Thursday, 10 July 2008

Sikh Directory issue (important)

About The Sikh Directory

To help consumers easily find Sikh businesses and suppliers, The Sikh Directory Ltd has compiled the very first directory of Sikh Businesses and Sikh Organisations, throughout the UK.

With over 750,000 Sikh's nationwide, we have made an outstanding contribution to the wealth and diversity in today's society.

There are a number of other directories, but this is unique as it is designed by Sikhs for Sikhs.

2008 EDITION OUT NOW!...

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The Sikh Directory contains:-

Gurudwara listings (Europe)

Sikh organisations's (UK wide)

Useful & essential numbers

Information on Sikhism

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But also in the book they include a timeline in which Namdharis and nirankaris are described as Sikhs. Both these Groups have been named as cults by the Akal Thakt. The Namdharis Disrespect Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji by saying "it is a holy book and not the Guru", they believe in a living Guru. The same can be said for the nirankaris, it is also the nirankaris that were responsible for the injuries of 188 Sikhs and the Murder of 13 Sikhs in Vaisakhi 1978. The leader of the Nirankaris at the time put his feet on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikhs led a protest to condemn this act but they were attacked by the Nirankaris. It is a Disrespect and Dishonour to have these cults in the Sikh Directory.

This Sikh Directory should be boycotted until they declare that they will not class these cults as Sikhs.

Picture of Murdered Singhs:




The Namdhairis Believe in this man Jagjit Singh as the Guru!


They have their own signs etc, in most Namdhari places of Worship Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept in a cupboard as a reference source and instead they bow to a photo of their Satguru.

If you have love for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and honour the Shaheeds lets contact Sikh Directory and tell them to sort out the next edition.

Contact Details

Telephone: 0208 239 9652

Mobile: 07932 907 666

Email:
info@thesikhdirectory.co.uk

Website: www.thesikhdirectory.co.uk


Air India Bombing CBC Documentary


The Air India Bombing CBC Documentary aired June 30, 2008. The documentary was largely a disorganized collection of anti-Sikh “terrorist innuendos” found in the Brahminist-run Indian press. It provided no new revelations or facts and sought to merely repeat the worn-out Pravda-type insinuations that the Sikhs have been bombarded with over the past 25 years. The Sikh viewpoint and counter-theories were not even mentioned and no context and background was given for the events such as:

· the political and economic repression of the Sikhs by the Brahminist regime in India including diverting Punjab rivers to non-riparian states, division of the former Punjab into 3 states in 1967, looting of Punjab’s green-revolution wealth by price fixing 50% below international prices, denial of Punjabi as a state language, and attack on 38 Sikh shrines including the Golden Temple in June 1984

· the murder of over 5,000 Sikh civilians by the Brahminist regime in the capital city of Delhi alone in 1984 (organized and lead by Congress MPs such as Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Kamal Nath while the police assisted the Hindu mobs and the army remained in their barracks for three days)

  • the massacre of over 250,000 Sikhs by the Indian army between 1984-93 sent in by Indira Gandhi to supposedly chase down “300 Sikh militants” (Indian Parliamentary Hansard, 1984)

Despite the Brahminist propaganda, the basic fact still stands that after millions of dollars and 25 years of “investigations”, no one has been found guilty of the murder of 330 men, women and children. Isn’t it time that the Canadian media stops misdirecting itself (and its taxpayers) and start behaving like a professional news organization?

Most Sikhs believe that the Air India Bombing (AIB) was a staged false-flag operation to brand Sikhs internationally as a “terrorist community” and neutralize their attempts to mobilize international human rights pressure on abuses by the Indian Army and Hindu mobs let loose to terrorize and massacre the Sikh population of Punjab. There is direct evidence that Parmar and Reyat were agents of Indian intelligence (RAW – India’s KGB trained by the Soviet KGB in 1960s).

For example, despite its narrow focus, the Air India Inquiry in May 2007 revealed that CSIS suspected the "Sikh terrorist" Parmar of being an agent provocateur of the Indian government (http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/BreakingNews/2007/05/24/4204893.html; May 24, 2007). Then, CSIS conveniently erased 32 filed tapes in the late 1980s which linked their “Sikh terrorist” subjects to Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver (Soft Target, Andrew Scott). Parmar was “eliminated” by the Indian police in 1992. This begs the obvious question: what was he doing visiting the very country that was accusing him of blowing-up its plane? (It is like Abu-Nidal wanting to visit Israel!) Was he lured-in by his RAW handlers to eliminate evidence of the Indian government’s complicity?

Soft Target investigators also reports that the Air-India’s X-ray machine at the Toronto airport was “malfunctioning” that particular day and its crew was flown in from New York for the shift. Suspiciously, a large number of high-level staff at the Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto cancelled their reservations just days and hours prior to the flight. RCMP artistic renditions of the man who checked-in the suitcase (and failed to board) at the Air India counter in Vancouver depict a darker clean-shaven gangetic-looking man that does not ethnically correlate with the northwest Punjabi-Sikh face. Andrew Scott also writes from interviews with CSIS field agents, that they had come to surmise from their wiretaps and investigations that their primary suspect of the Air India bombing (AIB) was the Government of India (GOI) and its RAW intelligence apparatus operating in Canada. It seems that the Canadian media has outsourced its news journalism regarding Sikhs to RAW’s Brahminist Commissars over the past 25 years (Brahminist garbage in, and Canadian Press garbage out).

To reach the truth, it is about time that western and Canadian journalists start examining “the nature of India’s new Brahminist establishment and its agenda” for as stated by Jesus, “You shall know them by their fruit!”. India is lauded as a democracy, but its bureaucracy and political institutions are totally corrupted and criminalized and are under Brahminist control.

Since assuming state power in 1947, Brahminist communities (8% of Hindus: Lala, Brahmin, Bania castes) have done very well in India at the expense of the rest by systematically corrupting, monopolizing and looting all state institutions set up by the British. They are motivated by hegemonic historical-cultural ideologies spawned by fascist right-wing organizations such as the “Arya Samaj” (“Aryan Society”, established 1876), RSS (Rastriya Seva Sangh modeled on the Nazi RSS) and Brahmo-Samaj. In a largely mythical and delusional history, Brahminist-Hindus fancy themselves as some perpetual ruling-class of India even through the objective historical record bears witness to mostly non-Brahminist rule in the subcontinent over the past 2500 years (e.g. Buddhism, Muslim, Sikh) and various new influxes of peoples and cultures such as the Sakas (Indo-Scythians), Huns, Moguls and Pathans. These groups and their descendents created most of the known “Indian” empires, including the Buddhist empires of the Mauryas, Satrapas, Kushanas, Virkas from 300BC-800AD; the Muslim empires of the Ghaznis, Lodhis, Mughals (10-18 century AD); and Sikh rule before the British arrival in the 19th century.

The roots, dress and traditions of many militant landholding tribes and communities (e.g. Jats, Gujars, Rajputs) in the northwest subcontinent has been traced to Saka and Hun waves that settled the Indus-gangetic region between 500 BC–500 AD, and these communities form the bulk of the Sikh population in the northwest state of Punjab. India’s new Brahminist establishment has been attempting to economically and politically destroy them for they remind the fascist-minded Brahminists that they were not the rulers and “upper castes” they pretend to be. Hence, it is not surprising that all non-majority Hindu regions in India (such as in the states of Punjab, Kashmir, Hyderabad, Assam, Manipur) have been systematically subjected to Indian army occupation and atrocities ever since the Brahminists hijacked the former British empire in southasia.

The Sikhs ruled 5 large kingdoms in the northwest subcontinent before their country was annexed by the British to their southasian empire between 1830-50s and subsequently formed 50% of the British Indian Army before the Brahminist takeover of India in 1947. Over 83,000 Sikhs died fighting in WWI and WWII (over 185,000 were wounded; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKdOuP1Y-ig&feature=related). They were the primary fighting force in India’s 3 wars with Pakistan and delivered the Brahminists' their “victories”. Yet, being 2% of India’s population, they launched India’s so-called “green revolution” in the Punjab between 1960-80s and fed their starving empire despite the Brahminist regime’s betrayal and oppression.


The Story so Far!

ANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 16 - Twenty years after a bomb on an airliner en route from Toronto to New Delhi blew up off the Irish coast, killing 329 people, a judge The unexpected end to the trial after 19 months of testimony leaves the worst case of mass murder in Canadian history and the bloodiest attack on civilian air aviation on Wednesday acquitted the two Indian-born Canadian Sikhs charged in the explosion.

The decision by a provincial Supreme Court judge that the government did not make a conclusive case after two decades of investigations that cost more than $80 million represented a stinging rebuke to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada's intelligence agency.

But in the end, nearly all the physical evidence was lost 7,000 feet below the ocean. The most credible potential witnesses were either murdered, died of natural causes or were apparently intimidated from testifying.

The handful of important witnesses presented by the prosecution, who testified that they had heard the two defendants confess, were deemed unreliable and biased by Judge Ian Bruce Josephson.

"These hundreds of men, women and children were entirely innocent victims of a diabolical act of terrorism unparalleled until recently in aviation history," Judge Josephson said in his verdict. "Justice is not achieved, however, if persons are convicted on anything less than the requisite standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt."

Prosecutors left open the possibility of an appeal and the police said that they stood by their investigation but that the case remained open. The only person convicted of any role in the June 23, 1985, explosion has refused to cooperate and several other people suspected in the plot have never been charged. Members of the victims' families called for an inquiry into the handling of the case.

The two defendants - Ripudaman Singh Malik, a millionaire with significant influence among Canadian Sikhs, and Ajaib Singh Bagri, a millworker and Sikh priest - were longtime proponents of a separate Sikh state, but they denied involvement in the bombings.

As they left the courtroom, Mr. Bagri released a statement urging the fractured Sikh Canadian community to come together.

Air India Flight 182 was traveling from Toronto to New Delhi when it exploded, killing all passengers on board, most of them Canadian Hindus. Eighty victims were under 12 years old.

Another bomb, in luggage being transferred between other planes, exploded less than an hour earlier, killing two baggage handlers at Narita Airport in Tokyo.

Judge Josephson said in his verdict that he was convinced both bombs originated from flights that had left Vancouver.

Prosecutors said the bombings were part of a wave of terrorist actions in retaliation for the Indian Army's 1984 storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest shrine in an effort to capture armed Sikh separatists inside. The spiral of violence included the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.

The case was a saga that stretched from Canada to England to India, including a Sikh liberation struggle that is now largely forgotten, the murders of several journalists and inexplicable mistakes by Canadian police and intelligence agents.

The trial had a Rip Van Winkle feel to it. Over the past two years, 115 witnesses described scenes and events that tested their memories.

Dozens of family members viewing the proceedings wailed and lunged to hug one another as the verdict was announced. Supporters of the two defendants cried out "thank you" and "thank God" in Punjabi as they pumped fists in the air.

The case against Mr. Malik, 58, and Mr. Bagri, 55, was largely based on the testimony of a handful of witnesses who said the defendants had confessed their involvement to them.

The suspected mastermind in the bombings, Talwinder Singh Parmar, was killed in 1992 while in Indian police custody. Another suspect, Hardial Singh Johal, who was accused of making the telephone call to reserve seats on the two flights on which the bombs were placed, was arrested but died of natural causes in 2002.

The only person punished for the crimes so far is a Canadian Sikh who was found guilty in 1991 for making the bomb that exploded in Tokyo and who was found guilty in 2003 for involvement in the other bombing. Having served 10 years in prison for his first conviction, he is serving a five-year term for the second.

But the man, Inderjit Singh Reyat, was not considered central to the plotting and his refusal to cooperate in the case dashed prosecutors' hopes that he would incriminate the defendants during the trial.

Canadian investigators concluded immediately after the bombings that they were the work of Sikh separatists, who openly worked for their cause in Canada, particularly with the large Sikh population around Vancouver. Agents of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service were following Mr. Parmar's activities, but eased their surveillance the night before the bombings.

The intelligence service recorded hundreds of hours of Mr. Parmar's phone conversations in the mid-1980's. But their potential importance was apparently not understood, and 284 of 340 tapes were erased. Defense lawyers suggested those tapes might have exonerated the defendants.

The pivotal witness against Mr. Malik was a former employee of his whose identity is protected by a court order. She testified that they had had a close relationship and that he had shared secrets with her.

She said that he confessed in 1997 to having a deep involvement in the bombings, including helping to organize the conspiracy and contributing money for the purchase of the airline tickets to check the baggage that contained the bombs. Judge Josephson said he could not believe the witness, especially as she said she still loved Mr. Malik and believed in him.

"That surprise edges toward incredulity," he said. "I am unable to rely on her evidence."

One of two important witnesses against Mr. Bagri was a woman who told an intelligence service agent in 1987 that Mr. Bagri had asked to borrow her car the night before the bombings. According to the agent, the woman said Mr. Bagri had told her that the baggage was going on the flight, but that he was not, and that he would quickly return the car.

During the trial, the woman, whose name is also protected by the court, testified that she could not remember what she told the agent. Judge Josephson ruled that she had pretended to have had a loss of memory.

The defense argued that the woman's original statement was problematic because the agent had not taken notes during his interviews and had not retained the tape recordings of the conversations. The agent had also shredded transcripts of the recordings, and instead submitted memos he wrote about the interviews for his supervisors.

Judge Josephson concluded that without tapes and transcripts, the agent's account of her previous statements amounted to "hearsay statements for which there is no reliable confirmatory evidence."

Conclusion

Whether it was the so called "Sikhs" or the Indian Government they have the murder of innocents on their hands. The world these days is into mass destruction weapons, all governments are guilty of this. A Sikh is only allowed to raise the sword as a last resort. But a real Sikh only targets the enemy in a direct assault with a simple weapon like a knife or gun. Even with guns you can hit someone with a stray bullet. The world has gone crazy with evil instincts and intentions. A real Sikh will always condemn this indiscriminate evil plot, infact bombs have no place in Sikhi, and they are a coward’s weapon and cause terror. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji taught Sikhs the ways of self defense, rightousness and justice. Revenge or killing of innocents is not a Sikh teaching. No sane person would ever do such a deed!

Violation of Sikh Ethics By Somerset road Gurdwara!

Gurdwara Singh Sabha
Somerset Road

Handsworth Wood
Birmingham
Tel: 0121 523 7201


On the 21st June 2008, the above Gurdwara broke the Sikh code of conduct and made a mockery of Sikh principals. The pardhan of this Gurdwara Bukhtar Kandola aka Tari has been a thorn to the Sikh community. A known criminal and drug dealer, why the hell is he a leader of a Gurdwara beats me. The Sikh community must really think about this! The Akal Thakt has passed a hukamnama that only Sikhs (no matter what spiritual stage) can be have an Anand Karaj in presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is to preserve the Sikh identity and keep the respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in high regards.

Self proclaimed gangster tari thinks he is higher then the Akal Thakt and allowed a marriage of a non-Sikh in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

It is understood that Rulda Singh (a leading figure associated with Rastriaya Sikh Sangat (RSS) is the vichola between the two families. The Akal Takht has clearly issued a Hukamama to stop Sikhs associating with the RSS, for their blasphemous attacks on Sikh identity.

The groom has confirmed that he will not convert to Sikhism, and a parallel Hindu wedding ceremony will take place at a local Hindu Temple with a full havan after the Anand Karaj.

I think enough is enough it’s about time the Sikh Community get together and remove this pardhan from his position.

As of 16th August 2007 new guidelines issues by Sri Akal Takhat
Any persons previously of a religion other than Sikhism must show his/her commitment to the PURSUIT of Sikhi by applying the following criteria:

Include Singh or Kaur in the name - Changing by Deed Poll including Passport & Driving License.

Translation of royal order:

Ik Ongkar Sri Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, Sri Amritsar
Giani Joginder Singh, Jethadar

Date: 16-8-2007

Anand Sanskar"Marriage Ceremony"

This is a message to all the Sikh Sangat that according to the Rehat Maryada only Sikh couples (male/female) can engage in the Anand Karaj Ceremony. If the couple or either one of them is not a Sikh, then they must embrace the Sikh faith.

This includes that they must change their second name to Singh or Kaur in their official document (e.g. driving licence, identity card, and passport) before the marriage.

(Signed)

(Joginder Singh)Jathedar

We must all keep in mind we only become a true Sikh once we take Amrit and follow rehat maryada. only then do we become a real Singh and Kaur.

For the protection of Sikh ethics, the Respectful conduct of Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the preservation of the Khalsa Panth in the UK, the issue of Non-Sikh marriages in Gurdwara Sahibs was addressed by Akal Thakt.

Yes the Sikh Gurdwara is open to all faiths, colours, castes and backgrounds. Sikhs believe that God exists in everyone therefore serving the creation is like serving the creator. How ever Sikhs do have a code of conduct which has been put in place to maintain the respect of Sikh principals. Some Gurdwara sahibs in the UK allow a non- Sikh to get married to a Sikh in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Reasons why some feel this practice is making mockery of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji: In order to be a Sikh you must have faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and recognize Maharaj as the true Guru. You may not be a fully practicing Sikh, but one day you aim to become one. So one point is that if a person is not a Sikh, why would they want a Sikh wedding? (There is no logic in this). If you live in England, you can’t play for Brazil world cup team. Because that would be making a mockery of the national team, yet we allow non Sikhs who have no faith in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to make a oath in front of Guru Ji. (Where is the logic?)
In a court of Law a Bible is presented to a Christian, a Quran to a Muslim on which an oath is sworn, and not vice versa. A marriage is also an oath, and in the presence of ‘Jaag di Jhot’ Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji only those who have accepted Guru Granth Sahib Ji as their Guru should be taking marriages vows - otherwise it’s a mockery of the system, and disrespect to Guru Sahib”

We do not oppose interfaith marriages, but we will not tolerate the abuse of the Sikh Gurdwara code of conduct. Those wanted to have a interfaith marriage should have a wedding some where else and not bring their unlogical activities into the Gurdwara.

What is the traditional code of Conduct laid by Guru Ji and the Sikh Rehatnamas?

Have relations with a Sikh of the Guru. (Rehatnama Bhai Chaupa Singh)

Killing a daughter or to give a daughter (in marriage) to a non-Sikh, such a person commits great offence. Sikh should give his daughter (in marriage) to a Sikh. Thus Gurmukh meets a Gurmukh. Giving a daughter to a Bhadni (non-Sikh) is like giving nectar to a snake. (Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh)

A Sikh gives (in marriage) his daughter to a Sikh and does not accept any money in exchange. He is my Sikh and will reach in my presence. – Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

When the daughter comes of age only then relations should be contracted, not for a very young girl. And the relations should be Sikhs of the Guru. (Prem Sumagar)

Gurmukhi classes in wolvez


With the kirpa of Dhan Dhan Sree Guru Gobind Singh Jee.

New Santhia Classes

Every Wednesday starting 23rd July
6.45 - 8.45pm
@ Nanaksar That Gurdvara Sahib Wolverhampton

Classes Taught by a Student of Guru Gobind Singh jees Damdami Taksal, Ustaad Bhai Baldeep Singh

Clasees will be split into 3 categories:

Beginner (basic gurmukhi alphabet)
Intermedaite (muharni)
Nitnem (7 bania) Guru Granth Sahib jee Santhia

This is an opportunity for both males and females to come and learn correct Gurbani pronounciation as taught by Guru Gobind Singh Jee when setting Up His DamDami Taksal and teaching 48 puuran gursikhs the correct mukh arth and shudh ucharan of Sree Guru Granth Sahib jee at Astaan Damdama Sahib

Please take this once in a life time chance as bhai sahib is re statrting the santhia and will teach from the basics.

For more information pm myself and i will give you the relvent contact details


www.damdamitaksaal.org

Guru Ji Accepted Everything with contentness!


A Masand (a priest who would collect offerings from the Sangat and give them to the Guru) would collect 'Dasvand' (ten percent of earnings) from the locals to donate the Guru's Golak (deposit). One day a poor lady came with a handful of daal (lentils) and chowl (rice) and put it on the plate of the Masand who was collecting offerings for the Guru. The Masand looked at the old lady and laughed at her. The lady was shocked at why the Masand was laughing. He said, 'Old lady is this all you have?
You expect us to make kichar-ree (lentil rice) with this or something? With this little amount, there is no point of donating it! Take it back!' He handed back the handful of rice and of daal.

The lady knew that in the house of Guru Ji everything counts and that the Guru (the all-knower) must know what is happening. Even dough the Masands would collect money and offerings on behalf of the Guru, some of the Masand's had become corrupt and greedy, and kept the offerings for themselves.

The poor old lady started collecting her offerings at home. Months later, Sri Guru Gobind Rai Ji was in the area. The old bibi (mother) found out. She knew that if a Sikhs prays from the bottom of the heart the Guru will hear.

So she did Ardaas (prayer) that Guru Ji blessed her home so she can see the prince with her old eyes. She made some Kich-charee (lentil rice).

Hearing her ardaas Sri Guru Gobind Rai and some Sikhs went to the old ladys house. Guru Ji said,'oh dadi-ma (Grandmother) I have been awaiting to eat your Kich-charee. The old mother offered food to Guru Ji and his Sikhs. 'Guru Ji now stood up to leave. The old lady pleads to Guru Sahib, 'please don't leave my house, please. Always stay with me'.

Sri Guru Gobind Rai Ji with a gentle smile on his face replied, 'Oh Dadi-ma (Grandmother) I will always be with you, when you want to feed me kich-charee, feed the poor. Feed the poor and you have fed me and you will see me through this.' The old lady accepted Guru Ji's order.

Every time the old lady felt like seeing Guru Ji, she would make kich-charee and feed the poor and hungry people, and she could feel Guru Ji with her always. Like this, she was with Guru Gobind Rai from then on till her last breath.

..............................

Nowadays, if someone donated a kich-charee (or a handful of rice and daal) at a Gudwara, they would be laughed at. Only a Gudwara where a true Guru's Sikh is present would they happily accept the offering and donate it. Otherwise people would laugh and say that Singh's eat keer (rice pudding), a variety of daal and Sabji's and best of best food and not a poxy kich-charee which poor and needy people eat in India.

If Guru Saheb could eat from the old lady's offerings.... then why can't we see this?
Guru Saheb didn’t say is there Turka, does it have enough onions and mirach (spices).... however nowadays we have become fussy, complaicant and stuck up.

Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj!!!!!!

'kabeer, where there is spiritual wisdom, there is religion and righteousness.
Where there is greed there is death. Where there is forgiveness, there God is Himself.' (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji)

Sikh Arrested and Dastar Taken by State Marshals in Connecticut Courthouse



Friday 4th of July 2008
Baljit Kaur, United Sikhs

Stamford, CT: Forty-seven year old truck driver Sachdev Singh entered the State of Connecticut Superior Court on June 18, 2008, seeking to contest a traffic violation when he was arrested for wearing a kirpan, a blade that is a Sikh article of faith, and his turban was forcibly removed from his head. The incident occurred soon after Sachdev Singh entered the courthouse as he was passing through security, handled by the Connecticut Judicial State Marshals. Sachdev Singh wore his approximately five-inch long kirpan under his clothing, as many Sikhs do, and stated to security officers on three different occasions before entering the metal detector that he had “a religious symbol under my clothes.”


Sachdev Singh, 47, New Jersey
The marshals did not inquire as to the religious symbol, expressed that it was fine to enter, only informing him that he had to deposit his cellphone and camera with one of the marshals. When Sachdev Singh passed under the metal detectors, he was promptly arrested and both his kirpan and his turban were stripped away from him forcibly.

The event in question occurred when Sachdev Singh notified a marshal prior to entering the metal detector at the courthouse of the presence of “a religious symbol” under his clothing. Assured that all would be well and that he should turn his camera and cell phone, which are not allowed, over to another marshal before going through the metal detector, he did just that, giving the cell phone and camera to one marshal and stating again that he carried a “religious symbol” under his clothes, who made no objection or inquiry. Approaching the metal detectors once more, Sachdev Singh again declared that he carried a “religious symbol” under his clothing. The marshals, at this juncture, waved Sachdev Singh through the detectors, and as he passed, the detectors beeped. Sachdev Singh, following directions, did as the marshals asked and displayed his kirpan, resulting in an marshal holding his arm immediately. Sachdev Singh politely requested that the marshal let go of his arm and stated to the marshals that he had declared the presence of “a religious symbol under my clothes” several times to three different state marshals and was assured that he only was required to leave his cellphone and camera behind. At no point did any official question what the article of faith was or ask him to display it. State marshals then handcuffed Sachdev Singh as they asked him whether he had anything in his turban, to which he responded that he did not. Despite Sachdev Singh’s statement, a few minutes later after being escorted to a table where all his possessions had been placed, a marshal came up behind Sachdev Singh and tore off his turban without asking his permission to remove it, then placing it on the table.

After approximately an hour of questioning, Sachdev Singh's handcuffs were removed, he was allowed to retie his turban, and then was placed under arrest for “carrying a dangerous weapon.” Sachdev Singh was taken to jail where he was fingerprinted and his turban was once again forcibly removed. Currently, Sachdev Singh is being charged with a possession of a dangerous weapon, which is punishable by up to $500 in fines, up to 3 years in prison, or both. Under this charge, if the edge portion of the blade exceeds 4 inches in length, it is considered “a dangerous weapon.” However, it is to be noted that the five-inch kirpan he was carrying at the time was so dull that the “edge” could be rubbed along one’s hand without causing any harm. He was released from jail once he posted bail. “It was a great shock that state marshals handling security of a court of law would treat me in this manner,” commented Sachdev Singh. “I am concerned this incident will adversely affect my citizenship status, as I am applying for naturalization, and I am upset that my rights were so unlawfully cast aside in a courthouse, of all places,” he added.

When UNITED SIKHS was called by the victim, UNITED SIKHS immediately attempted to contact Judicial Marshal’s Chief Victor Corley who handles security at the courthouse where the incident occurred, and also called State Attorney David Cohen of the Prosecutor’s Office, both of whom were unavailable.

“According to Connecticut State statute Sec. 53-206, which Sachdev Singh is charged with violating, one cannot carry ‘any knife the edged portion of the blade of which is four inches or over in length,’ ” remarked Jaspreet Singh, Staff Attorney for UNITED SIKHS. “In this case, seeing as the blade was completely dull to the point of being able to rub one’s hand over it without injury, it should not be considered a ‘dangerous weapon’. Furthermore, prior case precedent in multiple states show that the kirpan to be treated only as an article of faith and should never be classified as a dangerous weapon.”

UNITED SIKHS is working actively to have the charges levied against Sachdev Singh dismissed, and is exploring various civil remedies to ensure that a training program about Sikhs for the Connecticut State Marshals is put into place to prevent any future recurrence of mistreatment of a Sikh, including his or her turban.

You may read a previous press release on a discrimination case assisted by UNITED SIKHS at: http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-14-06-2008-00.htm

Issued By:

Baljit Kaur

Balwant Singh Rajoana shames death sentence

India Calls Him Murderer, He Gives Life
Balwant Singh Rajoana shames death sentence
Panth and Humanity sole claimants to my body after death;
donates eyes to Huzuri Ragi of Darbar Sahib, Amritsar

Jagmohan Singh

BURAIL (CHANDIGARH): Every time, Kamaldeep Kaur looks into her brother’s eyes, she knows such occasions will be few and far between. Balwant Singh Rajoana is on the death row, convicted in Beant Singh murder case. But such is his worldview that perhaps Kamaldeep may long have to live with those eyes. Long after Balwant Singh hangs to the utter shame of Indian justice system.

Rajoana’s Eyes. Eyes that have seen untold atrocities against the Sikhs, eyes that have seen the machinations of hegemonic brahaminical forces trying to annihilate as well as assimilate the Sikhs, eyes that have rarely dropped a tear, eyes that have always gleamed with pride in the service of the Guru.

Rajoana’s eyes. Eyes that will now shame even death. In the presence of his sister, brother-in-law, nephew and the Deputy Superintendent of Model Jail, Chandigarh, (where he is lodged), Balwant Singh Rajoana has signed his Will, donating his eyes to the blind Hazuri Ragi Singh of Darbar Sahib Harmandar Sahib, Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, on 17 June 2008. The original Will

It was not a spur of the moment decision. Rajoana, in fact, first wrote to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on June 5, explaining his wish. This was followed by calls from personal attendant of the Jathedar to the Deputy Superintendent of Jail, and thus he was granted permission by the jail authorities.


The Will of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana

Ik Onkar

Oh Kabir, there is nothing of mine in this life
Whatever is there, is yours
If I surrender what is yours, unto Thee
What do I lose or pay?

Bhagat Kabir, Guru Granth Sahib

Accepting the Omnipresence of Akal Purakh (God Almighty), I hereby swear on oath that after my death, all the parts of my body, which can benefit any person, are pledged to the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

It is my earnest wish that after my death, my eyes may kindly be given to Hazuri Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib Harmandar Sahib, Bhai Lakhwinder Singh, who is blind, so that through him, my eyes continue to revere holy Darbar Sahib. For medical or other reasons, in case this is not possile, then my eyes may be given to any other needy person.

In addition to this any other part of my body (heart, kidney or any other) which can be beneficial to any other person, may be given to that person.

I am writing this Will without any coercion or compulsion and out of my own convictions and commitment and with the approval of the members of my family.

I am happily making this Will in the presence of my sister Kamaldeep Kaur, my brother in law Baljit Singh, my nephew Ajaydeep Singh, my neice Harnoor Kaur, Superintendent of the Model Jail Chandigarh, Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa ji, Medical office, B. K. Salwan and other jail authorities.

Signed
Balwant Singh Rajoana

Countersigned by

Kamaldeep Kaur
Baljit Singh
Ajaydeep Singh
Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa
Deputy Superintendent of Jails

17 June 2008


In his hand-written letter, sent to the Jathedar through the prison authorities, Balwant Singh Rajoana said: “As you are aware, I have been sentenced to death by an Indian court in the Beant Singh assassination case. I have decided not to appeal against this order and not to submit before this system.”

He said while he was waiting for his final call from the government of India, he desired that “after my death, the vital organs of my body (eyes, kidneys, heart and any other part that may be useful to any other person) may be offered at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to be given to those who may need them.” The idea was that the organs could be donated to anyone as per the wishes of the Sikh community. Rajoana had in fact made it clear right at the time of his conviction that his body shall be donated.

Explaining himself, he said that while watching the Kirtan programme on television, the sight of a blind Hazuri Ragi inspired him to offer his eyes, so that, “even after my death, (through the Ragi Singh) my eyes continue to worship at holy Darbar Sahib.”

Speaking to the World Sikh News, Kamaldeep Kaur, the sister of Balwant Singh, informed that the will was signed in her presence. Her husband Baljit Singh, her son Ajaideep Singh and Mr. Randhawa, the jail deputy superintendent were also witness to the document.

In his communiqué to the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh, he has said that “every single part of my body” that could be of any use to anyone in the service of the Panth and humanity could be used accordingly.


Parents of Balwant Singh Rajoana

Dying is no act of bravado, to be prepared to die for one’s convictions is bravado par excellence. No university could have educated Kamaldeep Kaur about this great truth, but Rajoana’s life has.

“Many people think that my brother wants to die. No. Like all living things he also wants to live, but he does not want to cringe, he does not want to dither from his Ardas, he does not want to love life at the cost of his courage and the cause of the Khalsa Panth.”

One only wonders how many sisters who tie rakhi around their brother’s wrist across India can actually understand what Kamaldeep must be passing through. Or perhaps every single one of them will understand, if only the Sikh community ensures that the story of Rajoana’s Eyes be spread and propagated all across the globe.



Harpinder Singh Goldy


Rajoana’s sister about his decision

“Having lost my brother Harpinder Singh Goldy to the Sikh struggle, I do not want to lose another one, but at the same time I bow before his decision not to appeal his sentence and not to submit to the Indian system, which violates human rights of Sikhs. What he is saying and doing is in the true traditions of the Sikhs...My aged parents wanted a support system for themselves but they are not selfish. They are proud of their son and his commitment.”

Eye Pledge Form

“By this act, I think my brother will bring more respect to the Sikh community.” There is no end to beautiful, heart-wrenching poetry about eyes, the beauty of eyes, the power of eyes, eyes full of tears, eyes that laugh, eyes that move hearts. But the saga of Rajoana’s Eyes will remain perhaps unmatched, for which poet has ever written about the power of eyes of a man condemned to death? Rajoana does not want to shut his eyes to his Guru, to his brave Sikh nation, to the machinations of its enemies, to the great ideal of Sarbat Da Bhala.

Beant Singh’s eyes were always covered with trademark black-tinted glasses, even during broad daylight. Those were eyes that could not handle shame, for more were dying under Beant Singh’s jackboots than a human heart could bear to see. Now, Rajoana’s Eyes will ensure that the line between a life spent in Guru’s sewa and a death courted for one’s principles shall stand merged.

Even the most ungrateful would hold him in awe and respect.

Rajoana’s seven-year-old nephew, Ajaydeep Singh, was told about the reasons for which Rajoana was in prison, the contents of his will of June 17 and the possibility of him climbing the scaffolding ladder with a noose around his neck. “Tell Mamaji, I will never forget him. I will remember him for all my life.” Little kid of the Sikh Nation, you will not be alone. Rajoana’s Eyes will see that the Sikh Nation will never forget him. And the story of Rajoana’s Eyes will live on long after those eyes stop shining.

US to build 'safer' cluster bombs?


The Pentagon is changing its policy on cluster bombs and plans to reduce the danger of unexploded munitions in the deadly explosives.

The policy shift, outlined in a three-page memo signed by US defence secretary Robert Gates, would require that after 2018, more than 99% of the bomblets in a cluster bomb must detonate.

Limiting the amount of live munitions left on the battlefield would lessen the danger to innocent civilians who have been killed or severely injured when they accidentally detonate the bombs.

Also, by next June, the Defence Department will begin to reduce its inventory of cluster bombs that do not meet the new safety requirements.

The new Defence Department plan comes more than a month after 111 nations, including many of America's key Nato partners, adopted a treaty outlawing all current designs of cluster munitions. The agreement also required that stockpiles be destroyed within eight years.

Opponents have complained that the Pentagon has moved too slowly to reduce the cluster munitions from its inventory.

Cluster bombs scatter hundreds of smaller explosives over a large area, where those bomblets can sit for years until they are disturbed and explode.

US leaders boycotted the May talks, as did Russia, China, Israel, India and Pakistan, all leading cluster bomb makers who cite the military value of the deadly explosives.


Unexploded cluster bomb!

Innocent Victims of this meanace





Frontline comments:

Every government don't mind killing innocents in war. Behind the scences of every war so many human rights abuses are happening but on TV a white picture is painted. Lets stop all countries from having nukes and weapons of mass destruction. Why is it ok for some to have them and not others?

If the only weapons were swords i'm sure there would be less wars. The Government officials declare war and relax at home.

Teacher suspended over 'prayers to Allah' punishment

A Cheshire teacher has been suspended amid claims she punished two children who refused to worship Allah during a religious education lesson.

Alison Phillips, head of RE at the respected Alsager High School, allegedly disciplined the Year 7 pair, claiming they were disrespectful for refusing to kneel down and pray.

After giving the two boys detention the school was believed to have received several complaints from parents about the long-standing teacher.

A school spokesman said she was suspended over the allegations - but also because of "ongoing inquiries centred around other practical issues".

Joan Feenan, director of Cheshire County Council's children's services, said: "This authority is naturally concerned about complaints we have received from parents.

"Together with the school, we will be thoroughly investigating those complaints, in a careful and considered manner, and informing parents of the conclusions reached.

"Educating children in Christian and other religious beliefs is part of the national curriculum in secular schools and I'm sure that the great majority of our parents welcome any efforts to further mutual understanding.

"Having said that, this authority also accepts without question that such teaching should be carried out with awareness, sensitivity and sound common sense."

She also added that suspension was not a disciplinary measure.

One parent, Karen Williams, said after hearing the claims: "I am absolutely furious my daughter was made to take part in it and I don't find it acceptable."

The Ardaas sculpture at Mehdhiana Sahib


Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh,

I want to share with the SikhNet cybersangat some pictures I recently took on my Yatra to India of many Gurdwaras all across the Punjab. One which stuck in my mind was on the outskirts of the city of Ludhiana. It is called Medhiana Sahib. This is the Gurdwara where Guru Gobind Singh Ji did daily Ishnaan and where the Ardaas is composed in the form of statues. Here are some of the pictures of these statues depicting the Ardaas.



Sikh's beard costs him engineering job

Dispute over removal of facial hair sends U.K. worker home -- and to a human-rights lawyer

Keith Gerein, The Edmonton Journal

Published: 1:31 am

TransAlta Corp. has become embroiled in a human-rights dispute with a Sikh contract employee who was ordered off the job for refusing to shave his beard.

"I've never, ever been treated like this anywhere else I've been around the world -- I'm completely stunned," said United Kingdom resident Av Singh, who was hired for an eight-week stint as a turbine adviser at TransAlta's Sundance plant west of Edmonton.

The 24-year-old is now heading home three weeks early, after a safety supervisor told him Friday that his beard would not allow him to properly wear a protective mask.

Av Singh wears a respirator mask.

Av Singh wears a respirator mask.

He was given the choice of shaving or leaving. Since removing the beard is against his religious beliefs, Singh refused the razor and instead hired a human-rights lawyer.

"I don't know what it's going to achieve, but I don't think it's fair the way I got treated," he said.

Singh said when he first started at the plant, the company gave him a test to ensure the gas mask formed an adequate seal around his face.

"You put the mask on and then they put smoke around you, and if you breathe in the smoke, you cough shortly after," he said. "I passed the test with flying colours. The seal was perfect."

For the next five weeks, Singh said he had no issues on the job-site. He formed friendships with some of his co-workers, was invited to barbecues and exchanged practical jokes.

Then last week, a new safety supervisor came on shift who took issue with his beard.

"I met some really friendly people. I was really enjoying it, and then this one problem came completely out of the blue," Singh said.

"I had no say. He wouldn't even listen to me. Maybe he was trying to make a name for himself or make an example of out of me not to mess with him.

"But I think he picked the wrong bloke, because I'm a chartered engineer."

TransAlta spokesman Michael Lawrence said the safety supervisor was worried that Singh's beard had grown too long over the five weeks since he started the job.

"He was concerned that if there was an emergency, and the employee had to put on a respirator mask, there's no way he'd get a proper seal," he said. "The safety of our contractors and employees is of paramount concern to us."

Lawrence said workers with short beards can be given a gel that helps to seal on a gas mask, but Singh's facial hair was deemed too thick for that.

Singh said he was never offered the gel or allowed to take the smoke test again.

He said he trims his facial hair every few days so it wasn't any longer than when he first started.

Singh said he wants an apology from TransAlta for infringing on his religious rights. In the meantime, he plans to let his lawyer pursue the case and his firm has refused to send TransAlta a replacement adviser.

Lawrence said TransAlta is continuing to investigate the situation.

The incident comes less than a month after the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled on a similar case involving a Canadian Sikh man who refused to shave his beard for work at a Syncrude Canada site in Fort McMurray. The court granted the man the right to have his human-rights complaint go to a hearing.

kgerein@thejournal.canwest.com