Sikh Siyasat News (in English) » DSS

Bhikhi remains under curfew; government and media take up positions against Sikhs

Parmjit Singh — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:14:20 +0000

Ludhiana/Mansa (January 03, 2011): Punjab government has come up openly in support of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS), as the Punjab police yesterday arrested Sikh preacher Baba Baljeet Singh Daduwal and prevented him to address a Gurmat Samagam at Bhikhi town of Mansa district. Dadulwal was arrested by police from Gurudwara Jandsar, Bathinda. Police claims that it was a preventive measure, forced by repeated complaints of DSS followers.
Before it, DSS followers damaged the electricity line of Bhikhi Town in order to prevent Sikhs from holding the religious gathering. It is worth mentioning that Gurmeet Ram Raheem, head of DSS is accused of blasphemy, who attempted to personify himself as tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Personification of Sikh Gurus is strictly prohibited in Sikhism.
Police yesterday resorted to cane-charge on Sikhs, damaged their vehicles, and arrested many of them after clamping curfew in the town. More than fifty Sikhs are taken in custody today as the curfew is extended to indefinite time.
Police today prevented Sikh leader Simranjeet Singh Mann, President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) from entering the town.
On the other hand main stream media of India has come to support repression on Sikhs. One of the main (English) newspapers published from Punjab has described Baba Baljeet Singh as “hard-line Sikh preacher”, while used the word “religious head” for Gurmeet Ram Raheem, who is facing charges of rape, sexual exploitation and murder. This news report used word “hard-liners” for Sikhs for six times, and the word “radicals” is used for seven times. All this seems to have done with intention to distort the image of Sikhs as a peaceful community.
Many Sikh organizations including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), Sikh Students Federation, Khalsa Action Committee, Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satikar Sabha and Malwa Tarna Dal (International) has condemned the arrest of Baba Baljeet Singh and repression on Sikhs. They have threatened to launch a strong protest if Daduwal is not released and Sikhs are prevented from holding religious gatherings.

Police patronized DSS charcha, Lathi-charged Sikhs at Thikriwala (Barnala)

Tejashdeep Singh — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:51:28 +0000

Barnala (July 17, 2010): As per reports received from Barnala, the district police Lathi-Charged Sikhs, who were protesting against “naam charcha” being organized by followers of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS). DSS head outraged feelings of Sikhs by personifying himself as the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs in 2007. In May 2007 activities of DSS was formally declared to be outrageous by the Sikh highest body, Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.

Today followers of DSS held their activity called “naam charcha” in village Thikriwala, near Barnala. Sikhs, who claimed to act as per directive of Sri Akal Takhat, protested in a peaceful manner but the police cane-charged the Sikh protesters and “naam charcha” was held under police patronage.

Sources informed SikhSiyasat Network that at least eight Sikhs, mostly residents of Thikriwala village, have been arrested by the Barnala Police.

Meanwhile, various Sikh bodies including Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Guru Granth Sahib Satikar Sabha and SAD (Panch Pardhani), have warned the police against arrest of Sikhs. Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj severely criticized the police action.

64th Sikh Jatha arrested by Police

Daljeet Singh — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:43:16 +0000

64th Sikh Jatha arrested

Talwandi Sabo (June 7, 2010): As per information provided by Baljinder Singh Khalsa the Punjab Police today arrested 16 members of a Sikh Jatha, 64th of its’ kind. Some Sikh organizations that believe in peaceful struggle to secure closure of Salabatpura (a place in Bathinda District) branch of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS). DSS head Gurmeet Ram Raheem is accused of hurting feelings of Sikh masses, as he attempted to personify Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 2007 at Salabatpura. Since then Sikhs are opposing the activities of this Dera. On 22 March 2009, Sikh organizations, including SAD (Panch Pardhani), Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satikar Sabha and Malwa Tarna Dal, started a peaceful struggle to pressurize the Punjab Government to close Salabatpura dera. A jatha, usually consisting eleven Sikhs proceeds towards Salabatpura from Takht Damdama Sahib, but courts arrest wherever stopped by the police.

Last Sunday (June 6, 2010) Punjab police arrested all sixteen members of Sikhs Jatha. Baljinder Singh Khalsa (Ek noor fauj), Darshan Singh, Mata Malkeet Kaur (Panch Parhdani) and Gupreet Singh BhainiBagha were prominent among present on the occasion.

43rd Sikh Jatha arrested by Talwandi Sabo Police

Gurbhej Singh — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:24:59 +0000

File Photo: A scene of Jatha leaving Takhat Damdama Sahib

Talwandi Sabo (January 10, 2010): 43^rd group of 11 Sikhs, called Jatha, is reported to have been arrested by Punjab Police from Talwandi Sabo, while they were attempting to march towards Salabatpura (Bathinda) based branch of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS).

This jatha left Takhat Damdama Sahib, fifth temporal seat of the Sikhs, at around afternoon, soon after they were arrested by Talwandi sabo police and were taken to the police station, informed Mata Malkeet Kaur Jaga Ram Tirath, a senior leader of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhnai).

It is notable that the head of DSS is accused for hurting Sikh sentiments, as he attempted to personify the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in May 2007. Personification of Sikh Gurus is strictly prohibited in Sikhism. DSS was declared as anti-Sikh sect by general gathering of Sikhs held at Damdama Sahib on 17^th May, 2007. This decision was re-confirmed by the Akal Takhat Sahib on 20^th May, 2007 and Sikhs were asked not to allow dera followers to hold their vicious activities.

Badal Government, under the pressure of Indian state system, attempted to reopen various branches of DSS in Punjab in early months of 2009. At this point of time various Sikh organizations joined hands against the Government’s move and launched a peaceful agitation called ‘morcha’. On 22^nd March, 2009, first jatha (group) of eleven Sikhs marched towards Salabatpura branch of DSS to seek its’ closure, but this group was arrested by the Police. Since then, every Sunday, eleven Sikhs march towards Salabatpura to seek its’ lockout. “So far 43 jathas have been arrested by the police but the Sikh sangat is committed to continue with the struggle till success.” said Bhai Sukhwinder Singh of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satikar Sabha (Haryana).

No action plan chalked by Jathedars regarding Dera Issue this time too

Webmaster — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:09:43 +0000

Amritsar (November 18, 2009): Sikh Organizations made a representation to Sri Akal Takhat sahib on November 17, 2009 and asked the Jathedars to chalk out some concrete and effective action plan to secure implementation of Akal Takht Edict regarding Dera sauda sirsa but no such plan is issued this time too. A delegation comprising Bhai Daya Singh Kakkar (Member Presidium, SAD Panch Pardhani), S. Baldev Singh Sirsa (Member SGPC), Bhai Mohkam Singh (KAC), S. Surinder Singh Kishanpura and Rajwinder Singh Raju tendered a written memorandum at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib demanding action plan for implementation of Gurmatas. It further asked Takhat Sahib to extend help to those who have suffered physically or economically while perusing the struggle for ensuring implementation of such Gurmatas.

“DSS is trying to revive circle of its’ vicious activities in Punjab once again. We are organizing a ‘Morcha’ (peaceful struggle) to ensure closure of its’ salabarpura branch.” informed Bhai Daya Singh Kakkar. When contacted by SikhSiyasat Network over phone Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema (Panch Pardhani Dal) said that Damdama Sahib Morcha shall continue and next jatha is set to quote arrest on November 21, 2009.

It is expected that Jathedars have ensured the delegation that they shall discuss the issue in next meeting of Five Singh Sahibs.

37th Jatha sent by Panch Pardhani arrested at Talwandi Sabo

Daljeet Singh — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:08:52 +0000

File Photo: Jatha heading towards dera Salabatpura

Talwandi Sabo (November 16, 2009): As per information provided by S. Darshan Singh ‘Jaga Ram Tirath’ Talwandi Sabo police arrested a Jatha comprising 11 Sikhs on Sunday, the 15th of November, 2009. ‘37th Jatha was sent by Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhnai)’ he added while informing that this morcha was started on 22 March 2009 and every Sunday 11 Sikhs attempt to head towards dera salabatpura for its’ lockout but the police use to arrest them in the way.
Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, General Secretary of Panch Pardhani while addressing the gathering at Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib that the morcha shall last till the closure of dera salabatpura as per directive issued by Panth on 17th and 20th of May 2007.