Azaad

Lack of transport is the problem...Local Sikh Federation branches have not been up to the mark unfortunately....

This story is about a young Sikh named Ranveer Singh, a young, confident man settled in India. Ranveer's elder brothers are citizens of America. Ranveer's life takes a turn when he receives a call and he comes to know that one of his brothers is dead, his father is seriously injured and his other brother is missing. The cause of this is unknown. Ranveer is in a dilemma and immediately leaves for the US. He doesn't know what is in store for him. Ranveer reaches the US and tries to find out what

:biggrin2:

Canadian Sikh Avtar Singh sends Rs. 25,000 to the girl. Panthic Jathebandiya need to support the family too

worldview289.... :respect:

The AISSF (Peermohammad) has submitted a memorandum to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh asking him to call a call Sarbat Khalsa to determine if Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal deserved to be given the Panth Ratan award. The federation said only a non-controversial personality deserved the award. “Only a non-controversial personality deserves the prestigious Panth Ratan and not a controversial and political personality like Badal. Badal's nomination for Panth Ratan has divided the Sikhs across the world,” the memorandum said. The federation alleged that Badal had patronised the Nirankaris in the 70s and Dera Sacha Sauda later. It said in 1984, thousands of Sikh soldiers had deserted the Army on a call given by Badal and several hundred were killed. These Sikh soldiers were later abandoned. They were not rehabilitated though Badal had been CM twice since then. In 1997 Badal had won the elections on the promise of prosecuting police officials responsible for killing Sikhs during 1984-1997. However, he did not keep his promise, the federation said. It also said thgat recently Badal had welcomed BJP leader LK Advani who had supported the military action on Harmandar Sahib in June 1984.

The Rajya Sabha condemned the incidents of Sikhs being forced to remove their turbans in the name of security, particularly in Italy, in one voice today. Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, who was in the Chair when the issue was raised during Zero Hour, joined the members in condemning the disrespect shown to the Sikh turban. The issue was raised by Shiromani Akali Dal member Naresh Gujral, who referred to the latest incident involving Jet Airways commander Ravijodh Singh at the Milan airport. Khan said, "The entire House joins in condemning this incident and this should be conveyed to the government". Gujral said the Sikhs were being publicly humiliated. While seeking government intervention in checking the recurrence of such incidents, Gujral said, "This has outraged the Sikh community worldwide". He was of the view that the government should urgently summon the Italian Ambassador and convey to him in unequivocal terms the anger of the community over the matter. "The government has to ensure that the brave Sikhs are not insulted again and again," he said. He was joined on the issue by Deputy Leader of the BJP in the House SS Ahluwalia, who termed the incidents as "highly condemnable". He pointed out that the turban had religious significance and could not be removed and screened through X-rays like caps. "This should be condemned", he said, pointing out that this was happening to the citizens of the country where the Prime Minister, a Sikh, wore a turban. "The government is not taking it seriously," Ahluwalia said and referred to other such incidents including one involving India 's former Ambassador in the US Meera Shankar. The BJP member said that the government should take immediate steps to ensure that the Sikhs were not humiliated anywhere in the world on the pretext of security. He demanded that the Italian Ambassador be summoned to convey the hurt felt by the Sikh community. Akali Del leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa echoed similar sentiments.

The Supreme Court today quashed the CBI case against Punjab’s Vigilance Bureau chief Sumedh Singh Saini for the “elimination” of three persons in 1991, including Balwant Singh Bhullar and Manjit Singh, father and maternal uncle, respectively, of death row convict Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar. A Bench comprising Justices BS Chauhan and AK Patnaik also set aside the Punjab and Haryana High Court order asking the CBI to register a case against Saini and other police officials, holding that it was biased. The SC gave its ruling on appeals filed by the Punjab Government as well as Saini, challenging the HC orders. Balwant, son of retired IAS official Darshan Singh Multani, was the third person who was allegedly eliminated at the instance of Saini, who was SSP, Chandigarh Police, in 1991. Balwant and Bhullar were both accused in a case related to the assassination bid on Saini on August 29, 1991, in which three security personnel were killed. Though Bhullar was acquitted in the case, he was sentenced to death for masterminding the 1991 bomb attack on the then Youth Congress chief MS Bitta. Saini had challenged the HC orders passed in 2007, contending that the HC had passed these by reopening a case on petitions filed by Multani and Bhullar (who sent his petition from the Tihar Jail in Delhi). The HC could not have entertained the petitions 16 years after the alleged incidents had taken place, the state and Saini had argued. The other police officials against whom the CBI had registered a case on the HC orders were Baldev Singh (who in 1991 was SP, Operations, Chandigarh) and SI Jagir Singh and SI Harsahay Sharma. The petitioners had argued that the Chandigarh administration had ordered a magisterial inquiry on Multani’s allegations that his son had been illegally picked up from Mohali. No police officer was indicted in the inquiry. Multani had then filed a criminal writ petition in 1991, praying that his son be produced before the court, which was dismissed.

The Akal Takht may have bestowed the Panth Rattan Fakr-e-Quam award on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, but Sikh intellectuals feel that there should be a proper procedure to choose a personality for such an honour. Talking to The Tribune, Bhai Ashok Singh Bagaria from the Institute of Sikh Studies, Chandigarh, said: “A set of guidelines should be framed by the Sikh high priests who should take various Sikh organisations into confidence for choosing a personality for the award.” He said political leaders who had worked for the Panth alone should be considered for the honour. On Badal getting the award, Bagaria said the CM had recently been involved in several controversies. “The whole exercise was undertaken in haste and the award was bestowed on the CM just a few days of the announcement,”he observed. He said public opinion should have been taken into consideration before announcing the award. “ The Akal Takht suo motu can’t give away such an award and if it says it has done so on the SGPC’s recommendation, then it further lowers the status of the Takht”, he held. Former SGPC secretary Manjeet Singh Calcutta said an independent committee comprising Sikh scholars and intellectuals should be entrusted with the job of framing the guidelines for the award. “The committee should comprise eminent Sikh personalities,” he said. Gursharanjeet Singh, Head, Guru Nanak Studies, GNDU, said in view of the controversy that had erupted following the honour bestowed on the Chief Minister, the SGPC and the Akal Takht should work towards framing norms in this regard. He said the award had been given to a few persons posthumously in the past, which was a good tradition. award Prithipal Singh, a PA to former Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, said no rules had been framed for the award till date. He said the SGPC should not be involved in the process as it had become politicised. He said the eligibility criteria should be clearly defined for the award and the award be given to a non-controversial person who had serviced the Panth selflessly. Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh said the award should be given posthumously. He said the issue needed to be seriously debated.

The Sikh high priests would deliberate on Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s letter to the Akal Takht, pleading innocence in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, in their next meeting on December 22. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had last week said that the issue would be discussed by the Sikh clergy on December 5. Stating that the issue would figure in their next meeting, the Jathedar said he had received calls from various Sikh outfits after the news of Bachchan pleading innocence broke out. Even today, the AISSF and representatives of the National 1984 Victims Justice and Welfare Society met the Jathedar urging him to reject Bachchan’s claim of innocence and help them in initiating legal action against him. They also requested him to direct the SAD and SGPC members to “stop supporting Bachchan in his attempt to get a clean chit on the issue”. The Bollywood actor had sent a letter to the Jathedar on November 28, stating that he had no role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and that all such allegations were baseless. He had also thrown light on his family's Sikh background by enclosing the photographs of his mother and maternal grandfather who was a Sikh. The Bollywood actor had sent a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar on November 28 stating that he played no role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots

More than a year after the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ruling saved Jagtar Singh Hawara from the gallows in Beant Singh assassination case, the CBI today moved the Supreme Court seeking death penalty for the Babbar Khalsa international activist. Information available from Delhi suggests the Supreme Court Bench of Justice BS Chauhan and Justice Tirath Singh Thakur issued notice to Hawara on CBI’s plea claiming that the offence falls under the category of “rarest of rare” cases. Additional Solicitor-General Harin P Raval said: “We are pressing for death penalty on the grounds that the case falls under the category of ‘rarest of rare’. It was the most serious offence where 17 persons were killed, including the Chief Minister of a state and 15 were injured. “The role of Balwant Singh (a co-assassin) was lesser than that of Hawara. This man was the kingpin who planned the entire conspiracy,” Raval said. Hawara was branded as an “organiser of a heinous crime”, but the death penalty awarded to him by the trial court in the Beant Singh’s assassination case was commuted to life by the High Court. But, he was ordered to remain behind bars till his last. Other convicts, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Shamsher Singh, were directed to continue to serve life imprisonment. The Bench of Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and Justice Arvind Kumar, in its judgment, had observed Hawara was merely a tool in the hands of the prime conspirators and was not even present in the city when the blast took place. On the other hand, Balwant Singh’s refusal to defend himself and his confessional statements led him to the scaffold. “Without having any evidence in favour of Balwant Singh to go into, so that we can have a second thought on the murder reference of Balwant Singh, coupled with his three confessional statements, there is no other alternative with us but to confirm the findings of the trial court,” the Bench had ruled. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Gill asserted: “The case of Hawara does not fall within the parameters of the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in Machhi Singh versus State of Punjab. But we are conscious of the fact that a gruesome murder of the former Chief Minister, along with 16 others, had taken place and Hawara was the organiser of the heinous crime…. The case of Hawara is a borderline case for death sentence to be awarded”.

After sweeping the SGPC elections, the ruling SAD further strengthened its position by co-opting candidates on all 15 seats at the first meeting of the newly formed House at Teja Singh Samundari Hall here today. The SAD already has 157 of the 170 elected members in the House. The Opposition with only 13 members presented a name for co-option, but it was rejected on technical grounds. Those who made it to the new SGPC House through co-option include former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, former executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli, Ram Singh, Jagtar Singh Rode (all from Punjab) former SGPC senior vice-president Raghujeet Singh Virk from Haryana, Surjeet Singh Kang from Rajasthan, Sharanjeet Singh, Charanjeet Singh, Sukhmeet Singh (all from UP), Harbhajan Singh Cheema from Uttarakhand, Harmanjeet Singh, Bhupinder Singh Anand, Gurminder Singh Matharu (all from New Delhi), Gurinder Singh Bawa from Mumbai and Sukhwinder Kaur from MP. Badungar and Virk have made it to the SGPC House through co-option for the third consecutive time. Similarly, Bawa and Anand have got another chance from Mumbai and Delhi, respectively. The SAD gave one seat to its alliance partner, the Sant Samaj, by co-opting Jagtar Singh Rode, former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode’s brother, a confidant of Damdami Taksal Chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa. The meeting was presided over by Tarn Taran DC Satwant Singh Johal. When the meeting began at 1 pm, the elected members were asked to choose the chairman to run the House proceedings. Rajinder Singh Mehta proposed the name of Avtar Singh Makkar, which was seconded by Amarjeet Singh Chawla. Makkar then led the proceedings to co-opt 15 members to the House. There was chaos for a brief period when Opposition members Kulbir Singh Barapind, Surjeet Singh and Gurpreet Singh Chhabar insisted that one of their members be co-opted. The suggestion was turned down by the SAD. As the Opposition members charged towards the dais, the DC intervened and asked them to name their candidate. They moved the name of Bhai Isher Singh from Hyderabad but could not furnish the required documents. Sikh Gurdwara Election Commissioner HS Brar, who was also present at the meeting, said the names of the co-opted members would be sent to the Centre which would issue a notification.

Ignoring voices of dissent from various Sikh organisations, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was today bestowed upon the title of “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum” by the Akal Takht in recognition of his outstanding contribution and glorious services rendered by him during his long Panthic and political career. At a ceremony organised at the Akal Takht, the five Sikh high priests, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Badal was felicitated with “siropa” (robe of honour), a sword and a silver plaque with inscription of the citation of “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum” amidst slogans of “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal”. Badal, who sat on a stool, got a helping hand from his Deputy CM son Sukhbir Badal to receive the awardfrom the Sikh high priests who were standing atop the front portion of the Akal Takht. In his address, the Akal Takht Jathedar lauded the glorious services rendered by Badal for the preservation of Sikh heritage by erecting memorials of Sikh martyrs, besides being imprisoned for long time and having faced atrocities during various Akali movements (morchas). Giani Gurbachan Singh underlined that the responsibilities of any person who had been honoured by Sri Akal Takht Sahib were increased manifold. In his brief address after receiving the award, Badal said, “I had never expected that I would get such a huge honour from the Sikh community.” He said he would uphold the trust with which the award had been bestowed on him and would make more efforts to offer his services to the Panth. He thanked Sikh high priests and the Sikh Sangat for the honour. Later, in an apparent bid to clear the air on the controversy surrounding the award, the Sikh high priests held a press conference at the Akal Takht secretariat. The Akal Takht Jathedar said, “Whosoever will work in the interests of the Sikh Panth he will be awarded by the Akal Takht, irrespective of his political affiliations.” He said Badal had made immense contribution to the Sikh Panth by making a series of memorials which would continue to inspire future generations. “Our history was restricted to books prior to his great initiative,” he added. According to him, the award was bestowed on the CM following a recommendation from the SGPC in that regard. He clarified that neither Badal had sought this award nor had it been given to him in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections. Replying to a query, he said the Sikh high priests were also mulling to honour Marathon man Fauja Singh, Baba Sewa Singh Khadursahibwale and Baba Balbeer Singh Seechewal. On the tradition of giving “Panth Rattan” award posthumously, he said Master Tara Singh got the award in his lifetime. On protests over the issue, he said those protesting against the award should adopt a constructive mindset and come together to deal with the challenges being faced by the community. Meanwhile, various Sikh organisations have flayed the move to give Badal the title of “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum”. Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh said, “The Akal Takht Jathedar has written a black chapter in the history of supreme temporal seat by honouring a person with “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum’ title who is neither dutiful nor faithful to the Panth. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and Gurbachan Singh have surpassed all records of sycophancy to appease their political master.” AISSF chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed also urged the Akal Takht to reconsider bestowing of the award on the CM and call Sarbat Khalsa to determine if Badal, a political personality, was a deserving candidate for the award. “Throughout his political career Badal has continuously defied principles of Sikhism for political gains. So much so that to fulfil his political ambitions, Badal had unceremoniously removed last two Jathedars of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh and Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti.” Prominent among those who attended the award ceremony included Cabinet ministers Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Hira Singh Gabria, Sucha Singh Langah, Ajit Singh Kohar, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, SGPC president Avtar Singh, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Rattan Singh Ajnala (all MPs), Youth Akali Dal chief Bikram Singh Majithia, former SGPC chief Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra, adviser to Chief Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema and media adviser Harcharan Bains.

With the co-option process in the new SGPC House set to take place here tomorrow, this will, probably, be the first time when the opposition will not be able to co-opt a single member, making the exercise a one-sided affair. The ruling SAD had swept the SGPCpoll in September , winning 157 of the 170 seats. Out of the remaining 13 seats, six went to the Independents, most of whom rebel SAD leaders. The rest of the seats were shared by the Panthic Morcha, the SAD (Panch Pardhani) and the SAD (Amritsar). The Opposition needs at least 12 members to co-opt one member into the House. Though its combined strength just touches the magic figure, there is hardly any possibility of the opposition getting a single member co-opted as it stands disunited. Similarly, the Opposition will not get any berth in the SGPC executive. Therefore, the Opposition will be out of the co-option process as well as the formation of the SGPC executive. In the previous House, the Opposition was able to co-opt its three members and had also representation in the executive. Sources said the SAD’s alliance partner Sant Samaj’s Jagtar Rode, (brother of former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode) may be co-opted as a member. The Sant Samaj is seeking two seats in the new SGPC House. The first meeting of the newly elected SGPC members will be held at at Teja Singh Samundari Hall here tomorrow. The new House will finally come into being after various twists and turns over the past almost two-and-a-half years. While this was not the first time that the SGPC elections were not held on time, the ruling SAD continued its tirade against the Congress-led UPA government, accusing it of deliberately delaying the poll. Later, when the SGPC elections were announced, a controversy on the voting rights of the Sehajdhari Sikhs broke out. On September 2, the Centre withdrew the October 2003 notification debarring the Sehajdharis from exercising franchise in the SGPC elections, contending that the notification had been issued “without application of mind”. The following day, an embarrassed Union Government scurried to assure Parliament that it had no intention of withdrawing the notification .

here’s been a spate of inaugurations of war memorials in Punjab this past week.some built, some not even half-built. In this political oneupmanship, however, it is these projects which suffer like the Theme Park at Chamkaur Sahib.To be built in the memory of two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh, it is a park one should rather not visit. Governments in Punjab excel in making annoucements and grandiose plans take the theme park at Chamkaur Sahib. The Capt Amarinder Singh government had announced setting it up on 10 acres at a cost of 27 crore rupees on the tercentenary of martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Juzhar Singh that was in 2004 seven years later, this is where the project has reached nowhere. The Saka Chamkaur had to have an open air theatre, 2 pillars reminding the sacrifice of the two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh and 40 pillars of the 40 sikhs.Markfed was made the executing agency and the first phase was inaugurated by Capt Amarinder on December 21, 2006 . The remaining two phases were to be completed by the end of 2007. 12 crore rupees were spent on the project but after the change of government in 2007, the construction work was stalled. Even the 2.24 crore rupees made available by then Union tourism Minister Ambika Soni for the project were not utilised. Facing criticism, the state government finally came out of slumber some months back and decided to utilise the Centre’s funds but that money could only result in the repair of the open air theatre and construction of green rooms now the theme park is a grazing ground for cattle and a haven for drug additcts. Similarly, the memorial to two younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri at village Saheri near Morinda is also lying incomplete.Officials say the construction of two museums, VIP bathrooms and landscaping would start within three weeks. The theme though remains the same announce and forget. and it goes for every party in the state.

Two Sikhs, both shopkeepers, were killed after a mortar shell hit their shop in Shalobar, a part of Bara Khyber area of Pakistan, a video released by the United Sikhs said today. The victims have been identified as Satnam Singh and Sardar Singh. The United Sikhs is a UN affiliated international non-profit and non-government organisation that aims at empowering those in need, especially disadvantaged and minority communities across the world. The mortar shell attack on their shop was a part of the ongoing clashes between the Taliban and security agencies. The video quoted next of kin of both Satnam Singh and Sardar Singh in giving details of the tragic incident. Bara Khyber had been in news since early 2010 when another Sikh, Jaspal Singh, was taken in captivity by the Taliban on his refusal to pay Jazia, the religious tax. He was allegedly kept in custody for 41 days as he refused to change his religion. His beheaded body was sent to his family as efforts by the security agencies to secure his release failed. Mohinder Singh, brother of deceased Satnam Singh, said a mortar shell landed at the shop of Satnam Singh and Sardar Singh on October 17. While Satnam Singh died on the spot, Sardar Singh was injured. But he later succumbed to his injuries. Four children were also injured.

Various Sikh organisations have renewed their efforts to build up pressure on Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh to review his decision to give the CM ‘Panth Rattan Faqr-e-Quam’ award on December 5. In his letter to the Jathedar, former SGPC secretary and Shiromani Panthic Council Chairman MS Calcutta said the announcement of the award was in violation of Sikh principles and Panthic traditions and the Jathedar should not bestow the award on the CM as planned. He said the Akal Takht had never given this award to a living person. “Former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Giani Sant Singh Maskin were given this award posthumously.” He said it would be appropriate if this decision was withdrawn. Similarly, Punjab unit chief of SAD (Delhi) Jaswinder Singh Baliyewal also submitted a letter to the Jathedar in which the party alleged that the SAD had forged an alliance with the BJP for personal interests. “This is the same BJP whose leader LK Advani brags in his autobiography that it was their party which influenced the Centre to launch Operation Bluestar in 1984,” they said, urging the Jathedar not to go ahead with this decision. On the other hand, radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has gone a step ahead and written a letter to CM Badal, urging him to turn down the award. “Realising that the Akal Takht Jathedar can’t be of any help to end the crisis, the Dal Khalsa has decided to take up the matter with you. As you happen to be the leader of the party that nominates the president of the SGPC and appoints Jathedar Akal Takht, you are in a position to bring the community out of crisis by voluntarily refusing to accept the title of Panth Rattan,” said Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh in his letter to the CM.

The Shiromani Akali Dal today lodged a strong protest with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over a Sikh pilot having been asked to remove his turban for security reasons at the Milan airport recently. Taking up the case of Ravijodh Singh Dhupia, commander of Jet Airways flight 9W-141 from Milan to Delhi, who was made to remove his turban by airport officials, the SAD today gave a notice for adjournment of question hour in the Lok Sabha to discuss the matter. The party shot off a letter to the PM, reminding him of his failure to convey to the Italian authorities the significance of the turban in Sikh faith. The party’s Bathinda member Harsimrat Kaur Badal gave the notice to Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn all proceedings “over the incident involving the Jet Airways commander, hurting his and the entire Sikh community’s sentiments and the utter failure of the government to ensure the dignity of Sikhs.” Earlier, too, cases of Sikhs being asked to remove turbans had come to light. One such instance, which was raised in the Lok Sabha involved Amritinder Singh (coach of golfer Jeev Milkha Singh), who was also asked to remove his turban by the airport security staff at the Milan airport. “As per the settled international law, turban can’t be removed but Italian security officials continue to do so despite repeated assurances given to us in the Parliament by the External Affairs Minister,” Harsimrat said. Such instances were now coming to light from the US, France and Australia as well, the party added. In her letter to the PM, Harsimrat Badal said: “We urge the government to bring to the notice of the Italian Government and other countries that turban is the most recognisable feature of a Sikh. Unlike a head covering, it is an inextricable part of the Sikh identity and is worn at all times as an essential article of the community’s faith.”

Taking a note of allegations of provoking anti-Sikh riots in 1984 levelled against him, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has written a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar, pleading his innocence in the matter. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh revealed this while addressing a press conference at the Akal Takht Secretariat here today. The Jathedar said Amitabh’s letter would come up for discussion at a meeting of Sikh high priests on December 5. Amitabh had handed over his letter, addressed to the Jathedar, to Gurinder Singh Bawa who is an SGPC member from Mumbai at the latter’s residence on November 28. Along with the letter, the megastar has enclosed some photographs to highlight his family’s Sikh background. Sharing the contents of the letter, the Jathedar said Amitabh had written that he too was associated with Sikhism as his mother, Teji Bachchan, belonged to a Sikh family. To corroborate his point, the actor has also attached the photograph of his mother Teji Bachchan and maternal grandfather Saudagar Singh, who was a “keshdhari” Sikh. Amitabh said his family also believed in Sikhism. He dubbed the allegations of provoking anti-Sikh riots in 1984 against him as “baseless”, adding that such charges have hurt his sentiments. He admitted he had been close to the Gandhi family and had been sharing their joys and sorrows. He, however, clarified that he was in no way involved in any activity like inciting riots against the Sikhs. The issue regarding Amitabh’s alleged role in provoking anti-Sikh riots had come to the fore prior to the recent inauguration of “Virasat-e-Khalsa” at Anandpur Sahib. Various Sikh organisations had lodged a protest against the state government’s plan to invite the superstar to the event. Later, the Akal Takht Jathedar doused the protests by stating that no film star had been invited to the inaugural ceremony. Meanwhile, in view of today’s developments, the Jathedar said they would also give a chance to the Sikh organisations, which were levelling charges against Amitabh, to present their case before reaching a decision in that regard. On the controversy surrounding “Panth Rattan Faqr-e-Quam” award to CM Parkash Singh Badal, he denied comment on the issue. On PPP chief Manpreet Badal’s visit to Dera Sacha Sauda, he said the matter was pending with the Sikh high priests.

The captain of Jet Airways flight from Milan to New Delhi underwent a harrowing experience as he was forced to remove his turban by the security staff at Milan international airport last night. Captain Ravijot Singh Dhupia, who has been flying on the Delhi-Milan-Delhi sector for a while, was asked to come back for a second security check up even after the entire cabin crew had checked in for the flight. He was taken to a separate room and told to remove his turban, put it in a tray and wait till his headgear passed through the X-ray machine. After the check, he was asked to wear his “hat” again and continue with his duty of flying the aircraft back home. “I felt humiliated,” he told Manohar Singh Gill, Congress MP from Punjab, saying that the security staff did not even know the difference between a “turban” and a “hat”. Though the Ministry of External Affairs has been claiming from time to time that the issue has been taken up not only with the European Union but also its member states but cases of harassment of turbaned Sikhs continue to be reported. Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Manohar Singh Gill said that it was not only in Italy but also in Warsaw (Poland) that security personnel at international airports were picking turbaned Sikh passengers at random and asking them to remove their turbans as part of the security drill.

The Akalis today held a grand function at Chappar Chiri. With the former Sikh Chief of Army Staff and now Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (retd) JJ Singh and hundreds of decorated soldiers attending the inauguration of the war memorial here, the SAD has earned validation for their efforts to showcase Sikh heritage. Though the function was apolitical, it certainly had political overtones. A Sikh academician told TNS: “Badal sahab has showcased Sikh heritage, but like an astute politician has timed it well (assembly poll round the corner) to have the maximum effect on the masses”. The public function after the inauguration of the war memorial saw Gen JJ Singh and his wife flanked by senior Akali and BJP leaders. The Arunachal Governor praised the CM and his team for establishing the monument. Former BJP president Rajnath Singh said the “Badal family has achieved immortality and the people of the state will never forget the family’s contribution to raising memorials, bringing alive Sikh history and culture.” The senior BJP leader said Hinduism had been saved owing to the sacrifices of the Khalsa Panth. He said this fact should be reflected in school textbooks and that he was willing to approach the PM along with the Akali leadership on the issue. The CM, striking an emotional chord with the voters, said “whatever has been achieved is because of the blessings of the Almighty. I am only an instrument.” Badal even indicated it was Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s loss that he could not inaugurate the Anandpur Sahib museum complex. Major-Gen (retd) Gaganjit Singh said Sikh history had been revived and that this was a source of pride. Air Marshall (retd) Randhir Singh the state had for once revived the forgotten past. Param Vir Chakra awardee Capt (retd) Bana Singh said the monument was a befitting tribute to the Sikhs’ spirit of sacrifice for a cause. Among others who spoke were Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, Uttarakhand CM Major-Gen (retd) BC Khanduri, Akal Takht Jathdear Giani Gurbachan Singh and Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh. Sant Samaj leader and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma created a stir by urging that a memorial should be constructed to honour 'amar shaheed' Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale killed during Operation Bluestar. Dhumma also demanded that Sikh detainees in different jails be released. However, not a single speaker reacted to Dhumma's speech.

The Union Cabinet is set to consider the provision of independent registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act. Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, talking to TNS, said his ministry had made two proposals following complaints by the Sikh community that the amendment to the Act in 2008 did not address their concerns. The amendment in the Anand Marriage Act in 2008 allowed for a separate register to record Sikh marriages. However, there was criticism that the Anand Marriage Act continued to be part of the Hindu Marriage Act:1955 and should be made a separate Act. Salman Khurshid said: “We have proposed a Central Act providing for registration of births, deaths and marriages. Under this, certificates submitted under the Anand Marriage Act could be registered. Alternatively, the provision for separate registration could be provided under the Anand Marriage Act itself.” The Law Minister said that both the proposals had been forwarded to the Home Ministry for consultation. The ministry was expected to elicit the opinion of various ministers as well as Punjab leaders in Punjab. “Once this is done, the matter will be forwarded to the Cabinet for a decision”, he explained. The Anand Marriage Act came into being in 1909 following a proposal by Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Later, the Act became part of the Hindu Marriage Act that grouped Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism as offshoots of Hinduism. Hardeep Singh, SGPC member, said the amendment in 2008 was a mere eyewash . He said even Pakistan and Bangladesh had separate Anand Marriage Acts and that India should follow suit. However,Rajya Sabha nember Tarlochan Singh said amending the Hindu Marriage Act would be difficult and that the present amendment met the aspirations of the Sikhs and should be retained as such.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today inaugurated a Rs 35-crore Baba Banda Singh Bahadur war memorial at a colourful ceremony here. The presence of several decorated soldiers led by former Chief of Staff and Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (retd) JJ Singh, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Maj Gen (retd) BC Khanduri and BJP leader Rajnath Singh enhanced the prestige of the occasion. Amidst confetti and fireworks, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, dedicated the 328 ft-tall victory tower (Fateh Burj), the tallest monument in the country, to the people. The monument was a tribute to the valour and sacrifices made by the Sikh warriors for the sake of humanity, the Chief Minister said. All through the ceremony as the Nihangs, referred to as ‘Guru ki fauj’ , displayed their martial skills, the CM, accompanied by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Sri Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, took the distinguished dignitaries on a round of the 21 acre war memorial complex in open Gypsies. The Chief Minister unveiled the statues of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Bhai Fateh Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, Bhai Aali Singh and Bhai Maali Singh, who scripted the victory of Chappar Chiri against the Mughals, amid the beating of drums by the Nihangs. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Local Bodies Minister Tikshan Sud, Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria, Member of Parliament Sher Singh Ghubaya, former MP Tarlochan Singh, former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla and first Sikh policeman in Canada Baljit Singh Dhillon.

Kuldeep Manak born in 1949 came from a family of musicians. His ancestors were Hazoori Ragi's who sung Kirtan for Maharaja Hira Singh of Nabha. Born Latif Mohammed, he later converted to Sikhism and changed his name to Kuldeep Singh.

Syed Asif Hashmi, Chairman of Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which is responsible for the upkeep of gurdwaras in the neighbouring country, today said it is yet to receive any official proposal from India regarding the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Interacting with the mediapersons after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here, Hashmi said, “We are ready to cooperate with India on the issue, but it is for the Indian government to first take up the matter with Pakistan officially. As far as we are concerned, we have done our bit by constructing the road up to the point of our jurisdiction.” Sikhs have long been demanding the establishment of a passport and visa-free passage between Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, located about 3 km from the border in Pakistan’s Narowal district. According to Sikh history, Guru Nanak Dev spent 17 years at the site where Gurdwara Kartarpur is situated. Replying to a media query, Hashmi agreed that there was a need to take a fresh look at the number of visas being issued to the pilgrims as per the Nehru-Liaquat Pact. He said they have already doubled the number of events on which Sikh pilgrims are granted visas for pilgrimage in Pakistan from four to eight. As per the Nehru-Liaquat pact, pilgrims were given visas for Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary (3,000 visas), Baisakhi (3,000), Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom day (500) and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary (500). Hashmi asked the SGPC to take up the matter with the Indian government. He refuted allegations regarding any gurdwara’s property being leased or illegally encroached upon in Pakistan. Hashmi said they have constructed 400 rooms for pilgrims and a three-storey langar hall, besides setting up a solar energy plant. Modern huts have been constructed at Kartarpur Sahib and Gurdwara Emnabad for pilgrims, while the langar hall has been extended to Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore. On Sikhs’ demand to open Gurdwara Ber Sahib at Sialkot for “darshan”, he said they have invited tenders and they will soon begin its maintenance work. An orphanage, a hospital and a school for mentally challenged children, all named after Guru Nanak Dev, besides a Sikh museum in Pakistan were on the anvil. Hashmi rejected the SGPC's offer of Rs 1 crore for the construction of an inn at Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore, contending that they will do it on their own. He suggested that the SGPC donate this amount for the proposed hospital to be named after Guru Nanak Dev.