Dastar Day News Updates

[osingh]

Please post any news related to Dastar day event sangat ji:

Sikhs in airport 'disrespect' demo

(UKPA) – 7 hours ago

Thousands of Sikhs are set to gather in London to protest against harassment they say they experience at European airports.

The demonstration, in Parliament Square on Sunday noon, will be held simultaneously with others in four other capitals to protest against what Sikhs describe as intimidation and disrespect of their faith at European airports.

They say in recent months there have been growing problems at airports for Sikhs travelling from the UK being asked to remove their turbans despite successfully passing through security scanners.

The campaign is being coordinated by the Sikh Channel, a cable TV station based in Birmingham and London which broadcasts to an international audience.

Abinash Singh and his wife Balraj, from Hayes, west London, recently appeared on the channel describing their experience at an Italian airport where officials forced the removal of his turban.

Mr Singh said: "After the contribution of the Sikhs in the world wars, after the positive contribution made to European society by Sikhs, this treatment is deeply upsetting."

The demonstration - in line with similar protests in Brussels, Rome and Madrid which will be connected by a live link and shown on big screens - is expected to be attended by community leaders and Sikh celebrities as well as Wolverhampton MP and former adviser to Tony Blair Pat McFadden.

The group argues that there is no justified security reason for removal of turbans which have successfully passed through scanners.

It is calling on national governments in Europe to investigate the treatment of Sikhs at airports and make representations to their European partners where Sikhs are found to be abused.

A spokesman for the Sikh Channel said: "Reports from across Europe indicate that our Sikh brothers are being forced to remove their turbans at airport security.

"This is a totally unacceptable infringement of our faith, it's also totally unnecessary as turban is no different than any other item of clothing in relation to a metal detector or x-ray machine."

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

[Puraatan]

Been watching some of it live on Sikh Channel at relatives house, couldn't make it.

Not that much Sangat has turned up at d-day from the looks of it. Definately no where near the amount of Sangat that turns up to the June event, it's like 15% of that, but that doesn't matter. Speeches are all mostly in Punjabi as well and doesn't look like much awareness is being created at all. However, a good effort by Sikh Channel and good work. At least the event has happened peacefully and it is all good and at least Sikh Channel made an effort to do something (although perhaps not the right approcah in my opinion, but that is my opinion). Hopefully everyone can work together in the future and everyone will be freinds again now!

Also, unfortunately "Bob Singh" (nornally with "Kamalroop") of the anti panthic Niddar Nang crew managed to get the opportunity to speak on the stage, that was very dissapointing!

Rest were okay I think.

[osingh]

BBC news briefly covered the event. If only both channels got together this event would have received more coverage and success.

The event was peaceful. All this fuss for nothing.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.