Sopw Press Release- Bandhi Chor

[SOPW]

SOPW Press Release 8/11/2010

Give them the light at the end of the tunnel

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW) wishes the Panth and all of humanity had a very happy and prosperous Bandi Chor/ Diwali.

It is at this time of year that it is particularly poignant that on this "Day of Freedom/Emancipation" we remember those illuminated individuals who themselves do not yet enjoy the fruits of liberty many of us do. It was on this day that 52 Hindu princes were by the Grace of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji released from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir's Gwalior Fort (Madhya Pradesh, India).

It was for this reason Sikhs celebrate Bandi (prison) Chor (release) - Guru Sahib Ji was offered freedom but refused unless the other princes, who it must be remembered were today's equivalent of political prisoners / prisoners of conscience, were released also. Emperor Jahangir cleverly agreed on the condition that only those who could hold on to Guru Sahib's cloak would be released; Guru Sahib thus had his Sikhs design a cloak with 52 tassels and was released along with all the princes. The lesson for humanity from Guru Sahib being that one should contemplate the suffering of others before one's own and that the freedom and rights of others was more important than his own.

All across the globe, Sikhs have been celebrating Bandi Chor/Diwali, we urge you to consider for a moment the plight of those innocent Sikhs who year in year out, spend Bandi Chor/Diwali away from families and friends in a small dirty cell, hearing fireworks and celebrations happening outside their prisons.

Guru Sahib Ji was benevolent, humane and had a profound love for one and all, may we develop such divine virtues. May we all endeavor to assist and support such prisoners and at the very least we can all make a heartfelt prayer that Guru Jee blesses all prisoners with Chardi Kala/High Spirits.

The SOPW calls upon all Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike to realise and instil this message in their hearts and demand the release of all those who are being held illegally and without trial across the globe. It is a travesty that especially in the very nation (India) Sri Guru Hargobind Ji personified such an exemplary universal message that there are thousands who are still being tortured (recently Bhai Pala Singh), charged with false crimes, held without trial and without access to their families.

We urge you to help us, help them

It must be remembered:"A injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere."

Prominent Sikhs currently imprisoned include Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar:

"There are serious concerns that Davinder Pal Singh Bhuller may not have been given a fair trial." (Amnesty International)

"Not a single witness, out of the 133 witnesses identified him." (The Voice Refugee Forum)

And Bhai Paramjeet Singh Dhadhi:

"a clear cut planted case where two Indian nationals and a British national were falsely implicated" (Lawyers For Human Rights International)

We urge you to help us to help them. You may not be able to travel to India and fight their legal cases, but your donations enable us to instruct lawyers on their behalf. In the last year SOPW, in this way, helped facilitate the release/bail of 10 Sikh prisoners including Bibi Balwinder Kaur.

£20 a month helps provide prisoners with the basic amenities in prison such as fresh fruit, soap, oil (hair/body) and clothes.

Please donate your time, money and/or expertise to ensuring we are able to help those families and individuals whose liberty is denied.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa ||Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW)

Info@prisonerwelfare.comwww.prisonerwelfare.comRegistered Charity No. 1125370

To support our work: http://www.justgiving.com/sopw

[Hoshiarpuria]

A great cause, our Brothers are locked up in Indian jails without trial or representation.I hope we all can support SPOW so that our Singhs in India know that we do care.

SOPW Press Release 8/11/2010

Give them the light at the end of the tunnel

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW) wishes the Panth and all of humanity had a very happy and prosperous Bandi Chor/ Diwali.

It is at this time of year that it is particularly poignant that on this "Day of Freedom/Emancipation" we remember those illuminated individuals who themselves do not yet enjoy the fruits of liberty many of us do. It was on this day that 52 Hindu princes were by the Grace of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji released from the Mughal Emperor Jahangir's Gwalior Fort (Madhya Pradesh, India).

It was for this reason Sikhs celebrate Bandi (prison) Chor (release) - Guru Sahib Ji was offered freedom but refused unless the other princes, who it must be remembered were today's equivalent of political prisoners / prisoners of conscience, were released also. Emperor Jahangir cleverly agreed on the condition that only those who could hold on to Guru Sahib's cloak would be released; Guru Sahib thus had his Sikhs design a cloak with 52 tassels and was released along with all the princes. The lesson for humanity from Guru Sahib being that one should contemplate the suffering of others before one's own and that the freedom and rights of others was more important than his own.

All across the globe, Sikhs have been celebrating Bandi Chor/Diwali, we urge you to consider for a moment the plight of those innocent Sikhs who year in year out, spend Bandi Chor/Diwali away from families and friends in a small dirty cell, hearing fireworks and celebrations happening outside their prisons.

Guru Sahib Ji was benevolent, humane and had a profound love for one and all, may we develop such divine virtues. May we all endeavor to assist and support such prisoners and at the very least we can all make a heartfelt prayer that Guru Jee blesses all prisoners with Chardi Kala/High Spirits.

The SOPW calls upon all Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike to realise and instil this message in their hearts and demand the release of all those who are being held illegally and without trial across the globe. It is a travesty that especially in the very nation (India) Sri Guru Hargobind Ji personified such an exemplary universal message that there are thousands who are still being tortured (recently Bhai Pala Singh), charged with false crimes, held without trial and without access to their families.

We urge you to help us, help them

It must be remembered:"A injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere."

Prominent Sikhs currently imprisoned include Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar:

"There are serious concerns that Davinder Pal Singh Bhuller may not have been given a fair trial." (Amnesty International)

"Not a single witness, out of the 133 witnesses identified him." (The Voice Refugee Forum)

And Bhai Paramjeet Singh Dhadhi:

"a clear cut planted case where two Indian nationals and a British national were falsely implicated" (Lawyers For Human Rights International)

We urge you to help us to help them. You may not be able to travel to India and fight their legal cases, but your donations enable us to instruct lawyers on their behalf. In the last year SOPW, in this way, helped facilitate the release/bail of 10 Sikh prisoners including Bibi Balwinder Kaur.

£20 a month helps provide prisoners with the basic amenities in prison such as fresh fruit, soap, oil (hair/body) and clothes.

Please donate your time, money and/or expertise to ensuring we are able to help those families and individuals whose liberty is denied.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa ||Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh ||

The Sikh Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW)

Info@prisonerwelfare.comwww.prisonerwelfare.comRegistered Charity No. 1125370

To support our work: http://www.justgiving.com/sopw