Azaad

AMRITSAR: The Sikh community has hailed Union law minister Salman Khurshid's statement regarding implementation of the Anand Marriage Act (Sikh's separate marriage Act) in the near future. Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh said, "I appreciate Khurshid's gesture as it is acknowledgment of Sikh's separate identity". He said the law minister should now ensure that the Anand Marriage Act is implemented without delay. Anand Karaj (blissful event) is the name of Sikh wedding ceremony. More than 100 years ago, the British had passed the Anand Marriage Act 1909, but it was scrapped after India-Pak partition, and Sikhs' marriages were registered under the Hindu Marriage Act. Sant Samaj chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa said a separate Marriage Act is the birth right of Sikhs, which had been denied to them, while other communities enjoyed their own Acts. He said Congress leader took the step under pressure from various Sikh groups. Editor-in-chief, Encyclopedia of Sikhism, Punjabi University Patiala, professor Jodh Singh said that the minister's gesture would spell a wave of happiness among Sikhs, but at the same time the issue would provide the much-needed fodder to political parties ahead of assembly elections. "Congress leaders would stake claim of implementing Anand Marriage Act while the opponents would claim that the decision was taken due to pressure by them," Singh said. Professor of Guru Nanak Studies of Guru Nanak Dev University, Balwant Singh Dhillon, said, "It's better late than never. I am happy that finally wisdom has prevailed and government has taken this decision." Convener of American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Pritpal Singh praised the Indian government for the separate marriage Act for Sikhs.

Even as veteran BJP leader LK Advani was addressing a rally as part of his Jan Chetna Yatra near the historic Town Hall here, activists of SAD (A) tried to disrupt the event. SAD (A) activists gathered at Dharam Singh Market and raised slogans against Advani and the BJP. The police detained some of them. However, two activists who managed to get close to the stage were bundled into a police vehicle parked close by. At several places in the city, banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa had pasted posters against Advani’s visit. Addressing the rally, Advani said his party MPs would put pressure on the UPA Government to reveal names of leaders with banbk accounts in other countries. He said the Centre had done little to retrieve the black money from these banks. Without naming the Prime Minister, Advani said earlier PMs had set an example by giving up their seat on issues of public interest.

Proficiency in the Queen’s language is proving to be an Achilles’ heel for aspirants from Punjab seeking to join the world’s third largest Army. Despite being able to fare well in screening, physical fitness and medical tests, a number of candidates have found it difficult to clear the written English test. And, ironically, that too from a state which is contributing youth by the hundreds to universities and vocational institutions in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom for which clearing the IELTS is mandatory. Interestingly, officers of the Army’s recruitment directorate blame the deficiency on the short messaging service (SMS) and low standards of school education. “They answer their questions the way they text their friends on the cell phone. It is ridiculous. They are bound to flunk in the written test. After all, how are we going to understand what they want to communicate?” asked an Army officer, who is part of an ongoing Army recruitment rally at the Dholewal Military Complex here. Candidates from Ferozepore have performed the worst when it comes to answering questions in English. Army officers say not a single candidate from Ferozepore has managed to clear the written test for the post of Nursing Assistant in the last three years. “They use SMS lingo such as “Luk (Look), gud (good) ur (your) asap (as soon as possible) while answering questions,” said an officer. “Candidates are unable to even write an essay on a ‘Picnic’,” he added. It’s not just English. Even their level of general awareness is low. Recently, a majority of aspirants who appeared in the written exam left authorities shocked when they wrote that the Taj Mahal was in Dalhi (Delhi)! “I can bet they cannot write four lines in correct English. The education system is to blame. These students clear the matriculation exam with grace marks, but are exposed when they appear for a competitive examination. Aspirants for posts of clerks, nursing assistant and technical staff are regularly flunking in the written exam. We are forced to give them grace marks to recruit them,” said an officer.

count me in..

will local Sikh Federation Branches be organising transport??

Thirty-one persons were sentenced for life today after they were held guilty of burning alive 33 persons belonging to a minority community in one of the ghastly crimes unleashed during 2002 post-Godhra riots in Sardarpura. In a rare case where so many people were punished with life term after being convicted for communal riots, a special court also acquitted 42 persons — 11 among them were freed due to lack of evidence, while 31 others were given the benefit of doubt. In all, 73 persons were made accused in the case. Principal District and Sessions Judge SC Srivastva, while pronouncing the verdict, also directed the 31 convicts to deposit Rs 50,000 each, which would be paid as compensation to the families of the victims. The convicts were also awarded jail terms ranging from three months to 10 years under various Sections of the IPC. All sentences would run concurrently. An additional fine of over Rs 20,000 each has also been imposed on all convicts and if they failed to deposit the same, their punishment would be extended by up to six months. “This is a historic success. Never before in the history of trial of communal riots cases in the country, these many people have been sentenced,” former state DGP RB Sreekumar, who is fighting for riot victims, said after the verdict. “It is a very satisfying verdict, I am happy with it, it is the result of hard work put in by my officers, I don’t know if it is the biggest-ever conviction in a riots case, but 31 persons convicted for life imprisonment in a riot case is a sizable number,” SIT chairman RK Raghavan said.

PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday not only blamed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the Operation Bluestar but also vowed not to let former DGP Izhar Alam win Malerkotla seat. Alam, Amarinder alleged, was involved in the killing of hundreds of Sikh youth during the militancy period. "It was Badal who had been criticising former DGP Izhar Alam and Vigilance chief Sumedh Singh Saini for years for killing Sikh youth and now he is honouring them with top positions and even "siropas". People still remember those black days when the bodies of murdered Sikh youths were found floating in the Rajasthan feeder and Sirhind canals. We will see how Izhar Alam wins the polls from Malerkotla," he said.

Amarinder vows not to let Alam win Nadala (Kapurthala): PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday not only blamed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the Operation Bluestar but also vowed not to let former DGP Izhar Alam win Malerkotla seat. Alam, Amarinder alleged, was involved in the killing of hundreds of Sikh youth during the militancy period. "It was Badal who had been criticising former DGP Izhar Alam and Vigilance chief Sumedh Singh Saini for years for killing Sikh youth and now he is honouring them with top positions and even "siropas". People still remember those black days when the bodies of murdered Sikh youths were found floating in the Rajasthan feeder and Sirhind canals. We will see how Izhar Alam wins the polls from Malerkotla," he said.

Setting aside allegations against retired police officer Izhar Alam regarding his involvement in the killing of Sikh youths during the militancy era, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged local Akali leaders to unite under his leadership for uplifting the Muslim community. “We will take the Sant Samaj and other Sikh religious bodies into confidence before announcing the party ticket for the former DGP and Chairman of the Punjab Wakf board, Izhar Alam,” the CM said. He honoured Izhar Alam with a siropa during the inauguration of Hazrat Haleema Maternity and General Hospital run by the Wakf Board. Badal, who was in town on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Zuha, addressed a gathering at the local mosque. He said the Muslims and Sikhs shared a cultural bond. Both communities revered their martyrs who had laid down their life for the sake of religion. Badal said the Sikhs took pride in the fact that it was a Muslim saint, Mian Mir, who had laid the foundation stone of Harmandar Sahib. He announced that Rs 25 lakh would be spent on the construction of the Muslim Community Centre here. Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated the new building of Islamia Girls School and College. He announced a grant of Rs 15 lakh for three educational institutions run by the Waqf Board. Talking to mediapersons, Badal said it was unfortunate that the state Congress president had made a habit of using unparliamentary language against him and his family. “The cheap tactics adopted by the Congress leadership only enhances my popularity among the masses,” he observed. Describing former Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala and former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal as "chronic defectors", the Chief Minister said both the leaders had firsaken their parent party for vested interests. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Rajya Sabha member SS Dhindsa, Cabinet Minister PS Dhindsa, MLA Iqbal S Jhhunda, chairman, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), Ranjit Singh Ballian, and former ministers Nusrat Ikram Khan Bagga, Chaudary Abdul Gaffar and Gobind Singh Kanjla. Addressing a gathering at his residence, Izhar Alam said the allegations that he was involved in the killing of Sikh youths during militancy were baseless. He said he was transferred from Punjab in 1990 and posted in Jammu and Kashmir. Thereon, he was posted at Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that he returned to Punjab only in December 1995 when militancy was totally well under control. “So there is no question of my involvement in killing Sikh youths.” He said the controversy was the brainchild of SAD (A) leader Simranjit Singh Mann and Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh. “ I am unable to understand why Mann is doing this to me,” he remarked.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today blamed the Congress for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and even accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of having "failed" to provide justice to the victims. Addressing a gathering during a function held at local Shalamar Bagh under the aegis of Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Ramdev said it's been 28 years since the riots took place but still the victims were "awaiting justice". On education policy, he said education should be provided in the languages of our own country, as was being done in several other countries of the world, including in China, France and Japan. Terming it as unfortunate that in our country preference was given to English, he said, "Giving preference to a foreign language is a sign of slavery and a policy should be drafted for providing education in our own languages for national pride among the new generation." Blaming the Congress for having "failed" to check rampant "corruption", spiraling high prices of essential commodities and unemployment, Baba Ramdev appealed the gathering to wipe out Congress in the coming assembly elections scheduled for February. Dubbing the United Progressive Alliance as a "sinking ship", the yoga guru claimed that several of its alliance partners would leave it due to unchecked spiralling prices of essential commodities, including petroleum products. Ramdev said he was mobilising public opinion for bringing back black money stashed in foreign banks. Subsequently, he would write a letter to the PM in this regard, he added.

dera sacha sauda is provided security from Haryana's side thats why he is not on the list....And as far as I know Simranjit Singh Mann had some sort of state provided security upto 1997 when it was removed as he was no longer a MP or MLA. Also all the journalists who are provided X rated security are anti-movement establishments with heavy links to either the BJP or Congress

The Punjab Congress has managed to persuade Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to give the inauguration of the prestigious Khalsa Heritage Complex (KHC) at Anandpur Sahib a skip. However, unperturbed by the Prime Minister declining his invitation; state Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has announced that the Punjab Government will go ahead with the inauguration without the Prime Minister. The past few weeks have seen a tug-of-war between the ruling SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress over the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab on the invitation of Parkash Singh Badal. The Prime Minister was formally invited by Badal to inaugurate the KHC and to lay the foundation stone of the Mohali international airport. The Congress asked the Prime Minister to decline the invitation claiming that it would have an adverse impact on the party’s prospects in the next General Election to be held in February next year. Badal today disclosed that in a letter, the Prime Minister had expressed his inability to come to Punjab on November 25 on account of his proposed foreign visit and Parliament session. Badal, however, added that the inauguration of the KHC and the laying of the foundation stone of the terminal of the Mohali international airport would be done as per schedule on November 25, sans the Prime Minister. Badal said it was unfortunate that the Congress high command, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and PPCC president Amarinder Singh had dissuaded the Prime Minister from coming to Punjab for these prestigious projects for the sake of cheap politics. He said Sonia Gandhi and Amarinder Singh should not forget that Manmohan Singh was not the Prime Minister of the Congress party, but of the entire country. Criticising Amarinder Singh for writing a letter to the Prime Minster requesting him to not to come for the purpose, Badal said, “By indulging in cheap politics, Amarinder Singh has put a blot on democratic norms. It is unfortunate that Amarinder Singh was making misleading statements like the KHC was inaugurated way back in 2006.” How it could be inaugurated in 2006, when it was not completed at that time, he asked. Although the Congress has been successful in stalling the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab on the invitation of the SAD-BJP government, this has the potential of snowballing into a major issue during the next General Election. The SAD-BJP has always indulged in Centre-bashing, claiming discrimination at the hands of the Centre, but the Congress has been saying that the UPA government has given much more financial assistance to Punjab as compared to any previous Central Government. While the Akalis are now alleging, perhaps rightly, that by this move, the Prime Minister’s status has been reduced to a party leader from a national leader. Some Congress leaders like Jagmeet Brar and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, also feel the Prime Minister should have come to Punjab and let the people know what the Centre had done for the state. The bad blood generated over the issue is likely to lead the Akalis restart the debate about vesting more powers with the states and having a federal setup.

The SGPC has discontinued the practice of allowing devotees to carry “palki sahib” on their shoulders from Sri Akal Takht to Sri Harmandar Sahib early in the morning everyday. A section of devotees have even complained to SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar. Manjeet Singh, Makkar’s PA, said chief gurdwara inspector Mukhtiar Singh had been asked to probe into the entire episode. He said the practice was discontinued on the orders of the Darbar Sahib manager after the installation of Guru Granth Sahib inside the sanctum sanctorum got delayed by 15 minutes on the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ram Das allegedly due to the devotees. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said he was not aware of the matter.

Asserting that there was no discrimination against the Sikh community in France, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe today virtually ruled out lifting the ban on wearing turban in his country. “France believes in democracy and freedom. For us, religion must not interfere in political and daily life. We have passed a legislation banning the use of religious signs in public places,” he said at a joint press conference with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna after wide-ranging talks between the two leaders. He went on to say that the Sikhs were treated like the Christians, Jews and members of other communities in France and hoped a solution could be found to the stand-off on the issue through talks between the departments concerned of India and France. The ban on turban in France followed by some other European countries taking a similar action has caused a lot of concern in India, particularly among the members of the Sikh community. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders have taken up the matter with Paris from time to time but in vain. Krishna also conveyed to his French counterpart the sentiments of the Sikh community on the issue. He said New Delhi was pursuing the matter with the European Union too and hoped to find a solution. “The turban is a symbol of dignity. It is a sensitive issue for every Indian. We had discussions with the French to find a mutually acceptable solution. I have also written to the Italian Foreign Minister on the problems faced by the Sikhs at the airports in that country. We are pursuing the matter with the EU as well,” he added. Even as concerns increase over the safety of nuclear facilities in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in March, India and France have renewed their commitment to go ahead with nuclear reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra and resolved to deepen their cooperation in areas ranging from terrorism to the global financial crisis. Civil nuclear cooperation figured prominently in talks between the two ministers. “We discussed the issue of safety related to civil nuclear cooperation with India. Nuclear energy is a vital source of power provided we develop the highest standards of safety,” French Minister Juppe said. “France is determined to be completely open on the steps we have taken for safety,” he said, adding that safety provisions would be woven into the final agreement on EPR (European Pressurised Reactors). Krishna underlined India s commitment to the Jaitapur plant. “We are awaiting the French safety reviews of EPRs. We are committed to highest standards of safety,” he said.

I think the most interesting thing is that the case for Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar is gaining alot of momentum. Also alot of international pressure has been added to the matter so India is feeling the pressure to let Prof Bhullar go free...but with this they can turn around and say that Militancy is rising again- terrorists are regrouping etc etc just to avoid doing that

I think the most interesting thing is that the case for Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar is gaining alot of momentum. Also alot of international pressure has been added to the matter so India is feeling the pressure to let Prof Bhullar go free...but with this they can turn around and say that Militancy is rising again- terrorists are regrouping etc etc just to avoid doing that

hunji they do

In 1986 Suneet Singh Tuli, a student at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert, was suspended from school because he refused to stop wearing his ten-inch ceremonial sword (kirpan) to class. Following its no-weapons policy, the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Board claimed dial the kirpan could be used as a weapon to inflict serious injury. Tuli lodged a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and filed a law-suit in the court against the decision of the school board. The Court of Queen's Bench Justice A.H. Wachowich granted Suneet Singh Tuli a temporary order restraining the Separate School Board (District No. 6) from taking action against the Grade 12 student until the issue is settled in a pending law suit. By allowing him to wear the sword, the Judge said: "Students will be given an opportunity to understand the tradition and heritage of the Sikh religion. In my view it's a positive educational tool that would far outweigh the potential danger, so long as it's recognized as a privilege and not a right."67 The Judge granted the injunction on condition that "the kirpan is tied down and can't be removed from its sheath, and tip blunted." Tuli thus wore his kirpan until he graduated from the school. Eventually the Alberta Human Rights Commission ruled that a ban on the kirpans violated the religious practices of the Sikhs.

the creator of this tablet is Suneet Singh Tulli CEO of Datawind who was suspended from his high school in Canada for wearing his kirpan. In 1986 Suneet Singh Tuli, a student at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert, was suspended from school because he refused to stop wearing his ten-inch ceremonial sword (kirpan) to class. Following its no-weapons policy, the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Board claimed dial the kirpan could be used as a weapon to inflict serious injury. Tuli lodged a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission and filed a law-suit in the court against the decision of the school board. The Court of Queen's Bench Justice A.H. Wachowich granted Suneet Singh Tuli a temporary order restraining the Separate School Board (District No. 6) from taking action against the Grade 12 student until the issue is settled in a pending law suit. By allowing him to wear the sword, the Judge said: "Students will be given an opportunity to understand the tradition and heritage of the Sikh religion. In my view it's a positive educational tool that would far outweigh the potential danger, so long as it's recognized as a privilege and not a right."67 The Judge granted the injunction on condition that "the kirpan is tied down and can't be removed from its sheath, and tip blunted." Tuli thus wore his kirpan until he graduated from the school. Eventually the Alberta Human Rights Commission ruled that a ban on the kirpans violated the religious practices of the Sikhs.

Last year, on July 22, when Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal launched the prototype of a $35 low-cost computing device, the cheapest anywhere, critics said it would be impossible to develop. Today, Sibal launched ‘Aakash’, the world’s lowest priced (Rs 2,250 per unit) touch-screen computing and internet access device, which will allow people with humble means a chance to access the same set of web information which the rich access through more sophisticated devices. To start with, the device will be made available to students at 50% subsidy (Rs 1,125) and the government plans to bring down the price to $10 a unit. For the makers of Aakash, it has been a long and tough journey. Suneet Singh Tuli, Chief Executive Officer of Datawind, the Canada-based provider of wireless web access services, which is developing the tablet for India, told The Tribune: “Every vision has detractors. People said Aakash was impossible; others felt India could never make it. We are here to tell the world that we have arrived.” Tuli and his brother Raja Singh, who hail from Punjab but immigrated to Canada years ago, are now designing, developing and manufacturing Aakash in collaboration with IIT-Rajasthan whose Director Prem Kalra was overwhelmed at the launch today. “Behind this event, there is so much life hidden that I can never tell,” he said. It was Kalra’s son, a BTech student at IIT-Rajasthan, whose thesis gave the government the idea to develop Aakash. However, top industrialists cold-shouldered Sibal when he sought their help to realise the dream. “So we chose to go it alone and asked our institutes to develop the prototype. IIT-Rajasthan was told to procure and test the device based on the specifications our team finalized,” NK Sinha, in charge, National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NME-ICT), which is funding the project, said. The biggest challenge, however, was to lower the cost. Tenders were called and closed on February 15, 2011 with Datawind emerging the lowest bidder. “We then established a production line in Hyderabad where Quad teamed up to produce the device,” Tuli said. He was flanked by Raminder Singh, MD, Quad Electronics, Hyderabad, who calls Aakash “revolutionary”. For the tablet team, the next big job is to deliver the first government order of one lakh pieces. The target eventually is 10 million pieces for which the government wants a price of Rs 1,750. “We have already given a proposal at this rate. With today’s launch, we intend to start a price war to bring the rates further down. From the first consignment, 3,300 pieces will go to each state,” Tuli said. He is already gearing for commercial version of Aakash in late November. Called UbiSlate, it will be available for Rs 2,999 (inclusive of all taxes). “UbiSlate will have a 12- month warranty and internet access across mobile networks for just Rs 99 (2GB),” Tuli, who also has operations in Amritsar, said. Meanwhile, the makers of Aakash have trained students to help states operate the device and return the feedback in 45 days to help improve on the pending units. The government, for its part, hopes to give Aakash to all college students. “In the 12th Plan, we will cover students from classes IX to XII,” Sibal said. As for the device, it has three-hour battery life and functions like web browsing, video conferencing, social networking, instant messaging and gaming. It is expected to bridge the digital divide between the rich and poor and is Wi-Fi enabled. With inbuilt GPRS and modem, 2 USB ports and internet access anywhere in the vicinity of a mobile tower (2G platform), Aakash will allow students to access thousands of hours of lectures by IIT professors and e-content on the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) platform which offers web and video based courses in engineering, science and humanities.

Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of Liberal Democratic Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons, Britain, today said he would take up the issue of clemency to Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar with the United Nation Human Rights Commission and the International Commission of Jurists. Bhullar is facing death sentence in India in connection with a bomb blast in 1993 leading to the death of several persons. Various Sikh organisations have been demanding converting his death into life imprisonment. Talking to mediapersons here, the British Member of Parliament pointed out that he would raise the issue within this week as it was the immediate issue concerning the Sikh community. “I will also take up the issue with ministers and members of the British Government and convince them to consider to raise the issue with the Indian Government during the Commonwealth meet slated to be held in Perth this month-end,” said Hughes. He was here to pay obeisance at Golden Temple and also to talk with several organisations to gather more information about Bhullar’s case. “As the issue has also been highlighted in England by several Sikh federations and as I am a human rights lawyer and member of the International Commission of Jurists, I thought it appropriate to have more information about the case,” he said. Hughes has arrived in India to interact with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Answering media queries over the death penalty awarded to Bhullar, he said, “I personally oppose death penalty and it should be banned all over the world. Some other ways of severe punishment should be devised. There are instances in various parts of the world wherein persons were found innocent after awarding death penalty. There should be standard norms all over the world over death penalty.” Hughes was accompanied by Dr Juias, senior lecturer in international relations, Paramjit Singh of the Sikh Students Federation and Mandhir Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani).

Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of Liberal Democratic Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons, Britain, today said he would take up the issue of clemency to Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar with the United Nation Human Rights Commission and the International Commission of Jurists. Bhullar is facing death sentence in India in connection with a bomb blast in 1993 leading to the death of several persons. Various Sikh organisations have been demanding converting his death into life imprisonment. Talking to mediapersons here, the British Member of Parliament pointed out that he would raise the issue within this week as it was the immediate issue concerning the Sikh community. “I will also take up the issue with ministers and members of the British Government and convince them to consider to raise the issue with the Indian Government during the Commonwealth meet slated to be held in Perth this month-end,” said Hughes. He was here to pay obeisance at Golden Temple and also to talk with several organisations to gather more information about Bhullar’s case. “As the issue has also been highlighted in England by several Sikh federations and as I am a human rights lawyer and member of the International Commission of Jurists, I thought it appropriate to have more information about the case,” he said. Hughes has arrived in India to interact with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Answering media queries over the death penalty awarded to Bhullar, he said, “I personally oppose death penalty and it should be banned all over the world. Some other ways of severe punishment should be devised. There are instances in various parts of the world wherein persons were found innocent after awarding death penalty. There should be standard norms all over the world over death penalty.” Hughes was accompanied by Dr Juias, senior lecturer in international relations, Paramjit Singh of the Sikh Students Federation and Mandhir Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani).

Randhir Singh said that Sangat TV is dedicated to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib as it is the highest institution in the Sikh Panth. Also everyone seems to be jumping up and down about the Akal Takhat Jathedar coming to the anniversary programme but no one is aware that after the programme in darbar sahib, the Jathedar met with all the Singhs in the Gurdwara office and answered all the questions which were put to him. Bhai Kuldeep Singh Chaheru and Bhai Joga Singh were very vocal in describing their disappointment in the role of the Jathedar in the whole Vienna case. Just because something does not happen in front of everyone doesnt mean it does not happen at all..

British Sikh Consultative Forum General Sec Jasdev Singh Rai along with Bhai Balwinder Singh Chaheru did a programme on Sangat TV last night after Sant Baba Ranjit SIngh Dhadrianwale ji's diwan outlining why Sikh Jathebandiya are against the plans on the 25th September. Bhai Rajinder Singh Purewal (owner of Panjab Times and General Secretary of AKJ UK) have also written in their editorial in this weeks edition why they are against the Sikh Channels plans of D-day on the 25th. I can understand the emotions and frustrations expressed on this forum but the real reasons Sangat TV has stood up against the D-day are unkown to the general Sangat. I ask for everyone to refrain from slandering anyone untill the reasons are known and expressed to the sangat at the appropriate time.

An attempt by the Shiromani Akali Dal to pass a resolution in the state assembly demanding commuting of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar’s death sentence to life imprisonment is unlikely to see the light of day with the Punjab BJP not playing ball. Punjab BJP sources said they would oppose any such resolution, as it would amount to adoption of double standards by the party at the Centre and the state. The BJP has demanded that the death sentence awarded to Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru be carried out and it cannot be seen to be taking an opposite stand in case of Bhullar. Punjab BJP legislature party leader and Local Government Minister Tikshan Sud said the SAD had not held any discussion on the issue. He said the party had a consistent stand on the issue irrespective of the names involved. He, however, said if the SAD proposed adoption of a resolution favouring life imprisonment for Bhullar, the state unit would take a stand after referring the matter to its high command. Veteran BJP leader Balramji Das Tandon, however, was more blunt. He said the BJP had made it clear that it was not in favour of remission of the death sentence. Tandon said, moreover, there could not be any soft corner for militants as Bhullar, too, was responsible for many deaths. Tandon said a coalition did not mean that views of both parties should be the same on every issue. He said the government was running as per a common minimum programme and that both parties could have different opinions on various issues. Meanwhile, sources said that under the present circumstances, the government might not table the resolution in the forthcoming assembly session. With Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal already announcing the government’s intention to table a resolution in this regard, the government might go in for some other measure to express solidarity with Bhullar. Earlier, veteran leader and party incharge for Punjab Shanta Kumar had also claimed that the party would not back the mercy plea of any militant. The situation is likely to embarrass the akalis as Pradesh Congress President Capt Amarinder Singh has spoken out in favour of commuting Bhullar’s death sentence. Various Sikh bodies, including the Dal Khalsa and the All Indian Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), have also urged the government to pass a resolution to this effect. Bhullar was convicted for carrying out a bomb blast in 1993 in New Delhi aimed at the then president of the Youth Congress, Maninderjit Singh Bitta. Though Bitta survived, nine people were killed in the blast. The President has rejected his mercy petition.