. It's a shame we are not using these large numbers of sangat to really create the impact we deserve. Time to get out of our comfort zones and interact with the non Sikh world. Last week, when I contacted Amnesty, HRW as well as some other community groups who share a similar cause such as the Tamil forum not of the one of the reps I spoke to were aware of our rally. The funders of the rally such as FSO need to really move away from the same old formula, worrying about pleasing the same old Sikh personalities with stage time and give way to new innovative ideas to work towards marketing a powerful message. As ever, it's all about letting go of some of that power.
  22. Once again the 1984 June Rally appears to gathered minimal interest from the mainstream media. Last weeks Tamil protest against the Sri Lankan President being invited for the jubilee celebrations (Wednesday 6 June 2012) raised large media attention. The Tamil forum in the UK seem to have some stronger machinery in raising national awareness than we have as a more established community in the UK have. It's really time for us to re-engineer our approach to raising awareness of atrocities against Sikhs in India. Our approach is repetitive and insular solely aimed at Sikh media, maybe it's become our comfort zone...
  23. Yes they can and that's not the issue. The issue is that Rana was content in projecting himself in a high profile representative role within the mainstream and the Sikh community. This is not an isolated incident, we have some Gurdwara pardaans with baggage and some who are still known for their immoral activities. All this does is put a on a façade and encourage hypocrisy, further pushing those away who feel the Sikh institutes are all full of corruption, But we don't have any collective influence in influencing who puts themselves forward as a representative of the Sikh Community. This just shows us as a collective Sikh community we lack a real relationship with the elite or influential in British Society, it can be too easily hijacked by individuals with their own agendas.
  24. If you missed the chat show on BBC Asian network about 1984 you can listen online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01jcg2d/Nihal_Forced_marriage_legislation/ Listen from 1h 15mins
  25. http://www.bbc.co.uk...network?lang=en Listen Live now and participate. text 81869 email nihal@bbc.co.uk phone 08459 440 445
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