Archive

US: Sikh Caucus members build support for Sikh hate crime tracking

Washington, DC (May 21, 2013): It is learnt that a bipartisan group of 23 members of the U.S. Congress, representing the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, have written to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), requesting that the agency begin tracking hate crimes against Sikhs, the way it does for other communities.

India must take prompt steps to address concerns of UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions: Amnesty International

New Delhi, India (May 21, 2013): The government of India must take practical and immediate measures to address the scourge of unlawful killings and excessive use of force by India’s security forces, Amnesty International said in a press release dated May 15,2013.

Finland: Sikh man fights for right to wear Dastar at work

London, United Kingdom (May 21, 2013): It is learnt that a Sikh bus driver in Finland is fighting for his right to wear a turban while at work. As per information Sukhdarshan Singh, who works at the Veolia bus company at Vantaa near the Finnish capital of Helsinki, is trying to set a precedent by making the authorities allow him to wear a turban at work.

Protest in Pune against denail of justice to the victims of Sikh genocide 1984

Pune, India (May 21, 2013): It is learnt that the Sikhs hit the streets in large numbers on May 19, 2013 in Pune to seek justice for the victims of Sikh genocide 1984. As per media reports: [h]olding banners and raising slogans, the protesters pointed out that hundreds of Sikhs were killed in the 1984 November massacres but the real perpetrators of the crime had been let off. The protest reportedly started from Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar and culminated at Rani Laxmibai Udyan.

Law suit against Badal – SJF to challenge dismissal in US Court of appeals; Case of “Witness Tampering” not of “Mistaken Identity”, claims SFJ

New York, United States (May 20, 2013): Rights group will take the human rights violation case against CM Badal to the US Court of Appeals asking for a remand to depose CM Badal personally before a US Federal Judge on the issue of the service of summons.

US Attorney General Eric Holder expresses support for Sikh hate crime tracking

New York, United States (May 20, 2013): According to a newsletter by the Sikh Coalition, the US Attorney General Eric Holder spoke at a Justice Department oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee in Congress on May 15, 2013 and publicly expressed support for adding Sikh, Hindu, and Arab-American categories to the FBI’s Hate Crime Incident Report (Form 1-699).

US Federal court dismissed Human rights law suit against Punjab CM Badal on technical grounds

Wisconsin, United States (May 19, 2013): It is learnt that the United States district court of Eastern district of Wisconsin has dismissed the case filed by a New York based human rights body ‘Sikhs for Justice’, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Simranjeet Singh Mann and others against the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

US: Text books spotted terming Sikhs as “terrorists”; Sikh Coalition initiates action

New York, United States (May 18, 2013): The Sikh Coalition has sought the help of Sikhs in United States create a “Most Wanted” list of offending textbook manufacturers. According to an alert issued by the NGO (Sikh Coalition) a school girl Jaslin Kaur said: “In my world history class, I read that Sikhs are terrorists”.

Justice Markandey Katju appeals for Prof. Bhullar; Points out legal flaws of case, opposes execution

New Delhi, India (May 18, 2013): It is learnt that the Press Council of India (PCI) chairperson Justice Markandey Katju has written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking pardon for Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar whose execution was cleared by Supreme Court of India on April 12 despite substantial and procedural legal flaws.

Australia’s Bauer Media apologises for offensive article about Nihang Sikh in Porn Magazine

Perth, Australia (May 18, 2013): As per a community alert (dtd. May 17, 2013) issued by an NGO named United Sikhs: “Bauer Media Ltd, a large media company, has this week apologised and expressed regret to United Sikhs for any offence felt by any member of the Sikh community by the publication of an article and photograph of a Nihang Sikh in their porn magazine in January this year”.

Trouble for Honey Singh – Punjab police registers FIR for vulgar songs

Nawanshehr, Punjab (May 17, 2013): According to a news report by YesPunjab.Com: "[i]t took Nawanshahar Police five and a half months and some indirect 'lessons' in policing by Punjab and Haryana High Court to register an FIR against high profile Punjabi Rapper, Bollywood Singer Yo Yo Honey Singh, but finally it has taken the plunge and registered an FIR against the controversial singer for his much hyped, vulgar and obscene songs".

International film maker Meera Dewan produced documentary on “Langar”

Khadoor Sahib, Punjab (May 17, 2013): According to a press release by PRO Nishan-e-Sikhi: "after dedicating many documentaries to society disseminating positive messages before it, the international award winning film maker Meera Dewan now came with her new production piece “Gur Prasad; The Grace of Food”, an interesting and introductory documentary of 58 minutes on India’s tradition of food sharing (called ‘Langer’ in Sikh tradition) basically made for Film division of ministry of information and broadcasting, Government of India".

High Court directs Punjab govt to register case against Punjabi rapper Honey Singh for vulgar singing

Chandigarh/Punjab (May 17, 2013): As per media reports the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken serious note of the Punjab government’s inaction against Punjabi singer Honey Singh for his vulgar songs. It is learnt that on May 14, 2013 the High Court ordered the registration of a case against him.

Badal Dal’s SGPC member N.S. Kauni violated Akal Takhat directive; Participated in Dera Sauda function

Gidderbaha,Punjab (May 16, 2013): It is learnt that Badal Dal's Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee member Navtej Singh Kauni was again spotted at a Dera Sauda Sirsa function on May 16, 2013. He is a member of SGPC from Doda constituency.

World’s oldest marathon runner Baba Fauja Singh to lead Sikh marathon to help children in need

Toronto, Canada (May 16, 2013): As per information world's oldest marathon runner Baba Fauja Singh will be participating in the first ever marathon being organised by the Sikhs of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Canada May 19, 2013.

India: Pleas made on Prof. Bhullar’s behalf are under consideration: Home Minister

New Delhi, India (May 16, 2013): It is learnt that on May 15, 2013 India's Minister of Home Affairs Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi that fresh clemency pleas moved on behalf of Prof. Devender Pal Singh Bhullar by various persons and organizations were under consideration with Government of India.

Bhai Rajoana says: story of Sadda Haq is untrue as it attempts to present Bhai Hawara as a “hero”

Patiala, Punjab (May 16, 2013): In a strange move, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has criticized the “Sadda Haq” Punjabi movie. Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is in jail and is believed not to have actually watched the movie, has alleged that the movie is an attempt to make Jagtar Singh Hawara a hero. He said that the story of movie is untrue.

Giani Gurbachan Singh defends his directive asking Bibi Nirpreet Kaur to end her fast

Amritsar, Punjab (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that on May 14, 2013 the Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh justified his directive to end the indefinite hunger strike by Bibi Nirpreet Kaur, a key witness in the November 1984 Delhi Cant area massacre case at Jantar Mantar on May 8, 2013.

Haryana government officially lifts ban from Sadda Haq Punjabi Movie

Chandigarh, Haryana (May 15, 2013): As per media reports the Haryana government lifted ban on the screening of blockbuster Punjabi film "Sadda Haq" in the state on May 15, 2013.

Bharatiya Kisan Union holds protest against acquittal of Sajjan Kumar at Patiala

Patiala, Punjab (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that the activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda held a rally protest rally, on May 14, 2013 at Patiala against acquittal of Sikh genocide accused Sajjan Kumar. The protesters took out a march, burnt effigies and submitted a charter of demands against the recent order by a Delhi court to acquit Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the November 1984 Sikh massacre case.

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