August 2013 Archive

Sikhs being subjected to humiliation not only in foreign land but also in their own motherland, says Dal Khalsa

Amritsar, Punjab (August 21, 2013): Firing a salvo against PGI doctor Dr K Gauba for "showing disrespect" to Sikh religious articles like kara and kirpan, the Dal Khalsa on Tuesday demanded suspension and registration of a case against him for hurting the religious sentiments of not only aggrieved students but also of Sikhs at large.

PGI forced Sikh students to remove articles of faith

Chandigarh, Punjab (August 20, 2013): It is learnt that the parents of some Sikh students have alleged that their children were asked to remove religious symbols like kirpan and kada to gain entry at some centres here for the Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh entrance test.

Sikh political prisoner Prof. Bhullar, Two Others face imminent execution in India; Amnesty India issues Urgent Action Appeal

New Delhi, India (August 20, 2013): According to a statement sent to Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) by Amnesty India's media officer: [o]n 14 August, India ’s Supreme Court upheld its rejection of Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s commutation plea. He is now at risk of imminent execution. The mercy petitions of two other men were also rejected by the President in August, and reports suggest they could be executed on 22 August.

Recent work by Sikh scholars challenge historiography of gadhar movement by leftists & Indian nationalists

Jalandhar, Punjab (August 20, 2013): In the centenary year of formation Ghadar Party, a heated academic debate is on, which started a couple of years ago, about the interpretation and understanding of this movement especially its orientation. Interestingly, two former radical leftists ( Naxalites) have authored books on the Ghadar movement - which also includes retrieving original and forgotten writing of the Ghadarites (members of the party) - to give a 'right' turn to the history of the Ghadar Party that was formed in 1913 in California.

Evicted Sikh farmers of Haryana, facing hostility of administration & panchayat, struggling to survive

Karah Sahib/ Pehowa, Haryana (August 19, 2013): “Evicted from their lands, hounded by the administration, facing hostility from the village panchayat and completely dependent on the local gurdwara for food, 150 Sikh families living near Pehowa in Haryana’s Kurukshetra district are struggling to survive. They were evicted from the lands they cultivated for six decades after a protracted legal battle”, reads a The Tribune news report.

London: Teenage girl (19) arrested for attack on elderly Sikh man (80)

London, England (August 19, 2013): According to certain media reports an young girl, aged 19m attacked on an 80-year-old Sikh man in London. The girl has reportedly been arrested for the attack which took place earlier this week.

Kashmiris and Sikhs vow to dismantle Indian Imperialism; Protested outside Indian High Comission in London

London, UK (August 18, 2013): According to a news reported by Kashmir Watch: [i]n a vocal and spirited joint protest Sikhs and Kashmiris from across the UK held an impressive protest outside the Indian High Commission in London to remind India, on its Independence Day, that Khalistan and a free Kashmir remain the cornerstone of their political agenda.

Hindu organization Shiv Sena demands immediate execution of Sikh Political prisoner Prof. DPS Bhullar

Chandigarh/ Punjab (August 18, 2013): After Supreme Court of India rejected the review petition against SCI's April 12, 2013 decision clearing execution of Sikh political prisoner Professor Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar’s execution, Hindu organization Shiv Sena has demanded immediate hanging of Prof. Bhullar. While hailing the Supreme Court of India’s verdict, Shiv Sena said immediate execution of Prof. Bhullar will convey a strong message.

Dal Khalsa condemns Tilak Vihar attack on Sikhs; Demands strict action against culprits

Hoshiarpur, Punjab (August 18, 20013): In a recent statement the Dal Khalsa strongly condemned the violence unleashed on Sikhs in Tilak Vihar colony in West Delhi area. Party’s general secretary Dr Manjinder Singh and Secretary Sarbjit Singh Ghuman blamed the Delhi administration and the police for siding with the attackers. The Dal Khalsa leaders said due to vote-bank politics, the mainstream political parties (read BJP and the Congress) had been patronizing such elements every then and now.

Sangat TV fined 30K Pounds for talk-show guest’s comment regarding attack on Kuldip Brar

London, UK (August 17, 2013): As per recent media reports (the British media regulatory authority called "Ofcom" has fined a UK-based Sikh television channel, Sangat TV, £30,000 over a comment passed by one of the guests participating in a discussion over the issue of attack on Indian Army's former officer Kuldip Brar. The show was aired in October 2012 when Kuldip Brar was assulted by some Sikhs in London.

BC Sikh Societies & Organizations Condemn the Rejection of Professor Devender Pal Singh’s Plea

Vancouver, BC - On Wednesday August 14, 2013 several Gurdwara Societies and Sikh Organizations gathered to collectively condemn the rejection of Professor Devender Pal Singh’s plea and against the upholding of the illegal death sentencing given to him. Professor Bhullar’s 18 year-long case has accumulated to two decades of illegal detainment (including 10 years of solitary confinement), physical torture, arbitrary evidence, no witnesses, one supreme court judge’s acquittal of the case, while two others sentenced death based solely on a court retracted confessional statement, a fragmented and fumbling procession of court procedures and today, the sentencing of a man that has been tortured to the point of mental unsoundness and ill physical health.

August 15 Tilak Vihar Violence led by local Congress leaders – Sikh body, AISSF, demands inquiry

New Delhi, India (August 16, 2013): Condemning the August 15 violence against the Sikh population of Tilak Vihar and the attack on the family of US based plaintiff, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) demanded inquiry by sitting Supreme Court Justice to investigate the role of police and political leaders. While Several Sikhs were injured as a result of police firing on the Sikhs, Mohinder Singh, the US based plaintiff’s family living in Tilak Vihar was especially targeted as their house was pelted with stones and their vehicles were burnt by the mob under the Delhi police watch.

Tilak Vihar witness uneasy calm after violent clash; More than 1000 cops deployed

New Delhi, India (August 16, 2013): A violent clash took place between Sikhs and Balmikis in West Delhi's Tilak Vihar on August 15 that left at least 25 injured, including five policemen. Certain reports suggest that 8 persons, all Sikhs, have been shot at by the police, whereas the Indian Express has reported that 3 persons who sustained gunshot injuries have been identified as Mohar Singh, Sunny Singh and Raghunath.

22 injured in Sikh-Balmiki clash in Tilak Vihar; 8 Sikhs injured by gun-shots

New Delhi, India (August 15, 2013): As per information available with Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) a serious clash took place between Sikh and Balmiki communities in Tilak Vihar area of Delhi in which 22 persons from both sides were injured. S. Jaswinder Singh, a local journalist, told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that on 15 August people use to fly kites in Delhi.

Tension prevails in Tilak Vihar area of Delhi as Sikhs reportedly attacked by members of another group

New Delhi, India (August 15, 2013): As per a Sikh24.Com news reports [t]ensions have erupted in Tilak Vihar area of New Delhi as residents of 80 Gaj Colony tried to attack the Sikhs. Police in heavy numbers were deployed to the scene to disperse the violence. As per Sikh24.Com "Sikhs from various other parts of New Delhi have also arrived at the scene".

Indian Supreme Court rejects review petition of Prof. Bhullar

New Delhi, India (August 15, 2013): It is learnt that on August 14, 2013 the Supreme Court of India dismissed a review petition seeking of SCI's verdict refusing to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment on the ground of delay in deciding his mercy plea by the government.

The Gadri Babai – A Proud History: NDP leader Tom Mulcair

Surrey, BC (August 14, 2013): Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) has received a statement by Canada' New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Tom Mulcair regarding Gadri Babai via email.

Dal Khalsa termed ‘August 15’ (Indian Independence Day) as a day of betrayal and deceit

Hoshiarpur, Punjab (August 14, 2013): In a written statement S. Harcharnjit Singh Dhami, President of the Dal Khalsa, has termed ‘August 15’ as a day of betrayal and deceit by the Indian leadership with the Sikhs and stressed India’s history of broken promises in Punjab. August 15 is observed as day of Independence by India.

Mother of Dr. Amamrjit Singh Washington passed away

Washington D.C. (August 13, 2013): According to a press release sent by Narinder Singh, Balwinder Singh Chatha and Paramjeet Singh Mata Jatinder Kaur mother of US based Dr. Amarjit Singh (Director, Khalistan Affairs Center) passed away on July 31, 2013. The Bhog of Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib ji and the Antim Ardas in the memory of Mata Jatinder Kaur shall take place on August 18, 2013.

One year anniversary of Oak Creek tragedy observed by Washington Sikhs

Rockville (August 12, 2013): According to a press statement by Dr. Rajwant Singh, Secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, hundreds of Sikhs in the Washington area gathered at Guru Gobind Singh Foundation to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Oak Creek shooting at the Gurdwara which took six lives.

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