2desi

In high school I had a Afghani guy who was in one class lower than me but we had some trades classes together and he told me about the yellow badge but he said that it didn't apply to Sikhs because Sikhs turbans are different from the Taliban style. Also saw this a news report on CNN after the Taliban Government blew up those Buddhist statues. Here is an article about this before 9/11. ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban Friday defended its plans to force Hindus to wear identifying yellow badges as a Muslim tradition dating from the era of the prophet Mohammad. However, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, said the decree prepared by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice was awaiting the signature of the movement's supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar. "The fact that Hindus are asked to have a symbol is not something new," Zaeef told a news conference. "In fact this is a tradition since the time of the holy prophet Mohammad for non-Muslims for their safety and immunity." The plan, which would force Hindus to wear yellow badges on their chests for easy identification, has drawn condemnation from foreign governments that see it as a threat to the minority religion. Western governments have drawn parallels with the Nazi laws forcing Jews to wear yellow Stars of David. The Afghan opposition alliance fighting the Taliban joined in the condemnation Friday. But Pakistan, the Taliban's closest ally, also issued a statement Friday saying it was checking reports about the edict but considered any discriminatory measures to be against Islam. "We observe adverse reactions by some people, some nations -- some react out of ignorance and some for political reasons. Some...are making a comparison with the Star of David or with the emblems of the Nazis. But this is wrong," Zaeef said. "Their objections are not correct," he said at the Taliban embassy. "The rights of non-Muslims are persevered in Afghan society." SIKHS ALREADY IDENTIFIED The Sikh and Hindu population has shrunk from as many as 50,000 before Afghanistan slipped into two decades of war to about 1,700 today. The order will apply only to Hindus because distinctive Sikh turbans already identify that religion, Zaeef said. The plan to mark Hindus has fuelled fresh foreign criticism of the movement that had sparked international outrage by its treatment of women and a campaign earlier this year to destroy all statues, including the 1,500-year-old colossal Buddhas of Bamiyan. Zaeef repeated the Taliban explanation that badges are to protect Hindus from religious police enforcing the Taliban's hardline interpretation of Islam. He said Hindus had sought the measure -- although many Hindus in Kabul told Reuters they were incensed by the plan. Zaeef said Afghan Muslims had to follow all Islamic practices, such as observance of the five-time daily prayers, imposed in the 90 percent of the country under Taliban rule -- officially called an emirate. "For this reason the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice patrols all the area to make sure that people observe this rule. Sometimes the Hindu citizens of Afghanistan, who in most cases resemble Muslim Afghans, were also stopped for questioning," he said. The ambassador said the ministry had proposed the new law so police could easily recognize Hindus and stop forcing them to observe Islamic rules. He said the decree was awaiting approval by the Taliban's leader Omar. "It will be presented to him for his signature," Zaeef said. "As soon as it is signed it will be published in the official gazette."

wow that is totally weird and dangerous...

waheguru.....Parnaam Shaheedan Nu...

Akal Takhat Jathedar assured of Sikh Diasporas support if he seeks political asylum abroad Amritsar, May 1: Dr. Amarjit Singh, Director of the Washington-based radical Sikh leader suggested on Thursday in a press statement to the Akal Takht Jathedar, Joginder Singh Vedanti, that he will have the support of the three million strong Sikh Diaspora if he seeks political asylum abroad. Dr. Singh was reacting to a report headlined, "Flays Vedianti on Khalistan" published in Chandigarh-based newspaper Tribune which broadcasted the reaction and intentions of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to a speech delivered by the Akal Takht Jathedar, Vedanti, in the US. In an interview to ANI over Phone from Washington Dr. Singh said that the Akal Takht Jathedar is being humiliated, punished, for expressing his support, in a public speech, for a sovereign, democratic, buffer state of Khalistan in front of an audience of 30,0000 Sikh-Americans who had assembled in New York for the annual Vaisakhi day parade. http://www.dailyindia.com/show/236132.php/...l-asylum-abroad Ruby Dhalla is very confused politician, naturally goes were the votes are, just like Badal

Dal Khalsa joins issue with Badal on Vedanti's pro-Khalistan remarks CHANDIGARH: Describing the formation of Sikh state as inalienable right of the community, the Dal Khalsa lambasted Parkash Singh Badal for ridiculing the concept and goal of Khalsa-raj. The controversy was triggered in the wake of Jathedar Akal Takht Gaini Joginder Singh Vedanti, who while addressing a public meet at New York justified the demand for Sikh Homeland. Party general secretary Kanwarpal Singh said after a long time, Jathedar Akal Takht has articulated the collective aspiration of the Sikh people. He said "who is Badal to question Vedanti for airing pro-Sikh state views". Kanwarpal said the statement of Vedanti carries a lot of weight as in the capacity of the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, he represents the collective will of the community. Dal Khalsa leader took Badal to task for undermining the concept of Khalsa Raj for the sake of enjoying pelf and privileges within the existing system. “The manner in which Badal has scolded Vedanti for his remarks it tantamount to insulting the person holding the highest temporal post of the Sikhs”, he added. "We acknowledge that Sikhs and Punjabis are peace-loving people. They need peace for overall development. But at the same time, aspiring for self-rule is the birth right of every community and it should not be negated like Badal has attempted to do", he pointed out. However, he expresses his apprehension that undue Akali pressure might force Jathedar Vedanti to withdraw or amend his statement. "We know well that Jathedar has a tendency to succumb to pressure", he observed. http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/10292/38/

This program is also very good, its called Paint.Net and its really similar to Photoshop. Its free and here is a link. http://www.download.com/Paint-NET/3000-219...cdlPid=10830341 To resize a image simply click on image at the top bar and then click on resize.

“the community has the right to separate Sikh state” I agree with Jathedar Joginder Singh, everyone has right to have their own state.

Love the video.....everyone please post videos from your city

Punjab school rakes up turban row Thursday, 01 May , 2008, 00:07 Mohali (Punjab): A private school in Mohali town in Punjab on Wednesday backtracked from its decision to turn out from their class three Sikh students who had worn turbans. Principal Veena Malhotra of Lawrence Public School tendered an unqualified apology to the three Sikh students and their parents saying it was never her intention to hurt anyone's religious sentiments. But the apology and the reversal of the school order against the students came only after the families of the three affected students and local religious representatives, including those from the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), filed a complaint with the Mohali police seeking action against the school authorities. Parents of the affected students, Sikh leaders and local officials came to the school on Wednesday, following which the school management took back its earlier order. The three Class 10 students were turned out of their classroom by the principal for violating the school policy of not wearing turbans. They were forced to sit in a room for sick students for hours before they were let out. The Principal argued that full sized turbans were only allowed as per the school policy for students in classes 11 and 12. She contended that since all boys in lower classes had to wear “patkas” (a headscarf or half-turban), these boys had violated school discipline by wearing turbans in school. Mohali district police chief R S Khatra said the police registered a complaint but subsequently there was a compromise between the two sides. Future action would be taken if there is any fresh complaint in this matter, he added. The move angered local Sikh leaders who likened the move to the ban imposed on turban wearing by Sikh students in schools by the French government two years ago. The distressed students told their parents about their being harassed by the school authorities. They were not only turned out of their classroom but also imposed a penalty of Rs 50 for each day they wore turbans.

Now I remember who this guy is, he talks funny and he is all talk LOL....he's the guy who was against Faith School like Khalsa School, Christian, Jewish and Muslim schools. Nobody respects him, b/c his intentions are clear, very anti-muslim, anti anyone who criticizes India.

Mohali, April 29 After France, it is now Mohali banning students from wearing turbans in schools. Three students of Class X of Lawrence Public School were today asked to leave their classrooms by the school authorities for wearing turbans and were made to sit in a separate room as punishment. Principal Veena Malhotra said they had flouted the rules of the school which reads ‘the students upto class X should wear patka but she failed to produce any such rule written in the school diary. The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, however, demanded action against the school. Inderjeet Singh, Gursewak Singh and Ravinder Singh, all class X students, had come to school wearing turbans. About 9.30 am, the school principal visited the class and asked these three students to get up and come out. “She asked us not to wear turbans in the school, claiming that it doesn’t look nice,” claimed Gursewak Singh. They were asked to take their school bags out of the class and were directed not to attend any class for the whole day as punishment. The authorities said that they will impose a fine of Rs 50 per day if they wear turbans in the school, one of the students said. Principal Veena Malhotra said their dress code does not allow turbans and it is mandatory for students of upto Class X. “We have prescribed patka for Sikh students and they should abide by the rules of the school. We asked them to sit in a separate room just because they flouted the norms. We will not let them attend classes if they wear turbans again,” she added. But she failed to produce any such rule existing in the rulebook and any such norm ever being communicated to the students. The SGPC has demanded action against the school. Hardeep Singh, member of SGPC from Mohali, said they will protest against the disrepute brought to the Sikh religion by the school authorities and will take up the matter with the SGPC. “Turban is a part of Sikhism and nobody can deter Sikh students from wearing them,” he added. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/3-...turbans/303435/

True, I know Sikhs from Kashmir, Pakistan, Fiji and Hong Kong who are really devout. Not sure if this is the same for the majority of Sikhs living in those countries (areas) but its still pretty surprising, generally one would think that Sikhs in Punjab would be the ones who are really into Sikhi but this is not the case anymore. The Taliban thing was really surprising, just shows we can paint everyone with the same brush.

Excellent response Bijla Singh Ji

Look at the comments this Hindu guy made "Ron Banerjee" a Modi and RSS loyalist.

HANGU: The local Taliban, religious scholars and tribal elders Saturday secured the release of two Sikh community members, who were kidnapped from Dowaba area in Hangu district. The joint jirga members took the kidnapped victims, identified as Attar Singh and Sehra Singh, to their homes safely after winning their release from the captors. Sources said Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Ulema Council has taken nine kidnappers in their custody. Later, a jirga of religious scholars and local Taliban was held at Khadezai area of the agency. The jirga decided to publicly hang the nine kidnappers on Monday (tomorrow) to discourage crimes in the area. Meanwhile, talking to The News correspondent, TTP spokesman Maulvi Omar said the two Sikhs kidnapped from Dowaba area of Hangu were shifted to Baghu area in tehsil Baghu in the Orakzai Agency wherefrom local Taliban in an operation on Saturday released them. Omar said one of the kidnappers was killed during the operation while their leader, Ghani, was nabbed. He said the kidnappers would be punished in accordance with the Islamic injunctions and operation against the anti-social elements would continue in the Orakzai Agency.

Good to see this..........."Detention of Sikh Political Prisoners within India" these Sikhs need to be FREED!!!

Horrible...

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses concern at unacceptable attempts by the Indian Government to silence "freedom of speech", a fundamental right of Canadian-Sikhs. In response to the display of banners supporting advocacy of Sikh self-determination in India at recent Sikh Vaisakhi parades in Surrey and Rexdale, Indian Consul General, Ashok Kumar, has told Canadian Press, "We are in touch with Canadian authorities on a regular basis, and we would like to see more progress on this issue... so that this signage, these slogans, these banners are not displayed." Such interference in the freedom of speech of Sikh Canadians is completely unacceptable. "Mr. Kumar is reminded that unlike in his native India, freedom of speech is a jealously guarded right in Canada, and his desire to silence the voice of Canadian-Sikhs will not be tolerated by Canadians" said Gurpreet Singh Bal, President WSO Canada. Since 1984, the Indian Government, in its attempt to crush the Sikh freedom movement in India, has killed tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Just few weeks ago, Human Rights Watch reported on India's "abysmal" human rights record, where the State is responsible for torture, arbitrary detentions, killings and disappearances. "Rather than toeing the Indian Government propaganda, the Canadian Government, and other elected leaders need to learn to defend Canadians' basic right to freedom of speech and freedom of association," said Gian Singh Sandhu, Senior Policy Advisor of WSO. WSO is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of the Sikh Diaspora, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic. WSO has been condemning all kinds of violence since its inception and firmly believe that Sikh Canadians have a right to peacefully commemorate genocide inflicted on their brethrens and keep their cause & memory alive. Before interfering in Canadian affairs, the Indian Government is advised to clean up its own act.

With power comes corruption.....all governments are corrupt.....all cheat in some way.....the people at the top always finds ways to hide their deals....their above the law....there is no transparency.....anybody given a little authority these days goes on to abuse it....on a local, regional, national or international scale....people at the bottom always suffer....minorities, the weak, the poor, always get pushed around.....theres always deals going on under the table.... The 4th arm of Government aka the Media is what is supposed to keep Governments honest but they now work for the Governments. Corporations fund political candidates and own the media stations, the media is used to divide society. This relationship can be compared to any people that are oppressed by Governments. All over the world people are dieing be it hunger, disease, war or genocide, Governments through the media try to hide all of this. The funny thing is that Democratic Nations are more like Dictatorships with their "Government Controlled Media"....everything is okay just change the channel

right on bro....jamdoots are waiting for badal, brar, KP gill & co....they'll get whats coming to them

right on bro....."Freedom of Speech is a Threat to Indian Unity"

Great Job!!!

Look at the footage of when Zail "Singh" is inside Sri Harmandir Sahib, it is me or is no one (out of the Sikhs inside) wearing a Kirpan?

I wish a sniper took him out...its just an Indian Propoganda video/statement.... Longowal proved him wrong in his statement after the attack, does anyone have the video for this? I saw it on documentary once on TV, I think it called "Bleeding Punjab" not sure, they put the statements of Longowal & Brar head to head

people are flipping over the smallest things....I used to wear shirt with Sant Ji pic to school