Singh, Mahan

What a mockery of justice !!!!!! One of the officers who was quietly given pardon by the Governor of Punjab, a few weeks ago is the same DSP who murdered Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra. --------------- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051120/punjab1.htm#1 . In another case, Governor had pardoned DSP who killed Khalra Maneesh Chhibber Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 19 It took the courts over 10 years to convict the six accused police personnel guilty of kidnapping and liquidating human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in 1995. The human rights activist, who was secretary-general of the human rights wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal, was picked up on September 6, 1995 and his body was not found. The case, which went on for years at a court in Patiala, finally saw Punjab police Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaspal Singh, and a serving inspector being handed out life imprisonment in the case. Four other cops were awarded seven years' rigorous imprisonment. But, the smiling pictures of DSP Jaspal Singh, which adorned the front pages of most newspapers, did not show an officer fearing for his future. If he appeared confident, he had a reason to be so. Just a few weeks back, the Punjab Governor, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), acting on a Punjab Government communiqué, had granted pardon to the same officer in another case in which he had been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Another DSP, who is now retired, was also pardoned in that case. The officers had been found guilty by a Patiala court of kidnapping and causing the death of Amrik Singh. A PIL challenging the pardon is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Ironically, less than a year before the officer and his colleagues kidnapped and eliminated Jaswant Singh Khalra, he had been awarded the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service. DSP Jaspal Singh is also an accused in another high-profile case. It relates to the torture and murder of Kuljeet Singh Dhatt, a sarpanch. Dhatt was the son-in-law of Ms Parkash Kaur, the sister of freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Dhatt's case was one of the first cases during terrorism in Punjab in which the Supreme Court had ordered an inquiry by a retired Sessions Judge. Noted human rights activist and Punjab and Haryana High Court lawyer Rajvinder Singh Bains, who is also counsel of Khalra's wife, says the previous pardon granted to Jaspal Singh was highly unusual. "We are not sure if he won't be let off again. Even earlier, the government must have known about his involvement in other cases. So, who decided to pardon him?" he wonders.

Even if the higher courts award death penalty, they will most likely be given a pardon by GOI. Just this year (2005) two Punjab Police officers who were convicted of extra judicial murder of two Sikhs and given lengthy sentences were quietly given pardon by the GOI appointed Governor of Punjab. (Committing a mockery of justice) . These murderers of Khalra have already been given President’s Medals. So the likelihood of their being pardoned is great. (Reference to their being given medals by the President of India can be found in the news item that appeared in The Tribune and pasted below) . --------------- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051119/main1.htm >>>> Incidentally, DSP Jaspal Singh and SHO Satnam Singh were awarded the President's Police Medal for fighting militancy in the state <<<< 6 convicted for killing rights activist Khalra Chander Parkash and Rubinder Gill Tribune News Service Patiala, November 18 dsp Jaspal Singh and ASI Amarjit Singh were sentenced to life imprisonment and four others awarded seven-year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 each in the Jaswant Singh Khalra disappearance case by the District and Additional Sessions Judge Bhupinder Singh here today. The accused had been booked by the CBI under Sections 302, 201, 364, 120-B and 34 for murder, destroying of evidence, kidnapping with intent to murder and conspiracy. Jaspal Singh and Amarjit Singh were found guilty for murder and destroying of evidence while SHO Satnam Singh, SHO Surinderpal Singh, SHO Jasbir Singh and Head Constable Prithipal Singh were found guilty of kidnapping with an intent to murder and hatching a conspiracy. They were awarded seven years imprisonment for kidnapping and five years for hatching a conspiracy. Both sentences will run simultaneously. All convicted are serving police officers except Surinderpal Singh, who has retired from the police. Incidentally, DSP Jaspal Singh and SHO Satnam Singh were awarded the President's Police Medal for fighting militancy in the state. Jaspal Singh is also embroiled in another murder case of Harbhajan Singh Dhatt, nephew of Bhagat Singh, and is currently out on bail. The clinching evidence in the case was provided by SPO Kuldip Singh, who was the gunman of SHO Satnam Singh at the time of Khalra's disappearance. He had once retracted his statement but later said it had been done under police pressure. Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of Jaswant Singh Khalra, said she would have preferred capital punishment to the guilty. Lawyers of both parties said they would appeal in the high court against the verdict. The CBI had initially presented the challan in the court against nine police personnel on October 30, 1996. Besides the six sentenced by the court, the challan included Tarn Taran SSP Ajit Singh Sandhu, DSP Ashok Kumar and Head Constable Rashpal Singh. Ajit Singh Sandhu had committed suicide by jumping in front of a running train in May, 1998 while Ashok Kumar died due to illness. Rashpal Singh was later discharged from the case. Satnam Singh was then SHO, Jhabal police station, Surinderpal Singh was serving as SHO, Sarhali, and Jasbir Singh was the SHO, Manochahal police station. Jaswant Singh Khalra, who was the general secretary of the Human Rights Organisation, had gone missing on September 6, 1995, from his residence at 8, Kabir Park, Amritsar, during Beant Singh's tenure. His wife moved the Supreme --------------------------

They do mind being called “converts”. In their opinion “conversion” is derogatory term. They believe that every one is born Sikh (a natural state of an human being.) but only the ones who “adopt” the Sikh way of life remain and become real Sikhs. (So there is no reason to call the process of becoming truly the real person as "conversion"). So they prefer to be called the people who have adapted Sikhi. It is not an instant process. They slowly become Sikh over time. In conversion people become converts instantly by some kind of ritual (forced or voluntary). If you talk to them they will always say that they adopted Sikhi and that they became Sikhs over a period of time. THEY HAVE ADOPTED SIKHI - not “converted” to Sikhism

Dear Atheist, Please answer some questions yourself before you ask people to answer yours. 1. Would you disclose your real identity? 2. What is purpose of your survey.? 3. Who is going to use the data so collected and for what purpose? 4. You claim yourself to be an atheist ( from your user name). So are you aware that this site about Sikhs? You being an atheist, do you know that there is a religion called Sikhi? 5. Do you know that Sikhism is one of the 5 largest religions? (What you have written so far does not seem to reflect that you have much knowledge of Sikhism read your question >>> “ What are your views on other Religious Icons, like Christ, The Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster ? “ <<< ---- You don’t even seem to know which “Icons” are related to Sikhism) . . So , please disclose your identity and state the purpose for which the survey is being conducted. . , Request to Mods and Admin. The survey, that this person is conducting does not seem to be so innocent. If this person does not disclose who he/she is and which organization he /she is conducting this poll for, I request that you remove all posts posted by this person. . .

I have posted two pieces (one news article and an other a post from another web- site). Both of the organisations are active in Andhara and Karnataka. Please bring it to the attention of Sangat in your Gurdwaras. Older (Sikh) sangat in Canada UK and USA has generously donated and still donate to Christian charities who in turn send money to India to convert these poor people to Christianity. Urge them to donate to any of the following. British Sikh Council, P.O.Box 621 Willenhall, West Midlands WV13 2YS (UK) Phone: 01902 608306 / 0781 575 0018 / 07968 128 166 . . Nihskam Sikh Organization Canada (Charity Number 863589651RR0001), through Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council Delhi (a charity established in 1985) Nishkam Sikh Welfare Organization Canada, 2025 Dundas Street East, Unit 10, Mississauga, L4X 1M2. Nishkam Canada can be contacted at nishkamcanada.org@nishkamcanada.org or at (416)-830-1313. . Donate online at http:// www.nishkamcanada.org via your credit card where a tax donation receipt will be e-mailed to you instantly. Articles 1. . British Sikh Councils Holds Large Conference Sunday 3rd July, 2005 Gurmukh Singh – Panthic Weekly Staff West Bromwich, UK (KP) - This Sunday the British Sikh Council held their annual large conference at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Edward Street, West Bromwich. The British Sikh Council, which was formed in recent years, spearheaded by Bhai Kulwant Singh Dhesi and Bhai Tarsem Singh from Coventry, has been actively involved in promoting Sikhi Parchaar and human welfare through schemes and projects. The conference held on Sunday 3rd July 2005 aimed to share information on the projects being organised with the wider Sikh Sangat. In brief the work which the British Sikh Council has been doing is: 1. On a large level providing information to the world regarding the abuse of human rights of the Sikh nation in Panjab and India. 2. The Sikhs who have been actively raising the profile of the Sikh Nation and people are being given recognition and rewards, as well as dealing with problems Sikhs face in a professional way. 3. In Panjab efforts are being made to go village to village to do Sikhi Parchaar. 4. In Maharashtra (India) the Siklighar/Vanjara project has been set up. This project has constructed 3 Gurdwaras, provides clean water services, the look after and care of children who live in poverty and in Madh Pardesh (India) a Sikhi Parchaar Centre is being constructed and opened, costing 10 Lakh Rupees. 5. Research has been carried out to compile and publish four books regarding the issues of Sikh Nation on an international level and Sikhi Parchaar. Advocate Amar Singh Chahal, President of Lawyers For Human Rights International, attended this annual conference from Panjab. If you would like to donate a contribution to the British Sikh Council, Sikhligar and Vanjara Sikh project you can send a cheque to the address below. If you require a receipt, please provide self addressed, stamped envelope. British Sikh Council, P.O.Box 621 Willenhall, West Midlands WV13 2YS (UK) Phone: 01902 608306 / 0781 575 0018 / 07968 128 166 2. . http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/discussion....33;OpenDocument Looking for 351 Volunteers to take the first step When a mountaineer looks at the peak in the distance, making it to the top must seem an impossible task. The cold, the biting winds, the knowledge of aching muscles and joints that the immediate future holds are things that each mountaineer knows await him or her. But then he (or she) takes the first step and instead of debating the merits of the expedition, the attention turns to meeting the intermediate goals and landmarks. And this approach helps the mountaineer scale the tallest of the peaks. Fighting poverty and making a change in a community/society is no different. By working to ensure that the young children have access to good health and education, we can break the vicious circle of poverty and under achievement. In India among the 500 million people estimated to be subsisting on a dollar a day or less, the Sikligar Sikhs form a very small proportion. Sikligar Sikhs adopted the Sikh religion during the time of 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji and took Khande di Pahul during the time of Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. These Sikhs are descendants of Bhai Ram Singh (Marwari Lohar) who would manufacture weapons for war and then polish them (Sikli means to polish). For the services and sacrifices rendered by them during the times of 6th, and 10th, Guru Sahib, they deserved better care at the hands of Sikh mainstream. However that was not to be and these hard working and brave Sikhs are scattered and sparsely settled in many states of India. The majority of these Sikligar Sikhs live in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. However they live in almost all states of India in relatively small numbers. These Sikhs still work in metal related jobs. They manufacture knives, taslas, angithies, and a variety of other items depending upon the usage of these items in the areas concerned. Most of them are poor, live in huts (jhuggies) in unhygienic environments even today. They do not speak Punjabi and cannot read or write in Gurmukhi script. Inspite of all these impediments all members of these Sikligar Sikh Families have maintained their perfect Sikh appearance without exception which is nothing short of miracle. During the year 2001, Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council (Registered), India, in co-ordination with Karnataka Sikh Welfare Society, Bangalore, started a comprehensive program for the rehabilitation of nearly 350 Sikligar Sikh families living in 18 jhuggies (huts) bastis in and around 10 towns of the state of Karnataka, India. This program includes providing them permanent (Pucca) houses, sending their children to schools, opening stitching centers for women folks and providing opportunity to young male adults to acquire better and varied skills while at the same time making arrangements for them to learn Gurmkhi script and acquire knowledge of Gurbani, Gur-itihas and Sikh History. Assistance is also provided in cases of serious ailments. Nihskam Sikh Organization Canada (Charity Number 863589651RR0001), through Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council Delhi (a charity established in 1985) has agreed to sponsor young children of Sikligar Sikh families to enable them go to schools and meet their educational requirements. At present there are 351 school-going children that belong to Sikligar Sikh families from 10 towns of Karnataka. The number of school going children of these Sikligar Sikh families is expected to go up by an incremental 50 children every year for the next 5 years. The capital of Karnataka is Bangalore, India’s silicon valley. While the rest of the children of the state are probably aiming for great rewarding careers at some of the best known multinationals, it is imperative that we provide the basic education to these young Sikligar children so that they stand a chance in their later life of doing something else other than making knives and other metal objects out of scrap metal. For C$ 15 a month, donors will be able to sponsor a Sikligar Sikh child to meet the basic educational needs of the child that will cover cost of books, items of stationery, school bag, school uniform including socks and shoes etc. These children are going to government schools or Govt.-aided schools where either there are no fees or the fees are nominal. A pledge of C$15 per month will yield the satisfaction of meeting the educational needs of a needy Sikligar Sikh child who when educated will enable his or her family to come out of poverty and educate the next generation without outside help. Please note that like World Vision and other charities the money will go to help the children as a group and not only that individual child. Nishkam Canada urges individuals to spare a part of their Daswandh and organizations including Gurdwara Management Committees to spare part of their incomes for this noble cause. May Akal Purakh shower blessing on all those who rise to the occasion and help Nishkam, Canada achieve the target of getting 351 Sikligar Sikh children sponsored for education. Those interested in making a donation (towards sponsorship of Sikligar children or otherwise) have the following choices: 1. Mail donation cheques payable to “Nishkam Sikh Welfare Organization, Canada” to Nishkam Canada’s mailing address providing your mailing address so that a tax deduction receipt can be mailed back to you. Nishkam Canada’s mailing address is Nishkam Sikh Welfare Organization Canada, 2025 Dundas Street East, Unit 10, Mississauga, L4X 1M2. Nishkam Canada can be contacted at nishkamcanada.org@nishkamcanada.org or at (416)-830-1313. 2. Donate online at www.nishkamcanada.org via your credit card where a tax donation receipt will be e-mailed to you instantly. NOTE: Every body is welcome to visit the websites of Nishkam Sikh Welfare Organization, Canada www.nishkamcanada.org and that of Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council (Regd.), India www.nishkam.org and communicate with the organizations using their e-mail addresses nishkamcanada.org@nishkamcanada.org and nishkamsewa@eth.net respectively. “Mohan Singh” (one of the founder members of Nishkam, India) who is on a fund-raising mission to Canada (Toronto Area) can be contacted at 646-338-0380, his cell phone. He is available at the residence of his host S. Bhavdeep Singh, 25 Arborview Cres., Etobicoke, ON, Canada, M9W 7B3 ( phone. 416-213-9376-H) till 06th., Nov., 2005. Thereafter he will be moving back to USA and could be contacted using his cell-phone no. quoted above or his e-mail address msinghnishkam@yahoo.com. Let us help put a smile and a future on the faces of each of the 351 Sikligar Sikh children.

This site is for discussing Sikhi related issues. Most of the participants are young people. I view that this site should be kept free from INVESTMENT CLUB atmosphere (same goes for the DATING CLUB type of atmosphere). That atmosphere tends to attract very different type of people to a site. The administration so far seemed to have done very good job of keeping them away from this site. Let us keep it that way.

Looks like he is the new head of the Radhaswamis

Is it possible to write UKSF (and make the change on the poster) instead of 'SFUK' ?

I don't know how to upload the images; but if you click on the link below you would find a copy of the original Hukamnam in Punjabi posted there. http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discussion....33;OpenDocument

Here is a copy of " rough" English translation of the Hukamnama posted at sikhnet.com http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discussion....33;OpenDocument ---------------------- Sat Sri Akal, For the benefit of those who can not read Gurmukhi and do not understand Punjabi I have done a ‘ROUGH’ translation of the Hukamnama about holding the Anand Karj in marriage places and hotels. The copy of the original, in Punjabi, is posted by one of the Sikhnet Discussion Moderators a few posts above this in the very same thread. http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/discussion....33;OpenDocument **************************** Logos and the letterhead of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar (Pb) India ***************************** Today, (date) 16.3.98 a meeting (gathering) of Five Singh Sahiban took place at the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, at which a matter arising from a letter of Bhai Rajinder Singh Phagwara and a large number of letters received from devotees regarding “Beadbi” ( disrespectful behaviour) accorded to Sri Guru Granth Sahib at the “marriage palaces” and hotels at the time of Anand Karaj was considered. Finally this decision is conveyed that for the reason of keeping the matter of according proper respect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib ‘front and centre’, the Sikh Sangat may not hold the Anand Karj ceremony in any marriage palace or hotel; and a special caution is advised by the Five Singh Sahiban to the Garanthees, the Raagees and administrators that they do not take part in such a ceremony that takes place in ’marriage places’ and hotels. A person found violating this may become subject to an action taken, in accordance with Panthic Mariyada, by the Sri Akal Takat Sahib. . Also, with all humility, a message is conveyed to all Sikh Sangat that they accord proper and full respect, and observe Panthic Mariyada to Sri Guru Granth Sahib while observing occasions of happiness as well occasions observed for grief in their ‘homes’ and ‘other places.’ Seal of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Guru Panth Da Daas (servant of Guru Panth) . (Signed by Ranjit Singh)

I think you were discussing this before too. http://www.sikhsangat.com/index.php?showtopic=11414 Regarding Dharam Raj. Please do not interpret Dharm raj as a person or a angel. There are no angels or deities in Guru Nanak’s theology . Every thing in this world works according to “Hukam”. Hukam is the command of the Nirgun Nirankar. Since Nirankar (one which has no form) is nirgun ( without visible properties) we try to describe Nirankar by His attributes (Naam). The most important attribute (Naam) of Nirankar is Sat. Sat is the ultimate truth which is the essence /consciousness or the creative cosmic intelligence. Hukam which can also be interpreted as the rules made by Sat (the cosmic intelligence) by which every body and every thing must follow. So there are duties (that the rules – Hukam to follow) for human being. Dharam means duties ( here it means the duties or Hukam assigned to human beings). Raj here means rule of laws . So when we say that one goes infront of Dharam Raj perhaps it should be interpreted as that when our conciousness (our essence/soul/ atma) is examined by Sat (cosmic consciousness/ cosmic intelligence/ cosmic essence) according to the Hukam (rules and duties) assigned to human beings.

There are some more pictures at the URL given below. Don’t know how to upload the pictures. . http://www.sikh-history.com/cgi-bin/Ultima...ic;f=1;t=001947

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/register.nsf/LCKSCK.jpg The photo at the above link is of twins Lakhmi Chand Singh & Siri Chand Khalsa, playing the Big Nagara Drum during a Nagar Kirtan. (taken from sikhnet.com)

Maybe someone should bring it to the attention of Gurwah, who writes the “Jedi Nights episodes” and posts the link to that here Someone once mentioned that George Lucas’s organization threatened Gurwah with a law suite if he wrote the “Jedi Night” episodes in a certain way.

The subject of death and what happens after that, is talked about at quite a few places in Guru Granth Sahib. Reading it and connecting all that what is written at various places in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, you get a good idea of what death is. Each life is created in/by Hukam (God’s Will) – (refer to Japji Sahib). Hukam is the rules by which God rules, more like the Laws of Nature looked at from a spiritual point of view. Each life form (be it human or any other) has two sides to it. One the material structure, the other is the intelligence that runs through that material and brings that matter (earthly elements) structured in a certain fashion, to life. That intelligence is under the control of God’s Will, the Hukam. It is by Hukam that a man becomes created high or low. In human beings that intelligence forms the part of consciousness. At death the body dies- cease to function, but the consciousness dies not. All our actions make an image of them in the intelligence/consciousness. ( refer: Truth is high but higher than the truth are the good deeds – seva). When a person dies, the intelligence/ consciousness reconstructs a body from the image so created in accordance with the Hukam (Devine Laws – God’s Will) applicable to the image. Perhaps, a person who has been behaving like an animal will most likely be born as an animal. A person who has been acting piously will , perhaps be reborn with the qualities of a saint. Those who have overcome Kam, Krodh, Loh, Moh, and Hankar (i.e. those who have become pure enough) most likely will merge back into the pure cosmic consciousness (God). According to Sri Gru Granth sahib, all that is manifest has come out of Nirgun Nirankar. Nirankar is what we call One God. Nirankar has countless “Devine Attributes” (see SGPC website) one of the most important attributes (Naam) is SAT ( Truth – the ultimate reality). SAT is also interpreted as the intelligence / consciousness of the cosmos. SAT pervades everywhere there is no place where it is not. According to Siri Guru Granth Sahib ( Maru M:1) all that gets created from SAT eventually merges back into SAT. So the consciousness of each an individual, if it follows the Hukam, will progress to wards the final merge with SAT. If some one does not follow the Hukam, what he is supposed to, his progress is interrupted, may even become retrograde. The rules of SAT, Hukam, apply to all human being. Those rules are not specific to any religion. They apply to all human beings, be they Christians, Muslim, Hindus, or Sikh. Look at it as that a medicine will work on all human beings whether they are Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. So the Hukam of SAT (God’s Will) is universal. This is what we mean when we (Sikhs) say One Universal God. In relation to One Universal God all human beings are human beings. “in the eyes” of SAT, there in no Hindu nor any Muslim, they are all human beings subject to His Will (Hukam). According to Sikhism there no heaven or hell. The idea of heaven or hell has come from the religions of Semitic origin (Christianity and Islam). According to these religions the soul of human beings is created permanently. It cannot be destroyed. So after death it has to live somewhere. So these religions, in order to resolve the question of where will the souls go when a person dies, suggest the place will be either the heaven or hell. In the Sikh theology, soul is part of SAT, but was separated by the Karta Purkh ( the attribute of creativity of SAT) in order to create beauty and creativity in the world. When that journey is over, it joins back with SAT. So there no place where it (soul) becomes housed permanently. It (soul) creates and recreates life till it learns how to remove the impurity (image of self, ego, in the intelligence). When it becomes pure enough it is allowed to merge back in its original source (SAT)

News about the statement issued after the meeting on "Jo Bole So Nihal"by the President of SGPC . SGPC panel seeks removal of scenes . Lays down code for film-makers . Sarbjit Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 19 While laying down a tough code for film and serial makers with regard to the playing of Sikh characters and the use of Sikh religious symbols and Gurbani in their productions, the SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, today said that the controversial film “Jo Bole So Nihal” had not only hurt the feelings of the Sikhs but also distorted Gurbani and the sacred Sikh slogan. Hence, the screening of the film should be stopped immediately in all parts of the country till the deletions recommended here by a committee headed by her were effected. Though the entire film was “polluted”, the committee recommended only the removal of those scenes which violated Sikh tenets. “It is a commercial film and has nothing to do with religion.” She set a up a five-member committee to prepare a detailed report on the basis of the decisions taken at today’s meeting. As far as the code laid down by the SGPC is concerned, no film or serial producer will hence forth be able to exhibit the “parkash” of Guru Granth Sahib in their productions. No non-Amritdhari artistes will be able to play the role of an Amritdhari Sikh in any film or serial. Besides, no Sikh can be shown committing a crime or drinking liquor in any film or serial. Obviously, it will be a tough job for producers to follow the code. “Many movies projecting Sikh characters in very good light have been made in the past but no one will take any risk in this regard in the future”, says a film-goer. The SGPC President said that the persona of an Amritdhari Sikh was such that he could not commit any crime or take liquor. The depiction of such a Sikh as a criminal or a drunkard in films was highly objectionable. Regarding non-Amritdhari Sikhs, Bibi Jagir Kaur said that in her view “patit Sikhs” were not a part of the Sikh stream. Meanwhile, the SGPC committee, which deliberated on various aspects of the controversial film today, asked the producer to change the title of the film, remove certain scenes, including one relating to the “parkash” of Guru Granth Sahib and others which violated the Sikh ethos. The producer was also asked to remove from the film distortions of Gurbani. A copy of the resolution passed by the committee to seek a ban on the film till the removal of the scenes was sent to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Punjab Chief Secretary for appropriate action. The producer was told that after removing the objectionable scenes and other distortions relating to Sikh religious matters, the film should be shown to the committee again for approval. The film should not be shown till it was cleared by the committee. Asked what would happen if the producer and distributors refused to comply with the directions given by the committee, Bibi Jagir Kaur said that “the Sikhs are capable of getting such directions enforced”. “If the distributors of the film do not abide by what we say, we will see how to stop the movie from being screened in the country”, she asserted. Though she did not say so, from her tone it appeared that the SGPC may ask the Sikhs to resort to “direct action” against the film. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050520/main5.htm The Tribune (India) .

To update – some news 1. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050516/main6.htm Jo Bole...’ director ready to cut scenes Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 15 Bowing to the pressure of Sikh organisations, the director and producer of the controversial film, ‘ Jo Bole So Nihal’ today agreed in principle to accept all recommendations of the 15-member SGPC panel regarding removal of objectionable scenes from the movie. The panel is likely to submit its report by May 19. It is reliably learnt that Rahul Rawail, Director of the film, has conveyed his willingness to accept the recommendations of the panel to Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief, on telephone today. Mr Himanshu Seth, Public Relations Officer to the Director, told TNS that the producer had no intention to hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community. He said the film was released only after getting a clean chit from Akal Takht. Mr Manmohan Singh, General Manager, Ginnies Arts, the main distributor of the film, said the director and producer of the film were open to suggestions. It is learnt that the director has agreed to change the title of the film even. According to sources, Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna , president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, played a significant role to convince the Director and film distributor in this regard. Meanwhile, the Sikh conclave held at Akal Takht here today, served a five-day ultimatum to stop the screening of controversial film. A resolution passed on the occasion announced that Sikh jathas would march towards the cinema halls to stop the screening of the film on Friday (20 May) in Ludhiana, Sunday (22 May) in Amritsar and Tuesday (May 24) in Jalandhar. Interestingly, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, was not in the city as he had gone to New Delhi to attend some program. The Sikh conclave also sought ‘sacking’ of Mr Charnjit Singh Chadha as president, Chief Khalsa Diwan, for allegedly ensuring a ‘clean chit’ to the controversial film through Jathedar, Akal Takht. However, Mr Chadha has denied this. Earlier, there was little flutter during the conclave when a senior member of the Khalra Mission Committee wanted immediate ‘disowning’ of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti as Jathedar Akal Takht. The five Sikh bodies Khalsa Panchayat , Dal Khalsa , Khalra Mission Committee ,Sikh Students Federation (Bittu) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) resolved to physically stop the screening of the controversial film in case the Punjab government did not do so by Thursday. Mr Rajinder Singh, chairman of the Khalsa Panchayat, and Mr Kanwarpal Singh , general secretary, Dal Khalsa, asked the government to withdraw the cases registered against Sikh youths for demonstrating against the film in various parts of the state. Prominent amongst those who present included Bhai Ram Singh, Daya Singh Khakar, Anoop Singh Sandhu,Jagir Singh Wadala, all SAD (A) leaders, Dr Daljit Singh of Dal Khalsa, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi of Khalsa Panchayat, Mr Jaspal Singh Manjpur and Mr Prabsharanbir Singh from Sikh Students Federation (Bittu). 2. http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.ppa?...y~sexy~innuendo Jo Bole... stumped by sexy innuendo Press Trust of India Posted online: Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 1115 hours IST Updated: Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 1347 hours IST Allahabad, May 14: Hearing a PIL seeking ban on the screening of Hindi film Jo Bole So Nihal, the Allahabad High Court today directed the Union of India and the state of Uttar Pradesh to file their counter affidavits. in the PIL, filed by Kanpur-based organisation 'Akaal Purakh Ki Fauj' and others. It has been alleged that there were some semi-nude scenes in the film, which hurt the religious sentiments of many people, as the title of the film is considered a sacred chant by the followers of the Sikh religion. The petition alleged that obscenity and nudity in the film was violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, providing with the right to freedom of religion. hearing the PIL, a two judge bench comprising Chief Justice A N Ray and Justice Ashok Bhusan order the central and the state governments to file their counter-affidavits. The film's lead actor Sunny Deol and director Dev Kohli have also been made parties in the case along with others.

Some of the leaders of the protest were to hold a conclave at the Akal Takht today. I do not know what was the outcome of that meeting. This news appeared at The Times of India news website http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1110566.cms Vedanti may land in Jo Bole So Nihal soup YUDHVIR RANA TIMES NEWS NETWORK [sATURDAY, MAY 14, 2005 11:11:48 PM ] AMRITSAR: Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and his personal assistant Prithipal Singh Sandhu could face the ire of Sikhs for giving a go-ahead to Amarjit Singh to withdraw his petition filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding a ban on the film 'Jo Bole So Nihal'. An 11-minute mobile phone conversation between Amarjit and Vedanti-Sandhu, the recording of which is in possession of Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Jagmohan Singh, reveals that Vedanti gave his consent to withdrawal of the petition. The phone call was made by Amarjit at Vedanti’s residence. Vedanti asked Amarjit to call again at 8.30 pm. When Amarjit called again, the phone was picked up by Sandhu, who claimed to have seen the film and tried to glorify the film. Amarjit told Sandhu that he had received the probe report sent by Akal Takht and asked whether he should withdraw the petition. Sandhu replied that the petition was not filed with the consent of Akal Takht. Amarjit again pleaded for guidance so he may not take a wrong step. At this, Sandhu told him that he should withdraw the petition. Amarjit then expressed the wish to talk to Vedanti, who justified Sandhu’s stand. Kanwarpal told TNN on Saturday that their stand that Vedanti had played a 'spoilsport ' by not honouring the Sikh sentiments over the issue, had been vindicated by the recording, which would be played during the conclave at Akal Takht on Sunday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4547139.stm This news report appeared on the BBC website. In the report the correspondent says "But the makers of the film, who are Sikhs themselves, insist that it does not offend Sikh sentiments in any way" Which one of the actors, or the directors is Sikh? Sunny Deol is an Arya Smaji, ( Arya Smaji Hindus are anti Sikh as any could come. They have been so for more than 125 years- since 1870’s ). Rahul Rawail does not appear to be a Sikh to me. I do not live in the U.K. Perhaps someone from UK should send an email to the BBC pointing out the biased reporting by the “Hindu” reporter. Below is the text of BBC report. *********************** Sikhs angry at new Bollywood film By Asit Jolly BBC News, Chandigarh Groups of Sikhs in the north Indian state of Punjab have staged protests against the exhibition of a new Bollywood film. They say the film Jo Bole So Nihaal (which is a Sikh battle cry) denigrates their religion. Protesters shouted slogans and stoned cinema halls in several towns across the state. Police have arrested several people and charged them with rioting and disturbing the peace. In Jalandhar, protesters clashed with police outside a cinema hall showing the film. Some of the protesters were injured. In the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, dozens of policemen in full riot gear were deployed to protect the local Rialto cinema house. Many Sikh religious and political groups are opposing the new film which they say "inappropriately employs religious symbols including the Sikh battle cry: 'bole so nihaal', which has been wrongly used for the name of the film". But the makers of the film, who are Sikhs themselves, insist that it does not offend Sikh sentiments in any way. One of the producers, Ponty Chadha, says that people have begun reacting even before seeing the film. Bollywood director Rahul Rawail said the film had been cleared by a special committee chaired by the head priest of Sikhism's highest religious and temporal authority - the Akal Takht. But groups opposing the film have questioned the clearance given to the film by the Akal Takth, Joginder Singh Vedanti. In a related development, the secretary of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee - a powerful Sikh committee that administers all historic Sikh shrines and institutions in north India - has written to the Indian Censor Board, which has certified the film. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/worl...sia/4547139.stm Published: 2005/05/14 12:57:27 GMT © BBC MMV

Jathedar Vidhanti appears to have done the about face http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050513/punjab1.htm Vedanti’s volte face on ‘Jo Bole So Nihal’ SGPC writes to Censor Board Varinder Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 12 Even as the Jathedar, Akal Takht , Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, made a volte-face on the controversial film , “Jo Bole So Nihal”, and claimed that he had not given any clean chit in this regard , the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has written a strong-worded letter to the Censor Board, ignoring the report of a sub-committee constituted by Mr Vedanti in this regard. The letter shot off to the Censor Board by the SGPC secretary , Mr Dalmegh Singh ,on behalf of its president, Bibi Jagir Kaur, has made the position of Jathedar Vedanti awkward . Many SGPC members have openly criticised Jathedar Vedanti for the haste shown by him in giving a clean chit to the controversial film. Jathedar Vedanti said his name was being unnecessarily dragged into the controversy and it was unethical on the part of the petitioner to submit his letter in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He said Sikh high priests were above the court and hence the petitioner had “stabbed in the back” by submitting the report of the sub-committee, forwarded by him, in the court. Mr Hardip Singh Mohali , an SGPC member, has expressed surprise over the “hasty step” taken by Jathedar Vedanti . He said it was intriguing that Jathedar Vedanti constituted a committee the next day after receiving the letter on May 4 . The committee visited Mumbai on May 8 and submitted its report the next day, which was submitted in the court the day after. He said while hundreds of petitions were lying unattended with the Akal Takht secretariat, haste was shown in the case of this film. Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, non-official personal assistant and close relative of Jathedar Vedanti, who was not even a member of the sub-committee, also went to Mumbai to see the movie, which raised much suspicion. Earlier , Mr Sandhu was removed as personal assistant to Jathedar Vedanti by the SGPC on bribe charges. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a senior member of the SGPC, while expressing his surprise and shock over the developments, said the case pertained to the SGPC and not to Akal Takht. Mr Calcutta said he had gone to Mumbai to review film “Machis” but he and other members had spent the entire money from their own pockets . In case of “Jo Bole So Nihal” , the air tickets were arranged by the party concerned, which was against ethics . Meanwhile, the role of Mr Charnjit Singh Chadha , president of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, also came under scanner for reportedly approaching the Jathedar, Akal Takht, in this regard . However, Mr Chadha claimed that he had not sought any favour for the film but simply suggested to him to constitute a permanent committee by taking members from the Chief Khalsa Diwan, the SGPC and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for taking up such cases with the Censor Board in future. The SGPC, in its letter to the Censor Board, stated that using of sacred slogans like “Jo Bole So Nihal” was bound to incite the sentiments of the Sikh community. The letter says that the SGPC could not allow the use of slogans from holy scriptures, which did not conform, to its maryada.

My first post here, Jathedar Vidhanti appears to have done the about face. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050513/punjab1.htm