May 2012 Archive

Punjab women up in arms against cultural pollution by Punjabi singers

Phagwara, Punjab (May 31, 2012): As per reports on May 30, 2012 the “Istri Jagriti Manch” - IJM (Women awareness platform) staged a demonstration outside the house of Punjabi Singer Geeta Jaildar to warn him against his objectionable songs derogatory to the honour of women.

Gurdaspur Killing: Police and administration shielding the guilty cops

Gurdaspur, Punjab (May 31, 2012): As per reports, Gurdaspur city of Punjab remained peaceful but tense on May 28, 2012 following the district administration and police clamped ban orders on assembly of more than five persons under section 144 and protesters seeking probe into the police firing in which Jaspal Singh, student of Beant Engineering College was killed.

Injustice with Sikhs in India – HRW recommendations are welcomed, but they are not a solution: CSC

Vancouver, BC (May 28, 2012): In a report made public recently, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has pressured India to lay charges against the individuals responsible for the massacre of Sikhs in 1984.

Recent amendment to Anand Marriage Act – achievement for the Sikhs or fraud with the Sikhs?

Ludhiana, Punjab (May 28, 2012): Whereas, many circles of Sikh diaspora and Badal Dal leaders are busy in hailing the "success" in getting Anand Marriage Act, 1909 amended in the Indian Parliament, Sikh academicians and scholars have taken strong exception to the generalized view in this matter and have termed the recent amendment as a “fraud” with the Sikhs.

Tytler’s Role in Sikh Genocide 1984 – US Based Witness Jasbir Singh teady to testify before Indian Court

New Delhi, India (May 25, 2012): All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF - Peermohammad) President Karnail Singh Peermohammad who led the “Justice Rally” outside the Karkardooma Court where additional sessions Judge K. S Pal held the hearing released a sworn statement of US based witness to the media. The key witness Jasbir Singh is willing to come to India and testify before the court against Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler for organizing killing of Sikhs during November 1984.

India – Sikh Identity Issue: Rights Group to Launch “Amend Article 25” Campaign

New York, USA (May 24, 2012): Reacting to the recent amendment to Anand Marriage Act, Sikh organizations and Gurudwara Management Committees across North America came together declaring that amendment to Anand Marriage Act is not sufficient to restore the separate status and identity of Sikhism. Sikh bodies demanded amendment to article 25 of the Constitution of India to restore the separate status of Sikhism.

India – Amendment of Anand Marriage Act passed – Too little & too late

New Delhi, India (May 22, 2012): Indian Parliament's lower house, Lok Sabha, today passed the Anand Marriage Amendment Bill, 2012. The bill was passed by Rajya Sabha yesterday. This bill was aimed at inserting a provision for registration of Sikh marriages under Anand Marriage Act, 1909.

Hindutva party opposes Sikh memorial for June 1984

Amritsar, Punjab (May 21, 2012): Bhartiya Janta Party, BJP, known for it's Hindutva ideology has opposed the Sikh memorial for June 1984. It is notable that in June 1984 Indian army attacked Sri Darbar Sahib, commonly known as Golden Temple of Amritsar. Thousands of civilian Sikh pilgrims were killed by Indian forces and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, eternal seat of Sikh sovereignty was targeted with tanks, bombs and rockets and was badly damaged.

Indian Parliament’s Rajya Sabha clears registration clause for Anand Marraige Act, 1909; Bill expected to be introduced in Lok Sabha today

New Delhi, India (May 21, 2012): Indian Parliament's upper house, called Rajya Sabha, passed the bill aimed at amending Anand Marriage Act, 1909 in order to insert a registration clause in the Act. The bill is expected to be introduced to lower house, called Lok Sabha, today.

AISSF & SFJ Launched “1984 Yes It’s Genocide” Campaign To Collect Signatures In Support of Petition

Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): While Damdami Taksal laid the foundation stone in the memory of Shaheed Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh former President AISSF, Shaheed General Shubeg Singh and countless others Sikhs who were martyred in June 1984, All India Sikh Students Federation (PeerMohammad) and “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ) a human rights group, Under the directions and patronage of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, has launched “1984 Yes It’s Genocide” campaign to collect ‘Million Signatures” in support of “1984 - Genocide Petition” to be filed before the United Nations.

Karseva of June 1984 memorial begin at Darbar Sahib complex

Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): The karsewa began today at Sri Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar in memory of martyrs of Armed attack on Darbar Sahib in June 1984. The Indian Army's attack was code named as "Operation Bluestar" in 1984. Thousads of civilian Sikh were killed during this attack.

Poster narrating a decade long journey to raise the memorial released

Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): Dal Khalsa today released a poster narrating a decade long journey to raise the memorial of June 1984 martyrs marking its inauguration ceremony at Akal Takht.

Draft of “the Sikh Marraige Act, 2012” prepared by Sirdar Gurtej Singh

Ludhiana, Punjab (May 18, 2012): A draft of Sikh Marriage Act was sent to various Members of Indian Parliament by Sirdar Gurtej Singh. The text of draft is available on his blog. This draft is reproduced in verbatim as follows, for the knowledge of readers/visitors of Sikh Siyasat.

The cold-blooded murder of Jaspal Singh

On an earlier occasion, I had written to more than two newspapers of the region protesting against the distortion that has almost become second nature of the Indian Media when it carries news and views pertaining to the Sikhs and the Sikh issues. I am compelled to write again as under to The Tribune, although I am certain that like the two other letters written earlier, this one will also be ignored. The purpose of writing is to hold a mirror to the faces of our great leaders who fondly believe that they are firmly tackling the Sikh problems. If they are not able to speak about the deep-rooted prejudices that lead the state to frequent killing of the Sikhs in cold blood, they ought to evaluate the worth of service that they are rendering. The people must also become aware about their leaders who do not protest against blatant and potent distortions that eventually become the reason for glossing over the past murders and help in paving the way for committing fresh ones. The Sikhs must remind their leaders that the state repression and the Media support for it needs to be exposed if they are really concerned about the people they claim to lead. They must realize that leadership is not just pinching money from the pockets of the led to satisfy their own desire for luxurious living. It is not enough that they simply issue high pitched statements to convince themselves that they are alive and are going about their business seriously. Something concrete is required.

Fact finding report of LFHRI in the incident of police firing which took place in Gurdaspur on 29th March 2012

Brief background of the matter: That on the event of fixing of the date of execution of death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana for 31.3.2012, the people of Punjab decided to show their resentment to the hurriedness being shown by the administration to hang Balwant Singh, and even ignoring the pendency of the matter in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The Chief Minister of Punjab had to move to the Central Government for staying the execution of Balwant Singh in such a manner.

Sikhs need their own marriage act and personal law

Jalandhar, Punjab (May 16, 2012): Dal Khalsa favours separate marriage act and personal law for Sikhs on the pattern of Muslims having their own in India. Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh in a statement said its fact that that amendments being made in the Anand Marriage Act-1909 was unsatisfactory and insufficient. Since long, the Sikhs have been struggling to get constitutional recognition as a separate religion and quam. But ironically the successive Union governments including the SAD’s alliance partner BJP, has always ridiculed this very fundamental right of the community.

June 1984 Memorial – Report submitted by Ghalughara Memorial Committee

Ludhaina, Punjab (May 17, 2012): A committee formed by various Sikh organizations and Panthic bodies submitted it's final report to Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) few days back. The Ghallughara Memorial Committee, formed by Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, Dal Kahsla, Khalsa Action Committee and Panthic Sewa Lehar was intended to analyse various aspects related to Memorial for June 1984 Ghallughara, known as third major holocaust of Sikh history.

BBC expresses regret over suggestive misconception regarding Sikh religion

London, England (May 17, 2012): As per a news report of "The Telegraph" "the BBC has expressed regret to Sikhs over comments on a radio discussion suggesting that their faith is “made up of other religions” such as Islam and Hinduism".

Badals have turn blind eye towards illegal acts of DGP Saini alleges Dal Khalsa

Amritsar, Punjab (May 15, 2012): Taking a strong note of state DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and others acquiring parts of the village common land (shamlat mushtarka malkan), the Dal Khalsa questioned both father and son P S Badal and S S Badal to explain to the masses “will they act against him now or still feel that Saini is the best officer for top post”.

Delhi sessions court acquits 11 in 1984 Sikh massacre case

New Delhi, India (May 11, 2012): As per news reports, as the trial against Sajjan Kumar in the case related to 1984 genocidal violance against the Sikhs nears its end, a sessions court on Thursday acquitted 11 accused in a separate case involving the 1984 violance because of exaggeration and improbabilities in the evidence.

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