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Water pollution hits this Malwa family in the eye

Nasseb Kaur with her grandchildren at Gehri Devi Mandir village in Bathinda.

Gehri Devi Mandir (Bathinda), August 6
It is difficult not to meet the family of Naseeb Kaur and feel empathy for her. One of Naseeb’s son and her four grandchildren have lost one eye each. The reason is not far to seek, at least in the Malwa region. Contaminated water, seen as the prime factor behind the dreaded scourge of cancer, is so widespread in the area.

Naseeb, the mother of four sons, lost her husband, Gurdev Singh (66), in February this year. Gurdev was suffering from throat cancer. During a recent visit to her house in Gehri Devi Mandir village in Bathinda district, this correspondent came across three children who have lost one eye each. Meanwhile, a four-year-old girl came in rubbing one of her eyes, which was badly swollen. The fluid coming out of her eye was a testimony to her pain.

While talking to this correspondent, Naseeb could not stop her tears. It was painful when her eldest son, Raj Singh (43), lost his one eye in childhood. At that time, doctors in Patiala had advised them to get the eyeball removed as it was affected with cancer.

The life of the family had been smooth for a couple of years, but when her sons were blessed with children, the trouble reared its head again. Raj Singh, who himself was blind in one eye, was blessed with two sons, who are luckily normal.

Her second son Darshan Singh lost his son to eye cancer when he was three years old. He has two daughters, Kiran Deep Kaur (10) and Amrit Pal Kaur (4), who also had the same problem. A class IV student, Kiran Deep, had her eye removed while Amrit Pal is still suffering from the problem of extra skin, covering her eyeball.

Her third son, Joginder, has a son, Harman Deep Singh (11), a class VI student, whose eyeball was removed when he was one-year-old. Fortunately, the eight-year-old daughter of Joginder, Avneet Kaur, has not been affected by the disease.

The youngest son of Naseeb, Jagroop Singh, alias Motha, has two children, but his seven-year-old daughter Amandeep Kaur was also born with the same disease and one of her eyeballs shrivelled up when she was just one year old. Gratefully, his one-and-a-half-year-old son has not been affected.

Showing a huge pile of medical reports, issued from various private and government hospitals of Jalandhar, Patiala, Delhi, Bikaner, Amritsar, Faridkot and Chandigarh, she said despite all efforts, nothing had worked.

The members of the family said despite repeated representations to various parties, no leader had lent any help. Jagroop Singh said they had spent lakhs on the treatment of their children, but in vain. The land of the family has also been pledged to the banks and moneylenders.

Contract needs to put to all gurdwaras

So much disrespect is happening when people take sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji home. All the gurdwara need to educate the sangat. I have drawn up a contract whihc should be signed by any member of the sangat wish to take maharaj home, if they refuse to sign they should not be allowed to have darshan of maharaj at their house. But will Gurdwaras do this as most comittees are intrested in money then sikhi.

Please copy and paste and give to your comittees if possible

Contract to keep respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Sangats houses

Introduction:

There are all sorts of reasons and occasions why people want to have the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in their houses. In sad times we need strength, in times of happiness we say thank you and at certain occasions we seek the Gurus blessing. Whatever the reason is we must ensure that our house becomes like a Gurdwara while Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is present in our house. Also anyone doing patth from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or handling Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji must have had a full body wash including head and must not wear socks.

Code of conduct to keep respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

• The reason why we are seeking Guru Ji’s blessings. Some “Sikhs” may be opening an off licence and therefore want Guru Ji’s blessings before the Grand opening. This is ridiculous as the Guru would never bless corrupt practices which they preached against. Guru Nanak Dev Ji refused a meal at the palace of a King due to the same principle.

• In the Darbar (room where Guru Ji’s parkash is) there should be no photos of the deceased (dead) and living human beings (all focus and attention must be emphasized on Guru Ji). No idols are to be present in the darbar. The platform of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should be the highest and the only focal point of the Darbar. No photo of a person should be placed in front of Guru Ji (a lot of people do this at funerals); this is an Anti-Sikh ritual which is forbidden, as Sikhs do not bow to photos or idols.

• There should be no meat, alcohol (drugs) or tobacco present within the premises. If any anti-Sikh business attached to the premises and is owned by the Sangat, Sri Guru Granth JI will not be allowed to enter the premises.

• Nobody should rest or walk in the room above Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

• Head should be covered at all times.

By signing this contract I agree that in order to maintain the respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in my premises, I will uphold all the above principals.

Print name:

Signed:

Date:

Shaheed General Labh Singh Ji

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

By Aman Singh aka Khalsaforce.net



Bhai Labh Singh and Sukhdev Singh Sukha was born in 1952, at the house of Sardar Puran Singh Ji and Mata Kulwant Kaur Ji. Bhai sahibs oldest brother Bhai Daljeet Singh is still doing seva for the panth. Along with education Bhai sahib had the junoon of playing sports and took part in many sports. Bhai Sahib finished his education at Baba Budha sahib college and after the college Bhai Sahib joined Punjab police. From the begining Bhai Sahib used to think of jujahroo singhs. Even being in punjab police Bhai sahib didn't take any nonfairness from superior officers. Bhai Sahib's Anand Karaj took place in 1980 with Bibi Davinder Kaur and they had two sons Rajashwar Singh and Pardeep Singh.

In 1980 Bhai Sahib's duty was at Thana Bikhiwand and his relatives came to visit him. One hindu police man name Nanda had hatred inside him against Sikhs. He said something against Bhai sahib and Bhai Sahib gave him a good beating at the same thana and from fearing Bhai sahib's katapa(beatings) nanda hid for 30 minutes inside the police station.



Bhai Sahib Ji in 1982 decided to join the sangarsh of Sant Sipahi Baba Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale and in 1983 Bhai Sahib had so much love for Sant Ji and the sangarsh that he left the police department and joined Sant Ji. During the beginning when Bhai Sahib stayed with Sant Ji the other Singhs with Sant Ji didn't trust him because he was in the punjab police. But after Bhai sahib punished many pappi's and showed that he is also a Singh of Guru Gobind Singh, Bhai sahib became very close to the sangat and to the other Singhs as well as Sant Ji.



During the attack on Harimandar Sahib, Bhai Sahib fought with bravery but was arrested and tortured brutally by the army forces. Bhai Sahib was kept at Jodhpur jail for two years but he didn't loose his faith in the sangarsh - in fact the two years made him stronger. In 1986 Bhai Sahib was accused of the killing of Ramesh Chandar and had to come to court a lot for the court days. That’s when Bhai Sahib met Bhai Manvir Singh Ji Chehru and his Singhs. Bhai Manvir Singh Ji got Bhai Labh Singh out of the murder case at the Jalandhar court. After Bhai Labh Singh came out he started the guerrilla warfare against the government.



(Bhai Manvir Singh)

When Bhai Sahib ran away from police custody the Sikh Jathabandia were very week with ammunition. After the arrest of Bhai Sahib Bhai Manvir Singh Ji Chehru the singhs announced Bhai Labh Singh Ji as the jathedar of KHALISTAN COMMANDO FORCE. Bhai Sahib did seva that very rare singhs do for the panth. During Bhai Sahib's time Bhai Sahib attacked that pappi Robiero at PIP in Jalandhar but Robiero got away. Bhai Sahib attained shaheedi on July 12 because of some traitors in our panth. Bhai Sahib's wife and kids were harassed a lot by SSP Ajit sandhu Pappi and because of that harassment Bhai Sahib's family had to shift to America. Bhai Sahib's shaheedi diwahra takes place at his village Panjwar.







Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Bibi Davinder Kaur Ji speaking on the shaheedi of General Labh Singh Ji

"He had informed me where he was going and I was not worried as he was known to Nirmal Singh as he often kept money in his house. When he reached there Nirmal Singh suggested that, since his house was searched often, he should sleep in Gurdit Singh’s house at Khuda Hospiarpur. Gurdit Singh was also known to my husband as he often left money there as well. Gurjit Singh, the then AISSF leader, knew all the people around my husband as they all had been together in the gunrunning. Panjwar did not remain with them and Gurdit Singh had evidently spread a rumour throughout his village that he was going to Bombay and the USA. Nirmal Singh took my husband to his village. There something was put in his milk that put him into a deep sleep. His body was taken by the BSF and dumped at Darapur. The owners of the petrol pump report that in the early hours of the morning a car was seen appraoaching and that a single shot rang out sometime between two and four in the morning. The body was identified as being that of my husband by SSP Izhar Alam and Swaran Singh SSP. The next morning at 10:00 the SSP Hoshiarpur informed mydelf and my father in law. A smell came from the body. Many people started collecting at the petrol pump from the surrounding villages to see the body and fifty thousand came to the bhog there before it reached Panjwar where a bhog was also held…Gurdit Singh had been jealous of his popularity. My husband was a deeply religious and determined man who always kept his word."

Singh Gets licks, it so important to be shasterdhari

Details about Sikh Meditation

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji brought Gurbani to the earth to save us. Gurbani guides us and gives us energies which helps us through all of life’s obstacles. Guru Ji also gave us the Gurmantar which is to be recited in meditation; this cleans our soul and purifies our mind. The Guru gave us many Mantars; another one is the Mool mantar. But the Gurmantar is more widely know amongst Sikhs. Sikhs refer to the recitation of the Gurmantar as Naam Simran.

Bhai Gurdas Ji, who was a well known Great Sikh of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, describes the Gurmantar in his writings (keep in mind that he was the writer of Guru Ji):

In Satyug, Vishnu in the form of Vasudev is said to have incarnated and ‘V’ Of Vaheguru reminds of Vishnu. The True Guru of Dvapar is said to be Harikrsna and ‘H’ of Vaheguru reminds of Hari. In the Treta was Ram and ‘R’ of Vaheguru tells that remembering Ram will produce joy and happiness. In Kalyug, Gobind is in the form of Nanak and ‘G’ of Vaheguru gets Govind recited. The recitations o f all the four ages subsume in Panchayan i.e. in the soul of the common man. When joining four letters Vaheguru is remembered, The Jiv merges again in its origin.

Listening to the teachings of the Guru, the Sikh becomes wise internally though apparently he looks a simpleton. He with full care keeps his consciousness attuned to the Word and listens to nothing except the words of Guru. He beholds the True Guru and without the company of the saints feels himself blind and deaf. The Guru's word he receives is Vaheguru, the wondrous Lord, and remains silently immersed in delight. He bows on the feet and becoming (humble) like dust goes on drinking the nectar of the feet (of the Lord). He remains involved like black bee in the lotus feet (of the Guru) and thus living in this world ocean remains unsmeared (by its water and dust). His is life of a liberated one during the life on earth i.e. he is a Jivanmukt.

Listening to the teachings of the Guru, the Sikh becomes wise internally though apparently he looks a simpleton. He with full care keeps his consciousness attuned to the Word and listens to nothing except the words of Guru. He beholds the True Guru and without the company of the saints feels himself blind and deaf. The Guru's word he receives is Vaheguru, the wondrous Lord, and remains silently immersed in delight. He bows on the feet and becoming (humble) like dust goes on drinking the nectar of the feet (of the Lord).He remains involved like black bee in the lotus feet (of the Guru) and thus living in this world ocean remains unsmeared (by its water and dust).His is life of a liberated one during the life on earth i.e. he is a Jivanmukt.

How is the dynamism of the Unmanifest known? How can the story of that divine Lord be told? He is wonderful for the wonder itself. The absorbents in the wondrous realization get themselves elated. The Vedas also do not understand this mystery and even the Sesanag (mythological snake having thousand hoods) cannot know its limits. Vaheguru, God is praised through recitation of the Word of the Guru, Gurbani.

The life of that Gurmukh is fortunate whom meeting some Sikh of the Guru has come to the shelter of the Guru. He bows before primeval Purusa (God) and becomes blessed after having the sight of such a Guru. After circumambulation he bows on the lotus feet of Guru. Becoming kind, the Guru recites True mantra Vaheguru for him. The Sikh with his capital of Devotion falls at the feet of Guru and the whole world bows at his feet. God (the Guru) eradicates his lust, anger and doubt and gets his greed, infatuation and ego erased. Instead, the Guru makes him practice Truth, contentment, dharma, name, charity and ablution. Adopting the teachings of the Guru, the individual is called a Sikh of the Guru.

One Oankar, the primal energy, realised through the grace of the divine master. Narayan, the lord of the destitute, assuming forms has established mastery over all. He is the formless King of all men and Kings who created various forms. As is creator of all the causes He is True to His reputation. Gods and Goddesses also could not know the extent of that Lord, the imperceptible and beyond all mysteries. The True Guru Nanak Dev inspired people to remember the True name of the Lord whose form is Truth.
Founding dharamsala, the place for dharma, at Kartarpur, it was inhabited by the Holy Congregation as the abode of Truth. Word ‘Vaheguru’ was imparted (by Guru Nanak) to the people.

To learn about Sikh-life, one ought to merge one’s consciousness in the Word in the Holy Congregation. Writing about Sikh life is to go on listening, understanding and continuously writing. Simran, meditation in Sikh life is learning the Guru-mantra (Vaheguru) which is sweet like sugarcane juice. The spirit of the Sikhism is like fragrance residing in sandalwood trees. The understanding of a Sikh of the Guru consists in the fact that even after having received the gifted alms (of Naam) and being fully knowledgeable, he considered himself as ignorant. The Sikh of the Guru, in the Holy Congregation listens to the word of the Guru and practises meditation, charity and ablution, and thus goes across the past present to a new future.

New Fashion

New Fashion, not too long before we see these tops worn in gurdwaras at weddings.

Rakhri Abuse

Raksha bandesh is an Indian cultural ceremony. It might be a Hindu ideology but it has nothing to do with the Sikh faith as the Sikh Gurus rejected nonsense rituals which have no practicality. There may be a photo of Guru Nanak Dev Ji accepting a rakhri from Bibi Nanaki, but this is made by someone who lacks knowledge of Gurbani, I could make a picture of Guru Nanak Dev ji drinking that does not mean Sikhs can drink. If you read Gurbani you will see that Rakhri has no place with the Sikh Religion.

Gurbani being put on Rakhris. They are made very weak and the Gurbani falls on the floor and is sometimes lost by the wearer.

Notice the Notice Board

Dear Frontline I was reading the notice board on my local Gurdwara and I noticed that some receipts and documents had Gurbani on them. The people who put those documents up put the pins through the Gurbani instead of the corners of the page. They must have put them up in a rush and probably had no bad intention to cause disrespect. But Gurbani is our Guru it is not right to put pins through it just to hang up a document. Anyway I got the committee to look at it and they sorted it out. Please make sure this is not happening at your local Gurdwara.

Thank you by amandeep age 14 from Barking

SMS CAMP CHIGWELL

Dear Frontline, My name is Pooja Kaur and I recently attended The SMS (Sikh Missionary society) camp they held this year at Chigwell colleague London. I enjoyed the camp it was a good experience and the spirituality was great. However I just wanted to share with the sangat improvements that they could make to progress the camp.

1: Not to use Gurbani on a poxy name badge as the kids will only end up throwing it away.

2: Not to put Gurbani on the back of the children’s exercise book as we had to use the books on the floor and put them on their backs.

Front of kids book!

Back of kids book

3: I think the group leaders need to be more knowledgable and better role models. As some of them had no Sikhi knowledge at all and there dress sense was abit inappropriate.

Other then that the camp was fantastic, we woke up at amrit vela everyday and the environment of the camp was friendly. I had a great time.

Gay Website slanders Gurbani

Gurbani teaches us to live a pure life and tells us to ignore the filthy urges of the mind. A practicing Sikh cant be gay just like two kirpans cant fit in same case. Gurbani tells us that homosexuality is going against the laws of nature and is a evil desire of the mind. Sikhi tells us to reproduce and have a family life as man and women.

However the following site is tarnishing the reputation of the sikh faith. The Guru has set out clear instructions and a code of conduct. how can you be a Sikh if you go against this.

http://www.sarbat.net/

contact them and tell them to take all gurbani and the word sikh of. Tell them to use the word asains or something.

Sikh Gay Parade slanders the Sikh faith

Loud and proud

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

News Source: www.asianpacificpost.com

Wed. July 23 2008 - More often than not, homosexuality within the South Asian community is frowned upon. But slowly, that's starting to change says a support group for gay and lesbian Sikhs in Metro Vancouver.

This year, Sher Vancouver is coming out loud and proud with its first ever float in Vancouver's annual Gay Pride Parade.

"Even we don't know what the float looks like yet," says Sher Vancouver founder, Amar Sangha.

"The woman in charge of decorating it has kept it a secret so I guess we'll all have to wait until the day of the parade to find out.

But we do know that it's not just going to be a Sikh float — it's going to be a South Asian float."

Sangha, 36, started Sher Vancouver in April after realizing that the South Asian gay community had no support group that fully understood the cultural challenges it was up against. Sher, which now has over 50 members, acts as a beacon of compassion for those struggling to come out to their families and friends.

"There is a generational difference for how Sikhs look at homosexuality," says Sangha, who lives in North Delta.

"Most younger and educated people who are familiar with Western culture are supportive. But in the end, the more people who come out of the closet, the easier I think it will be for South Asian gays to come out."

Sangha, a proud Sikh, says it was difficult to tell his family he is gay. To this day, his sexuality raises a gambit of issues, including how the family presents itself to the rest of the Sikh community, including its more traditional elements.

"My mom was supportive but my dad and his family still feel being gay is a choice," he says.

"They don't want me to be out in the media as they suffer a backlash every time I do an interview so I'm trying to tone it down."

Despite a culture that largely condemns homosexuality, there is nothing about the Sikh faith itself that takes a definitive stand on homosexuality one way or the other, says Sangha.

"The Sikh holy text isn't really solid on the issue," he explains. "It espouses tolerance and acceptance so even though it doesn't say anything about homosexuality, many people feel these values can be applied to all aspects of the human race.

"These are universal rights. They should include all gays and lesbians."

By founding Sher Vancouver and creating a strong presence in the media and in the community, Sangha hopes more gay Sikhs will be encouraged to come out.

So far, his group has raised $1,200 toward the construction of its $1,800 parade float.

"We're in a bit of a cash crunch," he admits. "Anyone interested in making a donation can e-mail me at amar_sangha@hotmail.com

Sikhi Stance On Homosexuality!

Sikhi teaches the path of truthful living and righteousness. The definition of truthful living is when you live a life according to Gods will. When one is corrupted by darkness and evil desires they live a life based on sin. Sikhs do not even cut their hair as they believe the hair have been put their according to Gods will. Anyone with common sense will know that God has created man and women to reproduce, this is a law of nature and a design of Gods will. Homosexaulity is against the will of God, in the same way as cutting ones hair is to a Sikh. Homosexuality is illegal amongst Sikh ethics and the Sikh code of conduct. The doors of the Gurdwara are open to anyone without any discrimination, but Sikh institutes will not carry out:

1: The Sikh initiation (Amrit ceremony) of a Homosexual person who refuses to stop having homosexual relationships after Amrit.

2: A Homosexual wedding.

3: Recommend the adoption or fostering of Sikh children to Homosexual couples.

The above three situations are there to protect Sikh ethics; any institute going against these is breaking the code of Sikh ethics.

In Sikhi Homosexuality is seen as devil like behaviour, although Sikhs do not see as a crime like some other religions. A person has the right to do what they want behind closed doors. But Sikhi in general does see homosexuality as a form of Maya (illusion) which keeps one away from Gods will. Homosexuality is defiantly seen as a form of Anti-Social behaviour by the Sikh religion. Gurbani tells us that evil instincts that lead us away from God are caused by the uncontrolled mind and dark energies within us. If a person does not meditate on God, this uncontrolled mind just keeps on increasing in its path of corruption and filthy desires.

This leaflet is not intended to offend homosexuals, but it is giving the honest view of homosexuality by the Sikh religion.

The love of Maya is enticing; without teeth, it has eaten up the world. The self-willed manmukhs are eaten away, while the Gurmukhs are saved; they focus their consciousness on the True Name. Without the Name, the world wanders around insane; the Gurmukhs come to see this. Ang 643 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Everything else is false. Whatever pleases Your Will is acceptable. Ang 16 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

The blind have forgotten the Naam, the Name of the Lord. The self-willed manmukhs are in utter darkness. Ang 19 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

O Nanak, the Boat of Truth will ferry you across; contemplate the Guru. Ang 20 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

The Gurmukh knows the Divine Light, while the foolish self-willed manmukh gropes around in the darkness. Ang 20 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

She has neither modesty or self-discipline; the self-willed manmukh constantly tells lies, and is ruined by the bad karma of evil deeds. Ang 786 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Frontlinepunjabi youth:

You cant be a sikh and gay, it dont work its like trying to put two swords in one case. This poeple if they want to be gay be gay but dont use the word sikh, because if you were sikh you wouldnt be a gay. They are slandering the sikh faith and going against the teachings of sri guru granth sahib ji.

Email that amar sangha geeza man, and tell him to keep the word sikh out of it.

Details of Bhai Harmander Singh jis shaheedi

Haryana Cult Clash Claims life of another Singh

Friday 18th of July 2008

Panthic Weekly News Bureau

One Singh was killed and dozens injured in the latest attacks on Sikhs

Dabwali, Haryana (KP) - The conflict between the Sikh Nation and the Sirsa based Sauda cult took another turn for the worst when clashes between cultists and Sikh protestors claimed another Sikh youth's life in the town of Dabwali in Haryana.

Furious over the latest murder, members of the Sikh community clashed with cultists for several hours before authorities managed to control the situation in the border districts of Bathinda, Mukatsar, Faridkot, and Sirsa. Tensions also flared in the districts of SriGanganagar, and Hanumangarh on the border with Rajasthan.

On Saturday, thousands of Sikhs gathered in large numbers at Shaheed Bhai Harmandir Singh's native town of Dabwali to pay tribute to the Sikh Nation's third Shaheed in the anti-Sauda Dera agitation.

Shaheed Harmandar Singh

Bhai Harmandir Singh, who was also known as Mandar Singh in the community, was a local leader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha. His body was cremated according to Sikh rites after being taken from a local Haryana Gurdwara Sahib in a huge procession and show of strength by the Sikhs.

The Shaheed Singh's body, draped by siropas (robes of honor) presented by Sikh organizations, was carried on top of a large vehicle with his father Sardar Mohinder Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, and other prominent Sikh leaders, and members of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha.

Emotions on Edge as 3rd Sikh Martyr is Cremated

Passions were on edge as the large numbers of mourners raised loud Jaikaras of 'Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal' and 'Shaheed Harmandar Singh Amar Rahay.' Slogans against the Sirsa dera and its criminal chief were also raised through the procession.

After the Shaheed's body was brought to Dabwali's cremation ground, an emotional farewell was given by the martyr's parents, elder brother, and wife Manjit Kaur. His surviving daughter, Sukhandeep Kaur, 5, and son Gurcharn Singh, who is only two and half years old, seemed oblivious to the tragedy that occurred in their family.

The Funeral fire for Bhai Harmandir Singh's body was lit by the shaheed's father and elder brother, along with Jathedar Nandgarh and Avtar Singh Makkar of the SGPC.

After the antim-saskar, Sikh leaders such as Simranjit Singh Maan, Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, Daljit Singh Bittu, eulogized the martyr at the local Gurdwara at Dabwali.

There was a huge presence of local police, Border Security Forces, and Rapid Action Forces throughout the area, in which the entire border area between the districts of Bathinda and Mukatsar had been sealed and a curfew put in place. Only during the antim-saskar procession was the curfew lifted for about two and a half hours.

Shaheedi

According to eyewitnesses, a local 'naam-charcha' (Sirsa cult meeting) was being organized at the residence of Sundar Dass Mehta on Friday. Volunteers of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, including Bhai Harmandir Singh, complained to the local police officials about the meeting, but officials, who themselves sympathize with the cultists, turned a blind eye to the issue.

When the Singhs, numbering only 15-20, began to protest outside Mehta's residence, they were violently confronted by the cultists whose numbers had now surged into the hundreds-heavily armed. In the initial attack, dozens of cultists ambushed Bhai Harmandir Singh with sharp weapons and latthis (staffs), several others were injured in this melee.

When other members of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha found out about the situation, they quickly arrived at the scene and took possession of the Shaheed Singh's body, and in protest closed down the Delhi-Dabwali highway.

Police attack Protesting Singhs

According to press reports, the deputy commissioner Oma Shankar, and senior police captain Venktarmun, soon arrived at the protest scene and attempted to disperse the protesting Singhs using the infamous 'lathi-charge' tactic in which half a dozens more Singhs were injured directly due to police brutality.

As reports of the mistreatment of the Sikhs in Haryana spread, more Sangat began to pour into the town of Dabwali, in which during the evening the Sikh protesters began to retaliate against the authorities and Sirsa cultists. It took several hours and reinforcements from neighboring districts before the Police could contain the situation.

As in the past, local government officials are suspected of sympathizing with and protecting the cult dera members, and are being partly blamed for the death of Harmandir Singh. They include deputy commissioner Oma Shankar, a sub-inspector Dalip Singh, and local patwari.

What you must know if Guru Ji is coming to your house?

Introduction:

There are all sorts of reasons why people want to have the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at their houses. In sad times we need strength, in times of happiness we say thank you and at some occasion we seek the Gurus blessings. Whatever the reason we must remember one thing that your house must have a Gurdwara Atmosphere in the presence of Sri Guru Granth sahib Ji to show utmost respect to Guru Ji.

A few points to be aware of:

• The reason why we are seeking Guru Ji’s blessings. Some “Sikhs” may be opening an off licence and therefore want Guru Ji’s blessings before the Grand opening. This is ridiculous as the Guru would never bless corrupt practices which they preached against. Guru Nanak Dev Ji refused a meal at the palace of a King due to the same principle.

• In the Darbar (room where Guru Ji‘s parkash is) there should be no photos of the deceased (dead), living humans, and idols present. The platform of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji should be the highest and the focal point of the Darbar. No photo of a person should be placed in front of Guru Ji, that is a Anti-Sikh ritual which is forbidden, as Sikhs do not bow to photos or idols.

• There should be no meat, alcohol (drugs) or tobacco present within the premises.

• Nobody should rest or walk in the room above Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

• Head should be covered at all times.

All the above are basic principles in order to maintain a high level of respect of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Please keep them in mind for the next time you plan to have Darshan of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at your house.

Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji ki Fateh.

Written by Professor Daljit Singh, Chairman of Sikh Institutes Amritsar. Bsc honours in Sikh studies and university lecturer of Sikh studies.

Review of Current Nagar Kirtans

Historic Trend

Nagar Kirtans started of in Punjab, but the old Nagar Kirtans weren’t like the ones we see today. At Amrit-vela early in the morning when people used to go to the local Gurdwara on the way they would Sing Kirtan, people came out of their houses when they heard the Kirtan and joined the Nagar Kirtan. Therefore a lot of people walked to the Gurdwara in the form of sangat. Infact everyday there could be a few Small Nagar Kirtans in one pind (village) as people got together from different directions. So these types of Nagar Kirtans used to happen every Amrit-vela.

Why was they done?

• Act as an alarm for the people still sleeping.
• For spiritual benefit of the soul (better then talking crap on the way to a Gurdwara).
• They formed some sort of safety for the common civilian who wanted to go to the Gurdwara at Amrit-vela when it is dark (Punjab had no lights in them days and thieves and rapists used to work at night).

Current Trend

These days Nagar Kirtans are conducted in a different manner for a different objective. Instead of going to the Gurdwara the Nagar Kirtan starts from the Gurdwara and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is paraded with Sangat across local streets. The idea is to show the local community Sikh principals of sharing, as food is distributed by Sikhs to all without discrimination and to spread awareness of the Sikh faith.

Positive aspects

• Links with other Sikhs are made.
• Good day to get Parchaar (guidance) out to the Sangat.
• Shows unity.

Negative Aspects

• The dress sense of a lot of people is a disgrace (some people forget they are in Sangat form) they wear enticing clothing. The men mostly wear caps and hoodies instead of ramals. They show of their Tattoos and big chests. It’s more of a pulling field (flirting) then anything else for a lot of youth.
• The Dhol has been introduced which creates a carnival atmosphere; people start to dance and sing explicit lyrics. (More of a Nagar Bhangra then Nagar Kirtan Scene is created).
• An opportunity for non-Sikhs to wear Karas (pretend to be Sikhs) and deceive our women folk.
• Some people bring intoxications and are buzzing throughout the procession.
• Young couples meet up and sneak of to side roads and parks to indulge in lustful activities.
• A lot of the above activities portray Sikhs in the wrong way and brings shame and dishonour to our nation.

Conclusion

The Nagar Kirtans these days seem to have more of a negative aspect and I see the situation worsening unless more measures are put in to improve the standards.

The Dhol should be completely taken out of the Nagar Kirtan, unless it is used for a Gatka demo. The Dhols rightful place is in a club or wedding party not a Nagar kirtan being led by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

– By Harpreet Kaur (15) Hackney East London