Thursday, 26 June 2008
Protest demanding the arrest of Ram Rahim for Murder of Balkar Singh
Angry Sikhs derail rail services
Thousands of commuters stranded
The rail-roko agitation by Sikh organisations against firing on Sikh protesters by a security guard of Baba Ram Rahim Singh in Mumbai threw the train traffic on Ludhiana-Amritsar and Ludhiana-Delhi sections in disarray here today.
With no train arriving from Amritsar, Jammu and Delhi side all through the day, thousands of rail passengers faced problems and uncertainty prevailed on the railway station.
According to information at the Ludhiana railway station, several trains like Amritsar-New Delhi Shatabdi Express, Amritsar-Bandra Pashchim Express, Jan Shatabdi, Amritsar-Darbhanga Express, Jammu-Mumbai Superfast Express and Jammu-Indore Malwa Express were detained by protesting Sikhs at Amritsar and Jalandhar.
Similarly, most of the Amritsar and Jammu-bound UP trains were held up midway at Ambala and Sirhind while some trains were terminated at Delhi itself to save the passengers from inconvenience.
The routine hustle and bustle, witnessed at the railway station from where some 36 trains passed out during the day, was missing and the platforms, as also the booking windows, wore a deserted look. The disruption of train movement during the period of protest (from 9 am to 7 pm) also affected the vendors and stalls of eatables who had to miss out on their sale of snacks and beverages.
Intending rail passengers, who had booked their journey tickets in advance for today, remained a confused lot as no information about running of trains in the evening or late night was made available to them at the railway enquiry or reservation counters.
According to station superintendent Ashok Salaria, 3005 UP Howrah-Amritsar Mail and 1057 Dadar-Amrtisar Express trains, which had arrived at the Ludhiana railway station, were terminated here and full refund of fare for the journey from Ludhiana to Amrtisar, was given to passengers.
The Howrah-Amrtisar Mail will commence its return journey to Howrah from Ludhiana this evening on the scheduled time while the other train might resume its journey to Amritsar late in the evening.
Players of four teams of different states, participating in the national 20-20 tournament here were stranded as they postponed their train journey and got their reservation cancelled due to uncertainty of rail traffic and fearing eruption of violence during the protest.
A large number of volunteers of Sikh bodies had blocked railway tracks on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur section near Mullanpur in this district for several hours and disrupted the rail traffic.
A group of Sikh Students Federation (Grewal) workers burnt an effigy of Baba Ram Rahim Singh on Gill Road while activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amrtisar) blocked vehicular traffic at Jamalpur on Ludhiana-Chandigarh Road for over two hours.
Meanwhile, the United Church of Northern India, at its meeting, condemned the firing in Mumbai and demanded immediate arrest of the self-styled baba. The meeting also demanded adequate compensation to the kin of the dead and those injured in the firing.
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Double standards
We need freedom
Falsehood
Falsehood brings dishonour!
The only truth in this world is the Naam (Gurbani) everything else is just a false mirage. If one spends their life trapped in the sensual mirage they will not find God. They are trapped in falsehood, however if one follows the instructions of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji they will avoid falsehood and then come to see the lord of all.
The Great Giver has given the intoxicating drug of falsehood. Ang 15 SGGSJ
God has himself made falsehood apart of his game, the losers of this game indulge in falsehood while the winners obtain the truth and see passed this deception of desire.
If you long for your Husband Lord, O soul-bride, you must know that He is not met by falsehood. Ang 17 SGGSJ
Those who practice falsehood are dogs; those who slander the Guru shall burn in their own fire. Ang 21 SGGSJ
The Gurmukhs do not like falsehood. They are imbued with Truth; they love only Truth. Ang 22 SGGSJ
The true Sikhs don’t indulge in lust, drugs and other worldly pleasures they are intoxicated with the Naam.
Practicing falsehood again and again, people come and go in reincarnation, and forfeit their honor. Ang 23 SGGSJ
The self-willed manmukhs do not obtain the Mansion of the Lord's Presence. The false are plundered by falsehood. Ang 34 SGGSJ
By falsehood and deception, none have found Him. Whatever you plant, you shall eat. Ang 40 SGGSJ
They are engrossed in clinging desires; within their hearts there is ego and falsehood. Ang 47 SGGSJ
If the mind is polluted, then the body is polluted, and the tongue is polluted as well. With false mouths, people speak falsehood. How can they be made pure? Without the Holy Water of the Shabad, they are not cleansed. From the True One alone comes Truth. O soul-bride, without virtue, what happiness can there be? The Husband Lord enjoys her with pleasure and delight; she is at peace in the love of the True Word of the Shabad. When the Husband goes away, the bride suffers in the pain of separation, like the fish in shallow water, crying for mercy. As it pleases the Will of the Husband Lord, peace is obtained, when He Himself casts His Glance of Grace. Praise your Husband Lord, together with your bridesmaids and friends. The body is beautified, and the mind is fascinated. Imbued with His Love, we are enraptured. Adorned with the Shabad, the beautiful bride enjoys her Husband with virtue. The soul-bride is of no use at all, if she is evil and without virtue. She does not find peace in this world or the next; she burns in falsehood and corruption.Coming and going are very difficult for that bride who is abandoned and forgotten by her Husband Lord. The beautiful soul-bride of the Husband Lord-by what sensual pleasures has she been doomed? She is of no use to her Husband if she babbles in useless arguments. At the Door of His Home, she finds no shelter; she is discarded for seeking other pleasures. The Pandits, the religious scholars, read their books, but they do not understand the real meaning. They give instructions to others, and then walk away, but they deal in Maya themselves. Speaking falsehood, they wander around the world, while those who remain true to the Shabad are excellent and exalted. There are so many Pandits and astrologers who ponder over the Vedas. They glorify their disputes and arguments, and in these controversies they continue coming and going. Without the Guru, they are not released from their karma, although they speak and listen and preach and explain. They all call themselves virtuous, but I have no virtue at all. With the Lord as her Husband, the soul-bride is happy; I, too, love that God. O Nanak, through the Shabad, union is obtained; there is no more separation. Ang 55 SGGSJ
Film Star Says Sorry to the SIkhs
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Producer Vipul Shah held a press conference to clear the air of controversy surrounding the film which he says has no intentions of offending any person or community.
"If I've made a mistake, lord forgive me and I will try to rectify my mistake," says an apologetic Akshay.
The objection was towards Akshay's look and some scenes in the film. He flew down from South Africa to re-shoot some parts of the film and attended a press conference on Friday evening in Mumbai to clear the air.
"We wanted to make sure that the community is happy with the film, that is why we went up to them and showed the film to them. There are some changes they expected us to make and we have done that," says filmmaker Vipul.
"Lot of changes are done but thing which have been already shot cannot reset again," explains Akshay.
While members of the community who have been authorized by the censor board to view the film have finally given it a thumbs up though they feel the damage is done.
"At least in the future, whosoever wants to portray Sikhs or Punjabis in their films should be sensitive towards the community and come to us before hand, after damaging it's only damage control that can be done," says Sardar Manmohan Singh of Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Must Buy This DVD
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| Amar Khalsa is set during the period 1716 to 1783, among the bloodiest periods of the Sikh history. The policy of Mughal rulers was total extinction of Sikhs. Among the most tyrants was Mir Mannu, Governor of Lahore in 1748. Sikhs faced worst onslaught at the hands of Mir Mannu and his men. Sikhs had to leave comforts of their homes and face hardships in jungles, hills and deserts. Moving military columns were sent to hunt them down. Rewards were announced for those who brought Sikhs dead or alive. When there were no more Sikhs in the homes, Mir Mannu ordered his forces to seize Sikh women and children. He gave them the choice to give up their faith or face cruel- inhuman tortures and death. But none could be wavered form their steadfast faith and love for Sikhi. Women were starved, their children cut into pieces before them and placed in their laps. Brave mothers saw their infants killed and hung on spear points. It is believed that 250,000 Sikh men & women, young, old and children were killed during Mir Manu’s reign. |
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| AMAR KHALSA is an adaptation of Bhai Vir Singh ji’s historical novel “Bijai Singh”. It is the story of Ram Lal, son of Chuharr Mall, a rich Hindu officer of Mir Mannu. Awed by the valiant deeds of Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Khalsa, Ram Lal chose to become a Sikh and gets a gursikh name Bijai Singh. Mir Mannu’s reign was a period of inexorable hostilities for Sikhs and it wasn’t to be any exceptions for Bijai Singh. Bijai Singh, shunned by his father had to give up comforts of his lavish parental house. His young wife Sheel Kaur and son Waryam Singh also endure all adversities with him and gladly accept hardships of staying in jungles. Bijai Singh and his family are constantly hunted by Mughal forces and eventually get caught. Khalsa forces attack Lahore to free Sikh women and children from Mir Mannu’ brutal atrocities. Sheel Kaur, Waryam Singh and other Sikh prisoners are freed. In the ensuing battle Bijai Singh attains martyrdom but not before Mir Mannu is killed. |
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Shaheed Bhai Balkar Singh Ji
ਮਰਣੁ ਮੁਣਸਾ ਸੂਰਿਆ ਹਕੁ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਹੋਇ ਮਰਨਿ ਪਰਵਾਣੋ ॥
The death of brave heroes is blessed, if granted by the Creator.
Shaheed Bhai Balkar Singh Ji - murdered by criminals of the Sirsa Sauda Cult
Scenes of the Shaheed Singh’s Antim-Sanskar Procession :
Thousands of Sikhs attended the final rites for Shaheed Bhai Balkar Singh, who was gunned down onn June 20th 2008 by the body guards of criminal Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the Mulund suburb of Bombay. Sikhs all over India and the globe have protested this cowardly act by the Sirsa Sauda cultists.
Crooks and Scammers Target Sikh Yatrees
Hemkunt Sahib (KP) – Sikhs have always been dearly attached to their religious places—especially those of historical significance. Sri Hemkunt Sahib is one of those places that draws Sangat in large numbers throughout its open season. Sikhs from all over the world, especially from the United States, Canada and England visit Hemkunt Sahib in Jathas to seek the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
As the number of Sikh pilgrims is increasing incrementally at Sri Hemkunt Sahib, so is the ill-treatment that Sikhs get from the local residents of Uttarakhand. Local Sikhs belonging to the State have expressed concerns over the way Sikh pilgrims are treated by the shopkeepers and restaurant owners located on the main Hemkunt Sahib path. The recent news of the arrest of thirteen Singhs at Hemkunt Sahib has left everyone surprised while no one seems to have an answer to the increasing problems.
Baba Sukhdev Singh (Ber Kalaa), while speaking to the press about these problems, said that the thirteen Singhs were wrongfully arrested after they had a quarrel with local resident who were misbehaving. Whether or not these Singhs were released remains unknown to Baba Sukhdev Singh. According to the press statement by Baba Sukhdev Singh, similar incidents also took place recently in the areas of Chameli, Karanprayag, and Nandprayag. During these incidents, Sikh pilgrims were attacked by local residents who also injured many by throwing stones at them.
The state of Uttarakhand is greatly dependent on tariffs and spending by Sikh Sangat on their visit to Hemkunt Sahib. Sikh Sangat that arrives here spends huge sums of money without care and the local shopkeepers also gain by overcharging them for products and services. Considering the part that large numbers of visitors to Hemkunt Sahib plays in the development of the State, the local Government should also do its part in helping to ensure a safe environment for the visiting Sikhs.
Gurbani Quotes From Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Some Quotes from Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
“I establish thee as my son, that you spread My Path. Go and instruct humans in Righteousness and the Moral Law. Make people desist from evil.”
“I stood up, with joined palms, and bowing my head to Lord God, I said: Thy Path I shall spread only if Thou be at my back. For this was I born into the world, I utter only how and what God uttered to me, for I am the enemy of no one. He who calls me God will surely burn in the fire of hell. For I am only the servant of God: doubt not the veracity of this statement. I am but the slave of the Supreme Being come to witness His Play. I tell the world only what God said to me, for I will not be silenced through fear of the mere mortals. I utter as is the Instruction of God, for I consider no one greater than Him. I am pleased not with any religious garb, so I shall sow the seeds of the Unaccountable One. Nay, I worship not stones, nor am I attracted by denomintional coats. I utter only the name of the Infinite and so attain unto the Supreme Being. I wear not matted hair, nor ear-rings, nor have regard for any such ritual, and do only what God bids me do. I repeat only the Name of One God who fulfills us, at all places.” Translation of Quote from Bachiter Natak (Dasam Granth)
"All men are the same though they appear different.
The bright and the dark, the ugly and the beautiful,
The Hindus and the Muslims have developed in accordance with their different surroundings;
all human beings have the same eyes, the same ears,
the same body build composed of earth, air, fire and water.
The names Allah and Abhekh are for the same God;
the same is referred to in the Puranas and the Quran.
All human beings are the reflection of one and the same Lord.
Recognise ye the whole human race as one."
"He who repeats the Name of Him whose light is unquenchable,
who bestows not a thought on any one but the one God,
Who has full love and confidence in God;
who puts no faith, even by mistake, in fasting or worshipping his ancestors.
Who only recognises the one God, puts no faith in alms, penance and austerities.
In whose heart the light of the perfect one shines,
only he can be recognised as a pure member of the Khalsa."
"It is of no avail to sit closing both eyes and meditating like a crane.
This world is lost, and the next also, for those who go about bathing in the seas, desiring salvation.
They pass their lives In vain dwelling in the midst of sin.
I speak verily; hear me all - God is realised only through love." (Swayya 9)
"Some worship stones, put them on their heads or hang them round their necks.
Some insist that God is in the South, others bow their heads to the West.
Some fools worship idols; others waste their time with worshipping the dead.
The whole world is entangled in false ceremonies and has not found God's secret." (Swayya 10)
- When all other methods in resolving an affair or problem fail, it is just and pious to take to the sword. (22)
- Do not be rash in striking your sword on helpless innocent beings; otherwise the
Priase of the Khalsa Panth By Guru Gobind Singh Ji
All the battles I have won against tyranny, I have fought with the backing of the Khalsa
Through them I have been able to bestow gifts,
Through their help I have escaped from harm,
The love and generosity of these Sikhs have enriched my heart and home.
Through their grace I have attained all learning; through their help in battle I have slain all my enemies.
I was born to serve them, through them I reached eminence.
What would I have been without their kind and ready help?
There are millions of insignificant people like me; true service is the service of these people.
I am not inclined to serve others of higher caste:
Charity will bear fruit in this and the next world, if given to such worthy people as these, all other sacrifices and charities are profitless. From toe to toe, whatever I call my own, all I possess and carry, I dedicate to these people
Sarbloh Granth- Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
