May 2013 Archive

Sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib: Bhaniara & others get 3 years jail but released on bail soon after verdict

Ambala, Haryana (May 13, 2013): It is learnt that Ambala district courts today sentenced controversial self-styled godman Piara Singh Bhaniara to 3 years imprisonment, on charges of blasphemy for committing sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib.

The death sentence of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar must not be carried out. It will divide India (author: HOPE WHITMORE)

[...]I read the leaflet then walked into the march, joining three women who I asked about Professor Bhullar. ‘This is not an execution,’ said one of the women ‘if the government kill him it will be an assassination. If this happens there will be a lot of anger in India.’ [...]

Tihar jail authorities procure hanging ropes but officials deny execution plans

New Delhi, India (May 12, 2013): According to a news by Daily Mail UK (India): “[t]he Tihar jail procuring two hanging ropes from Buxar in Bihar has set off speculation over who is the next in line to be hanged”.

US Department of Justice reaches settlement to resolve complaints of religious harassment at Charter School in DeKalb County, Georgia

Georgia (May 11, 2013): It is learnt that the Justice Department of US reached a settlement agreement today with DeKalb County, Ga., school district to resolve the department’s investigation into allegations of religious and national origin harassment of a Sikh middle school student.

Sadda Haq is a must watch for those who feel the need to reprise recent history to review lessons learnt

Ludhiana/Chandigarh, Punjab (May 12, 2013): According to a news report published by Hindustan Times (HT): “[f]or those who want to know all that had gone wrong and for those who feel the need to reprise this chapter of history to review the lessons learnt — Sadda Haq is a must watch”.

USA: Landmark Settlement for Sikh Middle Schooler targeted by Bullies; Justice Dept takes action on complaint by Sikh Coalition

New York, United States (May 11, 2013) According to a recent release by the Sikh Coalition in an unprecedented victory for Sikh students in United States, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a landmark settlement agreement with the DeKalb County School District (School District) in Atlanta, Georgia on behalf of a Sikh victim of school bullying.

Torture in police custody – Panch Pardhani leader Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind sues India in US court

Jalandhar, Punjab (May 11, 2013): Akali Dal Panch Pardhani (ADPP) president Bhai Kulvir Singh Barapind has sued the Government of India and State Government of Punjab besides President Pranab Mukharjee, PM Manmohan Singh, Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, National Security Advisor, Director of National Investigative Agency, Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Punjab police chief and a number of other Indian authorities and police officers in a US court.

Why the Professor Bhullar case has implications beyond Professor Bhullar?

Professor Bhullar has already served over a life sentence, and over eight years in solitary confinement and paid his dues to a society that (a) could not give him a proper trial (b) could not find evidence against him (c) could not even go according to the law that sufficient doubt had been cast on his case with Justice M. B. Shah finding him not guilty.

UK academicians oppose execution of Prof. Devender Pal Singh Bhullar; UCU writes to Indian High Commission & UK Foreign Secretary

London, United Kingdom (May 11, 2013): It is learnt that UK academicians have opposed the execution of death penalty to Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar. Sally Hunt, General Secretary of University and College Union (UCU) has written a letter to Dr. Bhagwati, High Commission of India and William Hague, Foreign Secretary, UK.

Elderly Sikh attacked outside Fresno Gurudwara; Sikh Congressional Caucus takes up the issue with FBI

California, United States (May 11, 2013): It is learnt that an elderly Sikh named Piara Singh was attacked few days back at Fresno Gurdwara in California. Piara Singh (82) was returning from the Gurudwara Sahib when he was hit by a youth with iron rod in an apparent hate crime.

London Morcha – Day-night protest, vigil continues outside Downing Street against suspected execution of Prof. Bhullar

London, United Kingdom (May 10, 2013): In front of Downing Street, dozens of Brits line up day in day out since April 12, 2013, when the execution of Professor Bhullar was cleared in India, and every evening prayers and hymns are sung.

Piara Bhaniara and seven others held guilty by Ambala court; 5 acquitted; Sentence on May 13

Ambala, Haryana (May 10, 2013): It is learnt that self-styled godman Piara Singh Bhaniara has been held guilty by a trial court of Ambala (Haryana). Besides Bhaniara, seven others have also been convicted in two cases registered against them in Ropar district (Punjab).

No stay on execution; Prof. Bhullar faces imminent threat of execution

New Delhi, India (May 10, 2013): Sikh political prisoner Professor Devender Pal Singh Bhullar is on death row in India since 2001, but now he is facing threat of imminent execution.

Sadda Haq Punjabi Movie – List of Cinemas/Theaters (& show timings) across Punjab/India

Ludhiana/Chandigarh (May 10, 2013): Much awaited Punjabi movie, Sadda Haq, has hit cinema screens across Punjab and other states of India today. Check list of cinemas and show timings across Punjab and India.

Ahead of release, another challenge for Sadda Haq; Police allegedly pressing cinemas to drop screenings

Patiala/Ludhiana, Punjab (May 09, 2013): As per media reports the miseries of the producers of much awaited Punjabi movie ‘Sadda Haq’ appear to be unending.

Campaign Against the Death Penalty in India – conference at Delhi on May 10

New Delhi, India (May 10, 2013): It is learnt that various campaigners against the death penalty in India are going to hold a conference at Delhi on May 10, 2013. The conference shall be held at Speakers Hall, Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Cant area massacre case – 3 get life imprisonment; 2 get three years

New Delhi, India (May 09, 2013): It is learnt that Delhi's trial court has awarded life imprisonment to three accused in the November 1984 Delhi Cant area massacre case, while two others were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for three years.

Eco-Amritsar formed to launch Amritsar Foundation Day on July 6

Amritsar, Punjab (May 8, 2013): Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple, will celebrate annually its Foundation Day, the day it was established by Guru Ram Dass, the 4th Sikh Guru, in 1577. This effort will be spearheaded by Eco Amritsar, a group formed by the Washington based EcoSikh.Amritsar, Punjab (May 8, 2013): Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple, will celebrate annually its Foundation Day, the day it was established by Guru Ram Dass, the 4th Sikh Guru, in 1577. This effort will be spearheaded by Eco Amritsar, a group formed by the Washington based EcoSikh.

Attacked Pakistani prisoner died at PGI; Dead body handed over to Pakistan

Chandigarh, Punjab (May 09, 2013): It is learnt that Sanaullah Ranjay, a Pakistani prisoner who was attacked by jail inmates in a Jail in India, died at Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh.

Sikh genocide surviror Bibi Nirpreet Kaur ends fast at Badal’s assurance of support for justice

New Delhi, India (May 08, 2013): It is learnt that Bibi Nirpreet Kaur, one of the key witnesses and victim of the Sikh genocide 1984, broke her six-day-old fast on May 08, 2013 after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal assured support for her fight for justice.

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