February 2015 Archive

Android users get surprised with WhatsApp voice calling ability

There are reports that WhatsApp is now rolling out internet calling functionality to a wider set of people. Previously the feature was tested by WhatsApp with limited number of (selected) users.

Ukraine: Both sides agree to start heavy weapons withdrawal

There are reports that the government and rebels in eastern Ukraine have agreed to start pulling back heavy weapons from the front battle-line. A Russian general involved in the process said work would start on Sunday but actual withdrawal is not expected to get under way until Tuesday.

Radioactive leakage detected from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant

Fresh leakage of high radioactive water is detected from Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant. Officials of Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) said the sensors, which were rigged to a gutter that pours rain and ground water at the Fukushima Daiichi plant to a nearby bay, detected contamination levels up to 70 times greater than the already-high radioactive status seen at the plant campus.

Burail Jailbreak case: Police appeal against bail order; Says charges of Waging War still stand against Jagtar Singh Tara

Chandigarh police has reportedly moved an appeal against bail granted to Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in Burail jailbreak case. It is notable that The Chandigarh police had urged the court to grant police custody of Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in Burail jail break case. As the case pertained to a “bailable offence”, the court rejected the remand plea of UT police and granted bail to Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in this case.

Sauda Sadh’s MSG movie Rs.100 collection claims are fake, media reports

MSG: The Messenger hasn't worked wonders at the ticket windows. In fact, the cinema halls are going empty every day. The scenario is so bad that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh eventually bought bulk tickets of his own movie," BollywoodLife.com sources said.

Former Jathedar Nandgarh meets fasting Sikh activist Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa

Former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh today met Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, who is on continuous hunger strike since January 16, 2015. Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh met Bapu Surat Singh at Civil Hospital Ludhiana where is kept under observation by the police, though he is not taking any medical aid or medicine.

Hate Crime indictment against man who attacked Sikh last year in New York

Earlier this month a Queens County grand jury indicted Joseph Caleca on attempted murder and hate crime charges for the July 31, 2014 attack on Sandeep Singh in Queens, New York. Sandeep was severely injured when the assailant called him “Osama,” and then ran him over with his truck, dragging him 30 feet down a public street.

AAP activities in Punjab: Phoolka leads Cycle Rally to promote cycling in the city for a Clean & Green Ludhiana

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified it's public activities in Punjab. AAP activists are organizing small functions, road-shows, rallies etc. to reach out the masses. As a part of this campaign Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Ludhiana organized a cycle rally today, which was led by senior AAP leader HS Phoolka.

Delhi court rejects transfer plea in Sikh genocide 1984 related case

A trial court yesterday (Feb. 20) rejected pleas of three accused facing trial in a November 1984 Sikh genocide related case. The plea sought transfer of their case from the Karkardooma district court to Rohini on grounds of jurisdiction.

White House Responds to SFJ Petition on Religious Freedom in India

During his recent trip to India, the President discussed the importance of religious freedom and tolerance in India on January 27 during his speech at Siri Fort in New Delhi. President Obama underscored that India's success depended on the nation not being "splintered along the lines of religious faith."

RSS-inspired Hindutva charity under scanner in UK over extremist views

The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK is reportedly facing a probe by British authorities for holding extremist views. The probe was launched after a footage caught a teacher on camera making anti- Muslim and Christian remarks to students at a camp organised by an Hindutva fountainhead Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-inspired charity.

Centre seeks fresh comments from Punjab, Chandigarh on Rajoana’s death sentence

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) India has written to the state governments of Punjab and 'Union Territory' (UT) of Chandigarh seeking fresh comments on the constitutional review petition moves against death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Bhai Rajoana is facing death sentence in Punjab CM Beant Singh assassination case.

Jalandhar police presents chargesheet against Harminder S. Mintoo, three others

Jalandhar police belonging to police station Bhogpur yesterday (Feb. 20) presented Challan (chargesheet) against Bhai Harminder Singh Mintoo, Harpreet Singh Jammu, Paramjit Singh Pamma and Sarwan Singh Shabba in a Jalandhar court.

US, UK Spy agencies hacked into mobile giant, reports

There are reports that Britain’s electronic spying agency, in co-operation with the US National Security Agency, hacked into the networks of a Dutch company to steal codes that allow both governments to seamlessly eavesdrop on mobile phones worldwide. The reports are said to be based on documents given to journalists by former NSA employee and "privacy whistle-blower" Edward Snowden.

Previous probes into November 1984 Sikh massacres were a sham, says Mathur Committee

Quoting from the work of international legal scholars such as Sir John William Salmond and RWM Dias, the GP Mathur Committee constituted by the current BJP government in India has said “proper investigation of the offences committed (during the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom) was not conducted and some kind of sham effort had been made to give it the shape of investigations.”

Gippy Grewal’s new song “Zaalam” banned in India as Censor Board refuses clearance

There are reports that a new Punjabi song video "Zaalam" by Punjabi singer cum actor Gippy Grewal has eventually been banned in India, as the Censor Board has refused to clear it for telecast in Indian subcontinent. However, the song is available on YouTube and other sites on internet.

Know Your Rights: Hate Crimes & Hate Speech – Sikh Coalition releases FAQ guide

An update by the Sikh Coalition says [o]ver the past two weeks, there has been a spike of hate crimes against American Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. From the possible hate crime murders in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to the vandalism of a Hindu temple in Bothell, Washington, we (the Sikh Coalition) ask the Sikh community to come together and stand with diverse communities in combating hate and bigotry in America.

Chhattisgarh coal mine should not be expanded without genuine consultation

A public hearing held on 11th February 2015 in Korba, Chhattisgarh on the nearly four-fold expansion of the Kusmunda coal mine operated by South Eastern Coalfields (SECL) failed to meaningfully consult adivasi and other vulnerable communities who would be affected by the mine’s expansion, Amnesty International India said.

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) events in Glasgow on Feb. 21 and 22

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) will be holding an event in Glasgow on February 21 and 22.

Burail Jail Break Case: Chandigarh police planning to move appeal against Jagtar Singh Tara’s bail

Disappointed over the rejection of their plea for police remand of Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, the Chandigarh police is planning to appeal against bail grant to Bhai Tara by a local court. The Chandigarh police had urged the court to grant police custody of Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in Burail jail break case. As the case pertained to a "bailable offence", the court rejected the remand plea of UT police and granted bail to Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara in this case.

« Previous Page — Next Page »