Sikh Siyasat News (in English) » Over Seas

British Lawmakers tabled motion against Jay Leno

Gurbhej Singh — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:57:30 +0000

Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar

London, England (January 26, 2011): Jay Leno continues to face opposition on his controversial remark about Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar, the sacred Sikh shrine. Now “British lawmakers say Prime Minister David Cameron should complain to the United States over a Leno routine that joked about the holiest site in the Sikh religion”, reports CBSNews.

It is notable that on the January 19, 2012 episode of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on NBC Jay Leno showed a photo of an Darbar Sahib, also called the Golden Temple of Amritsar, as summer home of Republican Mitt Romney. Sikhs consider that this remark was indeed derogatory, given the sacred significance of the place.

“In a motion published at Parliament on Thursday, two legislators said Leno had shown a complete misunderstanding of the Sikh faith. British opposition Labour Party lawmakers Virendra Shrama and John McDonnell proposed a motion demanding Cameron call on the U.S. to show more respect toward Sikhs. The move does not compel Cameron to take any action” adds CBSNews.

Sikh Siyasat has accessed the text of concerned “Early Day Motion 2651″ moved on 25th January, 2012, which reads as:

“That this House notes with concern the sketch on the NBC Jay Leno Show where the most sacred Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple, was disrespected by Jay Leno when it was referred to as GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s summer home; expresses concern and regret that this depiction of the Golden Temple as a home of the rich shows a complete misunderstanding of the Sikh faith and is derogatory to Sikhs across the world; believes that these comments are not acceptable to all those who believe in respect for all religions; calls on Jay Leno and NBC to apologise to all Sikhs for this disrespectful depiction of the Golden Temple; and further calls on the Government to make representations to the US government that while recognising principles of freedom of speech there should be more understanding and respect shown to the Sikh faith.”

Mr. Virendra Sharma of Labour Party, who is member from Ealing Southall is the primary sponsor of the motion; while McDonnel John, also of Labour Party, who is member from Hayes and Harlington is the other sponsor. Text and recent updates about motion may be accessed from website of British Parliament.

Jay Leno (61) is now being sued by a man in California named Dr. Randeep Dhillon, who argues the comedian is spreading hatred and ridicule of his religion.

US rights body lodged a complaint with Federal Communications Commission against Jay Leno

Webmaster — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:05:35 +0000

New York, USA (January 24, 2012): A US based Sikh rights group “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ) has lodged a complaint with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the US Government against the objectionable depiction of Golden Temple by NBC Talk Show Host Jay Leno on January 19, 2012. FCC regulates the broadcast of television programs, analyzes the complaints and conducts investigations.

The SFJ complaint filed with Joel Gurin, Bureau Chief, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at FCC states that “Jay Leno’s depiction of Golden Temple as the home of the rich is racist, derogatory, defamatory, contrary to the reality, inimical to the principles of Sikhism, and thus hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community”. The complaint demands imposition of sanctions against Jay Leno for spreading racism and against NBC for airing contents ridiculing a place of worship.

According to attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Legal Advisor to SFJ, “while we value and honor Freedom of Speech protected by the First Amendment but First Amendment is not a tool to ridicule a religion or to spread untrue, biased and racist information.” This is not the first time that Jay Leno has shown disrespect and bias towards Sikhs and their faith, earlier, in 2007 Jay Leno, had called Sikhs as ‘diaper heads’ referring to the turban worn by Sikhs in compliance of their religious edict.

Jay Leno’s wrongful depiction of Golden Temple is more hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community because any disrespectful or derogatory remark about Golden Temple brings back the tormenting memories of June 1984 Operation Blue Star in the minds of the Sikhs in which thousands Sikh pilgrims were killed, stated attorney Pannun.

While welcoming the gesture of respect shown by Vayalar Ravi, India’s Overseas Affairs Minister who took up the issue with US Government, attorney Pannun reminded the Minister Ravi that those who planned and executed attack on Golden Temple (Operation Blue Star) in June 1984 have not been prosecuted. “He should also take up the issue of Operation Blue Star with Government of India”, added attorney Pannun.

SFJ announced holding of a protest rally on February 02, 2012 in front of NBC Headquarters in New York City demanding the NBC to sack Jay Leno for his remarks about Golden Temple.

US official defends Lay Leno

Daljeet Singh — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:18:17 +0000

Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State

Ludhiana, Punjab (January 24, 2012): Certain media reports have revealed that the United States officials have come to the defence of US television show host Jay Leno.

“While the US had “absolute respect” for the people of India, including Sikhs, “The Tonight Show” host’s comments “are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech”, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland is quoted to have told to the reporters on Monday, by IANS news agency.

Victoria Nuland further told media sections that the US had not had any communications from the Indian government on the controversial comments that have angered the Sikhs in the US.

“Well, I think that Mr. Leno would be appreciative – I hope he’ll be appreciative – if we make the point that his comments are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech, and frankly, they appear to be satirical in nature.” she is quoted to have said by NDTV.

It is notable that visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had on Sunday asked the Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao to take up with the State Department the issue, featured on Leno’s show on 19 January, 2012. Vayalar Ravi’s remarks have brought the issue in debate.

“But from a US official government perspective, we have absolute respect for all the people of India, including Sikhs here, there,” she is shown to have saying in a news clip by IBNCNN.

Sikhs win turban case against France at the United Nations

Daljeet Singh — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:05:06 +0000

Bobigny, France (12 January, 2012): The UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) has concluded that France had violated the religious freedom of 76 year old Ranjit Singh when he was asked to remove his turban for his ID photograph. This was disclosed today at a media conference, in Bobigny (near Paris), by the United Sikhs legal team, who had filed a communication on behalf of Ranjit Singh to the UNHRC in December 2008.

The media conference was told that the UNHRC observed that “even if the obligation to remove the turban for the identity photograph might be described as a one-time requirement, it would potentially interfere with the author’s (Ranjit Singh’s) freedom of religion on a continuing basis because he would always appear without his religious head covering in the identity photograph and could therefore be compelled to remove his turban during identity checks.”

The Committee said that France had failed to explain how the Sikh turban hindered identification since the wearer’s face would be visible and he would be wearing the turban it at all times, therefore, the regulation constituted a violation of article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which was entered into force for France on 4 February 1981. You may read the Committees views in full here. The views were adopted at the 102nd session of the Committee’s sitting.

“I had faith that truth and justice would prevail and I patiently waited for this day. I pray that France will now fulfil its obligation and grant me a residence card bearing my photo without baring my head,” said Ranjit Singh, who despite his ill-health has had no access to the public health-care system or to social benefits since 2005 because his residence card was refused due to his refusal to remove his turban.

“United Sikhs is heartened by the Committee’s observations that France is under an obligation to provide Ranjit Singh with an effective remedy, including a reconsideration of his application for a renewal of his residence permit and a review of the relevant legislative framework and its application in practice. France, the Committee noted, is also under an obligation to take steps to prevent similar violations in the future,” said Mejindarpal Kaur, United Sikhs Legal Director, who addressed the media conference.

“We now look to France to fulfil its treaty obligations under International law and its moral duty to ensure that the freedom of religion and belief is upheld for everyone who lives within its territory,” she added.

“We are very pleased with the views that the Committee adopted and we welcome France’s compliance with these findings. We also look forward to a similar resolution for Shingara Singh, whose case is still pending before the Committee,” O’Melveny & Myers, a New York law firm engaged by United Sikhs, said in a statement through their attorneys who spoke during a telephone interview. A decision is still awaited for Shingara Singh, whose passport has not been renewed by France because he refused to remove his turban for his ID photograph.

France turban Ban Case: UNHRC asked France to ensure measure against violation of religious freedom; Its’ victory against Ban – United Sikhs

Tejashdeep Singh — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:02:07 +0000

Paris, France (January 12, 2011): This news is would bring great relief for the Sikhs living in France and elsewhere in Europe that the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has asked France to submit a report by March 15 on measures it is planning to take against violation of religious freedom of Ranjit Singh (76), who was asked to remove his turban while taking photo for an identity card.

Mejinder Pal Kaur, legal director of Sikh NGO, United Sikh today informed in Paris that following today’s observation of UNHRC, the Sikhs had won the turban case against France at UN.

Quoting the media conference held in Bobigny, near Paris, by the United Sikhs legal team that had filed a communication in December 2008 on beahlf of Ranjit Singh, she said the UNHRC had concluded that France had violated the religous freedom of Ranjit Singh.

The committee observed that France had failed to explain how the turban hindered identification since the wearer’s face would be visible and he would be wearing the turban at all times, Manjinder Pal Kaur said.

“I had faith that truth and justice would prevail and I patiently waited for this day. I pray that France will now fulfil its obligation and grant me a residence card bearing my photo without baring my head” the appelent Ranjeet Singh is reported to have said on being informed about the observation of UNHRC.

Mejinderpal Kaur said that they were happy with the Committee’s observations that France was under obligation to provide Ranjit Singh with an effective remedy, including a reconsideration of his application for renewal of residence permit and a review of the relevant legislative framework and its application in practice.

“We now look to France to fulfill its treaty obligations under International law and its moral duty to ensure that the freedom of religion and belief is upheld for everyone who lives within its territory,” she added.

“In 2004, a ban on turbans began to effect Sikh children in France–they couldn’t attend public school wearing a turban. Shortly, the ban was more widespread and eventually overtook all facets of government services for young and old alike” Sikh24.com has added.

America’s Largest Police Force Trained by Coalition; Over 1500 New Recruits Learn About Sikhs

Webmaster — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:56:33 +0000

New York, USA (January 11, 2012): As 2011 came to a close, the Sikh Coalition delivered a first-ever presentation on Sikhs and Sikh practices to the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) newest graduating class.

1520 graduating recruits were given tips on interacting and working with the tens of thousands of Sikh residents and Sikh visitors to America’s largest city. The presentations, which last over an hour, included a turban tying demonstration and a lively question and answer session.

The Coalition would like to New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and the leadership of the New York City Police Academy for allowing the Coalition to conduct the training. The Coalition would especially like to thank Lt. Theodore Federoff, Commanding Officer for the Curriculum and Evaluation Unit, for organizing these trainings sessions with the Coalition. The Coalition also thanks Police Officer Harinder Singh Khela of the Community Affairs Bureau for participating in and supporting the training sessions.

Through these trainings, the Coalition hopes to work with major institutions like the NYPD — the largest police force in the United States — so that they produce government employees who understand Sikhs and what it means to carry the Sikh articles of faith. New York is an extremely diverse city, and boasts a sizeable Sikh population. It is our hope to continue to partner with the NYPD in this way for every subsequent graduating class so that we can spread the message of respect and appreciation for this diversity to “New York’s Finest.

UK Parliament: Written reply dated December 19 on question regarding Prof. DPS Bhullar

Daljeet Singh — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:19:14 +0000

Following is verbattem reproduction of text from: “Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Daily Hansard – Written Answers” section of UK Parliament Website:-

19 Dec 2011 : Column 968W

Darinderpal Singh Bhullar

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Indian authorities on the case of Professor Darinderpal Singh Bhullar. [87203]

Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not raised Mr Bhullar’s case with the Indian authorities. However I have written to the Indian high commissioner, most recently on 7 November, reiterating the UK Government’s strong opposition to the death penalty and urging the Indian authorities not to break their seven-year de facto moratorium on the death penalty. I have also raised our concerns with then Indian Foreign Secretary Rao on 28 June, and with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on 5 July. We continue to urge the Government of India to establish a formal moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in India.

source url:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111219/text/111219w0003.htm#11121920000818

visit source url

British Government continue to raise concern for Professor DPS Bhullar

Daljeet Singh — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:03:19 +0000

London, England (December 19, 2011): British Government continue to feel concerned about the plight of Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, who is facing execution threat in India.

In reply to question raised by Jonathan Ashworth, MP from Leicester South, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Jermery Browne said, on December 19, that he had “written to the Indian high commissioner, most recently on 7 November, reiterating the UK Government’s strong opposition to the death penalty and urging the Indian authorities not to break their seven-year de facto moratorium on the death penalty”.

“I have also raised our concerns with then Indian Foreign Secretary Rao on 28 June, and with Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on 5 July. We continue to urge the Government of India to establish a formal moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty in India” the Mr. Browne has added.

Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s case had an European nexus, as he was deported from Germany due to lack of proper travel documents, in 1995. However, afterwards a Frankfurt Court held that German authorities were not fully aware of facts surrounding Professor DPS Bhullar, and he was deported without knowledge that it was him. Recently this year, in July, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging “the Government of India not to execute Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, and to commute his death sentence”.

“An insight into British Parliamentary proceedings reveal that the issue of death penalty given to Professor Bhullar had been particular cause of concern and on numerous occasions during past decade the UK Government has made representations to Indian Government and authorities against proposed execution of Prof. DPS Bhullar” informed Parmjeet Singh Gazi, President of Sikh Students Federation, who is currently in UK to co-ordinate with representatives of various Sikh organizations to use diplomatic channels to prevent India from executing Bhullar.

He recently met British MPs at London on December 13 to discuss the various human rights issues in general, and Prof. Bhullar’s issue in particular, at a Lobby organized by Sikh Federation UK. Thirteen MPs were reported to have participated in the Lobby.

UK Sikh Lobby: Denial of Justice to 1984 Victims, death sentence of Prof. Bhullar and detention of Daljit Singh Bittu figured as major issues related to India

Gurjaspal Singh — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:31:40 +0000

Sikhs secure significant commitments by politicians in UK Parliament regarding Sikh issues

London, England (December 13, 2011): Around one hundred and fifty Sikh representatives from across the United Kingdom took part in a lobby at the UK Parliament organised by the Sikh Federation (UK).

Several human rights issues were raised at the lobby, which lasted for two hours, including the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and the continued detention of (Bhai) Daljit Singh Bittu, chairman of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) since August 2009 and the denial of justice for the Sikh Genocide 1984.

SSF President Parmjeet Singh Gazi adressing media outside British Parliament

Bhai Parmjeet Singh Gazi, the President of the Sikh Student Federation, had travelled from Punjab to UK to to give a first-hand account on these issues. He said that set norms were ignored at all levels in Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar’s case. At pre-trial state, the police tortured him in custody to extract false confession; during trial the judiciary failed to apply set standards of law like “proof beyond reasonable doubt” and at post-trial stage President of India failed to grant clemency, whereas Professor Bhullar fulfilled four out of seven clemency grounds, even on of which is normally considered sufficient to grant clemency.

He said that Bhai Daljeet Singh is arrested and detained due to his political dissent. His detention has resulted in halting the development of political process to secure justice of Sikhs. His detention has no legal base, as the prosecution has drastically failed to furnish even single peice of evidence against him during last two years.

Many senior Sikh leaders of UK, such as Bhai Sukhwinder Singh, Bhai Narinderjeet Singh Thandi and Bhai Gurjeet Singh Samra said that arrest and detention of Bhai Daljeet Singh Bittu due to political reason is particular cause of concern for Sikhs living in Punjab and abroad. They said that Daljeet singh Bittu is a prisoner of conscience and UK Government should use diplomatic means to prevent India from targeting political leadership of Sikhs for their political dissent.

Sikh leaders, Bhai Amrik Singh (first from right) and Bhai Dabinderjeet Singh (fourth from right), with British MPs during Sikh Lobby

He stressed that “as a general rule genocides are committed by the State or with it’s complicity, leaving prosecution of domestic courts could only insure impunity”, therefore international initiative has become necessary at this stage to secure justice for victims of Sikh genocide 1984.

Fabian Hamilton MP, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs, chaired the meeting alongside Dabinderjit Singh of the Sikh Federation who contributed on each of the issues. Fabian Hamilton confirmed he would facilitate meetings in the next few weeks with the National Union of Students and Amnesty International to assist with human rights campaigns involving Professor Bhullar and Daljit Singh Bittu.

Respect for the Sikh Identity was the second main issue and an update was provided on the trial at UK airports of checking the Sikh turban and a strategy for influencing the European Commission to implement similar procedures at airports across Europe. Sukhvinder Singh, an advisor to the Sikh Federation explained developments at the UK and European level.

Harnek Singh, one of the five Managing Directors of the Sikh Federation provided an update on Amritdhari Sikhs right to wear the Kirpan in public places e.g. sporting events and tourist attractions following the victories on the right to wear the Kirpan at the London Olympics 2012 and Lords Cricket Ground. He explained the significance of the Kirpan to an Amritdhari and many politicians agreed there needed to be much better awareness of the Kirpan. Nicky Morgan a Conservative MP confirmed she would be meeting the Tourism Minister later in the week and would take up the issue of the right to wear the Kirpan at tourist attractions, such as the London Eye and Madam Tussauds.

Bavinder Kaur, the Chair of the Sikh Womens’ Alliance, was asked to speak about the need for a stronger political voice for UK Sikhs, the importance of the Sikh Council UK and the need for the Coalition government to move away from dealing with one or two so-called ‘community leaders’. Many of the dozen or so MPs from all three of the main political parties that spoke at the lobby agreed that officials needed to change the way they interact with the Sikh community.

MPs that attended included a number of former Ministers – John Spellar MP, Pat McFadden MP and the former Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon. Margaret Beckett MP. The most significant contribution came from the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Simon Hughes MP, who spoke passionately at the June Freedom Rally in Trafalgar Square, recently visited Amritsar as promised and confirmed that a date for a Sikh delegation to meet the Deputy Prime Minister would be confirmed in early January 2012. He also committed to facilitate a schedule of meetings between the Sikh Federation and Ministers in a number of different Government Departments, including the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), Bhai Amrik Singh, spoke at the end to specifically thank Fabian Hamilton, Simon Hughes and other politicians that participated in the lobby.

At the end it was agreed the next lobby towards the end of March 2012 will be combined with a celebration of Vaisakhi and a pledge was made to have senior Ministers and Shadow Ministers from the three main political parties present to answer questions on the sorts of issues raised at this lobby.

Seminar in UK lambasted SAD and the Congress for inducting rights violators in their party ranks

Webmaster — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:01:01 +0000

London, England (December 11, 2011): To highlight the human rights conditions of ethnic and religious minorities in India, the Dal Khalsa’s UK chapter organized a seminar on “Whither Human Rights in India’ at Southall in UK on Sunday.

Party’s secretary for human rights affairs Pritpal Singh Khalsa said that the seminar was an effort to reiterate and reinforce our commitment to the cause of fundamental rights of all ethnic peoples on the occasion of 63rd World Human Rights Day.

He said representatives of Kashmir and Sikh groups including women and children attended the meet, which was chaired by Mr Lord Nazir Ahmad, member of House of Lords (UK).

The gathering decried that both the main political parties SAD and the Congress had inducted certain tainted former police officers in their ranks, who surpassed all laws and norms to kill Sikh youths during militancy days. The obvious reference was of former DGP’s S S Virk and Izhar Alam.

Dal Khalsa leader in UK and organizer of the event Manmohan Singh said Indian government should address the root causes of Kashmir, Punjab and Naga problems.

The gathering passed a resolution urging the United Nations to create a climate whereby the real aspirations of the people of Kashmir, Punjab and Nagaland are truly known and demonstrated. It asked the government of India to create a climate of tolerance and respect for ethnic peoples and minorities. Another resolution asking for a mechanism to control mass violence to be put in place so that minorities were not made subject of rebuke, ridicule and revenge by the state.

The gathering condemned the detention of SAD (Panch Pardani) chairman Bhai Daljit Singh, who according to participants is a political dissenter and is inconvenient to the present establishment of Punjab. The meet called for the immediate and unconditional release of political detainee’s languishing in various jails since long.