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Jagraj Singh (Basic's of Sikhi) did a presentation on "Have We Been Mis-Sold Sikhi?" at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, Leicester recently. He absolutely smashed it. We all need to support this Singh. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534528933239063&set=a.434982493193708.106495.411441565547801&type=1&theater http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=534530523238904&set=a.434982493193708.106495.411441565547801&type=1&theater

FYI - This petition is not starting from the beginning, all previous related petitions such as the white house one can be referenced and the number of signatures obtained already will be included within this petition.

Their aim is to create a separate "Ravidassa" religion. Their slogan is "We are Not Sikh, we are Ravidassia" They have gone to every Ravidassia Gurdwara in the UK over the last couple of years and did a salesmanship job on why Sikhi is bad. They have been very effective as:- 1) Ravidassia finally got recognised as a religion in the 2011 census. 2) The new religion officially now has over 11,000 UK adherents. 3) In our local Ravidassi Gurdwara even the committee were heard arguing, 50% saying we are Ravidassia's, the others saying we are Sikhs. The main issue is that all their arguments are based on lies and manipulation. They are also very active in non Sikh local and national groups, and they defame Sikhs wherever and whenever possible. With the whole aim of making us look like extremists. So whats the solution:- 1) Do camps at Ravidassia Gurdwara's and spread the true message of Sikhi to any disillusioned Ravidassia youth. 2) Do more regular Sangat with the, 3) Build good relations with the committees etc

Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) has launched an international campaign to have United Nations investigate the killing of Sikhs in 1984 and declare it Genocide. Pls sign petition:- http://www.1984yesitsgenocide.org/join-the-fight

Whats the newly relaunched 'Khalsa Human Rights' wing of Sikh Federation UK's take on this? The case will be strongest if UK based 1984 Genocide victim witness testimony (who now have permanent residency status in UK) can be professionally documented and transcribed, to be used as evidence in a court of law when required. Are KHR planning to do this?

Step in that direction: http://www.1984yesitsgenocide.org/

SCUK have confirmed that they havestill received no response from Hugo Swire MP.

Did he issue an apology as requested by the SCUK?

This weekend.....

Promo Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-XUt_-Hz0

Talk by Harinder Singh - Promo Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj-XUt_-Hz0

1984 & YOU What can YOU as an individual do? The Sikh Research Institute in partnership with Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara (Leicester), present a lecture contextualising the genocidal campaign of June and November 1984 within the progressive and defiant history of the Sikhs. Understand the key questions we need to ask as a community, and how we can respond individually and collectively. A Punjabi presentation will be followed by a questions and answers session in English. Presentation details:- Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, Leicester Sunday 21 th October 12-1:30pm 1984 & YOU.pdf

International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) - http://www.genocidescholars.org/ SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS IAGS Siena, 2013 The Aftermath of Genocide: Victims and Perpetrators, Representations and Interpretations The way societies deal with the violence and massacres of the recent past is one of the aspects of genocide studies that needs to be interpreted, deepened and fully analyzed. Representations and interpretations shape the way societies perceive their past, which impacts on their attitudes and behaviors. In an age where the role of communication is increasing, representations (narratives, images, arts, especially spread by popular culture) often constitute the standard way of becoming aware of the past, especially for new generations. We need to understand the meaning of the atrocities that genocides produce not only during the events but also after the genocide (revenge, hatred, fear, mutual stereotypes, denial, desensitization, generalized mistrust or suspicion, among other effects). We need to deal not only with the intentionality of group destruction, but also with the different consequences of the destruction in its aftermath. Do we need to invest in the knowledge (and representation) of the cruel acts or do we risk voyeurism and masochism? For scholars, it is crucial to understand an important genocidal moment in history, but how are these events represented and popularized? The memory of the cruelty is one of horror for the victims, but of what power do the representations instill for the perpetrators? How are the issues of revenge, hatred and denial represented in popular culture and in "official" narratives such as museums? How do the representations coincide with the narratives of the victims? The IAGS, the University of Sienaand the Kingston University welcome papers and sessions on all aspects of genocide, particularly those devoted to our conference theme, "The Aftermath of Genocide. Victims and Perpetrators, Representations and Interpretations". Innovative panels, workshops, and papers that consider the dynamics, causes, and consequences of genocide, issues of memory, interpretation and representation, and analysis of victims and perpetrators are welcomed. Besides panels and papers, the organizers encourage other modes of dialogue, including workshops, roundtable discussions, cultural media, and artistic works/readings, including forums that relate to policy initiatives, pedagogy, and education. Scholars, practitioners, activists and students interested in genocide studies from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Papers will be accepted in English and should be sent as an attachment to the following email address; iags2013siena@gmail.com Once the proposals are accepted by the selection committee, participants are required to register on-line at: www.genocidescholars.org where IAGS and conference material will be found. All participants should be IAGS members. Abstracts should include full name, affiliation, a brief CV, e-mail address, and be no more than 250 words, using single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font. They can be send from now until February 3rd, 2013 to iags2013siena@gmail.com Any questions may be directed to the conference organizers, Marcello Flores, Daniel Feierstein and Donna Lee Frieze at: iags2013siena@gmail.com

A big thank you to the Leicester Council of Faiths, in particular the organisers - Chair Cllr Manjual Sood and Secretary Cllr Inderjit Gugnani for organising this event. Sunday 12th August 2012, 7.00pm @ Town Hall Square.

Statement from Amnesty International & LSA: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/leicester/visit-amitabh-bachan

Leicestershire Sikh Alliance have ensured that the Amitabh Bachan issue made it onto Amnesty International website: Amnesty: http://www2.amnesty.org.uk/groups/leicester/visit-amitabh-bachan#.T9mSFjr-OdA.facebook LSA: http://www.facebook.com/LeicestershireSikhAlliance

The Leicestershire Sikh Alliance along with their partners at Amnesty International have issued a joint open letter to Keith Vaz in regards to the inappropriateness of Amitabh Bachan's appearance at Keith's 25 years in Parliament bash this Saturday. Letters have also been sent to all Leicestershire MP's and media. Please keep up to date on the whole situation via the LSA FB page:- http://www.facebook....ireSikhAlliance Joint statement can be downloaded from: http://www.sikhsangat.com/Index.php?/topic/67158-amitabh-bachan-issue-amnesty-international-leicestershire-sikh-alliance-issue-open-letter-to-keith-vaz/

The Leicestershire Sikh Alliance along with their partners at Amnesty International have issued an open letter to Keith Vaz in regards to the inappropriateness of Amitabh Bachan's appearance at Keith's 25 years in Parliament bash this Saturday. Letters have also been sent to all Leicestershire MP's and media. Please keep up to date on the whole situation via the LSA FB page:- http://www.facebook.com/LeicestershireSikhAlliance Open Letter to Keith Vaz From Amnesty & LSA v3.pdf

This is an amzing opportunity to raise the profile and much more awareness of this issue within the media, at the very least the local Leicester media. Lets not get bogged down with Amitabh Bachan, but try and use this opportunity to educate, educate, educate. But lets not fall into the trap of holding a protest which starts peaceful but turns aggressive in anyway, as thats all Keith Vaz will need to turn the situation against the Sikh community within the local media. Lets ensure that the protest is more like a vigil (lots of candals) and lets do naam japna like in the Dudley protest. We are currently working on getting Amnesty International down to the event, they wont come if there is even a hint that it may turn into an aggressive protest. Getting them down will improve the chances of it hitting the mainstream media. Letters will also be written to all the MPs within Leicestershire and other faith leaders and bodies, again lets educate. We are currently working with the local newspaper and news channels to get them down at the protest, therefore we need to ensure that we properly media manage the protest on the day. It needs to come across more as an awareness campaign more then a protest, best way to generate greater sympathy. Play the victims on the day and not the aggressors.

It's an awesome achievement if we get over 100,000 signatures. But I have just confirmed with Parliamentary staff that the rules have been amended, getting over 100,000 signatures no longer guarantees a debate in Parliament.

Bump http://www.facebook.com/LeicestershireSikhAlliance

Please call and reserve your seat on one of the free coaches going from the following Leicester Gurdwara's:- 1) Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara (GTB) Address: 106 East Park Road, Leicester LE5 4QB Tel: 0116 2762453 12 coaches going 2) Guru Nanak Gurdwara (GNG) Address:9, Holy Bones, LEICESTER, LE1 4LJ Tel: 07960 349641 3 coaches going 3) Guru Harkrishan Gurdwara (Oadby) Address: 48 Kenilworth Drive, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5LG. Tel: 07877 315993 3 coaches going

Jazmine Kaur Mann (UK Youth Parliament MP for Leicester) got elected with 57% of the vote, the other 43% was shared by the other 4 candidates. Vaheguru! Jon Ashworth (Leicester South MP) was at Gurdwara Gur Panth Prakash today with Jazmine. Many issues were discussed inluding, the death penalty, Amnesty Internationals Arms Trade Treaty initiative, Sikh human rights in India, the 1984 Sikh Genocide and student work experience issues. Plz see the following for more details: http://www.facebook.com/LeicestershireSikhAlliance

*** Jazmine elected to Youth Parliament - Fateh! (Victory) *** Congratulations to Jazmine kaur Mann, who has become the first Sikh representative to be elected into the UK Youth Parliament. Jazmine won with a landslide majority (count to follow) and she would like to thank all the Sikh religious institutions and individuals who voted for her and facilitated with her campaign. It just goes to show, that when the community comes together anything is possible. P.S. Jazmine is only 14! The LSA will be liaising with Jazmine to work on Sikh community initiatives. Progress to follow.

RebelSingh, the plan is to ensure that she works on Panthic issues. She has become a member of the LSA (http://www.facebook.com/LeicestershireSikhAlliance) which is a step in the right direction, but whether she actually delivers or not is another matter. Either way we'll keep the sangat posted.