May 2013 Archive

US: Text books spotted terming Sikhs as “terrorists”; Sikh Coalition initiates action

New York, United States (May 18, 2013): The Sikh Coalition has sought the help of Sikhs in United States create a “Most Wanted” list of offending textbook manufacturers. According to an alert issued by the NGO (Sikh Coalition) a school girl Jaslin Kaur said: “In my world history class, I read that Sikhs are terrorists”.

Justice Markandey Katju appeals for Prof. Bhullar; Points out legal flaws of case, opposes execution

New Delhi, India (May 18, 2013): It is learnt that the Press Council of India (PCI) chairperson Justice Markandey Katju has written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking pardon for Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar whose execution was cleared by Supreme Court of India on April 12 despite substantial and procedural legal flaws.

Australia’s Bauer Media apologises for offensive article about Nihang Sikh in Porn Magazine

Perth, Australia (May 18, 2013): As per a community alert (dtd. May 17, 2013) issued by an NGO named United Sikhs: “Bauer Media Ltd, a large media company, has this week apologised and expressed regret to United Sikhs for any offence felt by any member of the Sikh community by the publication of an article and photograph of a Nihang Sikh in their porn magazine in January this year”.

Trouble for Honey Singh – Punjab police registers FIR for vulgar songs

Nawanshehr, Punjab (May 17, 2013): According to a news report by YesPunjab.Com: "[i]t took Nawanshahar Police five and a half months and some indirect 'lessons' in policing by Punjab and Haryana High Court to register an FIR against high profile Punjabi Rapper, Bollywood Singer Yo Yo Honey Singh, but finally it has taken the plunge and registered an FIR against the controversial singer for his much hyped, vulgar and obscene songs".

International film maker Meera Dewan produced documentary on “Langar”

Khadoor Sahib, Punjab (May 17, 2013): According to a press release by PRO Nishan-e-Sikhi: "after dedicating many documentaries to society disseminating positive messages before it, the international award winning film maker Meera Dewan now came with her new production piece “Gur Prasad; The Grace of Food”, an interesting and introductory documentary of 58 minutes on India’s tradition of food sharing (called ‘Langer’ in Sikh tradition) basically made for Film division of ministry of information and broadcasting, Government of India".

High Court directs Punjab govt to register case against Punjabi rapper Honey Singh for vulgar singing

Chandigarh/Punjab (May 17, 2013): As per media reports the Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken serious note of the Punjab government’s inaction against Punjabi singer Honey Singh for his vulgar songs. It is learnt that on May 14, 2013 the High Court ordered the registration of a case against him.

Badal Dal’s SGPC member N.S. Kauni violated Akal Takhat directive; Participated in Dera Sauda function

Gidderbaha,Punjab (May 16, 2013): It is learnt that Badal Dal's Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee member Navtej Singh Kauni was again spotted at a Dera Sauda Sirsa function on May 16, 2013. He is a member of SGPC from Doda constituency.

World’s oldest marathon runner Baba Fauja Singh to lead Sikh marathon to help children in need

Toronto, Canada (May 16, 2013): As per information world's oldest marathon runner Baba Fauja Singh will be participating in the first ever marathon being organised by the Sikhs of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Canada May 19, 2013.

India: Pleas made on Prof. Bhullar’s behalf are under consideration: Home Minister

New Delhi, India (May 16, 2013): It is learnt that on May 15, 2013 India's Minister of Home Affairs Sushil Kumar Shinde told reporters in New Delhi that fresh clemency pleas moved on behalf of Prof. Devender Pal Singh Bhullar by various persons and organizations were under consideration with Government of India.

Bhai Rajoana says: story of Sadda Haq is untrue as it attempts to present Bhai Hawara as a “hero”

Patiala, Punjab (May 16, 2013): In a strange move, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana has criticized the “Sadda Haq” Punjabi movie. Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is in jail and is believed not to have actually watched the movie, has alleged that the movie is an attempt to make Jagtar Singh Hawara a hero. He said that the story of movie is untrue.

Giani Gurbachan Singh defends his directive asking Bibi Nirpreet Kaur to end her fast

Amritsar, Punjab (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that on May 14, 2013 the Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh justified his directive to end the indefinite hunger strike by Bibi Nirpreet Kaur, a key witness in the November 1984 Delhi Cant area massacre case at Jantar Mantar on May 8, 2013.

Haryana government officially lifts ban from Sadda Haq Punjabi Movie

Chandigarh, Haryana (May 15, 2013): As per media reports the Haryana government lifted ban on the screening of blockbuster Punjabi film "Sadda Haq" in the state on May 15, 2013.

Bharatiya Kisan Union holds protest against acquittal of Sajjan Kumar at Patiala

Patiala, Punjab (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that the activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Dakaunda held a rally protest rally, on May 14, 2013 at Patiala against acquittal of Sikh genocide accused Sajjan Kumar. The protesters took out a march, burnt effigies and submitted a charter of demands against the recent order by a Delhi court to acquit Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the November 1984 Sikh massacre case.

Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale) held protest against aquittal of Sajjan Kumar

Amritsar, Punjab (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that on May 14, 2013 members and activists of Sikh Youth Federation (Bhinderanwale) took out a march in protest against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar, one of the organizers of Sikh genocide 1984.

Sikh body, Dal Khalsa, submits memo to Jathedar Akal Takht on memorial issue

Amritsar, Punjab (May 15, 2013): The Dal Khalsa has submitted a memorandum requesting Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh to resolve the memorial row keeping collective will of the community and historical traditions in mind in the meeting of the high priests.

Sikh genocide survivor Bibi Nirpreet Kaur writes to Giani Gurbachan Singh protesting his directive forcing her to end fast

New Delhi, India (May 15, 2013): Bibi NirpreetKaur, a witness against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar who sat on a fast at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for six days to protest against Sajjan's acquittal by a Delhi court, has written a very strong worded letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.

Opposing death sentence to Prof. Bhullar, 3 Sikhs go on 11 day hunger strike in Paris

Paris, France (May 15, 2013): It is learnt that amid various protests by Sikhs in the UK, France and India against the death sentence to Sikh political prisoner Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, three Sikhs of France have been sitting on hunger strike since May 8 at a Paris Gurdwara.

US Court reserves decision in Human Rights violation case against Badal; SFJ to approach US Lawmakers and American Sikh Caucus

New York, USA (May 14, 2013): Since the evidentiary hearing and depositions of witnesses have been completed, Federal Judge Adelman will now decide whether the human rights violation law suit pending against CM Badal will be heard under the principles of Universal Jurisdiction as demanded by Sikh rights group or will be dismissed as per defendants motion for lack of service and personal jurisdiction of the US Court.

Delhi high court did not hold hearing for 34 petitions related to Sikh massacre 1984

New Delhi, India (May 13, 2013): It is learnt that the Delhi High was scheduled to hear 34 petitions regarding 1984 Sikh massacre on May 14,2 013. These petitions challenge the conviction of 104 people accused of their involvement in killings of Sikhs in November, 1984. All these were convicted by Sessions Courts.

US Optometry Board accommodates Sikh student’s Dastar, Allows him to use alternative instruments

New York, USA (May 13, 2013): According to a release by the Sikh Coalition the US National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) provided Ampreet Singh, a Sikh optometry student, a religious accommodation to use a non-standardized optometry instrument --- allowing him to wear his turban -- to complete the clinical skills portion of the national licensing examination.

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