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Liberal Democrat British MP assures support for Professor Bhullar at International level Amritsar (October 02, 2011): Simon Hughes, Member of Parliament for Bermondsey & Old Southwark and Deputy leader of Liberal Democratic Party today lent his support to Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar by declaring to raise the issue of death penalty awarded to Prof. Bhullar with international human rights forums, including United Nations Human Rights Commission and International Commission of Jurists. Simon Hughes was accompanied from Britain by Dr. Julie Smith, Chair, Liberal International British Group. He paid a visit to Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar commonly called by the westerns as the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Simon described the visit to the holy shrine of Sikhs, as most sacred moments of his life. He was in Punjab for the first time. Later in the evening Simon started his press conference at Itsa Hotel by reciting “Mool-Mantar” from English version of Japuji Sahib, the Sikh morning prayer. He expressed a sincere wish to read the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scripture, to experience the eternal spirituality. Taking up Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar's case, he said that he was aware that this case had been heard by the highest judicial tribunal of India and the review petition had been rejected by President of India. He said that a serious concern for this case has already been raised by various leaders, governments and international organizations. Referring to Amnesty International's findings, he said there is scope of more deliberation in this case. It is notable that in one of its' documents, Amnesty International has concluded that Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar was denied fair trial. “As the Professor is facing immediate threat of execution, this issue requires urgent action and I would be taking up the issue at the earliest possible, and surely within this week, with UN Human Rights Commission and International Commission of Jurists” he added. “Moreover” he added “I would do may best to convince the UK government to take up this matter with the Government of India at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held at Perth (Australia) from 28 to 30 October, 2011”. Taking up the issue of Sikh identity and freedom of faith and religion in India, Simon Hughes said that “I was surprised to know that after independence of India, when the Indian constitution was framed some of the faiths and religions were not recognised, and Sikh religion is one of them”. He said that Sikhs are recognised as a distinct and respectable religion and faith in England. Making a statement, showing his deep concern about human rights and other rights violations in India, Simon Hughes said that - I would formally request the UN Human Rights Commission and International Commission of Jurists to conduct in depth inquiry on allegations of rights violations that have taken place in India, in Punjab, against the Sikhs, and against in Kashmir, against Kashmiris. He renewed his commitment to secure worldwide respect to 5Ks, the five article of Sikh faith including Kirpan and turban. While answering to the questions raised by the journalist, Simon Hughes, informed that he had no plans to meet Indian authorities. “I was invited by Tibitian Government in Exile and I have no plans to meet Government authorities here. I would be visiting Dharamshala to meet Dalai Lama and will also go to Kashmir” he added. Julie Smith, in her brief statement said that British Liberal Group is very much concerned about “responsibility to protect”, therefore human rights violations are particular cause of concerns for them. She added that the issue of violations of rights of Sikhs in India would be taken up with Committee of Asian Liberals and Democrats, to find out political ways to secure justice for previous violations and protection of rights in future. MP Simon Hughes is considered to be a close friend of Sikhs in England. He remains in constant touch with various Sikh leaders and activists and is briefed, from time to time, by the representatives of Sikh Federation UK on Sikh issue. Today, he held a detailed meeting with representatives of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) and Sikh Students Federation in Amritsar and discussed various issues surrounding Sikhs in Punjab. During the press conference he was accompanied by Bhai Mandhir Singh of Youth Dal Panch Pardhani and Bhai Parmjeet Singh Gazi, National President of Sikh Students Federation. Sangat TV, a UK based Sikh TV Channel also covered the press conference, and their trustee Bhai Randhir Singh was personally present at the press conference.

************************************************************************ SIKH FEDERATION UPDATE **************************************************************************** When Simon Hughes MP spoke at the Freedom Rally in Trafalgar Square on 5 June. He promised the Sikh Federation (UK) he would visit Amritsar, listen to Sikh demands and then raise these legitimate demands with the Indian Government when he visits Delhi. Simon Hughes is currently in Amritsar, when he visits Delhi later in the week he is expected to raise the issue of Dr Manmohan Singh government’s failure to protect the Sikh identity in Europe e.g. Sikh turban in France or at airports across Europe by refusing to use India’s economic strength to influence foreign governments. The issues he raises during his visit are expected to make a significant Impact as the Liberal Democrats are part of the Coalition government in the UK and Nick Clegg their Leader is the Deputy Prime Minister

Good work Sikh Federation UK.

Related news links:- http://www.sikhsangat.org/2011/10/british-mp-to-take-up-bhullar-issue-with-un-panel/ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/British-MP-to-move-UN-body-for-Bhullar/articleshow/10213973.cms http://zeenews.india.com/news/punjab/british-lawmaker-to-seek-clemency-for-bullar_734694.html http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Briefly-Region--British-MP-advocates-clemency-for-Bhullar/854706/

The Federation met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Knigdom Nick Clegg (pic below) and Simon Hughes a few months ago and they agreed the time had come for government to take a stand with the Sikhs against the corrupt Government of India . The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes MP also attended the June 1984 rally in London.

UK political leader visits Amritsar to pay his respects and then to raise Sikh demands with Indian Government Simon Hughes MP, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and someone very close to the Sikh community is today (Sunday 2 October) to pay his respects when he visits the Harmandir Sahib Complex. The visit has been organised by the Sikh Federation (UK) who have arranged for Simon Hughes MP to meet with Sikh youth leaders and discuss five specific issues where he has been briefed: I. Justice for the June and November 1984 massacres and subsequent human rights violations – prosecution of individuals directly involved in genocide, torture, fake encounters, disappearances and other crimes against humanity. II. Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar’s case and the continued detention of Sikh political prisoners. III. Support for a change to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution and laws, such as the Hindu Marriage Act 1955, so the Sikh faith is properly recognised by the Constitution and Sikhs have their own laws. IV. Several recent cases (last few months) of the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy scriptures) that is causing considerable upset amongst Sikhs across the globe. Sikhs in Punjab are pushing for ‘murder’ charges for desecration as the Guru Granth Sahib is deemed a living Guru. V. Because of the continued injustices against Sikhs in the Indian sub-continent to support the Sikhs’ legitimate right to national self-determination. Simon Hughes when he spoke at the Freedom Rally in Trafalgar Square on 5 June promised the Sikh Federation (UK) he would visit Amritsar, listen to Sikh demands and then raise these legitimate demands with the Indian Government when he visits Delhi. When he visits Delhi later in the week he is also expected to raise the issue of Dr Manmohan Singh government’s failure to protect the Sikh identity in Europe e.g. Sikh turban in France or at airports across Europe by refusing to use India’s economic strength to influence foreign governments. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said: ‘The issues he raises during his visit are expected to make a significant Impact as the Liberal Democrats are part of the Coalition government in the UK and Nick Clegg their Leader is the Deputy Prime Minister. We met Nick Clegg and Simon Hughes a few months ago and they agreed the time had come for governments to take a stand with the Sikhs against the Indian Government.’

He is very active and very good.

This issue was bought to light by the Sikh Federation. A few singhs from the East Midlands then approched our MP. All other threads prefaced with "Sikh Federation", are where the Federation has taken the lead on issues (liaised with various different groups also). The achievements can be found in the "Sikh Federation (UK) Annual Report 2010-2011"

In regards to the dastaar issue, the good news is that 17 out of the 20 largest UK airports are currently trialling a new swabbing technique (during security checks), which no longer requires physical touching or removal of the turban by the security staff. East Midlands Airport are also trialling the swabbing technique. However, unlike many other prominent airports who are trialling it for employees as well as passengers, East Midlands are only trialling it for passengers. There are about 6 turban wearing employees who currently work at the East Midlands Airport. Like all employees, when they come into work they have to go through the mandatory security checks. However, all turban wearing employees are also taken to a private room, where they have to remove their turbans and are subjected to advanced screening. This daily ordeal is a humiliating and quite offensive experience for any Sikh to go through. 26th Sept - Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth has been liasied with and has a meeting with the East Midlands Airport executives to discuss the issue in hand.

Amazing work,,,

This issue is about the kakkar's, not whom the chap supports....

Nice vid....

Very good points....

SinghWarrior and Punjab5 - Your comments are bang on. We have a TV channel (Sikh Channel) writing to the Italian embassy about a demo. I mean how many tv channels organise demos? This completely undermined all the work that the SCUK were doing wih the Italians as they now dont know which body actually represents the Sikhs.

It'll be unfortunate if the Indian government get any credit for this, as we all know they have'nt supported Sikhs in any way shape or form on the dastaar issue.

Press Release Sikh Council Meeting with Italian Embassy 23 Sep2011.pdf

Sikh Federation strikes again!! Congratulations! I know that the amount of work that has gone into this has been absolutely huge. I'm grateful to the unpaid, unexpensed sevadaars who pay thousands every year out of their own pockets for the privelage to serve the panth. The panth is eternally grateful, even if others may take all the credit.

Some jathebandhis do so much good work, yet fail to communicate it out to the main sangat. They definately need to raise their profiles and improve their communication wings. The Sikh Channel show was an absolute joke, disgraceful, all staged. If some jathbandis do not turn up for a particular event, so what. They have attended and hosted many other events that the slander-ers didnt turn up to. The Bal guy in Sikh Channel really worries me. Even though Sikh Channel is a registered charity now, he still makes all the main decisions. He's from a business backgorund and primarily cares about money. He can definately be bought and gotten to by the Indian agencies.

The dastaar issue is close to resolution within the UK. There is currently a trial going on at 17 UK airports. My MP, Jon Ashworth MP is actually visiting East Midlands airport next week to see how things are going. After the trial, the newly tested policies will be adopted within the UK. So yes, this is a giant leap, and the issue is close to resolution. Good work Sikh Council!

http://thelangarhall.com/punjab/2011-sgpc-election-misresults/ The results are in and much to no one’s surprise – Badal and his cronies won. If you ran against the don, he sent his goons. If your supporters were going to come out and vote, they captured the booth and made sure your supporters were turned away. If they thought it was going to be close – they stuffed ballots and created “Sikhs” ( Sikh – or at least one that was eligible to vote). If they thought you even had a chance to win, they shot off a couple of rounds in the air and had the balloting canceled and postponed. The worst part was this happened in full view of the media and in front of the world. Are we that apathetic? This is how the Panth’s resources are kept safe to line Badal and his cronies’ pockets. Only the Government of India (GOI) can call for the elections and only the GOI’s police can make sure they are “secure” and “safe” (for Badal to win). This is how we are kept enslaved.

There are no splits in the Panth, just a healthy debate going on...... So many people with so many views who don’t actually do jack shizzle themselves on here! If you think that there are weaknesses in the SFUK or SCUK (ie sangat communication) then contact them, join them and fill that gap. The doors are wide open! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, below is what the so called incompetent, power hungry elders have achieved in the last 6 months alone. Think you can do better! March 22nd 2011 - Lobby in the British parliament in regards to Respect for the Sikh Turban at UK airports (and across Europe). April 26th 2011 – 30 minute adjournment debate took place in Westminster. Dozens of MP’s attended the Respect For Sikh Turban debate and 15 managed to make a contribution in the 30 minute session. 1st June 2011 – Minister of transport Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP sent a 3 page letter to the ministers in the other 26 EU states. In the letter the Minister stated: ‘On 30 November 2010 the UK secured EU agreement for a trial that avoids physical touching of the turban by hand….” 15th June 2011 – All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs (APPGS) meets the Transport Minister Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers. The Minister has confirmed that the trial will be taking place in 17 out of the 20 largest UK airports. Fabian Hamilton MP who is the chair of APPGS will be speaking to the executives within the remaining 3 airports for a justification as to why they wont be entering the trial. 12th July 2011 – Sikh representatives meet the Transport Mnister – Sikhs want the UK trials concluded as soon as possible and the results shared with the European Commission to allow other EU member states to adopt the same procedures as soon as possible. The Minister discussed how pressure could be exerted on EU states. 18th September 2011 – Fabian Hamilton the chair of the APPGS has confirmed that a delegation of MP’s including himself and Sikh representatives will be travelling to Brussels to meet the EU Commissioner. Representatives from Italy and Greece will also be attending the meeting as there are specific problems in these countries.

This whole dastaar day in the UK is a complete red herring and a waste of time. The fact is that the UK government have been bending over backwards to help the Sikh community in regards to the 'Respect For The Sikh Turban at UK Airports' issue. And for all their hard work the thanks we give them is a large awareness day outside Parliament, when one isnt even needed! They are already aware! This makes our community look like a joke. However, Europe is another matter, in order to have the UK Sikh airport policies implemented in Europe, it is very worth while having these awareness get togethers there. In the last 6 months the Sikh federation and Sikh Council have achieved the following in regards to the Respect For Sikh Turbans in Airports issue:- March 22nd 2011 - Lobby in the British parliament in regards to Respect for the Sikh Turban at UK airports (and across Europe). April 26th 2011 – 30 minute adjournment debate took place in Westminster. Dozens of MP’s attended the Respect For Sikh Turban debate and 15 managed to make a contribution in the 30 minute session. 1st June 2011 – Minister of transport Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP sent a 3 page letter to the ministers in the other 26 EU states. In the letter the Minister stated: ‘On 30 November 2010 the UK secured EU agreement for a trial that avoids physical touching of the turban by hand….” 15th June 2011 – All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs (APPGS) meets the Transport Minister Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers. The Minister has confirmed that the trial will be taking place in 17 out of the 20 largest UK airports. Fabian Hamilton MP who is the chair of APPGS will be speaking to the executives within the remaining 3 airports for a justification as to why they wont be entering the trial. 12th July 2011 – Sikh representatives meet the Transport Mnister – Sikhs want the UK trials concluded as soon as possible and the results shared with the European Commission to allow other EU member states to adopt the same procedures as soon as possible. The Minister discussed how pressure could be exerted on EU states. 18th September 2011 – Fabian Hamilton the chair of the APPGS has confirmed that a delegation of MP’s including himself and Sikh representatives will be travelling to Brussels to meet the EU Commissioner. Representatives from Italy and Greece will also be attending the meeting as there are specific problems in these countries.

Please work strategically on this. Any petition needs to be coordinated through the correct channels i.e. in the US via SALDEF, Sikhs For Justice or United Sikhs, in the UK via the Sikh Council or Sikh Federation. That way we can highlight an issue which is already be tackled (i.e. Sikhs For Justice are working on 1984 stuff) and alo utilise their distribution lists. Dont be afraid to email them. Put any reponses from them back on this thread.

3 Sikhs were killed in police custody and were tortured on the orders of and in the presence of then SSP Sumedh Saini:- 1) Balwant Singh Bhullar (father of professor Bhullar) 2) Manjit Singh Sohi (uncle of Professor Bhullar) 3) Balwant Singh Multani (close friend of Professor Bhullar) 7th Sept 2011 – At the eleventh hour Sikh Federation launched a 24hr letter writing campaign to put pressure on the Chief Justice of India to allow the CBI to start another investigation into the killings. 9th Sept 2011 – A hearing took place, before which the federation managed to get many organisations including the Sikh Council and many Gurdwaras to write to S H Kapadia, the Chief Justice of India.

28th Sept 2010 – Federation organised a protest with less than 24 hours notice to coincide with the visit of Indian Minister Kamal Nath (invloved in 1984 Sikh Genocide) to London. The protest involved around 150 Sikhs outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St.James, the venue for a round table session on highway infrastructure. The organisers of the event advised Minister kamal Nath not to turn up at the Venue. They tried to rearrange the session for later in the afternoon at the Dorchester Hotel in Park Lane. Sikhs learnt of the rearranged venue and also disrupted the event at the Dorchester. Security staff at the hotels showed much sympathy for the Sikhs when they realised what the demo was about.