DiscoverSikhism

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Sikhs make our Armed Forces even stronger This is no throwback to Empire, but an example of clever innovation by a modern fighting force, writes Tom Tugendhat Britain’s Armed Forces have always been a melting pot. Nelson defended our islands with ships crewed by Malays, Chinese, Irishmen, Indians, Americans, Scots, Welsh and, yes, Englishmen. Regiments of Sikhs, Pathans, Gurkhas and Africans served Britain in the First World War. In the Second, Poles and Czechs were among The Few leaving bases such as RAF West Malling to defend freedom from totalitarianism in the air. These recruits didn’t change their names to escape past crimes. They were men and women who knew that serving under Britain’s colours was a noble calling. That is still true today. Gurkhas, West Indians, Fijians, and other Commonwealth citizens apply regularly to join the British Forces. We don’t press-gang men who failed school. Our soldiers, of every rank, regular and reserve, are seen for what they are: determined professionals who volunteer to serve. Sikhs have a long tradition of serving the crown in Afghanistan. They stayed loyal during the Indian Mutiny then distinguished themselves in the Second and Third Afghan Wars. In 1897 at the Battle of Saragarhi, 21 Sikh soldiers died defending a British Army post against 10,000 Afghans. Ten Sikhs have won the Victoria Cross. So I’m not surprised that Sikh leaders are keen for their young people to follow their grandfathers into the Armed Forces. Nor to hear that the Chief of the General Staff is considering creating a Sikh unit. Through a shared history and culture, regiments sculpt men into fighting units as varied as a surgeon’s instruments. Serving on operations alongside Royal Marines, Paras, Guards, Yorks and many others, I’ve seen the different options their styles of soldiering offer a commander. Adding to that range can only be welcome, particularly today. As Vladimir Putin is showing in Ukraine, integrating with local forces is a vital tool of war. His men are pretending to be Ukrainian rebels to conduct covert warfare. Such capabilities are as important for good as for ill. The same adaptive integration the Russians are showing in Donetsk is needed to build nations as well as undermine them. In Afghanistan, we used local knowledge when we could. Pashto speakers, me included, spent hours sitting with villagers discussing the actions we should take. We invested heavily in relationships and did our best to change minds and outcomes without fighting. Among the best soldiers for this work were Gurkhas. Brought up on Bollywood movies, they could get by in the Urdu that acts as a common language for the region. Nepali villages weren’t so different from Afghan ones, giving the Gurkhas an understanding of the Afghans that Britain’s Xbox generation could never reach. A Sikh officer of the Royal Navy, whose turban and gentle manner broke down barriers, gave us access to the wealth of knowledge contained in Lashkar Gah’s small but important Sikh community. For Britain, the global diaspora of Sikhs makes recruiting from the Gurdwara (temple) even more important. Wherever we go in the world, wherever we train or partner, there is likely to be a community of Sikhs. Having the ability to interact with at least some of the population on equal terms gives a reach modern armies might otherwise struggle to achieve. Satellites, drones and night vision goggles alone can’t give the basic understanding required to rebuild a society. Our British Army imam allowed us to talk to the religious authorities and show that we were not enemies of Islam. One British Muslim intelligence officer was unique. Having spent his gap year as a medical assistant to a Taliban group in the early Nineties, he understood how small groups of Pashtuns organised to fight. He would never tell me his nom de guerre, “in case I ever need it again,” he said. Organising for future wars means rethinking our structures. The Army has brought together regulars and reserves into single formations, expanded intelligence units and is thinking hard about how we partner with friends and allies. A new Sikh unit could be a useful part of this mix. This would not be the echo of a long-dead imperial past but an innovation worthy of a modern battle-ready army. Just as Irish, Scots, Welsh and English units attract men with regional affiliations, and sappers, signallers and logisticians draw men and women with specialist skills, a new Sikh unit would allow the common ethos essential to seeing strong fighting spirit develop. Sectarian recruitment is inappropriate, but recruiting based on skills or to give cultural depth to a unit – infantry, engineers, or intelligence – seems entirely right. This is, after all, what a regiment is all about – men of similar backgrounds serving together to create the ferocity and compassion required to build a combat unit. Not all Sikh recruits would wish to join. Some might prefer the panache of the Guards, though that would mean swapping the bearskin for a turban, as at least one serving Scots Guard does. Others might prefer a specialist career in, say, the Army Air Corps. But for those young men who, like many other Britons, want challenge and a chance to serve their country, an infantry unit of like-minded British Sikhs would offer a home their grandfathers would recognise and welcome. By Tom Tugendhat 6:20AM GMT 25 Feb 2015 Tom Tugendhat served as the military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff and is the Conservative candidate for Tonbridge and Malling

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ British Army examines plans to create a Sikh regiment Armed Forces minister Mark Francois says unit would inherit many of the 'proud traditions of Sikh regiments' from the Army's past Jatenderpal Singh Bhullar (centre), pictured at Buckingham Palace, is the first Guardsman to wear a turban with ceremonial dress Photo: Crown Copyright The head of the British Army is looking at proposals to recreate a Sikh regiment, a minister has said. The Chief of the General Staff is examining the feasibility of a Sikh unit, including the possibility of a reserve company, and it “may well have merit”, Mark Francois told the Commons. A new unit would inherit many of the “proud traditions of Sikh regiments” from the Army’s past, he said. Thousands of Sikh soldiers served in the British Army in the 19th century and in the First and Second World Wars, and 10 Victoria Crosses have been won by soldiers serving in Sikh regiments. Reviving a Sikh unit has been suggested several times in the past. One recent attempt was abandoned in 2007 by the Ministry of Defence amid fears that the move would be branded racist. Speaking during defence questions in the Commons, Conservative former defence minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged ministers to "do away with political correctness" and raise a Sikh regiment. He told Mr Francois: "You will be aware of the extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations. "Would you not agree with me that it's high time to do away with the political correctness which infects some of this thinking and actually raise a Sikh regiment to serve in the country and make up a very serious gap in our Armed Forces?" Mr Francois, minister for the Armed Forces, replied: "With regard to your specific suggestion, can I say that you are one of a number of Members of Parliament who have raised this suggestion with me recently. "We have passed this possibility on to the chief of the general staff (CGS), who is now looking at this issue and we are awaiting CGS's comments back. "But the idea may well have merit." Soldiers from 3 Regiment Army Air Corps on parade in Aldeburgh in Suffolk (Crown copyright) Conservative Rory Stewart, chairman of the Defence Select Committee, suggested a Sikh company within the reserves could be explored "as a starting point". He added: "There seems to be much more possibility within the reserves to begin what seems like an excellent idea." Mr Francois replied: "I said earlier the idea may have merit but we've looked at one specific option, or are looking, at the possibility of a reserve company – not least one which would inherit many of the proud traditions of Sikh regiments going back through many years in the British Army. Troops from 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland marching at Dreghorn Barracks (Crown copyright) "[Defence Minister Julian Brazier} is leading on that particular aspect and he too remains in contact with CGS on this matter." In 2007, the MoD scrapped a similar plan after the Commission for Racial Equality advised it could be seen as divisive and amounted to "segregation". The latest manning figures show the Armed Forces have around 160 Sikhs in their ranks, including 130 in the Army. Last year an official British Armed Forces Sikh Association was formed. Lord Singh, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, said a Sikh unit was something “that would be nice if it happened”. He warned it had been suggested many times and had always proved difficult. He said: “There aren’t that many Sikhs in the Army. A regiment needs a bit more. There needs to be some enticement to go, but with all the defence cuts, the Army may not look that tempting.” The recent disclosure that the British military had advised Indira Gandhi over her 1984 attack on Sikh separatists barricaded in Amritsar's Golden Temple, may have led to some bad feeling among Sikhs in Britain, though he suggested this would pass with time. He said: “There are some major difficulties. It’s something that would be nice if it happened.” By Ben Farmer, Telegraph

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ In BBC Magazine Monitor - Homeless people in the UK are getting free meals thanks to a centuries-old Sikh tradition. Why, asks Rajeev Gupta. "We come here because we get food... A hot meal. It's a luxury for me." John Davidson is 55 and homeless. He is one of 250 people who have just received a hand-out of hot soup, drinks, chocolate bars and other supplies from the Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team van parked up on the Strand in central London on a cold Sunday evening. The Swat team, as they're known, park at the same spot every week so a group of volunteers from the Sikh community can hand out vital supplies. Homeless people, who overwhelmingly are not Sikh, patiently wait in line to be served. For the volunteers handing out food here, this is more than just good charitable work. For them this is a religious duty enshrined by the founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak, over 500 years ago. At a time of deep division by caste and religious infighting between Hindus and Muslims in India, Guru Nanak called for equality for all and set forward the concept of Langar - a kitchen where donated produce, prepared into wholesome vegetarian curry by volunteers, is freely served to the community on a daily basis. Today, thousands of free Langar meals are served every day in Sikh temples throughout the UK. The Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, thought to be the biggest Sikh temple outside of India, says it alone serves 5,000 meals on weekdays and 10,000 meals on weekends. Every Sikh has the duty to carry out Seva, or selfless service, says Surinder Singh Purewal, a senior member of the temple management team. "It means we're never short of donations or volunteers to help prepare the Langar." In recent times the Langar meal has acted as a barometer for the state of the economy. After the 2008 recession many Sikh temples reported a surge in the numbers of non-Sikhs coming in for the free Langar meals. It's now common to see non-Sikhs inside the temple, Purewal says: "We don't mind it. As long as people show respect, are not intoxicated and cover their heads in line with our traditions, then everyone is welcome." The Swat team say they decided to take the concept of Langar outside its traditional setting in temples and out onto the streets when they saw a growing homelessness problem in London. Randeep Singh who founded SWAT says: "When you go to the temple, what's the message? The message is to help others, help your neighbours. That's what we are doing."

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ More than 13,000 people have contracted the H1N1 virus Swine flu has claimed 38 more lives in India, taking the total nationwide death toll to 812, according to the latest figures released by the country’s health ministry on Sunday. The total number of people affected by the H1N1 virus has now crossed 13,000.. The new numbers represent a significant jump from the 774 deaths and 12,963 affected individuals cited by the ministry just a day earlier, but a senior health official said there has been an overall dip in the number of fresh cases. Earlier, private doctors in the north Indian state of Haryana had accused the government of downplaying the number of swine flu cases there and discouraging laboratory testing for the virus. However, the president of the Haryana Civil Medical Services Association said that private hospitals are forcing patients to pay large sums of money for swine flu testing. “The private sector has been creating panic in society just to exploit the situation to make more money,” he said. “The public advisory issued has been in the wider interests of people.” There are more reports of vaccines and facemask shortages.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Bhaji, with respect, we think you may have mistakenly taken the comment out of context. Perhaps, bhenji's point was emphasizing the need to educate young Sikhs. However, we also understand your point about how much Sikhi has made (and is making) progress. We see and hear this a lot. And yes, Chardi Kala is a fundamental concept. ਕਲਿ ਕਾਲਖ ਅੰਧਿਆਰੀਆ ॥ In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, there is only pitch darkness. ~ Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Not sure if everyone saw the coverage but there was very good vichar by Bhai Ranjeet Singh Ji. He's provided genuine support on a number of occasions.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Encouraging to read some very good posts. We've had a great response from the Sangat. Also from Tom Watson (UK Labour MP) who immediately circulated the information and Parvinder Singh, author of '1984 Sikhs Kristallnacht', who has a great blog http://8t4files.wordpress.com/ Unfortunately, so far there has been a poor response from both the Sikh media and so called Sikh leaders.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ This is great news, we are compiling a list of non-Indian Sikh schools. http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikhism/sikh_schools.html If anyone knows of others, please list them.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ London has been the host to many rallies calling for an independent Palestine, Kurdistan or Tamil Eelam and never, have such democratic rights been curtailed at the behest of a foreign government. So, why did the cabinet stop the Sikh right try to assemble? 'It was the clear view of the Cabinet that it would be in the public interest that the rally should not take place.' Come the 25 April 1985 Cabinet meeting and the mask slips off with discussions about the sale of the Westland Helicopters to India, which points to the very reason why, in the end, the Thatcher government was so obsessed with appeasing New Delhi. Separately, it's important to see a response from Sikh organizations on the recent disclosures (and the ones withheld).

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Latest UK Cabinet papers reveal how Margaret Thatcher sucked up to a genocide enabler. http://8t4files.wordpress.com/2014/12/31/latest-uk-cabinet-papers-reveal-how-margaret-thatcher-sucked-up-to-a-genocide-enabler/ The 24 hours following the assassination saw little violence or death. The pogrom took a night and morning to orchestrate and it was cousin Arun Nehru MP who came to the rescue as maestro and supreme-conductor of the carnage to come, when the killing was to begin, in what manner innocent Sikhs would be killed and what the police’s role would be. Rajiv role was to ensure his cousin’s project had enough time to bear fruit by keeping the army confined in their barracks for a whole three days and when they were eventually dispatched, they were given no orders. 8,000 burnt Sikhs and gang-raped women later, he justified the violence in his infamous ‘When a mighty tree falls, it’s only natural the earth around it does shake a little’ speech. Following the killings, he was quick to promote the perpetrators of the violence to high office for their efficiency, including the new Information Minister, HKL Bhagat, in whose constituency whole Sikh neighbourhoods disappeared overnight. For me and others this is the crux of the Cabinet papers. The current Coalition may have sidestepped the issue by stating there was no UK involvement in the June 1984 Amritsar attack, but they will find it hard to avoid questions relating to post-November 1984, their appeasement to a genocide ‘enabler’, the absence of any condemnation of his actions and a lack of any compassion for the November victims. The final act - 12 September 1985 The Cabinet meets to ensure everything is done in their power to ensure Rajiv Gandhi’s visit takes place without incident. ‘There are major British contracts in India. It is highly desirable that the visit is a success.’

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Please can someone contact Sikh media organizations to let them know how cabinet papers show Mrs Thatcher tried to ban the Sikh Games in West Bromwich in 1985. StarStriker - Yes, we understand a UK Nagar Kirtan in November 1984 was banned/ cancelled, is there any further information or documents? And yes, as we all know and observe, an anti-Sikh agenda continues today. Also, we have further information to reveal...

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ MP Tom Watson, Member of Parliament (MP) for West Bromwich East since 2001. Tweeted a short while ago... @DiscoverSikhism They [Conservative Cabinet] even tried to ban a sporting event in my constituency. Remarkable.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ BREAKING NEWS: New National Archive Information Shows How The British Government Betrayed Sikhs Today National Archives released files from 1985 and 1986, including papers from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Office. We have found new documents which expose UK PM Margaret Thatcher's active position against Sikhs. UK Cabinet meetings show a hostile Sikh policy with no sympathy towards the many thousands massacred in Sikh Genocide. The Cabinet papers reveal the 1985 government's obsession with trade in India at the expense of free expression by UK Sikhs. The 1984-85 disclosures show the British Prime Minister's (and Cabinet's) active collusion with the Indian Government against Sikhs who were already in mourning over the Sikh Genocide of June and November 1984. See the documents at: http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_news/1984_sikh_genocide.html

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Rs 40 Lakh flat for Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar By Aman Sharma, ET Bureau | 30 Dec, 2014, 08.10AM IST NEW DELHI: Kashmiri Pandits would be provided with "good quality" 1,000 apartments built at a cost of Rs 40 lakh each near Srinagar, a far cry from the shabby two-room transit accommodation provided to them in Jammu, to motivate them to return to J&K. The government is also reaching out to the other refugees in J&K, the 5764 families who migrated from West Pakistan to Jammu Division and still do not have voting rights in the State Assembly though they have the same in the Parliamentary elections. A senior Home Ministry official said a letter has recently been sent to the state to expedite the process of granting these persons the Permanent Resident Right in J&K so that they can vote in the next state elections, buy property in the state and get recruited to state services and jobs. "The Kashmiri Pandits were quite unhappy with the two room tenements built for them near Jammu which were only meant to be transit accommodation. Learning from that experience, the new apartments will be of a good quality and each will cost Rs 40 lakhs. The NBCC has approved the architecture and design of the said flats and will construct the same," the official said. Jobs with monthly salaries up to Rs 30,000 and an Rs 10 lakh grant for those who want to rebuild their damaged houses is also a part of the package. "Rs 500 crore was provided in this year's budget for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. A bulk of it will be spent on building the new 1000 flats near Srinagar," the official said.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/ask-government-india-free-sikh-prisoners-who-have-finished-their-sentences-given-them-courts/c3fztfn0 WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Ask Government of India to free Sikh prisoners who have finished their sentences given to them by the courts. Several Sikhs who were jailed by Government of India for supporting the demand of Free Sikh Homeland have completed their sentences given to them by the Indian courts. However Government of India continues to refuse to release them from jails and is keeping them indefinitely. Sikhs across India continue their struggle to secure the release of those imprisoned illegally by peaceful means such as hunger strikes. In reply to a previous petition about Sikh genocide, administration has acknowledged the human rights violations against Sikhs in India. We would like to urge President Obama’s administration to use its influence to help end human rights violations against all minorities in India and to help secure the release of those who are still imprisoned even after completing their sentences. Published Date: Dec 20, 2014 95,465 signatures needed by 19th January 2015

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ India committed Sikh Genocide and the UK supported it. There is no hiding from the truth. Both countries breached their international responsibilities and need to be held to account. In the UK's case, the condescending morals reek of the worst kind of betrayal to Sikhs.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Today in history, the Sahibzade (young sons of Guru Gobind Singh) were brutally bricked alive at a very young age. Deceived by a hindu, the two sons of Guru Gobind Singh were arrested (with their grandmother) and offered safe passage only if they became muslims. Both refused, and so Wazir Khan sentenced the young children to death. Mata Gujri, daughter-in-law to Guru Hargobind Ji, wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji , mother to Guru Gobind Singh Ji is one the most prominent female figures in Sikhi and truly inspirational. The Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji showed Sikhs how to live and how to die.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ At last we have completed the Sikh genocide section on our site. There over 800 pages with a photo gallery, 100's of witness statements and a full library. There are many new articles from the last 10 years with recent information and discoveries of genocide and mass graves. The library contains comprehensive information on Crimes Against Sikhs (Crimes Against Humanity), State Terrorism and Sikh Genocide with associated articles, books and reports. There is a list of persons killed with a map showing locations of victims and police stations. India needs you to keep silent. Learn the Truth. http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_genocide/1984_delhi_genocide.html We leave it to the Sangat to decide how to use the information.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ At last we have completed the Sikh genocide section on our site. There over 800 pages with a photo gallery, 100's of witness statements and a full library. There are many new articles from the last 10 years with recent information and discoveries of genocide and mass graves. The library contains comprehensive information on Crimes Against Sikhs (Crimes Against Humanity), State Terrorism and Sikh Genocide with associated articles, books and reports. There is a list of persons killed with a map showing locations of victims and police stations. India needs you to keep silent. Learn the Truth. http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_genocide/1984_delhi_genocide.html We leave it to the Sangat to decide how to use the information.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ It will be interesting to see the response from the State Department. US needs to decide whether it supports Sikhs and stands for truth and justice. Or, whether it will be like the UK and betray Sikhs, placing economic benefit in front of moral values.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Great news. The petition is the 16th most popular at the moment with 105,185 signatures. The other petitions have closed so the ranking could rise further.

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Genocide? What genocide? Gregory H. Stanton, formerly of the US State Department and the founder of Genocide Watch, lists denial as the final stage of genocide development: "Denial is the eighth stage that always follows a genocide. It is among the surest indicators of further genocidal massacres. The perpetrators of genocide dig up the mass graves, burn the bodies, try to cover up the evidence and intimidate the witnesses. They deny that they committed any crimes, and often blame what happened on the victims."

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ Sangat Ji, Did you know "that for the first time in the history of mob violence in India, a systematic attack was made on places of worship. Of about 450 gurdwaras in Delhi some three-quarters are reported to have been damaged or destroyed." How many Guru Maharaj's would have been desecrated?

ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ There is a fine line between integration and assimilation... Assimilation means absorbing minorities into the ways of the majority - requiring them to adopt the majority's language, customs and 'values'. Integration, by contrast, requires acceptance of a country's laws, of human rights such as freedom of speech, and of basic democratic rights, but does not require the eradication of all cultural differences or group-identities; it is conceived of as a two-way process, through which both the majority and the minorities influence and change one another, and in which differences can be peacefully accommodated as long is there a common commitment to living together. How many non-Sikhs want to integrate with Sikhs? how many do you see celebrate Gurpurab's? how many adopt Sikh values? Regardless, we think trees look nicer outside peoples houses. Preferably, with families of tree's called forests.