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Kins of Dibrugarh Sikh NSA Detainees End Hunger Strike; Sit-in Protest to Continue 

March 19, 2024

Amritsar: The family members of Waris Punjab De president Amritpal Singh and other Sikh detainees lodged at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under the National Security Act have ended their hunger strike. They announced an end to their hunger strike yesterday, but said that their sit-in protest would continue on a street leading to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar.

The protesters said that they have ended their hunger strike in order to abide by a directive issued by SGPC appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.

Notably, family members of Sikh detainees led by Amritpal Singh’s parents are staging a protest seeking jail transfer of their detained family members to Punjab from Assam.

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Over Seas » World News

Pakistan Conducts Air-strikes in Afghanistan; Taliban Claim to Have Conducted Retaliatory Hits

March 19, 2024

Chandigarh: Pakistan has reportedly launched overnight air attacks inside Afghanistan, while the Taliban claimed hours later to have fired across the border.

“Tensions flared on Monday between Islamabad and Kabul following the overnight raids. Pakistan said the attack had targeted armed groups hiding out in border regions. The Taliban said eight women and children were killed”, notes a report by AlJazeera. 

In a statement released today, the Taliban defence ministry said Afghan border forces targeted Pakistani military positions along with heavy artillery in response to alleged Pakistani bombings of civilian homes in districts of Khost, Barmal, Paktika.

Tension has risen between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban government seized power in 2021. Islamabad claims that hostile armed groups carry out regular attacks from across the border, notes AlJazeera.

Analysts suggest that today’s strike can be linked to the suicide attack two days ago, which was claimed by a newly formed group, Jaish-e-Fursan-e-Muhammad, which is led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, leader of a Pakistani Taliban faction based in North Waziristan.

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General News

Dal Khalsa to Punjab Govt: Arrest and Bring Ram Rahim to Punjab for Interrogation

March 18, 2024

Hoshiarpur: In the wake of names of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is already serving life sentence in a rape and murder case, and his girl friend Honeypreet came into limelight in a sacrilege case of 2015, the Dal Khalsa has asked the Punjab government to immediately bring both the criminals to Punjab on police remand for interrogation.

 The recently appointed working president of Dal Khalsa, Paramjit Singh Mand, said that from the day the sacrilege was committed till today, it was clear to every conscious Sikh that heretical Sirsa Dera was behind the sacrilege. Unfortunately during the last 9 years, the successive governments did not allowed the law to catch the real culprits, rather protected the Dera chief from the cases of sacrilege.

He said that the governments of Shiromani Akali Dal Badal and the Congress government were in power for five years but both of them failed to interrogate Ram Rahim. He said that if the AAP government led by Bhagwant Mann fails to bring Ram Rahim and Honeypreet to Punjab for interrogation and bring the accused to justice, then it would be proven beyond doubt that Ram Rahim was a stooge of India’s deep state and that no pro-Indian party can dare to touch him.

It is pertinent to be mentioned that Dera Sacha Sauda’s important functionary Pradeep Keller after his recent arrest has spilled the beans that the mastermind behind the desecration was Dera chief Ram Rahim himself and Honeypreet.

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Sikh News

Police Crackdown on Sikh Activists Across Punjab Ahead of Gathering in Amritsar

March 17, 2024

Amritsar/Chandigarh: Punjab police have launched a massive crackdown on Sikh activists ahead of Pathic Ekatarta (gathering) at Sri Amritsar today (17th of March).

The gathering was called by Waris Punjab De, an activists’ group launched by slain actor turned activist Deep Sidhu. The group is presently headed by Amritpal Singh, who is detained at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under National Security Act (NSA).

Central Jail, Dibrugarh [File Photo]

Activists Detained Across Punjab:

Acting on the directions of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab government, the Punjab police began its crackdown yesterday and raided the houses of various Panthic personalities, Sikh activists, leaders of Sikh groups. Those who were found in their houses were put under house detention.

As per reports emanating from across the Punjab, dozens of Sikh leaders have been put under house detention.

Bhai Daljit Singh (File Photo)

Panjaab Lawyers’ chief Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that the Ludhiana police detained Panth Sewak personality Bhai Daljit Singh inside his house last afternoon.

A team of six police officials raided Bhai Daljit Singh house and informed him about government’s directions to put him under house arrest, Manjhpur told SSN.

Faridkot police raided the house of All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) leader Daler Singh Doad and put him under arrest.

In Sultanwind area of Amritsar, Sultanwind police raided the house of Sirlath Khalsa Jatha‘s chief Dilbagh Singh’s house and detained him in his house.

As per reports the Punjab police have also detained sociopolitical activist Lakha Sidhana in order to prevent him from participating in Amritsar Gathering called by WPD.

Gathering at Amritsar:

Despite crackdown, people in considerable numbers have reportedly gathered at Amritsar Panthic Gathering today.

A view of gathering at Amritsar

Notably, the venue of gathering is situated at the main street leading to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar which is the most busiest place in the city and lakhs of people visit this place on weekends.

Appeal from Stage:

While conducting the state of the gathering, Sikh author Sukhpreet Singh Udoke issued and appeal on behalf of the organizers of the gathering, urging people stopped by the police on their way to Amritsar to avoid any kind of confrontation.

“We urge people stopped by the police on their way to Amritsar, to stay calm and lodge peaceful protest at those places where they are stopped. We do not want any kind of clash with the administration today”, he said.

Five NSA Sikh Detainees Have Ended Hunger Strike?

According to a news reported by senior journalist Jaswant Singh Jass, published in Daily Ajit, five of 10 Sikh detainees detained under National Security Act (NSA) at Dibrugarh jail in Assam have ended their hunger strike.

According to Daily Ajit, Kulwant Singh Raoke had ended his hunger strike on 9 March while Basant Singh had started taking meals from 11 March.

The report adds that Sarabjit Singh Kalsi, Gurinderpal Singh Aujala and Gurpreet Singh Gill ended their hunger strike on March 14.

The news report has cited undisclosed sources as the source of information; adding that the information was confirmed by Deputy Commissioner of Amritsar. Sikh Siyasat News could not independently verify this information till the time of publishing news.

Update – In a written release (copy available with Sikh Siyasat News), ‘Waris Punjab De‘ has confirmed the reports of some Sikh detainees ending up their hunger strike at Dibrugarh jail. In Resolution No 7, moved during Amritsar gathering on 17 March 2024, WPD has alleged that the police officials of Punjab and Indian government kept some detainees in dark while convincing them to end their hunger strike citing a directive of the Akal Takht.

(Last updated on 18 March 2024 at 10:20 am)

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Political News

Misl Satluj’s Instagram Handle Blocked in India

March 16, 2024

Chandigarh: Social and political organization Misl Satluj’s Instagram handle is blocked in India.

Speaking to the Sikh Siyasat News Davinder Singh Sekhon of Misl Satluj said that they have been notified by Instagram that their handle is blocked in India on a legal request made by the government of India.

He said that the Government of India neither issued any notice to the organization nor informed it about the reason behind blocking its Instagram handle.

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Sikh News

Panth Sewak Personality Bhai Diljit Singh House Arrested

March 16, 2024

Ludhiana: Punjab police has put Panth Sewak personality Bhai Diljit Singh under house arrest. A team of six police officials visited Bhai Diljit Singh’s house today and informed him that the state government has decided to put him under house arrest.

Bhai Daljit Singh council advocate Jaspal Singh Manjpur told Sikh Siyasat News that the police officials did not disclose the reason behind this move.

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Sikh News

Sikh Federation UK to Oppose the Classification of any Sikh Organizations as Extremist

March 15, 2024

London: “The new extremism definition about to be unveiled today in Parliament, on the Sikh New Year, will formalise the engagement ban that leading Sikh organisations that are critical of the Indian government have already experienced”, the Sikh Federation UK said in a written release. 

“Sikh organisations that have previously never received government funding, but led engagement with government officials have been unofficially blocked by the Tories from meeting officials and Ministers for the last 5 years at the request of the Indian government”, the release reads. 

“The Sikh Federation (UK) is the leading grassroots organisation that has been politically active for over two decades and often quoted by the mainstream media”.  We have been one of the Sikh organisations who has been critical of  Indian government actions and faced the unofficial ban”, said Dabinderjit Singh, the Principal Adviser of the Sikh Federation (UK). 

Dabinderjit Singh, said: “We often raise difficult questions on a wide range of issue where officials and Ministers have often struggled to respond.   This announcement may formalise the ban that already exists, but it will not be able to stop our local and national political lobbying that is a cornerstone of our democracy.” 

“This policy of appeasement of the Indian government has seen the UK government shift in the last 5 years to only deal with individuals and organisations that are pro-India who have also been backed with government funding”, he added.

“This discriminatory policy means the UK Government is totally out of touch with the needs of the Sikh community and it often relies on MPs keeping them honest”, he said.

“This approach is a sad indictment of democratic freedoms in Britain and results in poor Sikh community engagement and government policies and practices that will often be criticised and opposed.  This strategy unnecessarily wastes community and government resources”,

Dabinderjit Singh said.
He further added: “We await the publication of a list of organisations in the coming weeks that will be impacted and will oppose the inclusion of any Sikh organisations for reasons of political correctness and to appease the right wing Indian government.”

“We fully expect the opposition parties to oppose the Tories discriminatory strategy as regards classifying any Sikh community organisations as extremist”, he said.

“Politicians when they engage with the Sikh community in General Election year to get our votes will be in for a shock”, Principal Advisor of the Sikh Federation UK said.

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Videos

Politics and Religion: Speech of Bhai Mandhir Singh (Panth Sewak Jatha Doaba) at Ghuman (Punjab)

March 9, 2024

 

Local Sangat held a Samagam at Village Ghuman (Amritsar) on 11 November 2023. Bhai Mandhir Singh shared his views on topics related to Sikhi, Khalsa Panth, Religion and Politics. This is video recording of speech of Bhai Mandhir Singh.

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Videos

Current Situation in Punjab I About Marriage I Punjab I Dr Sewak Singh

March 8, 2024

The Family of Late S. Baljinder Singh, a Resident of Village Talwan, Teh-Phillaur (Jalandhar), on The Occasion of Their Son Kamaldeep Singh Marriage Organized a Discussion on The Current Situation in Punjab on 2 March 2024. Speaking During This Discussion Dr. Sewak Singh Shared his views about Context of The Current Situation in Punjab .This is full video recording of speech of Dr. Sewak Singh

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Sikh News » Special News

Quebec Court of Appeal Decision on Bill 21: WSO Expresses Disappointment

March 1, 2024

Ottawa – The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is deeply disappointed by the decision of the Court of Appeal of Quebec largely upholding Bill 21, Quebec’s controversial secularism law. The WSO maintains that Bill 21 is a direct attack on religious freedom and will continue to fight this unjust law.

The WSO and Quebec educator Amrit Kaur were appellants in this case. Amrit Kaur, a past WSO Board member who is a practicing Sikh and wears a dastaar (turban) as a part of her beliefs, was forced to leave Quebec in order to pursue her profession. The WSO and Amrit Kaur were represented by Léon Moubayed and Faiz Lalani from Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP.

Bill 21 prohibits public sector workers in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols or articles of faith such as dastaars (turbans) , hijabs, and kippahs. This law disproportionately targets Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, and other minorities, effectively excluding them from key professions like teaching, law enforcement, and other public service roles.

The implications of Bill 21 extend far beyond just these professions. Sikh Quebecers who wear dastaars (turbans) have reported increased hostility and discrimination in all facets of their lives. The decision to uphold this legislation not only undermines fundamental human rights and the principle of freedom of religion but also sets a troubling precedent for the treatment of minority communities across the country.

WSO President for Quebec Harginder Kaur said today,

“Today’s decision is deeply disappointing. Bill 21 represents institutionalized discrimination against people who wear articles of faith. The law targets and disproportionately affects visible minority communities such as Sikhs in Quebec, in addition to forcing them to choose between their faith and their livelihood.

The WSO legal team is reviewing the judgment and we are committed to pursuing all avenues to challenge this law including by appealing to the Supreme Court of Canada. This is a fight for fundamental human rights and we will continue until all Quebecers are treated equally and free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination.”

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Over Seas » Sikh News

Canada Must Condemn India’s Violent Crackdown Against Farmers: BCGC & OGC Write to Canadian Foreign Minister

February 27, 2024

Ontario: British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC) and Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC) have written a letter to the Canadian Foreign Minister (copy available with Sikh Siyasat News) to raise concerns regarding paramilitary troop mobilization by India at the East-Punjab-Haryana state boundaries and the alleged repression of farmer activists.

“We are writing to raise concerns regarding paramilitary troop mobilization at the Punjab-India borders and the repression of farmer activists in recent days”, BCGC and OGC wrote in its letter dated February 21, 2024.

Indian Police forces resorted to massive shelling of tear gas against farmers | A visual from Shambhu Border between East Punjab and Haryana

“We urge you to immediately raise this with the High Commission of India in Canada to ensure that civil liberties and fundamental human rights are protected. Communities across Canada are concerned about the possible escalation of violence, as well as the draconian measures being implemented to repress the freedom of expression and democratic assembly”, wrote Moninder Singh and Amarjit Singh.

The letter further reads: “Since February 13, 2024, farmer activists from across the Indian subcontinent have been protesting against the government’s lack of action on numerous policy issues to ensure the livelihood of farmers. Despite written commitments to do so in 2021, the government has since failed to take any concrete action in this regard. Instead, the Government of India has responded with a marked escalation in its repression of political dissent–deploying drones, tear gas, rubber pellets, live ammunition, incendiary devices, and other weaponry against unarmed demonstrators. One 21-year old activist was murdered by police today while hundreds have been seriously injured over the past week. Canada has claimed a role in condemning human rights violations and promoting the right to protest in places like China, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Canada must fulfill this responsibility to express its concerns with India as well. The rise of violent xenophobic rhetoric by government officials and unchecked mob violence targeting Sikhs, Muslims, and other minorities continues to increase day by day, raising alarm amongst numerous experts about the real possibilities of renewed genocidal violence in the subcontinent. The recent murder of Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar by Indian agents in Canada demonstrates that continued impunity and a lack of accountability only serves to embolden the Indian regime in its violent repression of minorities and political dissidents”.

Police are using such kind of tear gas shells which blasts like a bomb | Photo: Sikh Siyasat News

Pointing out that while internal policy matters of a foreign country are subject to principles of non-interference, the Sikh representatives said: “it is pivotal that Canada condemns India’s violent actions and supports the right to dissent in India as it does around the world”.

“Canada cannot continue to work with an international partner that constantly tramples human rights through genocidal violence and repressing basic civil liberties with impunity. Sikhs all over the globe are watching closely as the Indian state is amping up its rhetoric while demonizing Sikh demonstrators”, the letter reads.

Farmers holding a candlelight vigil at Shambhu border in the memory of Shubhkaran Singh, 22-year-old farmers who died after a bullet fired by Indian police personnel hit him in the head at Khanauri border on February 21

“Historically, this pattern has preceded the legitimization of mass arrests, widespread genocidal violence, and human rights abuses. Sikhs across Canada are urging you to immediately raise this with the High Commission of India in Canada–as well as your counterparts in New Delhi–to ensure that civil liberties and fundamental human rights are protected. Sikhs across Canada are concerned about the possible escalation of violence and call for the draconian measures implemented to repress democratic assembly to be lifted with immediate effect”, said Moninder Singh and Amarjit Singh Mann.

♦ RELATED VIDEO: Farmers Protest 2024: What Farmers Tell Us That Why They are Protesting?

 

 

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Sikh News

Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar Acquitted in 30 Years Old Case

February 27, 2024

Chandigarh: A Ghaziabad court today acquitted Sikh Political Prisoner Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar in a 1994 case. Prof. DPS Bhullar who is on parole attended the hearing in person at the Ghaziabad district court today along with his counsel Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur. The court had reserved the case for verdict today.

Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) over phone that this case was last pending case against Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar who is undergoing imprisonment for life in a 1993 Delhi case.

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Future by Understanding The Importance of Gurmukhi Script

February 26, 2024

SUS Panjab University Constituent College Guru Har Sahai organized a discussion on Punjabi language on 21 Feb 2024. Speaking during this discussion Dr. Sewak Singh shared his views about Importance of Script. This is full video recording of speech of Dr. Sewak Singh

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General News » Sikh News

Subhkaran Singh (22) Died Fighting for Debt Waiver, Better Price; Family Debt of 10 Lakh Stands

February 23, 2024

Neel Kamal (ToI)

Chandigarh: A death underlines the small farmers’ struggle for fair income in a so-called Punjab of agricultural prosperity. Shubhkaran Singh, 22, leaves behind a family that had to sell off an acre of its 3.5-acre land to run the household and marry off its eldest daughter. He’s gone, while the loan waiver he fought for hasn’t come.

Shubhkaran Singh

Despite the distress sale of land, the family from Ballo village in Rampura Phul subdivision of Punjab’s Bathinda district remains in Rs 10 lakh of debt. Its hope for better days after struggle died with Shubhkaran at Khanauri on Wednesday. Already he had lost his mother, while his father operated a school van for meagre wages. The promise of winning family debt waiver had made Shubhkaran, Gaggu to fellow villagers, heed farmer unions’ call to join the agitation.

Family members and well wishers gather at Shubhkaran Singh’s house at Ballo village in Punjab

His BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) batch came to Khanauri on way to Delhi. His uncle, Buta Singh, said: “He had called back at the village in the morning and said they will march forward at 11am, but an hour later, we got another call that he was injured in police firing and then yet another call that he was no more.” The mourners at Subhkaran’s house demanded compensation for the family and a government job for his younger sister.

Courtesy Note: This news report was originally published in Times of India (reported by Neel Kamal) under title “https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/22-year-old-bathinda-farmer-dies-for-waiver/” with source url – . It is re-published here for the information of readers of Sikh Siyasat News. We are thankful to the original publisher and author.

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Over Seas » Sikh News » World News

WSO Condemns Alleged Mistreatment of Sikh Detainees under NSA at Dibrugarh Jail

February 23, 2024

Ottawa: The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemns the mistreatment and unjust detention of Sikh activists in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam.

The ten Sikh detainees, including  Amritpal Singh, president of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) organization, have endured nearly a year of detention without charges under India’s draconian National Security Act (NSA).

“The NSA, a colonial-era law, allows Indian authorities to indefinitely detain individuals without charges and transport them to any state in India for imprisonment”, WSO statement reads.

“The Sikh detainees have now initiated a hunger strike to protest their mistreatment”, said WSO.

“Recently, alarming revelations have come to light regarding the conditions within Dibrugarh Jail. The detainees discovered hidden cameras covertly installed in their cells and washrooms. This unacceptable invasion of privacy raises grave concerns about the violation of basic human rights and dignity”, the statement reads further.

“In response to the discovery of the hidden cameras, Bhai Amritpal Singh, the leader of the WPD, has been falsely accused by the jail management of possessing contraband items, including two cell phones, a USB stick, and a “smartwatch.” Bhai Amritpal Singh denies these allegations, asserting that the items were planted in his cell to fabricate incriminating evidence against him”, WSO said in its statement.

WSO said Amritpal Singh and the other detainees have not been accused of any serious crime”,

WSO President, Danish Singh, said:

“The WSO condemns the appalling treatment of Sikh detainees in Dibrugarh Jail. Bhai Amritpal Singh and the other Sikhs have been arbitrarily detained for almost a year under India’s draconian NSA, thousands of kilometres away from their homes. The discovery of hidden cameras in the detainees’ washrooms and cells is a shocking and unacceptable violation of privacy, reflecting the perverse intentions of the jail authorities.

The Sikh detainees in Dibrugarh are being held without charges for simply advocating for Sikh issues. Their detention is reflective of the Government of India’s discriminatory treatment towards Sikhs and other marginalized communities.

We call for the immediate release of these Sikh detainees. The Government of India must be held accountable and uphold its obligations under international law.”

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General News » Sikh News

Youth Murdered in Offensive Firing by State Forces at Khanauri Barrier: Eyewitnesses

February 21, 2024

Patiala (Sikh Siyasat News): Farmer leader, Baldev Singh Sirsa, confirmed today that a 21-year old activist was murdered by police bullets at Khanauri today.

The wounded activist was taken to the government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala where doctors pronounced him dead. Baldev Singh Sirsa confirmed to media that he was killed by a bullet in the back of his head.

Shubhkaran Singh, 21, was hit by a bullet in his head. He was later declared brought dead by doctors in Rajindera Hospital Patiala

Shubhkaran Singh, 21, was hit by a bullet in his head. He was later declared brought dead by doctors in Rajindera Hospital Patiala

Eyewitnesses told Sikh Siyasat over the phone that the victim was about 100 metres away from the barricades erected by Indian security agencies and behind the cordon created by farmer activists. The martyred activist was 21-year old Shubh Karan Singh from Bathinda district. He was shot in the back of the head while holding a wet cloth to protect himself from the tear gas being fired on protestors.

Two other activists were injured by bullets to their thighs and knees.

Swaran Singh, an eyewitness, told Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) that not only the police firing was unprovoked rather there were personnel in civil dress who were provoking and challenging farmers by making ‘crude gestures’. When farmers and youth, provoked by such acts, tried to move towards the barricades, police were intensifying tear gas shelling. They also target youth with gun-shots.

Eyewitnesses confirm that no tractors or protestors were anywhere near the barricade when police opened fire. The sole exception was a water tanker approximately 70 metres away from this point.

Another eyewitness, Pushpinder Singh said youth and farmers were barehanded and on the other hand police personnel were highly equipped. “They did not only fire tear gas, they also used pallet grandes, and such kind of tear shells which blasted like bombs”, said he, while adding that the police also fired live ammunition on farmers. Pushpinder Singh has himself suffered complete eyesight loss in left eye as he suffered pallet injury during the protest few days back.

“Police were not using force as a deterrent or preventive measure; their action was actually offensive. After shooting down youth, which led to chaos in farmers’ camp, Haryana police personnel crossed over into Punjab’s territory and damaged tractors of farmers”, an eye witness told SSN.

Punjab CM Condemns Killing; Assures FIR

In a video address, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed sympathies with the family members of Shubkaran Singh, who was shot dead at Khanauri border by forces deployed across the state border in Haryana. He condemned the killing and criticized the Haryana government for preventing farmers from moving towards Delhi in a peaceful manner. He also criticized the central government for not fulfilling promises made to the farmers and not meeting their demands. He announced that a FIR (First Information Report) will be registered against culprits as shots were fired from across the state border hitting and killing youth in Punjab’s territory.

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Farmers Protest 2.0: All That What You Need to Know? A Special Report by Sikh Siyasat

February 20, 2024

 

 

Punjab and Haryana Farmers are on roads again moving towards Delhi to press the government to fulfill their demands. This special report explores the ground situation to understand why farmers are protesting again.

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Root Causes Behind Water Pollution in and Around Ludhiana? Why Laws are not being Implemented?

February 12, 2024

 

A groups discussion on “Rejuvenation of Drainage System in Punjab” at Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana on 8 February 2023. This discussion was organized by NSS unit of GNE College, Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre and Rubaroo. This is video recording of speech delivered by Shri Kapil Arora of Public Action Committee (PAC).

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Rejuvenation of Drainage System in Punjab | Group Discussion Held at GNE, Ludhiana

February 10, 2024

A groups discussion on “Rejuvenation of Drainage System in Punjab” at Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana on 8 February 2023. This discussion was organized by NSS unit of GNE College, Agriculture and Environment Awareness Centre and Rubaroo. This is full video recording of this discussion.

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Articles/Opinion » Sikh News

Sikh Legacy: Remembering Vadda Ghallughara

February 8, 2024

In the expansive canvas of time, each historical thread intricately weaves a narrative echoing across ages. This poignant tapestry bears witness to the resilience, sacrifices, and triumphs of those who paved the way before us. Beyond being a mere compilation of dates and events, history is a profound teacher, imparting lessons that transcend the boundaries of generations.

On 5 February 1762, the pages of Sikh history unfurled a somber chapter known as Vadda Ghallughara, The Great Sikh Genocide, unfolding at Kup Rahera near Malerkotla. This tragic episode, masterminded by Ahmad Shah Durrani, the Afghan king, stands as an unwavering testament to the indomitable spirit of the Sikh community.

Within the dense jungles, Sikhs, comprising both warriors and non-combatants, found themselves encircled by the unyielding forces of Ahmad Shah Durrani. The ensuing battle, marked by valiant efforts to shield the vulnerable, concluded in an overwhelming loss of 25,000 to 40,000 Sikh lives—a significant chapter etched indelibly in the annals of Sikh history.

However, a glimmer of hope emerged seven months later on Divali day, 17 October 1762. Under the resolute leadership of Sardar Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, the Khalsa achieved justice, triumphing decisively over the Afghan army at the Third Battle of Amritsar.

This historic victory, transpiring during a total solar eclipse, symbolized the dawn of a new era—a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Sikh community in the face of adversity.

The events of Vadda Ghallughara stand as a powerful reminder that remembrance is not a mere act of honoring the past; it serves as a wellspring to draw strength, resilience, and inspiration for the challenges that confront us today and tomorrow. Just as the moon emerges from the shadow of an eclipse, the spirit of a community finds renewal after enduring the darkest nights of history.

May the Wisdom-Guru be with us!


MUST READ BOOKS on 18th Century Ghallugharas:

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