Thursday, 3 July 2008

How Many Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Saroops were burnt in 1984?

Thousands of Saroops Were Burnt in Delhi Nov '84 Pogroms : Sikhs for Justice
Friday 27th of June 2008
Panthic Weekly News Bureau

San Jose, CA (KP) – The ‘Sikhs for Justice’ organization, which was established in the United States held a petitioning campaign at the San Jose Gurdwara Sahib in which thousands of petitions were collected in one day to assist the Indian Supreme Court’s attention towards the instigators of the 1984 pogroms. A gurmat diwan was organized the same day in which speakers once again reminded the sangat of the brutalities committed by the Indian Government.

According to research by scholars, proof is available that over 1000 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji were burnt by the Government led mobs.

While the main purpose of the petition campaign is to submit a final appeal to the Indian Supreme Court to investigate the murders of thousands of Sikhs, the crusade is set up in a way to attract full media exposure so international governments can be made aware of issues minority communities are facing in India. According to officials of the ‘Sikhs for Justice’ organization, similar programs will be held at different Sikh institutions across the country for the benefit of the sangat and further the goal.

Along with officials of the Sikhs for Justice Organization, several other Sikh personalities attended the program. Singh Sahib Giani Gurbhachan Singh, Head Granthi Sri Harmandir Sahib, also addressed the issue while sharing his views with the Sangat. He also asked the Sikh Sangat to remain attached to Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and work to create unity within the Panth.

After Singh Sahib, Bhai Arwind Singh did a presentation which included some graphical pictures from the 1984 pogroms along with key facts and other information. The main attraction of the program was Bhai Jasbir Singh of the Tytler case. Bhai Jasbir Singh who is the key witness of Jagdish Tytler’s involvement in the pogroms told his story in front of the Sikh Sangat.

The Sikhs for Justice organization gained public attention soon after it identified Jasbir Singh for the Tytler case while working with the Sikh Student Federation (Peer Mohammed). Ever since it’s establishment, the organization has taken over several key Panthic matters and provided valueable input.

Bhai Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the legal representative of the Sikhs for Justice organization, while speaking at the end, familiarized the sangat with a very important fact regarding the incidents of pogroms. According to research by scholars, proof is available that over 1000 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji were burnt by the Government led mobs. This new research is likely to bring new developments to the existing cases against the Government officials as precedent is available for punishment of those who cause sacrilege to saroops of Guru Granth Sahib.

Furthermore, according to Bhai Gurpatwant Singh, a similar program will be organized at Gurdwara Sahib Fremont, California, USA on July 26 on a larger scale. Sikh scholars will acquaint the Sangat with facts about the 1984 pogroms. This program will be held under the leadership of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib and Singh Sahib Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti will be the chief guest. After Giani Vedanti’s open hearted speeches during the New York Nagar Kirtan, his address in Fremont will be of particular interest as Fremont houses several Panthic organizations and is generally known to have a pro-Khalistan atmosphere.