November 2014 Archive

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) extends support to Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa on Sikh Political Prisoners’ issue

Ambala, Haryana: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has extended it’s support to Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa on the issue of Sikh Political prisoners. Gurbaksh Singh Khasla is on indefinite hunger strike from November 14 seeking permanent release of seven Sikh political prisoners who were sentenced to imprisonment for life and were not being granted premature release even over-serving the statutory terms of their sentences.

Navjot Sidhu lands in trouble: AISSF want Akal Takht Jathedar to take action in Gurbani distortion case

Amritsar, Punjab: Former cricketer, comedian and former Member of Parliament (MP) from Amritsar Navjot Sidhu has landed himself in yet another controversy. Navjot Sidhu often referred as ‘Hindutva propagandist’ in Sikh attire distorted a Shabad of Gurbani. He went on to release a Gurbani Shabad by fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Ajran Ji to a mythological Hindu character Pandav ‘Arjun’.

Convicted under TADA, aged Sikhs prisoners languishing in Indian jails

Convicted under TADA, Sikh Political Prisoners languishing in Indian Jails: Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, generally called as TADA, was introduced by the Indian state in 1985 to suppress Sikh political struggle in Punjab. It’s a well recognized fact that TADA was widely mis-used by Indian administration and Indian security forces before it was allowed to lapse in 1995 due to widespread opposition. But the cases registered before the lapse of TADA were saved. One such case related to Ludhaina Bank robbery of 1986 stood on trial for 22 years.

Why Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month Matters

California’s State Legislature has proclaimed November to be Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month, formally acknowledging the contributions California’s Sikhs have made to the Golden State.

American Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee seeks restoration of original Nanakshahi Calendar

New York: Following confusion over date of Parkash Gurpurb of 10th Sikh Guru, the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) has once again raised the demand of implementing the original Nanakshahi Calendar which was adopted by SGPC in 2003.

Hunger strike by Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa: UK Sikh bodies appeal for support

London: Two England based Sikh groups - Akhand Kirtani Jatha (UK) and United Khasla Dal (UK) have extended support to Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa’s hunger strike. Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is on indefinite hunger strike since November 14. He is seeking permanent release of 7 Sikh political prisoners who are languishing in different jails in India even after serving the terms of their sentences.

Human Rights lawsuit against Narendra Modi: U.S. Federal orders State Department to file response

New York, USA: A U.S. Federal court recently ordered the U.S. State Department to respond to plaintiffs in an ongoing lawsuit filed against Indian Prime ...

City of Norwich declared November as ‘Sikh Awareness Month’; Also commemorated 30th anniversary of Sikh Massacres of 1984

Norwich,CT: A press release by Swaranjit Singh Khasla, Member N.A.C.A & Sikh Sewak Society International, says 30th anniversary commemoration Function was held in David Ruggles Freedom Courtyard Norwich City Hall in memory of innocent men , women and children who lost their lives in the 1984 Sikh massacres.

Hindtva attack: Navjot Sidhu distorts Gurbani; Links Gubani Shabad to Pandav Arjun [Video]

BJP leader Navjot Sidhu distorted Gurbani during a samagam by Hindutva outfits at Ludhaina in Punjab. He did not only distorted a Gurbani Shabad, but also said that it was orated by Hindu mythological character Pandav Arjun.

Changing dynamics of Punjab politics and the Sikhs

For past few decades the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) led by Parkash Singh Badal was able to capture the space of Sikh politics in Punjab with the backing of the Indian state. Both Congress and BJP backed Badals in Punjab to get the space of Sikh politics occupied by their confident men.

Sikh Advocate releases tentative list of 85 Sikh political prisoners in India

Punjab: A Ludhaina based Sikh advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur recently released a tentative list of 85 Sikh political prisoners confined in various jails in India. The list includes names of ‘prisoners’ as well as under trial detainees.

USA: Over 50 Errors on Sikhs Corrected in Texas Textbooks

Austin, Texas, USA: A release by the Sikh Coalition says [a]fter nearly six years of on-the-ground advocacy work led by the Sikh Coalition, the Texas Board of Education voted on Friday (Nov. 21, 2014) to approve textbooks that have corrected over 50 inaccuracies about the Sikh religion and its relationship to history.

PART 2 – On Increased Hindutva RSS activities in Punjab [Sikh Historian Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon]

Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) editor Parmjeet Singh Gazi talked to Sikh Historian Dr. Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon on increased activities of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) in Punjab. This is second part of this video.

Former Taksal leader Bhai Mohkam Singh floats political party named ‘United Akali Dal’ (UAD)

Amritsar, Punjab: Former Damdami Taksal leader Bhai Mohkam Singh today floated a new political party named ‘United Akali Dal’. The announcement came after the (former) United Sikh Movement held a meeting at Guru Nanak Bhawan in Amritsar on Saturday (Nov. 22). As per media reports around five hundred people attended the meeting.

Punjab CM Badal orders seeks report of police, students clash at Punjabi University

Patiala: A day after the violent clash between students and the Punjab police in Punjabi University Patiala the Punajb Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, on Nov. 21, asked Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) and the deputy commissioner to submit a report on the incident.

Hindu Terror not an appropriate term, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the terms like “Hindu Terror” or Hindu Terrorism” were not appropriate. In response to a media query that the BJP always maintained that Hindu terror was a UPA conspiracy and now, when investigation agency is under him, will he review such cases; the Hindutva leader said that the word “Hindu terror” was not an appropriate term.

Punjab BJP showing extensive interest in cause of Sikh Prisoner’s issue in it’s bid snatch Sikh issues from Badals

Jalandhar, Punjab: In yet another bid to wrest Sikh issues from its Punjab alliance partner SAD, the state BJP has decided to support the demand for the release of jailed Sikh militants, who have completed their sentences.

RSS not an external force: Ranjanth Singh; Says he and Narendra Modi will remain RSS men all their life

New Delhi, India: Hindutva fountainhead is ultimate ruling power in India under Narendra Modi/ BJP’s regime. Indian Home minister Rajnath Singh declined to see the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as an “external force”.

‘Sant Rampal’: Farmer’s Son Challenges Hegemony of Arya Samaj, A RSS Ally In Haryana [OP-ED.]

The arrest of former public servant -turned-godman 63-year-old Rampal from his Barwala (Hissar) ashram seems to have ended the two-week long much publicized drama enacted by the Haryana police, but it has, rather, widened social and religious gulf among the people of the area . The police operation took life of five women and a child, injuring of many others including two dozen media persons covering the event. Technically, Rampal’s arrest was sought by the Punjab and Haryana high court in a case of ‘criminal contempt of court’ following his persistent in refusal to appear before the court.

Obama Phoned Pakistani Prime Minister after announcing India’s trip

Islamabad/ New Delhi: Hours after the White House publicly confirmed that President Obama will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day, the US president phoned Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to tell him that Washington values its ties with Islamabad.

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