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Hunger Strike & Protests Launched by Sikh Organizations

Delhi Sangat at June 23rd Hunger Strike and Protest against Sirsa Cult
(Photo Courtesy of : Proud Khalsa Network)

Chandigarh, Punjab (KP) – Several Sikh organizations in Delhi and Punjab launched hunger strikes and demonstrations to protest the Government's and Police's inaction against the criminal Sirsa based Sauda cult.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in New Delhi on June 23rd, that included activists from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Damdami Taksal, and the Shahbaaz Khalsa organization, and the local sangat. Shahbaaz Khalsa also organized a slide show depicting the blasphemous activities of the Sirsa 'Baba' and his cult.

In Punjab, during a press conference organized by SAD (Panch Pardhani), Daljit Singh Bittu, the party chairman, announced that his party members would go on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the New Delhi Parliament House starting July 20 if the Sacha Sauda Dera Chief was not arrested. Bhai Bittu's party further demanded the return of all materials acquired from the Sikh Reference Library during Operation Blue Star.

Bhai Bittu told the press that the former Defense Minister George Fernandez had admitted that the Indian Army had taken possession of various documents and Sikh scriptures from the Sikh Reference Library before destroying it. While demanding the return of all these documents and hand written saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, Bhai Bittu told the press that ardas will be performed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on July 19 to seek the blessings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji for the achievement of the mission.

In relation to the possible arrest of the Dera Chief, Daljit Singh Bittu held that there was credible evidence available that suggested the Dera Chief's involvement in murder and rape cases. Furthermore, the Dera Chief had hurt sentiments of the Sikh community several times for which he should be arrested immediately.

Several organizations have launched activities to seek the arrest of the Dera Chief ever since the Mumbai shootings. Protests against the Dera Chief are still simmering in parts of the country but no action has been taken to punish Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his wrongdoings.

Photo of Shaheed Singh Creates Controversy at a Canadian Gurdwara

Surrey, BC (KP) – An Akhand Path Sahib was organized at Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar this past week in memory of those killed during the 1992 Air India blasts. This was one of the first ever Kanishka bombing memorials held at the Gurdwara Sahib to remember those who became victims of the tragedy. Despite the best intentions of the organizers, the function could not conclude without controversy. According to the Gurdwara Sahib President, Sudagar Singh Sandhu, the idea of holding an Akhand Path Sahib came from the newly elected executive committee of the Gurdwara. The Sikh Nation has always been against injustice and the death of all those killed during the Air India mishap was mourned by all members of the British Columbia Sikh Community. Although the efforts of the Gurdwara Committee were entirely sincere, pandemonium was created in the media after the event to give the BC Sikh community negative publicity. Rattan Singh Kalsi, father of Indira Kalsi who was killed during the Kanishka plot, took strong notice of Jathedar Bhai Talwinder Singh Parmar’s picture that was on display at the Gurdwara Sahib. Although during his interview with Canadian Media, Kalsi identified the reasoning behind the picture display, he fell for the propaganda that is cast by some Canadian News agencies when reporting on the Kanishka incident. Kalsi told the press that Parmar is considered a martyr by the Dashmesh Darbar Gurdwara Sahib and thus his picture was put on display by the executive committee, but he expressed disappointment over the fact as he considered Parmar a mastermind of the plot. Parmar founded the BKI Canada unit but he was never convicted under Canadian law in the Air India bombings. Before the trials were initiated, Parmar was mysteriously murdered by Indian Government agents. The Gurdwara President, Sudagar Singh Sandhu held that once Jesus Christ was also considered a terrorist and assassinated, he is now respected as a martyr. Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, who at one time were believed to be involved in the plot, were acquitted from all charges by the Court. Similarly, the belief about Parmar’s involvement could have been different had he been allowed to go through a trial. The Sikh Community has a long history of martyrs and it takes pride in learning from their struggles. For this reason, pictures of martyrs are commonly found in Sikh institutions. The fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji, was the first martyr of the faith who took a strong stand against religious intolerance. Thereafter, following in the footsteps of the Guru, Sikhs have always stood against injustice. Parmar is considered a martyr of the Khalistan Freedom Movement which was initiated to put a stop to atrocities by the Indian Government.