March 2015 Archive

AS FBI recognizes Sikhs for Hate crime tracking, Sikh Coalition moves to Focus on Training and Prevention

As the FBI has officially recognizes Anti-Sikh hate crimes, the Sikh Coalition today announced to continue to prioritize improvements to law enforcement training. In the past, when crimes were committed against Sikhs because of their identity, local law enforcement officials sometimes failed to investigate or charge these incidents as hate crimes due to ignorance about Sikh religious practices.

FBI Finally Recognizes Sikhs in New Hate Crime Tracking Program

A community update by the Sikh Coalition says: [a]fter nearly four years of community advocacy, the Sikh Coalition is pleased to announce that the U.S. government now officially has a system in place to track hate crimes motivated by Anti-Sikh bias.

Defamation case against Jagdish Tytler: Delhi HC stalls trial; Matter deferred till August 28

The Delhi High Court yesterday (March 24) stalled a trial court from taking any decision in the defamation case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The case was started on the complaint of complaint of senior advocate H.S. Phoolka, who is now a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa’s declaration about his hunger strike and struggle for Sikh political prisoners

In a written statement/ declaration, Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa, has offered clarifications about his hunger strike and struggle to secure release of Sikh political prisoners who have served minimum mandatory terms of their sentences. It is notable that Bapu Surat Singh is on hunger strike for last 69 days and is kept under police custody at Civil Hospital (Ludhaina) where he is being force-fed by doctors.

Media, Indian State and Anti-Sikh Violence (1980s): Review of book Embedded Journalism

Since Independence the alienation of a large section of Sikhs had been on the rise from the Indian state, which, in their perceptions, was “majoritarian Hindu” in character. One of the main reasons for this was the nature of Indian federalism, which remains biased in favour of the centre.

Amnesty India terms SCI ruling discarding section 66-A as historic

A landmark judgement by India’s Supreme Court striking down a vague and overbroad law on online expression is a defining moment for freedom of expression in the country, Amnesty International India said today.

Sikh Journalist suffered Heart Attack in White House, Life saved

A Sikh journalist reportedly suffered a heart attack inside the White House, but a prompt response by US Secret Service personnel saved his life.

As Nanak Shah Fakir movie heads towards release date, controversies grow strong

Makers of the Nanak Shah Fakir movie have announced to release the film on April 17 but the movie is caught into controversy over depiction of Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Ji and His family in violation of Sikh traditions. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) has made it clear that it has already rejected the movie. The makers of the movie were publicizing that the movie was made with support and blessings of the Akal Takht Sahib but the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has denied any such support.

India: No more arrests on Facebook posts: SCI strikes down Section 66 A of Information Technology Act

The petition was filed in the aftermath of the 2012 arrest of two teenagers in Mumbai's Palghar, who had objected to a statewide strike called by Shiv Sena following the death of party patriarch Bal Thackeray. They were let off after the arrests provoked nationwide outrage and shifted the focus on the IT laws.

Nanak Shah Fakir Movie controversy: Federation (Mehta) to stage state-wide protests on March 25

Opposition to upcoming film "Nanak Shah Fakir", releasing on April 17, out in open now. After the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) declared to have already disapproved the movie, Sikh Students Federation (Mehta faction) has announced to stage state-wide protest against Harinder Sikka's controversial movie.

Mann criticises CM Badal, SGPC for demanding subsidy on cooking gas

Criticizing Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) for demanding subsidy on cooking gas used for preparing Langar at Darbar Sahib (Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann) president S. Simranjeet Singh Mann said that the SGPC has hurt the honour of the Sikh nation at the behest of SAD (B) and CM Badal.

Reconciliation unlikely, as talks between warring AAP camps on the verge of collapse, media reports

Less than a week time is left for the Aam Aadmi Party's India level council meeting, but warring camps of the AAP did not find any ground to reconcile. According to media reports the ongoing negotiations between the two warring camps within Delhi ruling party are on the verge of collapse as neither side is willing to budge on critical issues.

Indian PM Narendra Modi visits Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar; Siropa offered inside Darbar Sahib

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Darbar Sahib Amritsar today. He was accompanied by top leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) including Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union minister Harsimrat Badal during his visit to the Darbar Sahib.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa caught in controversy over calling Namdhari chief as “Satguru”

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (DSGMC) general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa was caught into controversy when he addressed Namdhari sect chief Uday Singh as "Satguru" during Delhi Fateh Divas celebrations by DSGMC. Manjinder Singh Sirsa was inviting dignitaries on the stage when he invited Namdhari sect chief as "Satguru" in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib and Jathedars of various Sikh Takhts on March 21.

Gandhi was a corporate agent and it was greatest falsehood to worship him: Arundhati Roy

Booker prize winning writer Arundhati Roy called Mohan Das Gandhi as the ‘first corporate agent of this country.’ Roy, author of the acclaimed novel ‘God of Small Things’ further said ‘it was one of the greatest falsehood in this country to worship him (Gandhi) who wrote horrible things about Dalit, women and poor.’

UK Sikh body want Akal Takht Jathedar to take strong notice of Nanak Shah Fakir

A UK based Sikh group, United Khalsa Dal, has urged Akal Takht Sahib Jatehdar Giani Gurbachan Singh to take strong notice of controversial movie Nanak Shah Fakir, which depicts the life of first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Ji. Depicting life or character of Sikh Gurus in films etc. is prohibited under Sikh tradition.

World Water Day 2015: UN calls for global unity in pursuit of better water access for all

As the perils of climate change increasingly threaten the planet, the international community must unite in “a spirit of urgent cooperation” to address the many water-related challenges facing humanity, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on March 22.

Cook County State’s Attorney pledges to fight hate crimes against suburban Sikhs

Recent incidents and reports released by Civil rights bodies show that Sikhs are facing racial abuse in United States of America. A recent video showing classmates taunting a Sikh student on a Georgia school bus -- one of them calling the student a "terrorist" -- and the 2012 shooting at a Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Wisconsin that left six dead have highlighted the problem of hate crimes against the Sikh community.

Dal Khalsa releases unammended version of Nanakshahi Calendar

The Dal Khalsa today released the original version of the Nanakshahi calendar at a Gurdwara built in memory of June 1984 martyrs within the premises of Darbar Sahib putting the SGPC in a spot.

DSGMC observes “Delhi Fateh Divas” to mark anniversary of Delhi victory by Sikh General Baba Baghel Singh

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) celebrated “Fateh Divas” to mark victory of Sikh warrior leader Baba Baghel Singh over Delhi in 1783. The Fateh Divas celebrations were attended by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Takhat Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jatehdar Giani Gurmukh Singh and Takhat Hazoor Sahib vice-Jatehdar Giani JyotInder Singh besides representatives of various Sikh organizations.

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