Sikh Diaspora

US Sikh body raise concern about Kahna Dhesian incident; Express satisfaction over action by Akal Takhat

Ohio, USA (July 26, 2011): The World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) is deeply concerned and anguished by a recent video which shows Sikhs dancing in the presence of Siri Guru Granth Sahib at cult dera of Kahna Dhesian, near Goraya, Punjab.

Report to UK Parliament encourages lifting ban on organisations

London (July 24, 2011): The ISYF was banned in the UK more than 10 years ago in March 2001 and this was widely acknowledged at that time by many UK politicians, including Ministers that this was a direct result of pressure from the Indian authorities.

US Sikhs to seek UN intervention to save Professor Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar

New York, NY (July 22, 2011): "Thousands will attend a historic protest rally on Monday, July 25th from Noon-2:00 p.m. at the United Nation’s Headquarters (47th Street, Between 1st & 2nd Avenues) to demand the U.N. intervention to stop India’s planned execution of Professor Devenderpal S. Bhullar, an innocent man that has been repeatedly tortured by the Indian police.

US Sikh Diaspora forms International Coordination Committee to Free Professor Bhullar

California, US (June 12, 2011): As per Amrik Singh's special report published by "Examiner.Com", Stockton's historical Landmark 'Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society' hosted a press conference on July 10, 2011 to campaign against death penalty to Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. Sikh religious societies and human rights organizations participated in the meeting. Professor Bhullar's mother Mrs. Upkar Kaur was a special invitee.

Federal Criminal Charges against Sikh for carrying Kirpal, Dropped After Sikh Coalition Intervenes

California, USA (July 5, 2011): A U.S. federal prosecutor dropped criminal charges against a Sikh for wearing his kirpan into a federal facility. To the Sikh Coalition’s knowledge, this is the first time that a federal prosecutor has ever dropped criminal charges against a Sikh for carrying a kirpan.

UK’s alleged assurance to prevent Sikh demonstration: Sikh Federation (UK) challenge UK Foreign Secretary

London (July 01, 2011): The Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon. William Hague MP met with Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in London on Thursday, the 30th of June. The Indian Express, a major newspaper of India, has reported the British Foreign Secretary William Hague has assured India that they will curb "anti-India demonstrations" by Sikhs. See Indian Express article titled 'Will curb anti-India protests, UK assures Krishna' below.

Sikh Coalition Attends White House Celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

Washington, DC (June 28, 2011): Last week the Sikh Coalition, along with several Sikh leaders from across the country, attended a White House reception celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. President Obama addressed the attendees and applauded the efforts of local grassroots leaders within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Not even blacklisted, Canadian Sikh not permitted to attend Father’s funeral

Patiala (24 June, 201): Despite the Central Government of India's claim to shorten the so-called blacklist of Sikhs living abroad, in order to restore their ability to visit Punjab, the controversy surrounding the issue does not seem to halt. The list is a cause of concern for Sikhs as it prevents many from the Sikh diaspora from visiting their families in Punjab.

Demanding Clemency for Prof. Bhullar, EU Sikh Diaspora to hold demonstration outside Indian Embassy in Berlin

Berlin, Germany (June 14, 2011): The activists of Sikh social, religious and political outfits from across the European Union (EU) are likely to participate in a protest planned outside Indian Embassy here on June 20 to demand condoning death sentence of Davinderpal Singh Bhullar into life imprisonment.

Save Professor Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar from Judicial Murder: Sikhs for Justice

Toronto (June 7, 2011): On Friday, June 10, 2011, the Sikh community of Toronto will hold a Justice Rally to save the life of Professor Davinder Pal Bhullar from the death sentence issued to him in India for a crime that he was unjustly convicted of. During the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD Canada 2011) convention in downtown Toronto, Sikh community members will converge from the GTA to highlight this grave injustice.

Sikhs to hold Truth Rally in Toronto on June 20, 2011

Toronto (June 3, 2011): Canadian Sikh community will be holding a “Truth Rally” on June 10, 2011 during SAD (Badal) and Congress-I leaders’ visit to Toronto. The purpose of the rally is to highlight the ongoing atrocities, torture and killing of Sikhs in India by the SAD-Badal and Congress-I regimes. Sikhs in India still lack fundamental rights, they regularly suffer persecution, torture, beatings and killings at the hands of the police.

Sikhism mandated at California’s Statewide Law enforcement training

California (April 30, 2011): In a huge win for the Sikh community, starting this summer, all law enforcement officers in the state of California will be trained to identify and respect Sikhs and Sikh practices. The training will be given as part of a required class in all police academies throughout the state, and will also be available online. In addition, current police officers are being advised of the training materials through a two-page bulletin being issued to all police departments.

Canadian Sikhs to push genocide motion in Parliament  

Toronto, CANADA (April 11, 2011): Sikh votes shouldn’t be taken for granted was the message that was delivered loud and clear at a conference held this weekend by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a human rights group, backed by the Ontario Gurudwaras Committee and Ontario Sikhs and Gurudwaras Committee. Together, the three organizations agreed to pursue a Parliamentary motion to have the attacks carried out against Sikhs in November 1984 recognized as Genocide.

Turban santching by Police infringes religious rights: Canadian Sikh Coalition

Vancouver, CANADA (March 31, 2011): Two police officers who tore off a Sikh’s turban on Monday during a peaceful rally by pharmacy students in Mohali, Punjab were suspended with pay. They should be fired, say leaders of the Canadian Sikh Coalition.

Sikhs across the globe condemn Badal Govt’s action of desecrating Dastar (Sikh Turban)

Ludhiana, PUNJAB (March 30, 2011): In a disturbing incident in Mohali, a young Sikh man’s turban was forcibly removed in broad day light by a police officer on the orders of another senior officer of Punjab Police. The incident proves that SAD (Badal) have not only failed to protect the dignity of Sikh articles of faith but they are also engaged in intentional desecration of Sikh turban.

WSC-AR Hails Siri Akal Takhat Sahib Statement on Gurdwara of Rochester (New York)

New York (March 23, 2011): The Board of Trustees of Gurdwara of Rochester (New York), to win their management dispute, has done the despicable misdeed of banning the Guru-gifted Kirpan by making false and misleading statements in the court of law.

Ajaib Singh Bagri, acquitted in Air India bombings, suing government

Vancouver (March 16, 2011): Ajaib Singh Bagri, one of the two men acquitted in the 1985 Air India bombings, is reported to have been suing federal and provincial justice officials for damages and legal costs, saying his charter rights were violated by the failed prosecution.

Canadian Sikh Diaspora want scrutiny of Sikh man’s custodial death

Vancouver (March 15, 2011) Sohan Singh, an Amritdhari Sikh, died under suspicious circumstances on Monday while in custody of Indian police forces in Punjab. The circumstances indicate foul play, claimed the Canadian Sikh Coalition (CSC), which asserted that Singh was tortured in custody by police for a week before his death.

AGPC delegation meets US authorities over the Hondh Massacre issue

A high level delegation of American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) met US State Department officials and discussed with them the human rights issue of killing of Sikhs at Village Hondh Chillar in Rewari District of Haryana in November 1984. Other issues relating to minorities living in South Asia were also discussed in the meeting held on Tuesday evening.

Shooting of Elk Groove Sikhs threatens Freedom of Religion: Canadian Sikh Coalition

Surry (March 8, 2011): Two elderly members of the California Sikh community were shot on Friday while walking in a Sacramento suburb. Surinder Singh, 65 and Gurmej Singh Atwal, 78, were on a late afternoon stroll in Elk Grove when an unknown suspect in a pickup truck opened fire on them. Police believe they were most likely targeted after being mistaken for Muslims because they were wearing dastaar. Mr. Singh died of his injuries and Mr. Atwal remains in critical condition.

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