GlobalSikhNews

The area's Sikh community combined efforts to pay for the cost of meals served at the Poverello House in November 2009 -- $17,010. This year, Sikhs are looking to provide more help for the homeless center. Dr. Mohinder Poonia, a board member of the Sikh Council of Central California, says the Sikh community is pledging $20,000 toward the cost of meals in November this year. The amount could go higher, he says, depending on donations from Sikh organizations and individuals. Fundraiser events are continuing through Nov. 20. "We want to make it a regular feature" to help the Poverello House, Poonia says. The effort is in honor of the November birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of 10 Sikh gurus, and in line with a Sikhism tenet, which calls upon followers to "share with fellow human beings," Poonia says. Sikhs have long demonstrated helping the needy at their temples (gurdwaras),which display orange banners atop flag poles as open invitations to anyone wanting food. November also is Sikh Awareness Month in California. Details: (559) 233-0933 or 709-5225. Read more: http://www.fresnobee...l#ixzz13rX3Rnfn

THE man behind efforts to bring English and Indian communities together in Derby has taken a trip to Buckingham Palace for the second time. Daljit Singh Ahluwalia was in London yesterday to be made an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for voluntary services to community and inter-faith relations in Derbyshire. The award was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June and he received the medal from Prince Charles at the Palace yesterday. Mr Ahluwalia organised a number of variety shows to bring people of all cultures together and later formed the Indian Friendship Society – creating relationships between different cultures in Derby. He also put together exhibitions on Punjabi culture, heritage, history and tradition, which has appeared at various city venues over the past 13 years. His work was recognised as early as 1992, when he received an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, and in 2000 he was awarded a Derby City Council Civic Award. In April 2009, Mr Ahluwalia, of Mickleover, picked up an award from the House of Commons for his efforts. He was awarded the Punjabis in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group Cultural Award, in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of Punjabi culture in Britain. Mr Ahluwalia said of his latest trip to the palace: "It went so well and I was so proud to see the royal family. "Prince Charles told me to carry on what I was doing and he would be glad and that is just what I plan to do." Originally from Delhi, Mr Ahluwalia came to London in 1959 to study at a technical college before getting a job with British Rail. After a promotion in 1966, he was moved to Derby to work as an instrumentation engineer at the technical centre in London Road, and lived in Allestree. In 1974, he married Parkash, a lecturer who also worked for Derbyshire police, encouraging ethnic minority women to join the force, as a translator for the Probation Service, and as a team leader for Derby City Council's education department. The pair, who have a daughter, Poonam, made it their mission to promote understanding of Indian culture. Mr Ahluwalia helped to found Derby Open Centre, in Normanton, became a member of Derby Racial Equality Council, chairman of the Ethnic Minority Forum and vice-chairman of the Education for All committee. Source: This is Derbyshire

The Sikhs living in Kashmir on Saturday urged the hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani to exempt Deepawali day from the purview of its agitation to allow the community to celebrate the festival. "We urge the Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani to exempt the Deepawali Day from agitation, so that Hindus can go to temples to offer prayers and Sikhs can visit gurudwaras," All Parties All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said here. Raina also asked the Sikhs and Hindus living in Kashmir to celebrate Deepawali, the festival of light, with simplicity as the Valley has lost more than 100 lives during the five months of ongoing turmoil. He said the Sikh community will express solidarity with the families, those who have lost their dear ones, on Diwali. The APSCC members during the meeting also observed two minutes silence to pay homage to innocent civilians killed in the turmoil. Source: Indian Express

Over the past decade, immigrant and minority communities have begun to flex their political muscle. The 2008 election, for example, demonstrated that minority and new American voters are a sizeable electorate. While the outlook for increased political participation remains optimistic, a simultaneous process of “othering” of minority communities continues to exist in the political sphere. Xenophobic and racist rhetoric has been part of our country’s political life for hundreds of years. South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs, and Arab Americans are the newest targets. South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)’s new report, “From Macacas to Turban Toppers: The Rise in Racist and Xenophobic Rhetoric in American Political Discourse,” documents statements targeting South Asian, Arab American, Muslim, and Sikh communities by elected officials and those running for public office. These statements range from the use of racial slurs such as “raghead” to describe South Asian candidates running for public office to the support of policies such as racial profiling that would target our communities. Our report demonstrates that these comments have been on the rise since September 11, 2001. One blatant example occurred shortly after September 11 when former Representative John Cooksey from Louisiana stated that if “someone who comes in that’s got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on this head, that guy needs to be pulled over.” Representative Cooksey’s statements were harmful because they not only degraded religious symbols worn by Sikhs or Muslims, but also supported an approval of religious and racial profiling. Generally speaking, xenophobic comments cast community members into four categories: as national security threats; as outsiders and foreigners; as political liabilities; and as unsuitable for political office. This rhetoric usually peaks during election years. In fact, since the Park51 cultural center controversy that occurred this summer, SAALT documented at least 23 comments opposing its construction because it was connected to Islam. That this debate became a political wedge issue is demonstrated by the fact that it resonated well beyond Lower Manhattan – from North Carolina to Tennessee to California, public officials linked Muslims to terrorists; incidents of hate crimes and vandalism were reported; Quran burnings were planned; and mosque construction was questioned or stopped. As the midterm elections approach, the current climate of xenophobia in our country has also extended to the campaigns of South Asian candidates. In 2010, six South Asians are currently running for Congress and one is running for a gubernatorial seat. While the participation of community members in the political arena has been rising and has even garnered significant public attention, the number of remarks playing on race-and religion-based stereotypes against South Asian, Muslim and Sikh candidates has also followed a similar trajectory. Tactics have included attacking the actual or perceived religions of candidates; utilizing image-altering techniques to make candidates appear “darker”; and questioning candidates’ “roots.” Recent examples include a statement by Mike Pompeo, a Congressional candidate in Kansas, who posted onto Twitter a link to a blog post that included the following about Raj Goyle, his opponent: “This guy could be a muslim, a hindu, a Buddhist etc who knows, only God, the shadow and ...goyle knows! One thing’s for sure…goyle is not a Christian! This goyle character is just another ‘turban topper’ we don’t need in congress or any political office that deals with the U.S. Constitution, Christianity and the United States of America!” Nikki Haley, a candidate running for governor of South Carolina, has also been vilified for her Sikh background. Jake Knotts, state senator from South Carolina, described her as “[a] f---ing raghead…[w]e got a raghead in Washington; we don’t need one in South Carolina…he’s a raghead that’s ashamed of her religion trying to hide it behind being Methodist for political reasons.” Such statements convey the notion that political candidates of South Asian descent are outsiders who are different from their constituencies. Consequently, South Asian political candidates have to overcome additional hurdles and run a different type of race. As political parties and candidates begin to consider the influence of the emerging electorate pool, it is important not to underestimate the chilling effects that xenophobic rhetoric can have on maintaining the full civic and political involvement of communities of color and new American voters. Deepa Iyer is the executive director and Priya Murthy is policy director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national nonpartisan non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations in the United States to build a more just and inclusive society. SAALT also coordinates the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations. Source: New America Media

Over the past decade, immigrant and minority communities have begun to flex their political muscle. The 2008 election, for example, demonstrated that minority and new American voters are a sizeable electorate. While the outlook for increased political participation remains optimistic, a simultaneous process of “othering” of minority communities continues to exist in the political sphere. Xenophobic and racist rhetoric has been part of our country’s political life for hundreds of years. South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs, and Arab Americans are the newest targets. South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)’s new report, “From Macacas to Turban Toppers: The Rise in Racist and Xenophobic Rhetoric in American Political Discourse,” documents statements targeting South Asian, Arab American, Muslim, and Sikh communities by elected officials and those running for public office. These statements range from the use of racial slurs such as “raghead” to describe South Asian candidates running for public office to the support of policies such as racial profiling that would target our communities. Our report demonstrates that these comments have been on the rise since September 11, 2001. One blatant example occurred shortly after September 11 when former Representative John Cooksey from Louisiana stated that if “someone who comes in that’s got a diaper on his head and a fan belt wrapped around the diaper on this head, that guy needs to be pulled over.” Representative Cooksey’s statements were harmful because they not only degraded religious symbols worn by Sikhs or Muslims, but also supported an approval of religious and racial profiling. Generally speaking, xenophobic comments cast community members into four categories: as national security threats; as outsiders and foreigners; as political liabilities; and as unsuitable for political office. This rhetoric usually peaks during election years. In fact, since the Park51 cultural center controversy that occurred this summer, SAALT documented at least 23 comments opposing its construction because it was connected to Islam. That this debate became a political wedge issue is demonstrated by the fact that it resonated well beyond Lower Manhattan – from North Carolina to Tennessee to California, public officials linked Muslims to terrorists; incidents of hate crimes and vandalism were reported; Quran burnings were planned; and mosque construction was questioned or stopped. As the midterm elections approach, the current climate of xenophobia in our country has also extended to the campaigns of South Asian candidates. In 2010, six South Asians are currently running for Congress and one is running for a gubernatorial seat. While the participation of community members in the political arena has been rising and has even garnered significant public attention, the number of remarks playing on race-and religion-based stereotypes against South Asian, Muslim and Sikh candidates has also followed a similar trajectory. Tactics have included attacking the actual or perceived religions of candidates; utilizing image-altering techniques to make candidates appear “darker”; and questioning candidates’ “roots.” Recent examples include a statement by Mike Pompeo, a Congressional candidate in Kansas, who posted onto Twitter a link to a blog post that included the following about Raj Goyle, his opponent: “This guy could be a muslim, a hindu, a Buddhist etc who knows, only God, the shadow and ...goyle knows! One thing’s for sure…goyle is not a Christian! This goyle character is just another ‘turban topper’ we don’t need in congress or any political office that deals with the U.S. Constitution, Christianity and the United States of America!” Nikki Haley, a candidate running for governor of South Carolina, has also been vilified for her Sikh background. Jake Knotts, state senator from South Carolina, described her as “[a] f---ing raghead…[w]e got a raghead in Washington; we don’t need one in South Carolina…he’s a raghead that’s ashamed of her religion trying to hide it behind being Methodist for political reasons.” Such statements convey the notion that political candidates of South Asian descent are outsiders who are different from their constituencies. Consequently, South Asian political candidates have to overcome additional hurdles and run a different type of race. As political parties and candidates begin to consider the influence of the emerging electorate pool, it is important not to underestimate the chilling effects that xenophobic rhetoric can have on maintaining the full civic and political involvement of communities of color and new American voters. Deepa Iyer is the executive director and Priya Murthy is policy director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national nonpartisan non-profit organization whose mission is to elevate the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations in the United States to build a more just and inclusive society. SAALT also coordinates the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations. Source: New America Media

Chandigarh, October 29 The visit of US President Barack Obama to the Golden Temple was cancelled due to security reasons and not “lack of time” as announced by the US State Department. Highly placed sources have said that the US Government sent teams to only Mumbai and Amritsar to ascertain if the Taj Hotel and the Golden Temple were safe for the President to visit. The recent spurt in militancy related activity, showing renewed effort on the part of Pakistan to activate sympathisers of militants in Punjab was one factor that resulted in excluding Amritsar from the President’s itinerary. Besides the possibility of Islamic fundamentalists from Kashmir, who have close ties with jihadis in Pakistan and Afghanistan having easy access to Amritsar, further supported the US Government. The Indian intelligence agencies regularly share information with their American counterparts. The US agencies were, therefore, aware of the activity in the Babbar Khalsa International support base. The group’s head, Wadhawa Singh Babbar, also called “Chacha”, currently in Pakistan, is under tremendous pressure from the ISI to regroup his cadres in Punjab. Two operatives of this group were arrested earlier this week from Uttar Pradesh. The arrest of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) activist Sukhwinder Singh and reports of some others former militants re-grouping also contributed in President Obama’s crack team deciding against his visiting Punjab. Meanwhile, while reacting to President Obama’s itinerary, which skips a visit to the Goldent Temple, Dr Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said, “This is disappointing that President Obama will not visit the Golden Temple. Three months ago, I had proposed this visit by President Obama to the Golden Temple only for spiritual reasons. I deeply regret President Obama missed the opportunity to send a powerful message of global peace and harmony in the South Asian region and in the world.” He said if President Obama visited the Golden Temple “it surely would have shown America’s respect for all faiths and traditions. Also this would have been a wonderful opportunity to show that America is not all about war and money." Dr Rajwant Singh said “the Indian government was under this impression that President Obama was set to go to Amritsar and I’m told that certain ministers were already assigned to accompany the President to Amritsar. The change in decision has hurt most Sikhs”. A 35-member advance team of US officials had visited Amritsar and according to officials in Amritsar, all necessary requirements were met. There is no record of a team of this size checking any other site in India for Obama’s visit. Obviously the message was clear that President Obama will visit Amritsar. Amritsar civil administration gave full assurances to the US secret service team and the embassy officials were fully satisfied about the arrangements according the civil administrator in Amritsar. Dr Singh added, "I truly want to know whether this decision was taken by the President himself or some aides advised him based on some domestic compulsions.” Source: Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Punjab: Remarks of a section of senators of Panjab University, Chandigarh, who had allegedly dubbed the SGPC as a “communal organisation” during their April 4 meeting, have invited the ire of SGPC chief Avtar Singh.</p> The SGPC chief has openly come out against a section of the university senate and alleged that the university had failed to propagate philosophy of Sikh Gurus and saints among the people of Punjab. Certain senators had reportedly dubbed the SGPC as a “communal organisation” as Tajinder Kaur, Principal of the Guru Nanak College for Girls, Muktsar, had mentioned the SGPC’s name at the April 4 senate meeting . The SGPC chief alleged that it seemed that certain senators of Panjab University were not well-versed with the history of the SGPC, which had passed through turbulent times and members of which had contributed their immense lot in the freedom struggle of India. “Upon the creation of the SGPC in 1925, even Mahatma Gandhi had congratulated the Sikhs saying India had won freedom struggle after setting up of the SGPC. No other organisation could do as much for humanity as has been done by the SGPC by helping victims of Latur earthquake, people of tsunami-flooded areas and by running over 200 educational organisations across the country,” said Avtar Singh. Criticising the “limited” role of the university in spreading education among rural masses, Avtar Singh alleged it was ironical that though 66 per cent of the population of Punjab lived in rural areas, only 3 per cent of rural students were admitted to the university. Has doors of the university been closed on people of rural Punjab?” questioned Avtar Singh, saying the university was sans any Punjabi typist for its correspondence course in Punjabi literature. “The senators need to subject themselves to introspection and the Vice-Chancellor should ensure that no such thing which could hurt religious sensitivities of people should be allowed to be uttered in the future. The Guru Nanak chair, Baba Farid and Bhagat Ravidas Chair have been lying vacant and this speaks volumes about apathy of the varsity towards Punjab,” alleged Avtar Singh.

Surrey, Canada: Two Surrey city councillors say the Vaisakhi parade float that angered Mayor Dianne Watts was approved by the RCMP and city staff. There has been controversy in the past over a float bearing images of men considered by some to be martyrs to the cause of an independent Sikh state in Punjab. Others call those same men terrorists. Members of Dasmesh Darbar Sikh temple organize the Surrey Vaisakhi parade. Last Thursday, one of their number, Inderjit Singh Bains, went on a RedFM talk show and said Surrey MLA Dave Hayer and Vancouver MP Ujjal Dosanjh were not welcome at Vaisakhi. Bains also said the two men would have to look after their own security if they chose to attend. Both Hayer and Dosanjh, who oppose the use of violence for political ends, condemned Bains' comments as veiled threats. Bains' comments caused Premier Gordon Campbell to boycott Surrey's Vaisakhi celebration and drew a demand for an apology from federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff. Then, Watts said, the float with the martyrs showed up in Saturday's parade. "They gave us assurances that float would not go in," the mayor told the Now. "Right the day before, those comments were made and then, on the day of the parade, that float goes in." Watts said she'd had enough and warned Dasmesh Darbar could be denied future permits to hold the parade and that the event's organization might be taken over by the city or another Sikh temple. "We're going to review all our options," she said then. On Thursday, councillors Tom Gill and Barinder Rasode, both members of Watts' Surrey First slate, issued a press release stating the float at issue was given the go-ahead by Surrey RCMP and a committee made up of city staff. "There was probably some misinformation earlier on Saturday in regards to that float, but that would have been cleared up the same day," Rasode said. "When our police chief says there's nothing wrong with that float, that's the only thing I'm going to base my judgment on." Gill agreed. "I spoke to (Chief Superintendent) Fraser MacRae on Monday, He indicated they inspected that float and it was approved. He confirmed for me he doesn't believe any photos were added to the float." If the float was given the OK by the police, Gill was asked, why would the mayor think the organizers had gone back on their word? Perhaps, he said, she was misinformed and acted on erroneous information. Watts could not be reached for comment about the statements of Gill and Rasode, but did comment a day earlier on Dasmesh Darbar's assertion all the floats were given official approval. "I don't think we need to get down in the muck and mire of who authorized a float," she said. "When I have the premier and other political leaders saying they're not coming to our parade, that's my concern." The temple committee did ultimately issue a press release apologizing for Bains' comments, but also alleging his statements were "misconstrued" and were not intended as threats. Watts, city officials and temple representatives met Wednesday to discuss Saturday's event. According to Watts, there was no discussion of who might organize future Vaisakhi celebrations during that meeting. Source: Ted Colley, Surrey now - Original News Link

=Amritsar, Punjab: Justice Rajive Bhalla of the High Court has asked the Amritsar Municipal Corporation to consider the possibility of declaring the area around Harmandar Sahib and Jallianwala Bagh as a vehicle free zone. The directions were issued when during the proceedings of a contempt petition, petitioner and advocate Ajay Singh stated that vehicles should not be allowed to ply in the walled city, particularly in the area surrounding these significant landmarks, which were situated in crowded localities. Justice Bhalla issued directions for impleading the Amritsar MC Commissioner as a party and directed to explore the feasibility of allowing only rickshaws and residents of the area could be granted vehicle permits. Ajay Singh also pointed out that accidents on the Kurali Kharar S.A.S. Nagar road had caused four deaths during the past week but the police were conspicuous by their absence on these roads. IG R.P. Singh submitted an affidavit that 65 patrol vehicles, 26 cranes and recovery vans and 18 ambulances had been deployed on state and national highways in the state. Justice Bhalla has directed Punjab Police to file a detailed affidavit giving details about location of these vehicles and whether ambulances were manned by doctors or paramedics.

Ipoh, Malaysia: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday announced a RM4 million allocation for the Sikh community in Malaysia. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 1 Malaysia Vaisakhi celebration open house at the grounds of the Indera Mulia Stadium, here, last night. The prime minister said RM2 million was for upgrading and maintaining the Sikh community’s 118 houses of worship, or Gurdwara, RM1 million for teaching of the Sikh language to the young and RM1 million for Siklh cultural programmes. “In 2008, (then prime minister) Tun Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) approved a RM2 million allocation for Sikh non-governmental organisations to hold Sikh language classes... tonight I continue the agenda,” he said to a multiracial crowd of over 30,000 at the celebration. He said the Sikh community’s contribution to the nation since before Independence was big although it was a small minority group. “The sacrifices of Siklh soldiers during World War II and then in fighting communist insurgency in the country will always be etched in gold in the nation’s history,” he said. The prime minister also described the holding of the Vaisakhi open house under the 1 Malaysia concept for the first time as very successful because over 30,000 people attended the celebration, more than the 20,000 expected by the organisers. He congratulated the Perak government and the Association of Sikh Organisations in Perak as the organisers of the event. The crowd was served Punjabi delicacies among the delicious spread and entertained by cultural performances. The Sikh community celebrated Vaisakhi on April 13 to commemorate the birth of the Khalsa and it is the most important day for the community. Also present at the Vaisakhi open house were the prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

So there we have it, irrefutable proof of Ujjal Dosanjh celebrating the bombing of parliament and killing of a police officer. Given his hysterical stance, will this utter hypocrisy be the end of his credibility and political career? Quote News Link The conference was held from June 12 to 14 at Vancouver, Delta and Surrey in 2004. Mr Ujjal Dosanj, Ex-Prime Minister of British Columbia, presided over the conference held in Surrey. In Picture, Mr Ujjal Dosanj, former Prime Minister, British Columbia, (third from right) released posters of Bhagat Singh, .... at the language conference held at Surrey, Canada. Here is Dave Hayer’s hypocrisy about his hysteria. He sees that youth will be inspired by this person that bombed parliament and killed a police officer. 'Game over' political career? News Link Quote #7. Government statement on Birth Centenary of Bhagat SinghDave S. Hayer, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism and Immigration and MLA for Surrey-Tynehead, on behalf of the provincial government of British Columbia, made the following statement in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Shaheed Bhagat Singh this week: Bhagat Singh grew up in a patriotic atmosphere at a time when the struggle for India's freedom was all around him. From a young age he wondered why so many Indians could not achieve freedom from foreign occupation, and dreamed of a free India. That dream led him to create a revolutionary movement destined to not only to make India an independent nation, but also to conceive a country free of discrimination and oppression. Since then, it is amazing at how far India has come in its 60 years of independence, and I can only imagine the thoughts of Bhagat Singh if he lived today, to see what his martyrdom began in 1931. Bhagat Singh gave his life for the ideal of a free and better India, and that India he fought for is now flourishing. That success is a tribute to those responsible for pursuing an independent India, and I know that the contribution of Bhagat Singh will be remembered and will be for many, many years to come. The stories of his courage and patriotism were an inspiration for many young Indians at that time who wanted to see India independent. Even today Shaheed Bhagat Singh's memory continues to inspire our youth and many poems and songs have been written about his courage and undying patriotism. The South Asian community is an important part of the multicultural fabric of the province of British Columbia. We salute your contribution to this province and we are proud to celebrate this great time with the community. Please accept our best wishes as we all come together to honour the memory of a legendary hero of India. Kulraj Gill

UK: Three men armed with a gun have stolen thousands of pounds from a Sikh Temple in Glasgow. Police say the men entered the place of worship in St Andrews Drive, Pollokshields at 11.15am on Sunday as worshippers were preparing for services. The trio then fled on the direction of Shields Road and Maxwell Drive. Police say the suspects did not fire the gun and that nobody at the temple was injured. Two of the suspects have been described as black males in their mid 20s. They were both around six feet tall and slim. The first had short dark hair and was wearing dark trousers, a dark coloured thigh length jacket and a black baseball cap. The second black man was wearing a black and white head bandana and a dark coloured waist length jacket. The third suspect is an Asian male in his early 20s. he was between five feet three inches and five feet five inches in height and was described as stocky. He was wearing black trousers and a grey hooded top with a skull and crossbones design on the back. Detective Sergeant Jim Leckie of Gorbals CID said: "Worshippers were preparing the temple for the day's services at the time of the incident and were left shaken by events. "I would appeal to anyone who was in the St Andrews Drive area and witnessed anything suspicious, or anyone with any information that may assist police enquiries to contact Gorbals Police Office on 532 5400. "Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained. http://news.stv.tv/s...gow-sikh-temple

Amritsar, Punjab: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar on Sunday said legal action will be taken against Harwinder Singh Alwar and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna. Speaking to mediapersons after presiding over the SGPC executive committee meeting, Makkar said Alwar had given a wrong reference of a book published by SGPC during a function at Bangla Sahib, New Delhi. He said Alwar's remarks were against Gurus and he had also presented Sikh history in a wrong way. Makkar said though the book was published by SGPC, but it was banned later.

Delhi, India: Jappan Singh Sethi lives in New Delhi, and has previously made seven short films under the banner "Kirpa productions". The making of the film, “MEERI - PEERI", has been a personal journey for Jappan Singh who lives Delhi. The film was personal as he wanted to understand the contribution of Sikhism to the world. this was after the loss of his friend and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008. He states, " I lost my friend in an accident, and then the September Delhi blast was not tolerable for me, i just couldn't tolerate it, as i could see my friend in everyone who was dying and myself in every relative of the dying person, and then the Mumbai attack came into existence". Since the terrorist attacks of 911, the word terrorism has dominated TV and affected Governmental policies throughout the world. Jappan continues,” Then i decided to make film on anti terrorism, I wanted to know from where did this terrorism thing started...I researched about every date, every attack and every motive behind the terrorist activities happened in the past. He continues he found that terrorism had a long history and the Sikhs had been affected as much as any other community," I realised that terrorism is not only the modern one, what was that which happened years ago...So i decided to do more research on this topic and i wanted the audience not too look back and feel sorry about what happened but to come up with a solution against terrorism. This he says he found in the making of his film, " i couldn’t find a better solution then a saint soldier i.e. meeri-peeri". On Jappan Singh's blog he states the following" Temporal power is the political power and in case of meeri it does not mean that you only have the power but also means that you deserve it, that you have earned it because you are that responsible to take good care of the people around you. Whereas Peeri means spiritual power i.e. you have the power to control your mind and you have earned it by worshipping, loving and remembering god. You have earned it by getting out of all negative emotions of life i.e. Jealousy, Anger, Lust, Greed, Arrogance etc... Guru Hargobind ji combined the two (meeri-peeri) and found the true human i.e. a saint soldier. In the film "Meeri-Peeri" we have tried to show that the solution to terrorism is "Meeri-Peeri"...One has to be a Saint and a Soldier if he wants to fight against terror...He needs a control over his mind('peeri') and a feeling of "protecting the innocent" ('meeri') then killing the enemy”. The film is presently being completed and a relesae date is pending. The producer has released a taster of what is to come. Visit www.meeripeerithefilm.blogspot.com for more information.

Chandigarh, Punjab: Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the pre arrest bail application of Joginder Singh editor in chief of Punjabi daily 'Rozana Spokesman' published from Delhi in a case of 'hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs'. Punjab police had registered case under section 295 A of Indian Panel code for “alleged malicious writings about Sikh Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib, and various institutions of the Sikhs”. The bench of justice Gurdev Singh on Tuesday after hearing arguments on the peition didnt grant any relief and asked the petitioner to go to the lower court for bail as petition cant be entertained directly. The prosecution told the court that Joginder Singh had failed to appear before the police on five opportunities given to him. He was summoned by Amritsar police for recording his statement. It all started on April 2, 2010, when SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar accompanied by couple of Sikh Organizations met the Punjab Chief Minister to demand action against the newspaper. Chief Minister had formed a three member committee to examine the editorial and it recommended the registration of case. The matter was subsequently referred to Amritsar police. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Amritsar police has dispatched police parties to arrest Joginder Singh who is reportedly hiding in Delhi. He fled away from his residence in Chandigarh immediately after registration of case.

Amritsar, Punjab: Activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) will hold a protest against Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and BJP president Nitin Gadkari during their proposed visit at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 14. Dr Manmohan Singh and Gadkari are expected to take part in the celebrations of the tercentenary of Sirhind Fateh Diwas at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. President of the SAD (A) Simranjit Singh Maan in a press note issued here on April 28 said his party decided to protest against Gadkari as he refused to hold the Congress responsible for the massacre of Sikhs during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in a statement. “We would protest against the Prime Minister as he was heading the Congress-led government, which was involved in the killing of Sikhs,” he added.The Akali leader said the party members would be holding black flags to protest.—

Patiala, Punjab: Former SGPC chief and chairman of District Planning Committee, Kapurthala, Bibi Jagir Kaur today came under fire with Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira accusing her of using beacon atop her SUV (worth Rs 25lakh). Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was here today, for attending the court hearing in the murder case of her daughter Harpreet Kaur, wherein she is the main accused, was infact spotted by media, plying in the vehicle having the beacon. Notably, according to a statement issued by the government on April 24, the state government had warned against the unauthorised use of beacons atop vehicles. In the statement, the list of dignitaries, entitled for use of beacons on their vehicles, was clearly mentioned and the chairman of the District Planning Committee didn’t figure in it. Bibi Jagir said, “Parkash Singh Badal has given permission to the chairman’s of the District Planning Committee to use the beacon atop their vehicles.” She further claimed even the chairman of District Planning Committees of other districts are also using red lights on their vehicles. “Also, Khaira has developed a habit to level allegations against me”, she said. SSP Ranbir Singh Khattra said he could comment on the issue only after checking the facts with the security in charge of Jagir Kaur. However, reiterating that Bibi Jagir Kaur is misusing the red light, Sukhpal Khaira alleged, “Bibi is habitual offender of violating the law of land. Misuse of red light is very minor offence for a person, who is facing charges of murdering her daughter.” Meanwhile, during the court hearing, the CBI counsel continued questioning Kamaljit Singh, the main complainant in the Harpreet Kaur murder case. Notably, recently, Kamaljit had turned hostile in the court.

Moga, Punjab: A debt-ridden septuagenarian farmer allegedly committed suicide by jumping before a goods train near railway station at Moga late last night. His body was recovered by the railway police this morning. Jagjit Singh, son of the deceased farmer identified as Saggar Singh, resident of Raunta village of Nihal Singh Wala subdivision, in a statement recorded before the railway police, alleged that his father had committed suicide after an arhtiya Jagat Singh tried to take possession of their agricultural land last morning. The upset old man left the house this morning, went to Moga, 40-km from his village, and committed suicide by jumping before a goods train, the son said. The body was later taken to the district hospital for a post-mortem examination. Jagjit further said his father had taken a loan of Rs 1.5 lakh from the arhtiya a few years back by signing on blank “pronote” paper. The arhtiya compounded the interest at a heavy rate, making the total to Rs 7 lakh, which his father could not repay, he said. Adding that his father had repaid some of the total amount but he did not know the exact figures, the son added in his statement. Reacting to his statement, head constable Karamjit Singh, in charge of the railway police post, conducted a preliminary inquiry into it and recommended the registration of a criminal case against the arhtiya to the railway police station at Faridkot. Later, in the evening, the railway police had registered a criminal case under Sections 306, 148 and 59 of the IPC at Faridkot against the arhtiya on charges of forcing the old farmer to suicide. However, no arrest has been made when the news report was filed. Every year before the harvest, small farmers of Punjab, who make up nearly 85 per cent of the state's farming community, borrow money at exorbitant interest rates to meet the production costs and family needs. During the time of harvest, these money lenders exert pressure on the debt-ridden farmers to either sell their produce to them or pay back the money with interest. The basic reason of this problem is the lack of access to credit, a facility practically denied by banks to farmers having no or less property. Therefore, farmers had to approach rural money lenders who charge exorbitant rates of interest ranging from 2.5 per cent to even 5 per cent per month. The situation has become so worse in the remote areas of Punjab that about 15 per cent of marginal and small farmers had left farming over the past few years. Jagjit said his father was not educated, so he could not calculate the amount of loan and once it reached Rs 7 lakh, he was publicly threatened by the money lender, forcing him to commit suicide.

Ferozepur, Punjab: Posters motivating people to join the Naxalite movement have appeared in and around Zira town. Businessmen of the area have also reportedly received anonymous letters, urging them to fund the movement. At the bottom of the letter is written “Lal Salam” One person has been rounded up in this connection and a case under Sections 121-A and 153-A of the IPC had been registered at the Zira police station. Posters carried the names of organisations, including the Nepali Ekjut Communist Party, Purva Bangladesh Sarvhara Kendri Committee, Purvi Bengal Di Communist party (MLM Lal Jhanda), Communist Party, Bhutan, CPI (MLM), CPI (ML) Naxalwari and CPI (Maowadi). The message on the posters urge people to unite to oppose the ‘Operation Green Hunt’ launched by the Centre against Maoists in various states; to oppose a war launched against the struggle of people and to spread Maoist movement in South Asia. Intelligence agencies, which had sounded a note of warning to the police a few months ago in connection with the spread of the movement in this area, said this kind of situation could had been avoided, had the police taken steps at that time. Earlier in November last, the police had arrested Harnek Singh of the district, as he was an active member of the Naxalite movement and a foreign-made .32-bore revolver was seized from his possession. The weapon was given to him reportedly by Naxalite leader Surjeet Singh Phool, an associate of Kobad Ghandy, a top Maoist leader, for carrying out criminal activities. The police said the person, who had been rounded up, was earning livelihood by transporting goods on a mule cart. He had brought these posters from Jalandhar where a convention of those outfits, which carried the agenda of Maoists, was held.

Do Sikh Canadians live in a land of double standards and unequal access to justice? The answer is a strongly debatable yes. While members of parliament issue condemnations, the media sensationalizes it reports and the RCMP investigates the community – all over immature facebook comments leveling threats against Ujjal Dosanjh from alleged Sikh users. It is fair to ask why the same is not being done in response similar comments calling for the targeted killings of anyone belonging to the Sikh Canadian community. For example, with a simple search on google we were able to find the following comments calling for the murder of Sikhs. Yet, the media, politicians and the RCMP remain silent. The inaction and ignorance is concerning and because the the media, authorities and government have failed to alert the community, we urge everyone to read the alarming comments below: Poster #1 calls for the RCMP to empty ammo supply on the Sikh community. With any luck, the sikhs will have one of their table vs. floor dog eatin scirmishes and the RCMP will show and clean out last years ammo supply on them. Hell, if a polish tourist with a stapler can send them into a kill frenzie, just think what a pack of crazed sikh terrorists armed with three foot swords will do…..oooowwww….I’m all giddy with goosebumps. Source Poster #2 calls for Canadians to hit Sikh riding motorcyles with their cars and ensure they die from the impact. First it was the ceremonial dagger and then the turban and now it’s the <banned word filter activated> burkas. When will these fuckers <banned word filter activated> off and die? SOOO tired of listening to them whining about how it’s THEIR religion. <banned word filter activated> RELIGION!!! Now the popes can be pedophiles because it’s THEIR RELIGION TO <banned word filter activated> LITTLE BOYS too? Quit using religion as a pathetic excuse to <banned word filter activated> with our laws and ways of life. If the cocksucking turban heads want to ride without a helmet, let them. Just hope that when you hit one of them, you hit ‘em HARD and kill them on the spot so our medical system doesn’t get all tied up with paying their medical expenses. Source Poster #3 calls for dressing Sikhs and Muslims in bear suits and gunning them down. Dress all the dirka dirka’s in bear suits and have a open season, and only to save the world from their repressive taliban like religion….sikhs too ! ! Source Poster #4 rates the the races and gives special mention to Sikhs. There are lots of postings going on about white being good, white being bad, asian being good, asian being bad. I will finally put that answer to rest, as the answer is clear and simple. We can split hairs and look at individual people being exceptional within any race. But the only way to answer this is by looking at the races overall. And there is a pecking order. Essentially it boils down to this (and I’m not dissecting between male/female arguement of white girls vs asian girls) 1.White 2.Asian 3.South American 4.East Indian/Pakistani, etc (though you could argue about Sikhs being lower than black) 5.Black 6.Native There you go…now you can all go home happy with the knowledge of where you stand. thank you. Source Poster #5 echoes the words of Ujjal Dosanjh and evaluates how civilized the Sikh community is. Go back to the cave where you come from. Civilization doesn’t need your type of trash. Source Poster #6 tells Sikhs to go “home” and states that their dead bodies are not welcome here. SO now given the actions of the Sick Sikhs on the weekend…………………. THEY can taking their <banned word filter activated> religion, parade and ignorance towards TRUE Canadians and take their smelly asses back to India and kill each other off over their we don’t need you smelly bodies buried in our part of the earth! Source Poster #7 calls for the killing of Sikhs. These bastards come to OUR country and want to change the laws to suit them,or they try to bring in their laws from their home country Now if WE say anything against their <banned word filter activated>,they call us racist.If we tried this in their country,we would be deported if we were lucky.It is time for us to stand up like the Prime Minister of Australia,and tell these bastards if you don`t like our laws,then go back to were you came from.This is our country not yours.Why should Candains adapt to their culture and believes.They should adapt to ours.If one of the ragheads want to ride a motorcycle without a helment,let him.But if he does,and gets hurt,he can`t use our medical system.He is on his own.I thought when these bastards leave their own country,and come to Canada or anyother place,they would want to start a new life.They left their country for a reason.We need a government that has the guts to stop this crap and the <banned word filter activated> that comes with it.If ANYONE of these people cause problems,deport them back instantly.No if or buts.Your gone.Especially if you talk or try to promote terroism. I think that the best think to do is just kill the shitskins. Source Source: Sikh Activist

On the day of Holi, 27 February 1926, while all of us were lost in fun and frolic, a terrible event had taken place in the populous province of Punjab, hearing about which your bones may chill and you may even tremble. In Lahore Central jail six patriots were hanged after trial in Babbar Akali conspiracy Case namely S. Kishan Singh Gargajj, S. Nand Singh, Babu Santa Singh, S. Karam Singh, S. Dharam Singh and S. Dalip Singh (Junior). The day the judgement was pronounced after 2 years of their trial, they all responded with heart rending shouts of victory. The background: The Sikh community had to wage a long sustained struggle for liberation of their shrines/Gurdwaras from the lecherous priests the Mahants, who were fully backed by the Government of the day. Events like Nankana Sahib massacre 1921, Guru ka Bag Episode 1922 and Jaito Morcha were the landmarks in this context. Since the Government was hand in glove with the Mahants, a radical section of the Akalis, who were agitating for the cause, broke off from the mainstream and took up arms against the foreign rulers to aim at nothing less than total independence. But look at their spirit of sacrificing shown by their pledge, "We shall sacrifice our families in the service of the nation. We pledge that we shall die fighting rather then falling into the hands of the police." Among the different episodes of their movement two deserve special mention, an encounter with police at village Babeli near Phagwara on 1 September 1923 in which four of these were surrounded by military and police while they were in the village. Villagers were warned that either the Babbar's should come out in the open; else the whole village shall be set on fire. Then the four of them, Sardar Karam Singh, Sardar Ude Singh, Sardar Mohinder Singh and Sardar Bishan Singh emerged while challenging the police and the military force. A pitched battle was fought, none of them ever thought of surrender and were martyred one after the other on the rivulet near the historic Gurdwara. Another remarkable feat of courage and sacrifice is the martyrdom of Dhanna Singh of Behbalpur in village Mannanhana near Phagwara, Kapurthala district. He was betrayed by his host, who, before calling in the police to arrest him had taken away his revolver. On the fateful night of 25-26 October 1923, a big police force overpowered Dharma Singh, while he was fast asleep. He was handcuffed and brought out of the house. Many constables and English officers surrounded him. He was taunted by the S.P., an English man, "Dhanna Singh, you had declared that I shall not fall into the hands of the police. What now?" Where upon Dharma Singh with a powerful <banned word filter activated> exploded the bomb tied around his waist, killing himself as also the policemen. For more than two years (1922-24), Babbars kept the entire administration paralyzed, to the extent that the police could not dare to move without military escort in the three districts of Doaba in Punjab namely Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala. (Jagmohan, Writings, pages 38-42) Source: This was Bhagat Singh's first article on the martyrs, published on 15 March 1926 under the pen name 'Ek Punjabi Yuvak' - A Punjabi youth. Taken from book; Bhagat Singh, The Eternal Rebel by Malwinderjit Singh Waraich

Ropar, Punjab: A foundation stone laid nine years ago at Heritage Hill near Ropar’s Sutlej bridge to mark the bicentenary celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh is now buried under heaps of garbage. Overgrown wild bushes have completely blanketed the plaque, while a flag of the Maharaja’s era restored on the top of hill remains out of reach of common man. As per historians, in 1831, Maharaja Ranjit Singh hoisted his Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag and mounted his guns on this hill, which is a Shivaliks foothill near Asron village, to demonstrate his will to protect the sovereignty of Punjab. Later, the Maharaja met Lord William Bentick, the then British Governor General of India, for the historic Punjab treaty at Ropar at Sutlej’s opposite bank. The Punjab Heritage Foundation and the Environment Society took up the cudgels to safeguard this heritage project and on October 19, 2001, Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa laid the foundation stone to set up a memorabilia marking Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rich legacy. Since then, the stone and the area around it lie uncared for by the roadside crowded with garbage. Not even a decent fencing has been erected to bar entry of animals or anti-social elements. The restored flag stands on top of the hill, albeit out of the reach of common man. As per project, the area was to be developed as a tourist site, but maintenance of its present structure is none’s task. “Apathetic attitude of government has ruined the place. It’s shameful that Punjab’s biggest ruler’s legacy is being spoilt in such a way,” observed area resident Bhupesh. Gurbax Singh Shergill, president of the Punjab Heritage Foundation, said after laying the foundation, the organisation fought case against Swaraj Mazda in the high court for five years trying to wrest back the historic land, which the Congress-led Punjab government had sold to Swaraj Mazda. “We managed in getting 9 acre of the hill declared as heritage site. It took over two years to get the area demarcated and notified. All these legalities delayed the project, which would have been commissioned by now,” he said. Shergill added that since the hill is steep, a road starting from the base of the hill till its peak cannot be constructed. The Punjab Tourism Development Board has now floated a plan to lift 150-ft area and a small road stretch would be constructed to scale further height. The board has adopted this heritage hill for eco-tourism in state. He added that soil department of state has already planned Rs 1.5 crore to check soil erosion in the area, especially at the time of monsoons. “At the site of restored flag, a gazebo has been constructed, while new tiles are being laid. We are planning Chief Minister’s visit to the place on June 28, the anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,” he added.

Bathinda, Punjab: It was a news item related to the high incidence of cancer in the Bathinda belt that prompted two British youths from London, Jacob Proud and Greg Hardes, to visit the area and make a documentary on the “Cancer Train”.</p> The Abohar-Jodhpur passenger train, popularly known as the “Cancer Train”, is a lifeline for cancer patients which ferries them from Punjab to Bikaner on subsidised tickets. Jacob, who is a graduate in film and video production, and Greg, a graduate in graphic designing, have been here for the past 10 days. During this period they did shooting/recording for more than 20 hours to make the documentary in some villages of Bathinda like Jajjal, Malkana and Deon. They also captured on film the “Cancer Train”, Bathinda and Bikaner railway stations and Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute, Bikaner (Rajasthan). The entire recording will now be edited to make a 10-minute documentary. The two documentary makers showed slides and parts of the unedited film at the local International Community College today. They said the total cost of making the documentary was about 8,000 pounds. The money had been given to them by their parents or friends. They said patients from Punjab went to the cancer hospital in Bikaner for treatment at subsidised rates.In Punjab cancer treatment was very expensive. They were also impressed by the doctors’ attitude and the well-organised system at the Bikaner hospital. They said they would send their work to documentary film festivals in the UK, the US and Australia, besides getting it screened in cinema houses in the UK. The documentary makers said pesticides were a major cause, among others, for the high incidence of cancer in the region. Dr Amanish Singh, Director, International Community College, said the documentary makers were helped by his college by way of logistic support and the transport facility, besides in interviews with patients. He said Mandeep Singh and Varun Duggal, members of his college staff, accompanied the documentary makers to help them meet people.

Sirhind/Rajpura, Punjab: Sirhind city is all set to celebrate the tercentenary anniversary of Fateh Diwas. The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and district administration is fully geared up to receive the Fateh March tomorrow at Shambhu barrier in Rajpura. The march started out from Nanded Sahib and would end at Sirhind on May 13, a day before the Fateh Diwas celebrations. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, besides SGPC officials and other leaders, would also be present at the Shambhu barrier to receive the march. The police has made stringent security arrangements and nearly 2,000 cops have been deployed in Fatehgarh Sahib to streamline traffic and for security purposes. A laser show near Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, religious sermons, community kitchen and culmination of the march will be part of the celebrations. Sirhind Fateh Diwas is being observed to commemorate victory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur over Sirhind where young sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh laid down their lives for Sikhism. Baba Banda Bahadur destroyed Sirhind city and hoisted the Sikh flag on May 13, 1710. Drinking water, night stay and toilet facilities for thousands of devotees have been ensured with the help of district administration. Welcome gates have been erected at various places in Fatehgarh Sahib to welcome the march. A specially designed waterproof tent, with seating capacity of around 22,000 people, has also been erected in the ground of Mata Gujri College at an expense of Rs 28 lakh. On May 14, CM Parkash Singh Badal would lay foundation stone of a museum in memory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur adjoining Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, where Baba Banda Singh Bahadur hoisted the flag of victory. Besides this, sports events have also be organised at Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College which would continue till May 14.

Amritsar, Punjab: Bunga Ramgarhia, the three-storeyed marvel of the Sikh school of architecture, standing tall in the vicinity of the Golden Temple, will, as a museum of Sikh history, showcase the important historical events that occurred between 1708 AD and 1800 AD, after completion of its renovation by the end of June. The conservation and restoration work of Bunga Ramgarhia has been allotted to experts and it is likely to be completed by the end of June. The bunga (mansion) was built by eminent Sikh warrior and Ramgarhia misl chief Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in 1794 to facilitate the stay of pilgrims on visiting the Golden Temple and to protect the complex from outsiders’ attacks. Since it has been decided by the SGPC that after its conservation, the bunga will be used as a museum to depict the eventful Sikh history till the coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the proposed museum will contain material related to the Sikh history from 1708 AD to 1800 AD, said the SGPC chief, Avtar Singh Makkar. The SGPC has decided to call expression of interest to utilise the services of renowned museum architects for designing the museum in the Ramgarhia Bunga. Among others, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu, SGPC Secretary Dalmegh Singh, member SGPC Kiranjot Kaur, representatives of Ramgarhia Sabha, officials of the SGPC and experts undertaking the job. A detailed review of the progress of work related to the conservation and restoration of the buildings in the Golden Temple Complex has also been undertaken. The SGPC has also decided that a scientific study of the decorative features, including old paintings in Gurdwara Baba Attal and the Golden Temple, should be conducted before undertaking a conservation programme of the old paintings.