December 2012 Archive

Sikhs Win School Turban Ban Case Against France in the United Nations Human Rights Committee

Paris, France, 14 Dec 2012 – The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that France's ban on the wearing of "conspicuous" religious symbols in schools - introduced in a law adopted in March 2004 - violated a Sikh student's right to manifest his religion, protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In a decision that was sent out this week to the United Sikhs legal team, in relation to a complaint made by Bikramjit Singh in 2008, the Committee accepted that the wearing of a turban is regarded as a religious duty for a Sikh and is also tied in with his identity; and that France had not justified the prohibition on the wearing of the turban.

Turban Ban in French Schools: United Sikhs to hold media conference to announce decision of UNHRC

France (December 13, 2012): According to information available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) the United Sikhs, a NGO, will hold a media conference at Paris, France on Friday 14th Dec 2012 to announce the UN decision in a case brought by United Sikhs lawyers for Bikramjit Singh who was expelled from school in 2004 when France introduced a law that banned religious signs in public schools, including the Sikh turban.

White House Celebrates Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab for the third Time amidst applause from US Sikhs

Washington DC, USA (December 11, 2012): Birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was celebrated by the White House in the presence of 160 Sikhs from across the United States. 

Dal Khalsa reviews Human Rights status in India on World Human Rights Day

Amritsar, Punjab (December 10, 2012): On the occasion of World Human Rights Day, in a seminar on “Whither Human rights in India” activists of Dal Khalsa and ‘Sikh Youth of Punjab’ reviewed human rights situation in Punjab and India and deplored that international covenants and conventions have not been followed in letter and spirit and urged the United Nations for pro-active intervention in India.

Kesri Lehar, “The Wave For Justice”, submitted the Peoples’ Petition to UK Prime Minister David Cameron

London, UK (December 10, 2012): A contingent of over 750 Kesri Lehar campaigners  from all over the UK gathered outside the office of the British Prime Minister David Cameron seeking truth, justice, and dignity for all minorities in India.

Human Rights Day 2012: India must withdraw it’s occupation from Internationally Disputed Area of J&K: IPP

According to a press release sent to Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) by Habib Yousafzai: Senior Hurriyat member and Chairman Islamic Political Party (JK) Mr.Mohammad Yousuf Naqash in a statement to the press has said that 10 December is the day of mourning for Indian occupied Kashmir as this day rubs salt to their injuries remembering them about the continuous disrespect and trampling of their inherent human rights including Right to Self-Determination (recognized and ensured by United Nations Organization) by Indian Government.

Waraich Gurudwara Sahib to be re-constructed; Sikh bodies & Dera Radha Swami Beas settle the issue

Amritsar, Punjab (December 09, 2012): It is learnt that the Akal Takhat Sewak Jatha, comprising various Sikh bodies, has entered an accord with the Dera Radha Swami Beas to secure the re-construction of a Gurudwara Sahib at Village Waraich near Beas, Punjab. The Gurudwara Sahib was demolished by Dera Beas after purchasing the land from village Panchayat to secure the expansion of dera.

Kesri Lehar to petition UK Prime Minister on Human rights violation in India

London, United Kingdom (December 08, 2012): On December 10, 2012, the Kesri Lehar (The Wave for Justice) will submit its Human Rights Petition with 118000 signatures to the Prime Minister’s Office to coincide with UN designated Human Rights Day.

Amritsar shoot-out: Criminalization of politics is the root-cause

Hoshiarpur, Punajb (December 08, 2012): The 'Sikh Youth of Punjab' has termed the shoot-out in Amritsar as horrific and shocking. “Our heart goes to family members of the ASI Ravinderpal Singh, who lost his life while defending the izzat of his daughter”, said party head Ranbir Singh and general secretary Manjit Singh.

27000 Signatures – Sikh Genocide Petition Qualifies For Response From Obama Administration

New York, USA (December 07, 2012): A petition with more than 25,000 signatures demanding recognition of November 1984 Sikh Genocide will go before Obama administration on December 15. As per the current US Government Policy, a petition requires 25000 signatures to warrant an official response. The petition urges the Obama administration to fulfill its obligation under Article 1 of the UN Convention on Genocide by recognizing the November 1984 as “Sikh Genocide”.

Amritsar shoot-out: Sukhbir Singh Badal should be divested from Home portfolio

Amritsar, Punjab (December 06, 2012): The Dal Khalsa has demanded that Dy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal should be divested from the Home portfolio as he has bitterly failed in maintaining the law and order in the state.

Keep signing the Sikh Genocide petition to President Obama till December 15: SJF

Washington, US (December 04, 2012): It is learnt that an online petition urging the US President Barack Obama administration to recognize the fact of Sikh Genocide 1984 has been signed by more than twenty six thousand people so far; while petition is still being signed by other.

IOC suspends Indian Olympic Association due to government interference; UK Sikh body welcome the decision

London, England (December 04, 2012): The IOC had repeatedly told the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to adhere to its own constitution and the Olympic Charter and not follow the Indian Government's sports code for its election on Wednesday 5 December.

Leicester free Sikh school plans are again with the Government

Leicester, United Kingdom (December 04, 2012): A second bid to create a Sikh free school in Leicester is being submitted to the Department for Education. In July, proposals by nine temple leaders across the city were turned down because they were not deemed strong enough.

1981 plane hijack – Two Sikhs knock at doors of Delhi High court against double jeopardy

New Delhi/Ludhiana, India/Punjab (December 04, 2012): It is learnt that Bhai Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib and Tejinderpal Singh who, sent back to India in 2000 after serving a life term in Pakistan for hijacking an Air India plane to Pakistan in 1981, have moved the Delhi High Court for quashing a fresh trial against them in India for the same act.

Dal Khalsa slams Badal Govt. for pomp and show at World Kabaddi cup amid mourning

Jalandhar, Punjab (December 03, 2012): According to a media report shared by S. Kanwar Pal Singh, Secretary of Dal Khalsa, the organization (Dal Khalsa) has taken exception to the manner in which Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy CM son Sukhbir Badal swung into mode of celebrations with Akshay Kumar and Miss Pooja to launch Kabaddi cup in Bathinda with full pomp and show on Saturday despite declaring seven day mourning on the death of former Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral.

90 Sikhs were reduced to ashes in 3 cities – Bokaro, Allahabad & Mirzapur

Ludhaina, Punjab (December 03, 2012): After disclosing the Sikh Genocide in Hondh Chillar (Haryana) and Riyasi (Jammu & Kashmir) All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and Sikhs for Justice (SJF) has revealed the details of genocidal attacks on Sikhs in Bokaro (Jharkhand), Allahabad and Mirzapur during Sikh Genocide 1984.

Narendra Modi’s no to Muslims – Dal Khalsa accuses Indian media of bias against minorities

Amritsar, Punjab (December 03, 2012): Dal Khalsa has expressed its displeasure as to why Indian media has not taken Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to task for his refusal to allot tickets to Muslims.

Kesri Lehar petition to be handed over to British PM on December 10

London, England (December 02, 2012): It is learnt that the Kesri Lehar has prepared a petition regarding persistent human rights violations by Indian state, which also seeks abolition of death penalty in India. This petition would be handed over to David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom at 10 Downing Street on 10 December, 2012 at 2:30 pm on the eve of United Nations Human Rights Day.

Sikh gas station worker shot at in South Carolina

Inman, SC/USA (December 01, 2012): According to information released by United Sikhs, a US based NGO, a Sikh gas station worker was shot at in Inman, South Carolina on November 19, 2012 at approximately 11:15 pm.

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