Azaad

The SGPC executive is likely to initiate action against the head granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib, Jasvinder Singh, in its Ludhiana meeting on Saturday for skipping “Chaupai Sahib” while performing the ‘path’ of ‘Rehraas Sahib’ at the sanctum sanctorum last evening. Sources said the SGPC authorities started receiving calls from India and abroad as soon as the head granthi committed the mistake on Thursday evening as Gurbani recital from the Golden Temple was being telecast live in various countries. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said Jasvinder admitted to have committed the mistake inadvertently. Sources said the head granthi was reportedly asked to resign, but he declined to do so. There are reports that the SGPC may either remove him from his post or transfer him elsewhere.

Pilgrims visiting Nankana Sahib in Pakistan would get extra security cover, said Bathinda MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sarup Chand Singla. He was a member of the state’s delegation that visited Pakistan recently. Singla said that the Punjab government would soon chalk out a strategy to help businessmen from both the countries boost their business. “At present, nearly 6,000 goods can only be transported to Pakistan via Dubai and vice versa,” Singla said. He said efforts would be made by the government of India to open Ferozepur-Hussainiwala border to increase trade. Singla said the issue of drug smuggling from Pakistan to India was also discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab (Pakistan) at the meetings.

*WARNING* Genie and LuckySingh99 have been given a warning for his anti-Dasam Granth posts and comments. May i remind all members that Sikh Sangat will NOT tolerate any anti-Dasam Granth topics or posts. As per directive from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Dasam Granth Sahib is an integral part of the Sikh Panth and will always remain so. Any further violations of this rule will result in direct ban.

Giving an unprecedented boost to their ties, India and Canada today announced the conclusion of thorny negotiations over administrative arrangements for operationalising the civil nuclear deal, which would facilitate Canadian companies to soon start exporting uranium and nuclear reactors to this country. The announcement ends close to four decades of tense relations between the two countries after Canada banned export of uranium to India in the wake of nuclear tests conducted by it in 1974. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also reassured New Delhi of his country's determination to check the activities of 'Khalistan' supporters on the Canadian soil. The two countries signed a social security accord and MoUs on cooperation in information communication technology and electronics and between DRDO and York University of Canada for cooperation in the areas of joint research and development in defence science and technology after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. ''We welcome the recent progress made towards concluding the modalities for the effective operationalisation of the agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation that we had signed in 2010,'' Singh said at a brief media interaction jointly with Harper. On his part, the Canadian PM said: "Our government is committed to promoting greater trade and investment with India. The conclusion of the administrative arrangement with India will facilitate opportunities for Canadian companies to play a greater role in meeting India's growing energy needs. It is expected to generate millions of dollars in new business contacts between our countries and to create high-quality new jobs at home.'' The two sides had for long been holding negotiations to iron out differences on the nuclear accord. Ottawa was insisting that India must inform it how New Delhi was utilising the uranium exported by Canada companies. New Delhi, however, was of the view that such measures were not necessary since it was already complying with the standards set by the IAEA. A joint statement issued at the end of the talks between the two leaders said they looked forward to the agreement on nuclear cooperation entering into effect shortly. The two countries also agreed to institute a strategic dialogue at the level of foreign ministers. They identified energy cooperation, particularly exports of Canadian oil and natural gas as well as renewable energy cooperation as an area with enormous potential. A ministerial level energy dialogue would supplement the strategic dialogue and promote specific projects. They reaffirmed their desire to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2013 and a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement. The activities of 'Khalistan' supporters in Canada came up for discussions during the meeting Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur had with the Canadian PM. The revival of 'anti-India' rhetoric in Canada was a matter of concern to India, she told Harper, pointing out that Punjab was witnessing a good situation of peace and progress after very hard times and i would like this situation to prevail. The Canadian PM said his country was firmly behind New Delhi on the subject of 'Khalistan'.

The controversy over the alleged demolition of a gurdwara on panchayat land in Fatehgarh Gehri village in Guruharsahai took a new turn today with Sikh organisations, led by Baljit Singh Daduwal, laying the stone of a new structure at the same site. Daduwal and members of political parties, including the Congress and the SAD (Amritsar), had held a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office over the issue last Thursday. Amid heavy security today, a "Chetna Samagam" was organised in the village. Later, the Panj Piaras laid the foundation stone of the gurdwara. Anumeet Singh Sodhi, son of the Congress MLA from Guruharsahai Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, also participated in the ceremony. Baba Ajit Singh, Baba Harbans Singh, Bhai Balkar Singh and Bhai Resham Singh were present on the occasion. The Damdami Taksal appealed to the villagers to extend cooperation in the construction of the gurdwara.

Amid high hopes of strengthening economic ties between the two Punjabs, a 45-member delegation led by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal crossed over to Pakistan today via the Attari-Wagah land route. The delegation comprised five Cabinet Ministers, eminent industrialists, traders and agriculture experts. Among the key issues figuring on the agenda are lack of trade infrastructure on the Pakistan side, the opening of Hussainiwala border, the issue of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and cultural and sporting ties. At present, India can only export 137 items to Pak via the Attari-Wagah land route as the neighbouring country is yet to switch over to negative list for this key trading point. Once implemented, it will open floodgates of opportunities for the trading community in Punjab. The exports from the Attari border, which stood at Rs 1,375 crore in 2011-12, will grow many fold as it will allow export of around 6,000 items from the Attari-Wagah land route. The delegation is also expected to deliberate on the issue of lack of trade infrastructure on the Pakistan side. Unlike India, which has raised a massive Rs 150-crore Integrated Check Post (ICP) spread over 118 acres of land in Attari, Pakistan has a check post which operates from an area of just nine acres. The issue of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been hanging fire for a long time. The historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara holds great significance for Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev, first Sikh Guru, spent last 18 years of his life there. The distance between Dera Baba Nanak and Kartarpur Sahib is just three km. The Sikhs have long been demanding unrestricted access to the historic shrine through a visa-free corridor connecting the two places. Meanwhile, interacting with the mediapersons at Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport before leaving for Pakistan, the Deputy Chief Minister said he was confident that the neighbouring country would start importing 6,000 items through Attari border by December 31. Sukhbir stated that the Punjab government was making concerted efforts for opening up of a visa centre at Amritsar for simplification of visa procedure, adding that the people of Pakistan, who visit India for medical treatment, were compelled to go to Delhi. He would take up the matter with the authorities concerned so that those people could avail of world class health facilities at Amritsar itself. Describing kabaddi a vital link between the two countries, Badal said he would inaugurate second Asia kabaddi Cup in Pakistan on November 7. Pakistan Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal greeted the delegation when it entered Pakistan. Prominent among those in the delegation were Cabinet ministers Bikram Singh Majithia, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Sikander Singh Maluka, Anil Joshi and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Sarup Chand Singla and Virsa Singh Valtoha.

Jaswant Singh Thekedar, the controversial former president of Gurdwara Miri Piri, The Broadway, Southall, UK, has been caught on video, committing ‘theft’ in the room of Sardar Sohan Singh Dhesi, which is located on the gurdwara premises. S Sohan Singh, the registered owner of the property, has complained to the police, listing the stolen articles as: important documents regarding Miri Piri Gurdwara, Southall; Gurdwara Baba Sang Ji, Birmingham; old passport, bank documents, some cash and his personal valuables etc. He has also claimed that the theft was committed to remove all legal and documentary evidence that was needed in the impending court case. However, Jaswant Singh Thekedar claims that he went in the room to rectify some gas leak that needed urgent attention. The video of the same can be seen on the akashradio website. Gurdwara Miri Piri, Southall, has been in the news recently because of the management and property ownership dispute arisen amongst S Sohan Singh Dhesi, S Mohinder Singh Rathour and S. Jagjit Singh Bhogal (claimants) and Jaswant Singh Thekedar, his wife Amrik Kaur and his brother in law B.S. Mann (defendants). The case is pending in the High Court. B.S. Mann has already been charged by police and has been produced in the Isleworth Crown Court in one of the related cases, while the Thekedar’s accomplice (claimed to be a committee member) and seen in the theft video has already been arrested and released on bail. Both of them have been banned from coming to the gurdwara. Police investigation in the theft case is on. According to sources, Thekedar had resigned from the presidentship of the gurdwara management, and S Mohinder Singh Rathour has removed him from the trusteeship according to the gurdwara constitution with the veto vote of trustee nominee S Sukhwinder Singh. Despite all this, Thekedar is still running the gurdwara management. On the other hand, Thekedar claims that the constitution according to which he has been ‘removed’ stopped existing since 2002 and there’s a new constitution that has come into force since 2010 according to which he is running the gurdwara. The case is now scheduled to come up for hearing in the High Court of Honourable Mr Justice Hildyard on December 11, 2012, the outcome of which will decide who will run the gurdwara.

India is likely to convey to Ottawa its concern over the increasing activities of “pro-Khalistan” elements in Canada when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds talks with his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper during the latter’s visit to India next week. However, what may come as a big surprise to the Indo-Canadian community, Canada’s super visa scheme does not seem to be part of the agenda of talks between the two leaders as of now. Indo-Canadians, particularly from Punjab, are not happy with the scheme and want it to be amended. Briefing reporters here this evening, Vikram Doraiswamy, Joint Secretary (Americas) in the External Affairs Ministry, however, said no representation had been received from the community over the scheme, dubbed by many as a ‘super flop’ project. The super visa scheme was launched by Canada in December last year as an option for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their families in Canada for an extended period of time. Super visa seekers use the same application form as applicants for the standard six-month visitor visa. Applicants for the super visa must also submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the immigration medical examination. The Canada Government had argued that with super visa, it was adopting a common sense approach that allowed parents and grandparents to spend extended periods of time with their loved ones in Canada, while at the same time, acting responsibly in protecting Canadian taxpayer.

The king of comedy and spoof, Jaspal Bhatti, got a standing ovation as soon as he appeared on screen during a special premiere on the opening day of his movie “Power Cut” at a multiplex this evening. Savita Bhatti and Jasraj Bhatti (right), son of Jaspal Bhatti, during the premiere of ‘Power Cut’ at a Chandigarh theatre on Friday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan As soon as he appeared in his usual comical attire on screen, his family members and fellow artistes, including wife Savita Bhatti, son Jasraj Bhatti, Gurdas Maan, Bhagwant Mann, Harbhajan Mann, Gupreet Singh Ghuggi, Jasbir Jassi and others, gave him a standing ovation followed by cheering from the packed audience. An emotional Savita said she did not want to cry for her late husband who continued to be her strength. “I am in a different state of mind as I watch his movie, which was his dream project. I will not even dare use past tense for him. He will always remain my friend, philosopher and guide. He will always be around us,” said Savita while putting up a brave face before the media. Jasraj, who made his debut with this movie, said it took them just a minute to decide about holding the premiere, which was cancelled yesterday after his sudden death. “This movie was his dream project. Though he is not with us today, his memories and legacy will always remain with us. We will keep alive his passion for meaningful comedy,” he said. The movie hit cinema halls at 29 locations across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Jammu, besides release in Canada and Australia. Rajan Batra of Batra Films, Jalandhar, distributors of the movie in the local market, said though the film’s booking remained slow on opening day, it was expected to pick up by word of mouth. Around 25% booking was registered in domestic market, he said. Those who saw the movie were visibly enthralled. Surinder Singh Dhillion, 22, an MBA student from Chandigarh, said like his earlier movies, this movie gave people sensible and meaningful comedy while highlighting the problem of power outages and corruption. Kuldeep Singh (67), a retired PSEB chief engineer, said seeing Jaspal Bhatti on screen was an emotional moment for him. “I can’t believe he is no longer with us. His message in the movie was subtle, yet it gave us a reason to introspect.” Arun Mahajan, another moviegoer, said he had bought six tickets for his family to pay their tribute to the man who made them laugh for years. “Jaspal Bhatti was at his best in the movie. Playing a ‘marasi’, he highlighted the working of Punjab’s electricity department in his usual satirical way. His witty one-liners, as always, made the crowd laugh through the movie.”

He will be remembered for his wry one-liners Bhatti dared to call spade a spade, and yet was an incredibly well-liked person Jaspal Bhatti, the very mention of whose name would bring an involuntary smile to one’s lips, today evokes a heartfelt emotion of deep loss. Satirist, comedian, actor, director and columnist with The Tribune, Bhatti’s untimely demise in a road accident in the wee hours of Thursday morning leaves behind a void that would be hard to fill. ‘Irreplaceable’ is the word well-known comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi uses to describe Bhatti’s place in the world of laughter. He goes on to state that with him Punjab saw the advent of a new era of comedy that was a far cry from buffoonery. He says: “For here was a man who made people double up in laughter with his wry one-liners and not silly antics.” Undeniably, Bhatti, who put Chandigarh on the laughter map of India and whose dead pan expression held millions in a thrall, set new refreshing standards of satire. He had the singular ability to infuse humour in everyday situations and address the common man’s problems through wit and jibes. Sarcasm was his forte and he knew how to use it effectively and purposefully. The man who mocked at one and all had the cheek to poke fun at himself too. Samples of this are ample on his official website. Even the credit of his films, including the latest “Power Cut” that hits the cinema on Friday and marks the debut of his son Jasraj Bhatti reads - (mis)directed by Jaspal Bhatti. Today Punjabi films might be ruling the roost but remember it was way back in 1998 that his Punjabi film “Mahaul Theek Hai” broke records and ran for over 13 weeks. If in his last feature film he spoofed the police force, “Power Cut” is a satire on the state’s power situation. Incidentally, this Punjab Engineering College graduate had got his first job in the Punjab State Electricity Board. Ironically, the man who dared to call spade a spade was an incredibly well-liked person “for people understood that he had no axe to grind,” said his close associate and actor of many serials Vinod Sharma. If his uncanny sense of humour pulsated in his works right from his popular serials like “Ulta-Pulta”, “Flop Show” and the DVD film “Jija Ji” and much more, in person too he brimmed with it. Sharma recalls how Bhatti created a bouquet out of recycled products when he went to congratulate Rock Garden creator Nek Chand. The Nonsense Club that he founded in 1980s as a student of PEC was yet another testimony to his wacky ideas. But his barbs were not misplaced or misdirected. Not loud or vulgar either. No wonder Ghuggi says: “He never hurt anybody and even if he did lampoon them, I bet his subjects too would not have been able to resist a hearty laugh.” In fact, Ghuggi views him as someone who not only showed the way to many comedians of Punjab but also how to walk en route that path. One person who has walked along with Bhatti shoulder to shoulder is his wife Savita Bhatti. She has played an integral and stellar role in his work. Acting in his serials, she has been involved in his projects right from the stage of genesis, together creating work of consequence. Four years ago, to hone the talent of the region, they set up MadArts Jaspal Bhatti Film School. Though Bhatti may not have got the credit for it, the fact remains that he was instrumental in carving a niche for the turbaned image of Sikhs, both on the television and in popular Hindi cinema. An actor of many Bollywood films like “Fanaa” and “Aa Ab Laut Chalen”, he sincerely believed that the unflattering portrayal of Sikhs in the Hindi cinema was a thing of the past. The son of Punjab born in Amritsar in 1955 aspired to make a Hindi film too. On the anvil was also the mission to set up India’s first comedy school. But dreams die young. In his case much was achieved, yet there were many more miles to go. Alas, at 57, he has fallen asleep forever.

Hundreds pay tribute to king of satire LAST GOOD-BYE: This picture of Jaspal Bhatti was taken by Tribune’s Pawan Sharma a day before his death. Gurpreet Ghuggi consoles Bhatti's wife Savita Chandigarh, October 25 Hundreds of people thronged the Sector 25’s cremation ground to pay their tribute to the king of satire and spoof. Jaspal Bhatti’s injured son, Jasraj Bhatti, performed the last rites. Bhatti’s wife Savita and daughter Rabia were extremely inconsolable and left the pyre soon after it was assigned to flames. People from all walks of life, including politicians, artists, fans, relatives and family friends bit their last adieu to the king of comedy. Prominent among those who attended his funeral included Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Bittu, Puspa Gujaral Science City, Kapurthala, chairman RS Khandpur, Olympian Pargat Singh, singer Jasbir Jassi, comedian-actor Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, Bhagwant Maan and several other artistes, folk singers, comedians, besides a number of bureaucrats and colleagues of Jaspal from the Punjab State Electricity Board. Several remembered their association with Bhatti. His close friend Tajinder Singh said they knew each other for over 30 years and it was commendable that he attained so much with his hard work and dedication.— TNS Singer Gurdas Mann Bhatti's son Jasraj Bhatti Punjabi comedian Meher Mittal Joe Bath with Bhatti's mother Dhian Kaur The man who made everybody laugh, left everyone grieving at the end. It was too shocking to learn about his death. I am sure his best was yet to come. —PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh Bhatti, through his rare sarcastic humor and wit, made enormous contributions in sensitising the general public, especially at the grass-roots level, in eradicating social evils from society —Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. He was a unique artiste. His comments were lucid but sharp in harping on his point in ridiculing the societal and political evils. —Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh His demise has left a vaccum in the Punjabi film industry. He popularised clean and socially relevant humour and his satire made people aware of their rights. He will always be remembered for his wit and humour.” — Anil Joshi, Cabinet Minister “Received another shockingly terrible news of the demise of Jaspal Bhatti saab today. I don’t know what’s happening. So sad...” — Actor Jimmy Sheirgill “I used to tell Jaspal Bhatti that he does fantastic comedy so seriously. He was also a great supporter of the anti-corruption campaign” — Anupam Kher "Bhatti created social awareness using humour. He tackled social evils like corruption through his satire. May his soul rest in peace." -AS Makkar, president, SGPC "He had the art of doing comedy seriously. We will be dedicating our annual cultural festival (Oct 26, 27) to his memory" -CS Chadha, Chief Khalsa Diwan "He played an active role in revolutionarising political satire and had achieved a cult status" —Sumeet Singh, Mohd Rafi Memorial Society "He helped increase awareness on social evils. His contribution to society is laudable." — Kanwarpal Singh, Dal Khalsa.

Ace comedian, satirist and film producer Jaspal Bhatti died in a road accident near Shahkot today. The accident took place around 1.30 am when Bhatti, his son Jasraj, actor Surili Gautam and Navnit Joshi, a Chandigarh-based advertisement professional, were travelling from Bathinda to Jalandhar via Moga for the promotion of their upcoming film ‘Power Cut’. Their white Honda Accord (HNC 1), which was being driven by Jasraj, crashed into a tree. Bhatti (57), who was in the rear seat, suffered grievous head injuries, including multiple fractures of the skull. All occupants of the car suffered injuries. Bhatti and his team were on a 40-day tour to promote ‘Power Cut’ in Punjab, which was to culminate at a press conference here on Thursday. The film, directed and produced by Bhatti, was scheduled for a Friday release. It is Jasraj’s debut film. “The accident took place around 1.30 am. Some local residents informed the police, which shifted the occupants of the car to a hospital in Jalandhar. While Bhatti was declared brought dead, the others were shifted to DMCH, Ludhiana, after first aid,” said Jalandhar (Rural) SP Rajinder Singh. The police is investigating the reasons behind the accident. It is believed that the vehicle swerved near the kerb on the Moga-Jalandhar highway near the Shahkot Truck Union office. The airbags of the car were found inflated and apparently saved the lives of Jasraj and Surili, who were in the front seat. The speedometer of the car suggested that the car was travelling at 60 kmph. “The speed dial needle often dips as soon as a vehicle involved in a crash comes to a halt,” said Rajinder Singh. “We heard a loud thud and ran towards the scene. The occupants were shrieking in pain. The middle-aged man (Jaspal Bhatti) was alive. We immediately called up the ‘108’ ambulance service,” said Surjit Singh, a truck driver who was at the Shahkot Truck Union office when the mishap took place. The four were taken to the local Orthonova Hospital on Nakodar road around 2 am. Bhatti was declared dead by a team of four doctors, led by Dr Harpreet Singh around 3 am. Four doctors besides the hospital staff treated the casualties. “We performed CPR on Bhatti for over 40 minutes but we could not resuscitate him. He had died on the way to the hospital. There was no major visible injury mark on the body, barring a bump on the forehead. Bhatti apparently died due to internal injuries caused by base skull fracture. Blood was oozing out of the ears and nostrils,” said Dr Harpreet Singh. He said he got a call from a Ludhiana-based doctor, who was known to Bhatti, around 1.45 a.m. “He told me that he was shifting Bhatti and others to our hospital. While we tried to resuscitate Bhatti, the other three were shifted to the DMCH around 5.30 am. They were out of danger,” said Dr Harpreet Singh. Bhatti’s family members, including his brother-in-law and Anandpur Sahib MLA Dr Daljit Cheema, reached the hospital soon after learning about the accident. Bhatti’s body was shifted to the local Civil Hospital, where a post-mortem was conducted. “The death was caused by skull fracture and head injuries,” said Dr Sanjay Khanna, who conducted the autopsy. The body was handed over to the family members and friends around 12 pm. Hundreds thronged the Sector-25 cremation ground in Chandigarh to pay their last respects to Bhatti this evening. Jasraj performed the last rites of his father. Bhatti’s wife Savita and daughter Rabia were inconsolable, as people from all walks of life bade a tearful adieu to the satirist. Those present included Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Bittu, artistes Jasbir Jassi, comedians Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi and Bhagwant Maan.

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The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre, seeking its response within six weeks on a plea for a “separate and distinct” identity for Sikhs in laws relating to succession, adoption, divorce and maintenance. A three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir has asked the Law Ministry, Attorney General GE Vahanvati and the Minority Affairs Ministry to give their views on whether Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists could be included in laws meant exclusively for Hindus. According to petitioners Birendra Kaur and Rohit Garg, the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act 2012, notified in June had solved only the problem of registration of marriages by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Earlier, they had to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act 1955. For other matters relating to succession, adoption, divorce and maintenance, people professing these three faiths still had to resort to the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 and the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956, they contended. The petitioners questioned the wisdom of including Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists under the laws were meant only for the Hindus, if one were to go by the titles. “When all the four religions stand admittedly on an equal footing and are independent of each other, is it right for the legislature” to mention just one religion in the title, they wanted to know. “Making a law applicable to all religions is one thing. Calling all religions by the name of a single religion for the purpose of law is quite another,” they said, contending that this amounted to discrimination. According to them, the word “Hindu” in the titles of these laws should be replaced with either “national” or “Indian.” Further, under the existing laws divorce was allowed on the ground of change of religion by a spouse. However, this was not possible if one of the partners in a Sikh marriage converted either to Hinduism, Jainism or Buddhism. “This is true of married couples of all the four religions. Thus the word ‘Hindu’ is patently discriminatory. For example, if one of the Hindu partners converts to the Parsi religion, divorce is possible. If the partner converts to Buddhism, divorce is not possible,” the petition explained. This problem, arising from “linguistic errors in legislative drafting,” was against the Constitution which had accorded equal status and independent identities to Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism, the petitioners said. “Identity is an innate and powerful emotional feeling and is part of the right to life. That the Sikh identity be preserved as a separate and distinct identity while drafting statutes causes no difficulty for the State at all and it requires only a little sensitivity while drafting statutes to maintain this identity within the statute itself,” they averred. The petitioners had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court with their plea on September 30, 2011, but the court dismissed it three days later, prompting them to move the SC. The SC Bench, which included Justices SS Nijjar and J Chelameswar, passed the order last week when the appeal came up for hearing.

Five persons were seriously injured after two groups clashed at a gurdwara in Dhandowal village near here this morning. The groups reportedly came to blows over holding an “akand path” at Dera Icchadhari on the outskirts of the village. The incident took place inside the gurudwara where the groups were holding a meeting to finalise whether or not the “akhand path” be held at the dera. The meeting took a violent turn as arguments among rival members flared up. Though some police personnel were already deployed there since morning, they could not prevent the clash. Four members of Panthak Sewa Lehar (led by Baljit Singh Daduwal), Damdami Taksal and Satikar Committee, were injured in the clash and one sewadar of Dera Icchadhari (run by Sadhu Singh and Sarabjit Kaur) also sustained critical injuries. They were admitted to the Shahkot Civil Hospital. Leaders of the Panthak Sewa Lehar alleged that “akhand path” could not be held at the dera as it was against Sikh traditions. The other group claimed it had the permission from Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). They showed the letter of permission by SGPC for holding the ‘akhand path’ Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) HS Hundal said statements of members from both the groups admitted to the hospital were being recorded and action would be taken accordingly.

Several organisations working for the betterment of the Sikh community in Delhi today said a mobile photo exhibition of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots would be inaugurated at Jallianwala Bagh on November 1. It would reach Sultanpur Lodhi on October 24, Jalandhar on October 25, Ludhiana on October 26, Anandpur Sahib on October 27 and Chandigarh on October 28. A seminar on “Effective legislation against communal and sectarian violence" would be held on November 4, said senior advocate of the Supreme Court HS Phoolka. He said the photo exhibition and the seminar were being organised to pressurise the government into punishing the guilty as not one accused in the anti-Sikh riots had been convicted. He said there were only five cases being heard by courts, the rest having been dismissed for want of evidence or witnesses.

Is the NYSF the new youth wing of the Sikh Federation UK?

Punjab Pradesh Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today said he had received a threat call from Germany for speaking out against the Operation Bluestar Memorial at the Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar. He said the caller asked him as to why he was issuing statements against the construction of the memorial. “I asked the caller his age. He, in return, asked me what had that to do with the memorial issue. I replied that his age had everything to do with the discussion”. Amarinder said he told the caller that industrialists were making a beeline for other states and if the atmosphere in the state was vitiated again, things could turn from bad to worse. Meanwhile, sources said a senior police officer had rung up Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar, telling him that the latter’s name had come up for discussion during a meeting of a radical group in Germany. The sources said the discussion had centred on “teaching him a lesson” for speaking out against the construction of Bluestar Memorial during the last Vidhan Sabha session. The CLP Leader is reported to have asked the state police to take appropriate steps, if need be. The sources said the radicals were well-entrenched in Germany as the latter was most liberal in granting asylum to such elements during the days of militancy in Punjab.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today made it clear that recent incidents triggered by pro-Khalistan elements cannot be seen as a “revival of militancy” in Punjab. He, however, said the Central Government could not “interfere” in the matters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which has okayed the construction of a memorial at the Golden Temple complex to mark Operation Bluestar. To a question on attempts to revive militancy in Punjab and the challenge it posed, Shinde, who was addressing a press conference, said: “There is information that there are some instances (of Punjab militant activity) not only in the state but also abroad. We are monitoring it.” However, it could not be termed revival of militancy, he added. On the upcoming memorial at the Golden Temple complex to mark Operation Bluestar and if the Home Ministry had any objection to it, Shinde said: “Some institutions are doing that. We do not want to override their rights. It is not a question of matter of objection or no objection. It is a matter of rights given to them under the Constitution.” He clarified that by “institutions” he meant the SGPC. Experts on Sikh matters cited Section 144 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which limits the “government interference in gurdwaras”, as the basis for the Home Minister “rights under the Constitution” comment. On why he could not object to the memorial, Shinde said: “I do not want to overstep the rights (of the SGPC)…. I leave it to them. It is their (Sikh) institution. We cannot interfere unless someone raises an objection in court.” Shinde, without naming the SGPC, said: “They must understand that the country has been hurt in the past. That is why the other day, on a visit to Amritsar, I had advised them to ‘self-introspect’.” On the possibility of a common denominator between the militant groups in Kashmir and Punjab, Shinde said: “There was some information that Kashmir and Punjab groups were in communication with each other.” He said he would visit Kashmir to take part in a meeting soon. Besides, he would also visit Jammu along with border posts. On providing security to Army and police personnel who took part in Operation Bluestar and other anti-militant activities, Shinde said it was obligatory of the police to review the security of such people and give them protection.

The Pakistan Government has agreed to declare Hasan Abdal, where Gurdwara Punja Sahib is located, as a holy city for the Sikhs after a delegation of the All-India Bar Association visited Pakistan and met its Interior Minister A Rehman Malik last month. The delegation was led by Dr Adish C Aggarwal, chairman of the All-India Bar Association, and the Additional Advocate- General of Punjab in the Supreme Court. “Malik accepted the request of the delegation members and issued a letter to the concerned department in this regard,” Aggarwal said. He said Malik had written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, inviting them to Pakistan to be part of the “historic declaration”. The letter reads:“I cordially invite you and your noble son Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, to visit Pakistan to be part of the historic declaration of Hasan Abdal as ‘Holy City’ at your convenience, preferably in this month. “I am sure, you will appreciate our respect for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the entire Sikh community.” Aggarwal was honoured by the Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal today.

With New Delhi taking up strongly with London the recent assassination attempt on Lt Gen KS Brar (retd), Britain has assured India of its determination to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. In a letter to External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office William Hague also assured New Delhi that Britain would continue updating Indian officials about the progress of investigations in the case. Hague conveyed his “shock” at the attack on Brar in London on September 30 and hoped for his “quick recovery”, official sources here said. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, who was in London earlier this week, is believed to have taken up with the British authorities the attack on Brar by four unidentified men in Old Quebec Street near Oxford Street in London last Sunday. Britain has taken seriously the attack on Brar, who led ‘Operation Bluestar’ in 1984 to flush out ‘pro-Khalistan’ militants from Golden Temple. “It (the attack on Brar) is of great concern to the UK. We don’t want these people here exporting their terrorist views because they represent a real threat to people in the UK apart from anything else. It is regarded as being as unacceptable and despicable as people in India do,’’ British Foreign Office Minister in-charge of India Hugo Swire had said.

While Operation Bluestar is back in the limelight with the attack on Lt Gen KS Brar (retd) in London recently, work on Operation Bluestar Memorial, that is being built by the Damdami Taksal, is in full swing at the Golden Temple here. The basic structure of the memorial, which is octagonal in shape, has come up in four months after ‘kar sewa’ was started on June 6, the 28th anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. Now, work on appending white marble on its outer walls is about to begin. Sources said a dome-like structure atop the memorial will be erected only after a similar one is raised at the adjoining Gurdwara Thara Sahib. A decision in this regard is pending before the SGPC and the Damdami Taksal. The memorial will come up on an area measuring 31 feet x 31 feet with a height of 19 feet, less than the adjoining Gurdwara Thara Sahib. The left plank of the building adjacent to Miri Piri will serve as an entrance to the memorial. The Damdami Taksal believes that Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale had “attained martyrdom” at that very point. After the attack on General Brar, questions are being raised as to the nature of the memorial. But the SGPC has been saying all along that it will only be a gurdwara in memory of those killed in the Army operation. Damdami Taksal Chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, who could not be contacted despite repeated attempts, has also clarified in the past that the memorial will be a tribute to not only Bhindranwale but also the pilgrims killed during Operation Bluestar. The attack on Brar has sparked fears regarding the revival of militancy in the state, with the memorial acting as a trigger. Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC chief, who had earlier said that “the SGPC will never allow any such activity in the Golden Temple complex which may disturb peace or push the state back into turmoil,” was not available for comment in view of the fresh controversy. He is recuperating from a knee surgery in a Delhi hospital. But SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said the attack on General Brar had nothing to do with the memorial. He said: “Those associated with Operation Bluestar have been attacked in the past too when there was no memorial.” He also said that the attack should be probed as it could be a “conspiracy to tarnish the image of the Sikhs”. He clarified that there will be no picture gallery inside the memorial. Sikh scholar Bhai Ashok Singh Bagarian said the memorial was an internal matter of the Sikhs and nobody should interfere. Radical Sikh outfit leader Kanwarpal Singh said the memorial would in no way disturb peace in Punjab. Treading Cautiously The left wing of the building will serve as an entrance to the memorial The Damdami Taksal believes that Bhindranwale had “attained martyrdom” at that very point There will be no picture gallery inside the memorial, says Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

Kishori Lal who was the only person ever sentenced to Jail for hacking 6 innocent Sikhs to death in November 1984 has been granted early release by Sheila Dixit and her Congress Government in Delhi.

Militancy might be dead in Punjab but its adherents abroad are desperately trying to revive the so-called Khalistan movement. The radical elements are using social networking sites and television to woo youth and raise money. The movement, which now has its headquarters in Pakistan and is still patronised by the country’s Inter- Services Intelligence (ISI), has modules in several European countries, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The modules are invariably indulging in overt propaganda as it is difficult to proceed against them. The men at the top of the militant hierarchy continue to be stationed in Pakistan. According to intelligence sources, the top ground continues to be occupied by the Babbar Khalsa International led by Wadhawa Singh. This group gets logistic support from the ISI and raises funds worldwide through several organisations, including self- professed NGOs. The BKI is known to be jointly working with other militant organisations. It is now using foreign modules for planning and executing terror strikes in India. This strategy was used to assassinate Rashtriya Sikh Sangat head Rulda Singh Patiala two years ago. It was also used to transport explosives for a blast in Delhi. The explosives were seized in Ambala around Diwali last year. The outfit has been successfully transferring money to sleeper cells and families of former militants for the last few years. Recently, the Punjab Police nabbed two former militants - Daljit Singh Bittu and Kulbir Singh Barapind who are accused of receiving more than Rs 1 crore through hawala channels for distribution to families of former militants. UK citizen Jaswant Singh Azad was recently arrested after it came to light that he had distributed Rs 53 lakh to militant families as well as sleeper cells of the BKI in Punjab. Azad had 14 bank accounts in Punjab. Other top militants holed up in Pakistan include Jagtar Singh Tara, the assassin of former Chief Minister Beant Singh who escaped from the Burail jail in Chandigarh. Tara has formed his own outfit called the Khalistan Tiger Force. Another militant stationed in Pakistan is Ranjeet Singh Neeta who is the chief of the Khalistan Zindabad Force. These radicals, including Wadhawa Singh, are known to travel abroad to meet supporters and raise money. Punjab police sources say these top militants were holed up in Lahore earlier and have now been shifted to Faislabad. Sources said the ISI provides these militants shelters and arms. These outfits rely on organisations and cells in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and European countries for new recruits and funds. Money is being raised by radicals mainly in gurdwaras. They are increasingly taking the help of the Internet and even the Facebook to raise funds. Police sources claim while terrorists in Pakistan continue to be on the watch list, what is worrying is the manner in which the Dal Khalsa had become popular among youth in the United Kingdom. The Dal Khalsa is headed by alleged former Indian Airlines hijacker Gajinder Singh. They said the organisation was recently able to collect £1.5 million through the Sangat television channel patronised by it during a campaign to seek clemency for Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana five months back. Sources said in North America radicals have formed social organisations to attract youth. The organisations, which do humanitarian work, also allegedly feed anti-India stories. The Punjab Police, on its part, says it has started receiving real-time information through appropriate channels from the United States and the United Kingdom on radical groups. A senior police officer said both countries were also putting radicals under surveillance on specific requests. He, however, said some European countries were still to understand the real nature of the activities being undertaken by these radical groups. The International Sikh Youth Federation which has branches in over a dozen countries, including Canada and Europe, is led by alleged Kanishka bomber Lakhbir Singh Rode. Police sources claim small groups of radicals are also based mainly in Germany which was the first to give political asylum to former militants. Some groups are also based in Belgium, France, Norway and Switzerland. Active in Pakistan Babbar Khalsa International — Leader: Wadhawa Singh Khalistan Tiger Force — Leader: Jagtar Singh Tara Khalistan Zindabad Force — Leader: Ranjeet Singh Neeta Wooing youth The militant groups are focusing on youth. The possible recruits are being wooed with the help of social networking sites. Some of these groups have also formed social organisations. In revival mode The BKI trying to revive terrorism in Punjab. Recently, two former militants - Daljit Singh Bittu and Kulbir Singh Barapind - were arrested. They were accused of receiving hawala money from abroad to boost sleeper cells. UK citizen Jaswant Singh Azad was arrested for distributing Rs 53 lakh to families of former militants.

Cracking down on the perpetrators of the "appalling" attack on Lt Gen KS Brar (retd) here, Scotland Yard today arrested eight more persons, taking to 12 the number of those held for the attempted murder of the Operation Bluestar hero. Among those arrested in connection with the last Sunday attack on 78-year-old Brar in Old Quebec Street near Oxford Street were two women. The arrests came a day after officers took into custody three men and one woman on suspicion of conspiracy to murder in connection with the investigation into the attempted murder of Brar. "Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command have arrested a further eight people in connection with the investigation into the attempted murder of an Indian man (Brar) in central London on September 30," the Metropolitan Police Service said. It added that three more persons were arrested on immigration matters unrelated to the attempted murder probe. The statement came as Britain's Foreign Office Minister in-charge of India, Hugo Swire, called the attack on Brar "unacceptable" and "appalling", saying it was of "great concern" to the UK. "It (the attack on Brar) is of great concern to the United Kingdom. We don't want these people here exporting their terrorist views because they represent a real threat to people in the UK apart from anything else. "It is regarded as being as unacceptable and despicable as people in India do. These things are taken very seriously by this government. General Brar was appallingly,attacked. It would be wrong for me to comment (further) till we know who the perpetrators are," Swire said. Meanwhile, the three persons who were arrested on immigration violation charges were nabbed from the same address where some of the suspects were held. Giving details about today's arrests, police said two persons -- a 42-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — were arrested at a residential address in Hillingdon borough. The man was held on suspicion of assisting an offender and the woman was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. A further three men — aged 42, 37 and 30, respectively — were arrested after a short while on the street on Queensdale Road in Kensington and Chelsea borough on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, the statement said. Three more persons — aged 32, 31 and 20, respectively — were held at a residential address in Holland Park after a few hours. Two of them were arrested on conspiracy to murder while the third one was held on suspicion of assisting an offender. "All 15 are in custody at police stations in central London and west London," the Scotland Yard statement said. A number of search warrants have also been executed in connection with this investigation. Searches are being carried out at a residential address in South Shields, a residential address in Birmingham and two residential addresses in London. The statement said the attack may have caused concern among Indian and Sikh communities. Cracking down All the 12 arrested are in custody at police stations in central and west London Searches continue in South Shields, Birmingham and London Detectives from New Scotland Yard investigating the attack as an attempt to murder