January 2015 Archive

Amnesty want India to end farcical cycle of arrest and re-arrest of Irom Sharmila

A Manipur court has ordered the release of Prisoner of Conscience Irom Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike for over 14 years demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The court rejected charges that Sharmila had attempted to commit suicide.

Hardeep Singh Dibdiba slam Punjab Govt’s ban on Sauda Sadh’s film

In a surprise move Hardeep Singh Dibdiba, president of Rajasthan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (ad hoc), came forward in support of controversial godman and chief of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS). In a two-page written statement, Hardeep Singh Dibdiba slammed the Punjab government for imposing a ban on the screening of Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s film Messenger of God.

Drugs racket: High Court stays transfer of ED officer

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday (Jan. 21) ordered a stay on the transfer of Assistant Director of Enforcement Directorate Niranjan Singh who is probing the alleged Rs 6,000-crore drug racket and money laundering case in Punjab.

SFJ moves to New York court demanding “terrorist” lable for RSS

A US based human rights and advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Wednesday (Jan. 21) in a New York court demanding the United States blacklist as a "terrorist" organization a hardline Hindutva group named Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Commonly known as the RSS, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is patron/ parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

SGPC form panel to frame “service rules” for Jathedars

The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) has reportedly nominated members to a panel constituted to frame "service rules" for the Jathedars of Sikh Takhts. The issue was particularly in focus after controversial dismissal of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh.

US Sikhs seek Independent status for Takht Jathedars

More than 70 Gurdwara committees in the US, under the aegis of American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC), have shot off a letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, demanding “independent status” for the Takht Jathedars.

Sikh Youth Federation to mark 24th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Gursahib Singh Mandiala

Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwala) has appealed to the Sikh nation to attend the 24th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Bhai Gursahib Singh Mandiala. Bhai Balwant Singh Gopala (President, Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwala) and Bhai Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal (Senior Vice President SYFB) said in a press meet that it was duty of every Sikh to mark the martyrdom anniversaries of those who sacrificed their lives for dignity of the Sikh Nation.

Kiran Bedi showers praise on Hindutva fountainhead RSS

Kiran Bedi, Bhartiya Janta Party's chief ministerial candidate for Delhi elections, has showered praiser over Hindutva fountain head Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its ideology.

USA: South Asian minorities protest against Ami Bera’s plans to visit India with Barack Obama

Just two weeks after being sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives for a sophomore term, U.S. Congressman Ami Bera announced plans to travel to India with President Obama to meet controversial Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in spite of a contentious reelection campaign focused on Bera’s dismissal of human rights issues in India and intimacy with the genocide-accused premier.

1984 was turning point for diaspora: Prof. Pritam Singh

The 1984 Sikh genocide proved a turning point in changing the socio-political landscape of the Punjabi diaspora in various parts of the globe, especially in the US, the UK and Canada. It made the Sikhs conscious of their identity and the need of their assertive participation in political affairs.

Punjab CM says ban on “Messenger of God” movie not permanent

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the state government's decision to ban the screening of controversial film Messenger of God was taken in the "larger public interest" and could be reviewed "once the law and order situation normalises".

Sikh bodies protest in Sirsa; Demand ban on MSG movie

Representatives of various Sikh organizations of Haryana and the local Sikh sangat of Sirsa took out a protest march to demand ban on controversial godman and Sirsa based dera sacha sauda's head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

MSG movie was banned as per Center’s advise: Punjab CM Badal

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal told media reporters that the controversial “Messenger of God” movie was banned as per ‘advise’ of the Central government. He was replying to media queries on Jan. 19 at Lambi area of Punjab after holding ‘Sangat Darshan’.

SGPC officials refused Sehaj Path request by Jathedar Nandgarh

Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) officials reportedly denied "permissions" to "dismissed" Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nanadgarh to take a saroop of Guru Granth Sahib Ji to his residence to hold a Sehaj Path Sahib. Jathedar Nanadgarh was willing to hold Sehaj Paath at his located in residence in the Takht Damdama Sahib complex.

Ropar police to seek Jagtar Singh Tara’s custody

The district Ropar police will seek the custody of Jagtar Singh Tara. A case under Section 307 of IPC was registered against him for allegedly firing at a police party in 1991.

I accept Arvind Kejriwal’s challenge; But will debate in Assembly: says Kiran Bedi

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s chief ministerial candidate for the Delhi Assembly polls Kiran Bedi on Tuesday accepted Arvind Kejriwal's challenge for a debate with him and said she will do it on the floor of the Assembly.

Arvind Kejriwal invites Kiran Bedi for open public debate

The dynamics of electoral politics witnessed major change in currently after former IPS officer Kiran Bedi joined the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). She is declared as Hindutva body's Chief Ministerial candidate against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal.

Attempted murder of Sikh was a racially motivated “terror attack”: Sikh Federation UK

A press release (dated: January 19, 2015) by the Sikh Federation UK says [t]he racially motivated attack last week with a machete and hammer by Zack Davies who was shouting ‘white power’ on a 24-year old Sikh who was simply out shopping in Tesco must be treated as a terror attack.

US Congressman McClintock’s Office Affirms Support for Religious Liberty in Indian subcontinent: OFMI

Constituents of Northern California Congressman Tom McClintock joined an official delegation from human rights group Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI) on January 14 to warn the Republican representative’s office about proposals by India’s ruling party to require state approval for religious conversions.

US tells India for a no-fly zone over Rajpath during Barack Obama’s visit

Media reports says that US President Barack Obama's security teams has suggested Indian government to impose no-fly zone over Rajpath on the January 26 in wake of Obama's visit to New Delhi. Indian government has reportedly "rejected" the suggestion.

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