Sikh Siyasat News (in English) » Dal Khalsa

Dal Khalsa writes to US Ambassador on Jay Leno issue

Webmaster — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:04:30 +0000

Amritsar, Punjab (January 25, 2012): Dal Khalsa has sent a letter to the US Ambassador in New Delhi regarding Jay Leno’s derogatory remark regarding Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. Text of letter runs as follows:

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary,
Embassy of the United States of America,
New Delhi.

Hon’ble Ambassador:

We are distressed to note that instead of taking a stand against the unwanted, unnecessary reference to the holiest of holy Darbar Sahib, aka the Golden Temple by NBC commentator Jay Leno, the US government has officially defended the comments. Dal Khalsa strongly believes that ‘freedom of speech/expression’ is not a license to offend.

Obviously, like many other things, this shows the crass insularity of the West towards the sentiments of others. Undoubtedly, we live in a world torn down by national barriers, but the commentator and its employers, the NBC, must note that we live in a pluralistic world order and that we need to be sensitive to people’s beliefs and feelings. In the present case, it is not a question of feelings of one person that has been hurt, but a reference to Darbar Sahib-the Vatican of the Sikhs, has deeply hurt the sentiments of the entire Sikh community, including Sikh-Americans.

A peaceful world order –the proclaimed aim of the American government cannot be built on hate or irreverence hinging on blasphemy. We are unwilling to believe that this is out of ignorance and if it is, this ignorance is too profound to be ignored by the community which is at the receiving end. To dub it is a satire as has been done by your government is to further add fuel to the fire. It is nothing but another cruel joke on the Sikhs. What would have been the reaction of practising Christians if the reference was to the Vatican instead of the Golden Temple?

Jay Leno, has made snide remarks earlier also like, calling the Sikhs –‘diaper-heads’ in 2007 and spreading falsehood of “turban being compulsory to enter the Golden Temple” when President Barack Obama was to visit India in 2010.

Sikh Diaspora will continuously campaign till Jay Leno and the NBC apologises and the American govt regrets its defense of the comedian.

With kind regards

Kanwarpal Singh
Secretary, political affairs
Dal Khalsa,
Amritsar.

Dal Khalsa sticks to original version of Nanakshahi calendar, observes Gurpurab

Gurbhej Singh — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:27:35 +0000

Amritsar, Punjab (January 05, 2012): While SGPC managed Gurdwaras celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on 31th- the last day of the previous year, the groups opposed to amendments have observed gurpurab on Thursday sticking to the original version of the Nanakshahi calendar adopted by Khalsa Panth in 2003.

Dal Khalsa while observing the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh vowed to stick to the original version, arguing that the changes are in sync with Hindu religious events. The organization voiced their concern against mixing of Nanakshahi (solar calender) with Bikrami (lunar calender).

Dal Khalsa activists along with local sangat gathered at village Rajdhan, 30 kms from the city and observed the day with great fervor and zeal. After the bhog of Sehaj Path, ragis performed shabad kirtan during the event. The speakers while addressing the gathering renewed their demand and urged the Akal Takht to revert to the original calendar.

While talking with media persons over there, Kanwar Pal Singh said the recent decisions taken by Gaini Gubachan Singh, jathedar of the Akal Takht ranging from mixing of calendar to bestowing of Panth Rattan title to Parkash Singh Badal has time and again landed the community into embarrassing and awkward situation”, adding that this is due to the lack of any norms to select the deserving person for the august post. He blamed that the majority of decisions taken by present incumbent were derived by political considerations of the party that run the SGPC affairs by proxy.

Referring to deferring of case of film star Amitabh Bachan’s at Akal Takht, he said it was done keeping in view the impending assembly elections. “The jathedars’ are under pressure from SAD and SGPC to give clean chit to super star. But sensing the possible outburst from aggrieved families of Nov 1984 genocide, the final decision has been postponed under the pretext that “time was inefficient to discuss the case”.

Prof Inderjit Singh, Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, Kuldeep Singh Rajdhan, SYP head Ranbir Singh and vice-president Paramjit Singh also spoke.

Sehajdhari Issue – (1) HC issued notice to Centre, Punjab, SGPC and Gurudwara EC; next hearing on 8 Feb. (2) Why situation is so confusing?

Parmjit Singh — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:10:39 +0000

Chandigarh, Punjab (January 3, 2011): As per media reports, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today issued notices to the Central Government of India (GOI), Punjab government, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) and Gurudwara Election Commission for February 8 on a PIL by so-called Sehajdhari Sikh Federation, seeking fresh elections of SGPC and inclusion of Sehajdhari in revised list.

SGPC:

SGPC is a statuary body formed under The Sikh Gurudwara Act of 1925 and is elected by polls conducted by Gurudwara Election Commission under the directions of Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI. Members of SGPC are elected by Sikh voters of three states and a union territory of India; namely, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh and Chandigarh. SGPC’s main task is to manage the affairs of all major historic Sikh Gurudwaras situated in these four territories.

Basis of Litigation:

Last month on December 20, 2011 the P&H High Court had quashed the GOI’s notification debarring Sehajdharis, from voting in the Sikh body’s polls. Now a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is filed by he petitioner, Sehajdhari Sikh Federation, on this basis of December 20 decision of HC. The petitioner appealed that till the fresh elections are held, newly elected members of SGPC, which is the apex religious body of the Sikhs, be restrained from acting.

Law, Notification and decision of P&H HC:

It was submitted by the petitioner that the election of SGPC held on September 18, 2011 was made conditional and outcome of the writ petitions challenging notification issued by the GOI on October 8, 2003 disfranchising Sehajdharis by the full bench of the High Court as well as by the Supreme Court in the Special Leave Petition. It was contended by the counsel of the petitioners that with the quashing of the notification by a full bench of the court, the election to SGPC was non-est and continuation of the SGPC was not in accordance with law. A bunch of three petitions were filed in the High Court. In one of the writ petition Sehajdhari Sikh Federation had challenged the notification dated October 8, 2003 issued by the union of India whereby in section 49 and 92 of the Sikh Gururdwaras Act 1925 the word “Sehajdari” was omitted. In another writ petition, the constitutional validity of section 44 of the 1925 Act was challenged being ultra vires of the Constitution. The third petition had questioned the validity of notification being in contradiction to the definition of “Sikh” as contained under the provisions of section 2(9) and 2(10-A) of the 1925 Act.

Sehajdhari Controversy; Why situation is so confusing?:

The Sehajdhari issue has created a controversy in political, social and religious circles of Sikhs. Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), also known as Badal Dal, is blaming Congress Party, and it’s Punjab President Captain Amrinder Singh, for politically using the issue to harm Badal Dal’s political interests.

Other Sikh organizations and political parties, including Akali Dal Panch Pardhani and Dal Khalsa, have accused Badal Dal, SGPC regime led by Badal Dal and Congress Party for allowing the controversy to prevail and thereby allowing Indian courts to pronounce decisions in religious matters of Sikhs.

Some religious bodies, including Sant Samaj and Damdami Taksal (Mehta/Dhumma faction) that have allied with Badal Dal, had also expressed their annoyance over the decision of High Court on Sehajdhari issue.

But the debate centred on this issue does not suggest any way out. The main reason behind this static and confused position could be the complex nature of issue, which on the one hand relates to the internal dynamics of the Sikh society (the definition of Sehajdhari and their role) and on the other hand it is related to relations of Sikhs with the Indian State (The Sikh Gurudwara Act, 1925; the role of Indian Parliament in Sikh religious affairs regarding amendment etc. of the 1925 Act and role of Indian courts being interpreting authority in relation to the said Act.).

Youth should take keen interest in politics, if they want to cleanse the corrupt system

Daljeet Singh — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:21:52 +0000

Hoshiarpur, Punjab (January 01, 2011): Dal Khalsa leader Kanwar Pal Singh speaking at third annual session of ‘Sikh Youth of Punjab’ (SYP) stressed that democratic struggles are part of political discourse and the youth should ensure participation in political activities.

The discussion on ‘the role of youth’ was held in the backdrop of the forthcoming assembly election slated for Jan 30.

There was a consensus amongst the participants that the young boys and girls of the state should change the trend of ‘running to western countries’ for better lives as their absence has been filled by heavy inflow of migrants that have posed threat to language, culture and peace in the state. The resolution to this effect was adopted on the occasion. Another resolution asked the youth to focus on education and skill development and shun apostasy and drugs.

Ranbir Singh and Paramjit Singh elected as next president and vice-president of Sikh Youth of Punjab respectably

“Earlier, the delegates of the youth organization elected Ranbir Singh and Paramjit Singh their next president and vice-president respectively for the term of 1 year and authorized him to resurrect the organizational structure afresh. Ranbir Singh hails from Hoshiarpur district” Kanwarpal Singh informed Sikh Siyasat Network.

Notably, SYP was formed 3 years ago with an aim to instill a sense of pride among young Sikhs for their own religious and cultural identity.

Kanwar Pal Singh, who was guest speaker at a function called upon the youth to take keen interests in politics, if they want to bring a change in the society or to clean the system.

He felt pained that in the existing political set-up it’s very difficult for ordinary youth to get respectable place in polity as youth from feudal or established political family has blocked their path. “The manner in which huge sum of money and muscle power had been brought in, it is not possible for ordinary youth to jump into electoral fray let alone get elected”.

He minces no words in lambasting Akali Dal for its alliance with BJP. Badals are struggling only to mint money he remarked, adding that there was “no end to it”
To a question, he said Badals are corrupt and BJP was destroying the Panthic character of Akali Dal.

While interacting with youth activists, Sarbjit Singh Ghumaan and Prabhjot Singh Nawanshahr advised the youth not to indulge in political rhetoric rather work effectively for justice and truth without any sense of malice in their hearts.

The conference through a resolution reiterated its unflinching respect for Guru Granth Sahib. The resolution took a dig at Sikh politicians, who for the sake of votes were encouraging and patronizing such heretical sects and dera’s that have been cropped up to undermine the basic fundamentals of the Sikh religion.

Ticket to Izhar Alam’s wife Begum Farzana is equally disturbing as former will contest by proxy

Webmaster — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:30:21 +0000

Amritsar, Punjab (December 29, 2011): Describing the move of the SAD (Badal) to allot ticket to the wife of former DGP as equally disturbing, the Dal Khalsa said there’s hardly any difference between Izhar Alam and Begum Farzana Alam as it is evident that the former will rule by proxy.

Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said we strongly disapprove SAD (B) giving ticket to the family member of “killer of Sikhs”. Is Akali Dal so bankrupt that it doesn’t have a suitable and strong candidate, whose hands are not dipped in the blood of innocent Sikhs to represent the party in the Malerkotla constituency? “In case they don’t have, then Badals should leave this seat to its alliance partner Sant Samaj led by Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma”, he suggested.

We are against Izhar Alam’s candidature in principle and on the basis that ‘lawbreaker can’t be allowed to become lawmaker’. We urge Badals to show large heartedness and not to go against Panthic aspirations.

It was fact that IPS Mohammad Mustafa, husband of Congress MLA Razia Sultan is also a killer of Sikhs and violator of human rights, said he. “The irony of the situation is while Mustafa is having a field day due to his proximity with the Congress, the party responsible for genocide of Sikhs whereas Alam is trying to ride on the piggyback of Akali Dal that claims to represents the Sikh community”.

Three Days Shaheedi Sabha begins at Fatehgarh Sahib

Prabh Singh — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:01:45 +0000

Remembering the Sikh Martyrs - Sikh Children at Fatehgarh Sahib on December 26, 2011

Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (December 26, 2011): The Three-day Shaheedi Sabha in the memory of two younger Sahibzadas Guru Gobind singh and his mother Mata Gujri ji began on December 26 at Fatehgarh Sahib.

Sikhs in large numbers from around the world pay homage to these great martyrs at the Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurudwara Jyoti Sarup.

Sahibzadas, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were bricked alive at the age of 9 and 7 years by the orders of Wazir Khan, Governor of Sirhind in December 1705 AD during Aurangzeb’s era. Mata Gujri Ji (The Mother of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and Grand Mother of Sahibzadas) attained martyrdom the same day at Thanda Burj where they were kept before being given punishment. Akhand path started today at Jyoti Saroop sahib the place where they were cremated.

On Second day, i.e. 27 December, various religious, social and political parties shall hold conferences at Fatehgarh Sahib.

Panthic bodies including Panthic Sewa Lehar, Shiromani Akali Dal Panch Pardhani, Dal Khalsa and Khalsa Action Committee have decided to hold Shaheedi Conference at near Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib.

Other Parties like Badal Dal, Mann Dal and Congress party shall also be holding conferences to mark this occasion.

The Shaheedi Sabha shall conclude with Nagar Kirtan from Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurudwara Jyoti Saroop on 28th of December.

Seizure of T-shirts: Sikh bodies criticize police crackdown

Gajinder Singh — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:22:12 +0000

Amritsar (December 23, 2011): Describing the police crackdown as uncalled and unwarranted, the Sikh organizations today criticized the seizure of T-shirts on which photograph of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale along with Khalistani slogans were imbibed from Ludhiana city.

In a statement, Dal Khalsa’s senior most leader Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib has flayed the police action and theory. He went on to question the police as how could T-shirts that are being sold openly in markets, shops in all cities since many years would suddenly “vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the state”.

He said calendars, stickers, coffee-mugs, key chains and T-shirts carrying Sant Bhindrawale’s pictures were already in circulation in huge quantity ever since Akal Takht has declared him a ‘great martyr’ in 2003. “For Sikhs, he is a martyr and his portrait has been installed in the Darbar Sahib museum by the SGPC.”

Sikh Students Federation has criticized the police raids for targeting the Sikh Youth for making free expression of their feelings. SSF Vice-President Bhai Makhan Singh Gandhuan said that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was great Sikh of 20th century, and his image is installed in National Sikh Museum situated in Darbar Sahib Complex at Amritsar. Shiv Sena and the Punjab police would not succeed in their wicked plan to curb the popularity of image of Sant Bhindranwale, he asserted.

Youths in villages and towns of the state can be seen sporting bright yellow T-shirts, emblazoned with huge photos of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. And the paraphernalia is being openly sold in prominent markets in all major cities, claimed the former president of the radical Sikh group.

Dal Khalsa smells some design behind the seizure and registration of a case under 153 IPC as the elections to the state assembly are round the corner. We fail to understand what prompted police to implicate Manwinder Singh Gyaspura, the whistleblower who brought to fore Hondh-Chillar massacre that took place in Haryana, in this case.

Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib of Dal Khalsa asked the Chief Minister of the state to look into the matter and order the cancellation of the FIR as manufacturing or selling T-shirts is not banned. He claimed that even the Supreme Court and High Court had ruled in one of its rulings that demanding Khalistan was no crime as long as the campaign was pursued in a peaceful and democratic manner.

Sehajdhari Row: Dal Khalsa slams Punjab politicians for creating unnecessary confusion

Webmaster — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:25:41 +0000

Amritsar (December 21, 2011): The Dal Khalsa today slammed politicians including Captain Amrinder Singh and Sehajdhari Federation leader Paramjit Singh Ranoo for creating unnecessary confusion over the definition of Sehajdhari, mixing it with patits (apostates) for vested interests.

Going further, the organization has clarified that apostates were not eligible to vote in the SGPC elections ever since the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 was enacted, whereas Sehajdharis were debarred in 2003 with a government notification.

Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said the voting right to the Sehajdharis has been a major cause of concern for the community as Sikhs were of the considered opinion that no non-Sikh under any garb should be allowed to meddle or influence in their religious affairs.

Strongly objecting to the term ‘Sehajdhari Sikh’ being repeatedly mentioned in the media, he clarified that Sehajdharis are non-Sikhs, hence, describing them as part of Sikhism is untrue.

Owing to some strange political reasons, the Sehajdharis were given voting rights in 1959 though there was no such provision in the original Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, he said and added that this anomaly was corrected in 2003 after Sikhs strongly took up the matter with the then Union government.

However, he said it’s ironic that the High Court verdict allowing Sehajdharis to vote has reversed the situation back to square one plunging the community into fresh crisis.

Corruption, nepotism and political chicanery in Badals blood : Dal Khalsa

Prabh Singh — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:42:42 +0000

Amritsar (December 19, 2011): Taking Badal clan to task, the Dal Khalsa has alleged that corruption, nepotism and political chicanery is in the blood of Badals, whether it is Parkash, Sukhbir or Manpreet.

Group spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh in a hard hitting statement said Badals, who were deprived of any ideology has feudal mindset especially younger lot that displays flashes of hypocrisy then and now.

Taking a jibe at Sukhbir Badal for asking the electorate to give farewell gift to his aging father by re-electing him as Chief Minister for another 5 -year term, Kanwar Pal said Sukhbir was so naive that he doesn’t know that “farewell gifts are given only when person gets retire”.

Referring to so-called Panth Rattan title bestowed upon Badal, he said the Sr Badal has maneuvered the highest title from their hand-picked Takht jathedar and SGPC head despite a huge Panthic outcry. Urging him to quit public office in respectable and honorable manner, he said “Badal should construed the self-managed Panth Rattan title as farewell gift and take retirement from active politics”.

Commenting on Manpreet’s deputies deserting the party they nurtured themselves, he said Manpreet doesn’t deserve any sympathy let alone support. “Manpreet’s brainchild PPP is inching towards its ultimate demise and the earlier it could be better for Panth and Punjab”.

He slammed Manpreet for attempting to revive pre-80 leftist ideology in Punjab that got beating with the sacrifices of Sikh youth in 80’s & 90’s. He took a dig at a section of mainstream press for going overboard to present Manpreet as a ‘victim’, who otherwise fell apart from his parent body due to egoistical reasons.

Akali jathedars’ to get marginalized as top cops and babus trying to transgress their political space

Gurbhej Singh — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:20:25 +0000

Hoshiarpur, Punjab (December 15, 2011): Taking exception over the retired bigwigs of Punjab police jumping into the political fray, the Dal Khalsa has warned Akali jathedars’ to be prepared to get marginalized in the party, their elders had nurtured with hardships as a scores of retired top babus and cops have lined up to seek assembly tickets for them.

Dal Khalsa president Harcharan Jeet Singh Dhami urged the second and third rung leadership of Akali Dal led by Badals to either speak their voices against the retired top cops and bureaucrats transgressing their political space or quit in protest in case they were helpless before the all-powerful Badals.

He lambasted SAD (Badal) and Congress leadership for inducting former top cops Izhar Alam, P S Gill, H S Chahal, S S Virk in their party ranks.

“While there was no doubt that every citizen is well within rights to join politics, what concerns us that those who are taking the political route to become lawmakers have a history of violating the law”.

“Families, who suffered at the hands of these tyrant officer’s were waiting for justice and are deadly against their climbing to power pinnacle,” he pointed out.

Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh went on to explain to Amrinder Singh that Izhar Alam and Sarabjeet Singh Virk were on same page as far as killings of Sikh youths are concerned. Painting both with the same brush, he said Virk as DIG and Alam as SSP, Amritsar had unleashed a reign of terror on Sikh people with the help of renegades.

On politician’s showing eagerness to invite Anna Hazare to campaign for them in the state, he said Sukhbir and Manpreet Badal intends to take political mileage out of the euphoria Anna’s anti-graft campaign as generated through-out the country. However, according to Dal Khalsa leader the movement started by the “Gandhian” would not yield any results till the people transformed their conscience at the individual level. Notwithstanding the formation of Lokpal, the change has to come from within an individual, only then can the menace of corruption be eradicated from any society, he said.