Blog Announcement

Announcement from the blog Sevadars the blog will be down from Friday 20th July 2007 to Friday 24th August 2007 due to technical difficulty and blog updates. Please note the blog will be back online from Friday 24th August 2007 even bigger and better. Please bear with us, Seva will be resumed as soon as possible. Sorry for any inconvenience.

-Updated Frequently with the latest news from Punjab scroll down for the other News. You can now subscribe to the blogs feed get the latest updates from the blog striaght to your email inbox, scroll down and subscribe. Please feel free to leave comments on the Dera issue or what you think of the Site no comments will be rejected.-

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Thursday 19th July 2007

Religious act draws flak

Amritsar, The participation of BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu in a“rudra yagya”, organised by a religious organisation in view of the start of the “sawan” on Monday, has received flak from various Sikh organisations.
Former Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh said here today that Sidhu had violated the Sikh maryada by wearing a sacred thread and dhoti during the yagya.

Dera followers attacked

Ludhiana, Tension gripped the city today when a group of about 50 Sikh youths attacked the house of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower at Lohara village. The group prevented the dera followers from holding ‘naam charcha’. They beat up the “premis”, including women, and ransacked the house of a premi, Mukhtiar Singh, where the followers had met.
The administration deployed police at the site to prevent escalation of tension. A case under Sections 323, 452 and 506 of the IPC for trespassing, beating and criminal intimidation has been registered.
The police refrained from imposing Section 295 against the attackers. The section would have charged them with hurting religious sentiments of the complainant.
Mukhtiar Singh and two others were injured in the attack. He said all followers of the dera host congregations once a year. Today was his turn.
SSP R. K. Jaiswal said two assailants had been identified. "Raids were on to arrest them”, he said. He asserted that all citizens , irrespective of their religion, were safe and the police was protecting them.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab : Wednesday 18th July 2007

‘Keep off religious matters’

Fatehgarh Sahib, State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party Rajinder Bhandari today said the party had kept silent on the dera issue as it considered that the political parties should not interfere in religious matters. Speaking to mediapersons at a local college at Alour, near here, Bhandari said the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) was playing a positive role in resolving the dera row. He, however, condemned the attack on the convoy of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh at Sirsa yesterday.
Bhandari said there were no differences between the BJP and the SAD and the two parties would share seats in the upcoming municipal elections just like they did in 1997 and 2000.

High Court Notice to Punjab over Dera chief’s plea

Chandigarh, Justice L.N. Mittal today issued notice of motion to Punjab over a petition by Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him by the Bathinda police.The petitioner, through his counsel S.K.Garg Narwana, submitted that the FIR was nothing but an abuse of process of law. It was averred that the petitioner had never imitated Guru Gobind Singh and never wore blue attire as alleged in the FIR.
The petitioner submitted that the FIR was based on “false, frivolous and absurd charges”. It was asserted in the petitoin that the FIR was based on newspaper photograph and even that photograph did not give impression that Guru Gobind Singh’s “pictorial presentation”. It was also alleged that the FIR was lodged after “consultations, deliberations and confabulations”. The next hearing is on September 28.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Tuesday 17th July 2007

AT ANY COST WE WILL STOP THE PROGRAM OF AUSOTOSH : GIANI TARLOCAN SINGH, JATHEDAR SHRI KESGARH ANANDPUR SAHIB

25 injured in clash Dera chief’s convoy attacked

Sirsa,At least 25 persons, including one RAF jawan, were injured, four of them seriously, in a clash between Sikhs and dera followers here today.
Security personnel control the unruly mob after a clash between Sikhs and followers of Dera Sacha Sauda at Ghukna Wali village in Sirsa district on Monday.
Trouble started when the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief was leaving after addressing a religious discourse at a dera in Ghukna Wali village, about 35 km from here. The paramilitary forces resorted to lathi charge and burst tear gas shells to disperse members of the two groups, who were pelting stone on each other. Members of both the groups were admitted to different hospitals and one of the seriously injured persons was referred to Hisar. As many as 18 persons were admitted to the local civil hospital.
The police has registered a case against the dera followers and Sikhs involved in the clash under Sections 148, 149, 332, 353, 295-A and 506 of the IPC on the statement of tesildar Amarjit Singh, who was present on the spot.
As many as 15 vehicles of dera chief’s convoy were also damaged in the clash. However, security personnel took the dera chief to dera headquarters through other link roads.
Later, Sikh protesters also blocked the national highway near Chor Mar. Tension mounted here after the dera chief, who was coming from Rajasthan along with his convoy, reached here to deliver a discourse. As the Sikhs came knew about it, they converged at a nearby gurdwara and marched towards the dera carrying black flags and swords showing their protest against "Naam Charcha" and gathered outside the dera.
The situation took an ugly turn when these protesters threw stones on the convoy of the dera chief, in retaliation the dera followers also hurled stones at them. Initially there were not enough police personnel to control them, later RAF and HAF personnel reached the spot and resorted to heavy lathi charge and also used tear gas to disperse members of both the groups.
Some of the houses of Sikhs near the dera were also allegedly attacked by the violent mob of dera followers.
The clash took place despite the fact that Ghukna Wali has been declared a sensitive area in view of the ongoing tussle between Sikhs and dera followers. The peace committee was also assured by the dera that no religious discourse would be held in sensitive areas. Intelligence agencies too had warned of such an incident.
The Deputy Commissioner V.Umashankar said the situation was under control now. Security has been tightened in the district and the areas near Rajasthan border.
After the incident both the groups accused each other, while Daljit Singh Dadu, head of gurdwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib alleged that the incident took place due to failure of the state government to prevent the dera chief from holding a religious discourse in the sensitive areas. He alleged that it was the dera followers who had attacked the peacefully protesting Sikhs first.
The dera spokesman Pawan Insan, however, said after the religious discourse Sikhs had attacked the dera chief’s convoy first.

RADICALS, SGPC-TAKHT SPLIT WIDE OPEN ON DERA ISSUE

Amritsar:The difference of opinion between Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht on one hand and radical Sikh organisations under the banner of Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) on the other, is growing on the Dera Sacha Sauda issue.
The SGPC members and jathedars of various Takhts did not participate in yesterday’s march at Faridkot against the rising dera culture, leaving the radicals fuming. KAC convenor Bhai Mohkam Singh said they had given an open invitation to all Sikhs to participate in their “peaceful struggle” against the Dera. “SGPC members and Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti promised to participate, but changed their minds at the last minute, which is unfortunate,” he said. He said their weekly peace marches would be held as per schedule, with or without the SGPC and Jathedars.
“We are also trying to bring various Akali factions, Sant Samaj and student federations under one fold to intensify our struggle against the dera. Now the SGPC and Akal Takht are looking for excuses,” he said, adding that it was the SGPC’s fault that the deras were flourishing, as the Sikh body had failed in evangelism. He said they would again request the SGPC members and Jathedar Vedanti to participate in their next march on July 20 at Moga.
Co-convenor of KAC Kunwarpal Singh said they were surprised at the move of the SGPC and Akal Takht Jathedar, who had promised to take part in the march. “The SGPC and the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs are directly under control of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. They are working on directives from the Badal government,” he alleged, adding that several Akali factions, including SAD (1920) of Ravi Inder Singh and SAD (A) of Simranjit Singh Mann were with them.
Taking a dig at Jathedar Vedanti’s decision to rollback the Sikh conference at Ratia in Haryana, Kunwarpal said hundreds of Sikhs reached the spot despite the gathering having been called off by the Takht. SAD (A) general secretary Bhai Ram Singh said they would meet the Jathedar again to appeal that he should participate in their programmes. “After the marches, we will organise a congregation of Sikhs on the issue at some suitable place,” said Mohkam Singh.
SGPC president Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar, meanwhile, said nobody, including KAC, should bypass the Akal Takht. “They should abide by the programmes being planned under the aegis of the Takht alone and any deviations are neither welcome nor should be encouraged,” he stated. He said some persons had been misled and had joined various deras, which, he said, was unfortunate.

DSGMC gets jolt Panel chief joins SGPC

Amritsar, The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) received a major jolt today when its Dharam Prachar Committee (DPC) chairman Tarsem Singh joined the Prachar Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Talking to newspersons, Tarsem said he had resigned from the chairmanship of the committee because of the dictatorial attitude of the Sarna brothers. He said a number of decisions taken by the Delhi committee led to differences among its members. The representatives of weaker sections were treated like slaves.
“The Sarna brothers were playing into the hands of those who were misusing the Delhi committee’s funds for promoting their personal interests”, he claimed.
He said though there was no interference by the Sarna brothers in the working of the DPC, it was not working for the promotion of the Sikh culture and religion. The DSGMC was coming close to the Congress.
Refuting the allegations of Tarsem, DSGMC president Harvinder Singh Sarna, told The Tribune that he (Tarsem) was not chairman of the DPC and had resigned from the chairmanship of a school committee. He alleged that Tarsem had resigned from the committee at the instance of SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal, who was enticing members to take control of the management of the DSGMC.

Sarna given clean chit

Fatehgarh Sahib, In a significant development, Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti gave a clean chit to DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna in the Dera Sacha Sauda controversy. While defending Sarna, Vedanti said that he could not be summoned to the Akal Takht for having met Dera Sacha Sauda chief on the basis of media reports.
The demand to summon Sarna to the Akal Takht had been raised by various Sikh organisations, which had objected to his having met the dera chief.
Vedanti, who was here to attend a ‘Gurmat Chetna Camp’ organised by the SGPC, stated that he would not take cognisance of media reports that Sarna had met the dera chief. He said that only if Sarna admitted before the takht that he had met the dera chief, an explanation could be sought from him.
He said that the Khalsa Action Committee was coming up with its own programmes without taking the takht into confidence. Contradicting the statement issued by SGPC chief Avtar Singh that birs could only be given to those who had faith in Guru Granth Sahib and not to those who believed in a dera chief, the Akal Takht Jathedar said that the takht had not debarred anyone from carrying the birs, provided that the Sikh maryada was not violated.

SGPC receives flak

Barnala, Former MP and advocate Raj Dev Singh Khalsa criticised the SGPC in failing to make any city in the state tobacco-free, despite the fact that three major takhts - Anandpur Sahib, Amritsar and Damdama Sahib - of the Sikhs are situated in the state.
Talking to press reporters here today, he said the SGPC had crores of rupees in its budget to tackle this issue, but had failed to create awareness among Sikh youths to abandon the use of tobacco which is the foremost principle of Sikhism.

Khalsa March From Roday Gets Great Response in spite of Bad Weather

Khalsa Action Committee organized a Khalsa March from Village Rode - District Moga (Native Village of Great Sikh Shaheed of 20 th Century, Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Khasla Bhindranwale) to Faridkot. Thousands of Sikhs gathered at Gurudwara GurKirtan Parkash and Ardas was performed by Giani Harnam Singh Khasla Bhindranwale at the bigening of March. March was delayed due to heavy rain fall in the morning but weather failed to dampen the spirit of thousands of Sikhs who gathered at Rode to participate in the march. Gatherings were held throughout the march at various villages where KAC members addressed the Sikh Sangat. Members of Khalsa Action Committee, Representatives of Akali Dal (Amritsar), Sikh Students Federation, Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Akali Dal (1920), Seva Socities and Sant Samaj participated in large number besides Sikh Sangat.

Sikh priests has no differences over dera issue, says Vedanti

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti Monday said that there were no differences among Jathedars of various Takhts over Dera Sacha Sauda issue.
Talking to media persons at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib after presiding over ‘Special Gurmat Chetna Camp’, Vedanti said that Jathedars of all Takhts are taking decisions after thoroughly consulting each other. He said that reportss of Takht Sir Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh is not satisfied with the Akal Takht over the Dera row and had submitted his resignation to him were mere rumours.
On the demand of summoning Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna on Akal Takht , which is being raised by various Sikh organisations for holding meeting with Dera chief despite an edict issued by Akal Takht asking all Sikhs to boycott the Dera , Vedanti said that Sarna himself had never admitted before the Takht that he held meeting with the Dera chief after the boycott. He said that was only media reports that Sarna held parleys with the Dera chief.
He also refused to recognize Khalsa Action Committee (KAC). The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had already refused to recognize it. He said that Akal Takht is issuing directions from time to time in the Dera row so all the people and organisations should always follow it.

Mann's judicial remand extended till July 30

JALANDHAR: A local court on Monday extended judicial remand of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president, Simranjit Singh Mann, for 14 days in a sedition case registered against him by Punjab government.
Mann was presented before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Varinder Agarwal, who after listening to both defence and prosecution, extended the judicial remand of Mann till July 30.
Mann and other supporters were booked in sedition case for desecrating the statue of slain Chief Minister Beant Singh on May 13 by hanging placards having photos of his assassin Dilawar Singh and for also raising pro-Khalistan slogans

8 Thousand people take amrit through the SGPC'S Dharam Parchar Lahair

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Monday 16th July 2007

Security lapse at dera chief’s satsang



Abohar, Exposing poor security arrangements today some persons managed to reach Budhranwali village with swords in a tractor-trailer but the organisers of “Guru Manyo Granth” samagam prevented them from heading towards Dera Maujpur Dham at the same village in neighbouring Sadulshehar subdivision.
The police had virtually fortified the dera by deploying 10 companies of the RAC, STF and Home Guards and positioned anti-riot squads and fire-fighting vehicles. SP Sriganganagar and scores of DSPs were camping in Budhranwali to ensure incident-free satsang by Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The Sikh advisory committee also held a parallel function at a small gurdwara, 200 m away from Dera Maujpur Dham



Cracks appear in SAD (A)


Amritsar, Cracks have appeared in the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) over the issue of the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) even as Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party today met at Fatehgarh Sahib to resolve differences.
Secretary-general of the party Bhai Ram Singh, who had announced that the SAD(A) had dissociated from the KAC , however, hoped that matter would be resolved in the PAC meeting .
Most of the senior Akali leaders close to Mann stayed away from the march today. On the other hand , Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti , jathedar, Akal Takht, who was specially invited to participate in the Khalsa march by the organisers, also stayed away. SGPC members of the ruling Akali Dal were also absent from the march. However, Kanwarpal Singh, a spokesman of the Dal Khalsa, said Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa , chief, Damdami Taksal participated in the march.
On the other hand the Sikh Nation Organisation , headed by Dr Manjit Singh Randhawa, has alleged that Jathedar Vedanti had lost all moral right to continue.



Sikh bodies hold march


Rhode (Baghapurana), A number of Sikh organisations, including radical groups, under the banner of the Khalsa Action Committee took out a march, the first of the six marches announced by the committee, from the native village of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 32 km from Moga, today. Before the march, led by Panj Piaras, began, ardas was offered at Gurdwara Kirtan Prakash. A large number of Nihangs participated in it.
The administration made heavy police arrangements with traffic and women police at hand. Even BSF personnel were also deployed at certain places.
Apart from convener of the committee Bhai Mohkam Singh, former Jathedar of the Akal Takht Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, head of Damdami Taksal Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, Ravi Inder Singh, Kanwarpal Singh and SGPC members from opposition were present.



Sikh leaders condemn raid on gurdwara


Fatehgarh Sahib, Sikh leaders today condemned the raiding of a gurdwara in Talwara village by the district police on July 2. In a meeting held on the premises of the gurdwara, the leaders demanded strict action against the SHO who raided the shrine.
Sikh leaders, including president of Damdami Taksal (Sarawan) Baba Ram Singh, SAD (A) vice-president Dhian Singh Mand, SAD (A) general secretaries Bhai Ram Singh, Mahinder Pal Singh and Surinder Singh said the police had outraged the `Sikh maryada', adding that the police’s action reminded them of Operation Blue Star.
The police had allegedly seized religious books from the library of the gurdwara. However, the police denied the allegations, stating that the SHO had gone to the gurdwara to pay obeisance and on his way back was handed over two religious books by the gurdwara granthi.
The Sikh leaders said the police was trying to give a twist to the whole incident.



Khalsa March From Roday Gets Great Response in spite of Bad Wether


Rode to Fridkot :Khalsa Action Committee organized a Khalsa March from Village Rode - District Moga (Native Village of Great Sikh Shaheed of 20 th Century, Sant Giani Jarnail Singh Ji Khasla Bhindranwale) to Faridkot. Thousands of Sikhs gathered at Gurudwara GurKirtan Parkash and Ardas was performed by Giani Harnam Singh Khasla Bhindranwale at the bigening of March. March was delayed due to heavy rain fall in the morning but weather failed to dampen the spirit of thousands of Sikhs who gathered at Rode to participate in the march. Gatherings were held throughout the march at various villages where KAC members addressed the Sikh Sangat. Members of Khalsa Action Committee, Representatives of Akali Dal (Amritsar),Nihungs, Sikh Students Federation, Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Akali Dal (1920), Seva Socities and Sant Samaj participated in large number besides Sikh Sangat. Bhai Daljit Singh also participated in this march. He was expected not to participate in march as it was considered that he may be arrested by the police. Bhai Daljit Singh addressed the Press at the bigening of the march. He made speech before gathering of Sikh Sangat at various villages durring the march. When activities of Police and intelligence was on its' peek to trap Bhai Daljit Singh he suddenly disappeared from the march. After that police searched from outside almost all vehicals many times to find Bhai Daljit Singh. Sikh Youth participated in march in large number. They raised slogans like "Raj Karega Khasla" - Panth Ki Jeet - Bhindranwale Sant Sipahee Jis Ne Suti Quam Jagai - Sarkaare Tere Kam Nikame Phir Kahengi Kharku Jamme.



Participation by Bhai Daljit Singh



Bhai Daljit Singh also participated in this march. He was expected not to participate in march as it was considered that he may be arrested by the police. Bhai Daljit Singh addressed the Press at the bigening of the march. He made speech before gathering of Sikh Sangat at various villages durring the march. When activities of Police and intelligence was on its' peek to trap Bhai Daljit Singh he suddenly disappeared from the march. After that police searched from outside almost all vehicals many times to find Bhai Daljit Singh.


Youth participated in large number



Sikh Youth participated in march in large number. They raised slogans like "Raj Karega Khasla" - Panth Ki Jeet - Bhindranwale Sant Sipahee Jis Ne Suti Quam Jagai - Sarkaare Tere Kam Nikame Phir Kahengi Kharku Jamme.



Dera chief's car attacked



Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim's motorcade near Ghunkawali village in Haryana on Monday afternoon.The Dera chief was returning to Sirsa after attending a satsang in a nearby village.In retaliation to the attack, Dera supporters threw stones at Sikh protesters in the area. According to reports, the police resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further clashes in the area, where the situation is now under control.



Sikh community, Dera followers hold religious prayers


Jaipur, : Followers of the controversial Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikh community today held separate religious prayers amidst prohibitory orders and tight security at a village in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district.
Both sects engaged in their religious work peacefully since morning, District Collector B S Detha said.
Prohibitory orders were imposed and armed security personnel deployed in Budharwali village yesterday after the two communities decided to hold religious meetings.
Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh organised a 'satsang' at its Naam Charcha Ghar, located close to a gurdwara where a 'bhakt samagam' and prayers were held by Sikhs, he said.
Thousands of Dera followers and Sikhs attended the two functions, he said.
Superintendent of Police Vineeta Thakur said preventive arrests were made in some parts of the district and Bikaner's Inspector-General of Police and divisional commissioner had gone to the area to monitor the situation.
Rajasthan Armed Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed in the village, Thakur said.
The Dera also deployed its own private security guards at Naam Charcha Ghar and set up metal detectors, sources said.
Security was also stepped up at Rajasthan's borders with Punjab and Haryana and the movement of public vehicles stopped till tomorrow evening, Detha said.
The Dera chief, who arrived in Rajasthan yesterday, had agreed to address his followers in a peaceful manner, he said.
People have been advised not to carry weapons, not to hold any religious meetings except these two, not to make any inflammatory speeches and to avoid the use of loudspeakers at public places, he said.


Akal Takht Jathedar offers one more opportunity to dera chief to apologise

AMRITSAR: Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti on Saturday extended one more opportunity to dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh to tender an apology wholeheartedly to restore peace in Punjab.
Vedanti's statement came in response to request of a delegation of nearly 15 people from Sirsa town of Haryana who met him and asked to find out peaceful solution of present crises. The delegation presented to Vedanti a letter signed by 10 lakh people. The delegation journalists, industrialists, Advocates and heads of various organizations
Vedanti to the visiting delegation that if the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda sect come forward carrying pious intention with apology, the burning situation of Punjab and Haryana could be normalized.'Let him tender an unconditioal apology to Sikh community", Vedanti said.
Adding further Vedanti said that mere apology would not heal the wounded hearts of Sikh community and that is why Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh has to give assurance to Sikh community that in future he would never repeat the blasphemous act which has hurt the Sikh sentiments by and large.
Talking about the earlier two apologies sent by the Dera Sacha Sauda, Vedant described them mere press notes since the language used in the text was not proper and reflected high
Launching scathing attack on the practice of Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh the way he was running his dera, Vedanti said that his practice is deadly against the tenets of Sikhism. His all the actions describes that he has no respect for the Sikh religion and even for Islam and Christianity, Vedanti quipped.
Vedanti added that dera head had no respect for tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Singh, the way Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh has distributed "amrit" (nectar) while attired in a dress similar to that of Sikh Guru.


SGPC Chief asks Rajasthan govt to deal strictly with dera head

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said on Saturday that Rajasthan government should deal strictly with dera Sacha Sauda chief who is holding 'naam charcha' in Sri Ganganagar on July 15. He also advised dera Chief to apologise with all sincerety to end the Dera row.
Talking to newsmen at Fathegarh Sahib Makkar said that it was duty of the Rajasthan government to maintain law and order situation. He said that the Dera chief is making all attempts to create tension and disturb peace so he is holding 'Naam Charcha' in Sri Ganaganager area.
He said that SGPC had intensified its drive of propagation of Sikhism and a large number of people is being baptized daily during the 'Amrit Sanchar Lehar' of SGPC . When asked when will SAD Acting President Sukhbir Badal baptized, he evaded reply.
On some incidents of not providing birs of Guru Granth Sahib to dera premis, Makkar said that these religious birs could be given only to those persons, which has faith in Guru Granth Sahib, not to those persons, who had faith in people like Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
On withdrawal of call of Ratia conclave in Haryana, Makkar while justifying the reason of Akal Takht said that it was cancelled to avoid confrontation.
He announced that Bhai Gurdas Literary Committees should be set up in every college of SGPC, which would work for propagation of Sikhism and raise voice against various social evils like female foeticide. He said that Sikh youths, who will work in significant way , will be honoured by Baba Fateh Singh award. Mata Gujri College principal Dr Gurmohan Singh Walia, MGC Managing Committee Additional Secretary Ranjit Singh Libra, former minister Randhir Singh Cheema also expressed his views.


Dhian Singh Mand to head SAD (Amritsar)

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Former Member Parliament and Sikh militant leader Dhian Singh Mand will now lead Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) in place of Simranjit Singh Mann who is in jail in a sedition case.
The party had earlier asked senior vice president Daljit Singh Bittu to head the party but he has also been booked in sedition case and court has cancelled his pre-arrest bail.
The party office secretary Ranjit Singh Cheema on behalf of Simranjit Singh Mann released a statement in which he said that in the light of the party's senior vice president Daljit Singh's cancellation of bail, the party has decided that the next senior most party leader Dhian Singh Mand, vice president of the party will be the leader of the party. He said that all major decisions of the party will however be taken by Political Affairs Committee.


DERA CHIEF ESCAPES UNHURT, 8 INJURED RED ALERT IN PUNJAB

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh escaped unhurt when his convoy was attacked this afternoon during a clash between his followers and the Sikh community in a village, 30 km from here, leaving eight persons injured and sparking tension in the town where para military forces were called in.
The incident occurred when the Dera chief, who was returning from Rajasthan`s Sriganganagar district after a religious discourse, halted at Gukanwale village on the insistence of his followers, who wanted an audience with him. After the attack, the Dera head was brought to his headquarters using a different route, police said.
While police resorted to mild lathicharge and used tear gas to disperse the warring groups, paramilitary personnel were deployed in the town to prevent further escalation of violence. While Dabwali`s (the town near the place of incident) Deputy Superintendent of Police Wazir Singh said that eight persons were injured in the attack, the Dera sources claimed at least 12 people, including some sect followers and the security personnel accompanying the Dera head, were wounded and have been admitted to civil hospital at Sirsa.
Window panes of many other vehicles were also smashed in the incident, police said. The Sikh community members of neighbouring Chormar village also held protest following the clashes. Meanwhile, Sirsa deputy commissioner V Umashankar said that the authorities had advised the Dera head not to halt anywhere along the way, but he stopped in the village and this aggravated the situation.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Sunday 15th July 2007

Security up as dera chief holds meeting

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh addressed a gathering inside Dera Maujpur Dham at Budhranwali village in neighbouring Sadulshehar subdivision of Sriganganagar district today and last evening. He had arrived yesterday in a cavalcade of more than 100 vehicles. Senior civil and police officials escorted it as it entered from the Haryana border.
Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar SPs had a meeting with the dera chief to pursue him for cancelling the satsang on Sunday but he refused. Most of the members of the supreme committee of the dera were accompanying him.

Boycott of ‘premis’ unacceptable: Cong

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Shamsher Singh Dullo has announced that the "gurmata" (the holy resolution) of Sikh clergy, calling for a boycott of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda was "unacceptable" to the Congress, saying that they (Congress leaders) would continue to meet "premis" (followers of Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh).
Talking to mediapersons here today, Dullo alleged that the Sikh high priests had been working at the behest of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and hence the edicts or directives being pronounced by jathedars had lost sanctity.
Dullo refused to come forward for mediation between Dera Sacha Sauda and Sikhs. He, however, said his party would cooperate with the ruling SAD/BJP in resolving the impasse.

‘Cong to blame’

SGPC chief Avtar Singh said Dullo, being a ‘patit’ Sikh, had no right to comment on the Sikh institutions. He alleged that the Congress was responsible for the ongoing dera row.

Sirsa team meets Vedanti

Efforts to resolve the Dera Sacha Sauda-Sikh row received a major boost when a 25-member delegation “Shanti Samiti, Sirsa” today met Jathedar Akal Takht urging him to resolve the issue as early as possible in a peaceful manner.
The delegation included doctors, journalists, advocates, businessmen and leaders of various social and political organisations from Sirsa.
Talking to newspersons, leader of the delegation Jagdish Raj Chopra said they had come here not only with the signatures but also with the emotions and sentiments of one lakh people of his district to appeal Jathedar of Akal Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti to find a peaceful solution to the dera row. He said the people of Sirsa also condemned the alleged blasphemous act of the dera chief Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and wanted that normalcy should return to the two states.
Chopra said they had also met the dera chief two days ago and had received a positive response from him in resolving the dera row. He claimed that the dera chief was also ready to take steps to resolve the issue, including sending a fresh apology.
The dera followers ended their 25-day chain fast on the instructions of the dera chief.

Dera chief trying to corrupt atmosphere

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar said the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was trying to vitiate the atmosphere by hold a 'Naam Charha' in Sri Ganganager, Rajasthan, tomorrow.
Speaking to mediapersons on the premises of Mata Gujri College, Makkar said the Rajasthan government should thwart the move of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh so that law and order was maintained.
Makkar said nothing could be done to resolve the dera row till the chief apologised in real sense. Playing down the claims made by former Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh that the SGPC and the KAC did nothing to resolve the row, Makkar stated that Bhai Ranjit Singh had himself done nothing in this direction and had no moral right to issue such statements.
Reacting to a question, Makkar said religious birs could only be given to those who have faith in the Guru Granth Sahib and not to those who have faith in dera leaders.
Defending the move of the Akal Takht to call off the Ratia conclave in Haryana, Makkar said the decision had been taken to avoid any confrontation.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Saturday 14th July 2007

CBI closes in on Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Sadhvis say they were raped

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/44786/cbi-ready-to-nail-dera-chief-for-murder-rape.html - The truth of this murderer, rapist Gurmit Raam Rahim the CBI has carried out investigations.

Sirsa: The CBI has indicated that it has enough evidence to convict Sacha Sauda dera head Gurmeet Ram Ram. One Sadhvi has said that she was raped for three years by the Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The CBI has also procured many records of medical treatment and hospitalisation of sadhvis at the Dera hospital.
As the doomsday nears for the Dera Sacha Sauda's murder and molestation of girls-accused head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, desperate efforts have been unleashed by the Sirsa camp to ward off the imminent danger.
Even as top sources in the CBI confirmed that the federal sleuthing agency investigating the murder case is all set to submit the report on July 31 to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, new revelations have hit media headlines. It seems three sadhvis of the dera have now gone on record before the CBI alleging rape against the dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
On Thursday, the dera tried an another ace, writing a letter in the name of the people of India and claiming innocence in terms which only damn the dera head.
In its letter to the nation, written after the directive of the Akal Takht to the Sikhs to maintain integrity of the country, the Dera said that tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, had pardoned Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for cruelty shown towards the Sahibzadas and other family kin of the Guru, and the Guru did so to preserve peace and brotherhood to prevail in the society.
"Is it not disrespect of the Gurbani and the Gurus that three apologies submitted by the Dera have been disregarded?" the letter added.
It also claimed that the Dera chief can't even think of imitating the tenth Guru.
What the dera's spin masters probably could not interpret was that all said and done, they were comparing their chief to infamous Aurangzeb, not a comparison that would make the dera happy.

IHRO Condemns Blockade on Khalsa March

Ludhiana, Punjab - The International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO) today censured severely the Punjab government and UT administration for barricading and preventing the Khalsa March at Mohali which was going to hold a peaceful sit-in before the residences of Punjab and Haryana chief ministers to highlight the Sikh grievances against the Dera "Sacha Sauda."
The IHRO chairperson D S Gill, general secretary M S Grewal, legal coordinator Sukhdev Singh Ramgarh Sibian and public relations secretary Inderjit Kaur also blamed both the Punjab and Haryana administrations for their inaction in bringing to book the cult head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
While holding Parkash Singh Badal, the Punjab chief minister and president of the SAD, responsible for putting pressure on Akal Takht, through his henchman, Avtar Singh Makkar, the SGPC chief to alter its edicts and decisions in tune with their nefarious political designs, for which they said, the people of Punjab would not forgive his regime which has indulged itself in the political gimmicks, as no Sikh worth his salt, will continue to tolerate the illegal activities of the Dera head.
Not only that, they said, the Opposition leader in the Punjab State Assembly openly supports the cause of the criminal cult leader just for petty electoral gains, adding that the dera head should be arrested along with such collaborators under 120-B of the IPC in all these incidents of crime as they are deliberately and maliciously instigating the offenders.
The IHRO activists further added: "The response of the Haryana Congress to the Sikh nation is not encouraging either, and it may go the Bhajan Lal way as it has been during the Asian games in 1982. So, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda needs to be more vigilant to understand the gravity of the matter and the wrath of the Sikh people against the culprits."
We also call upon all the Sikh groups, irrespective of their political affiliations and leadership crisis, to sink their differences and come together with the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) under the patronage of Akal Takht so long as it carries the spirit of the Khalsa Panth in order to bring to book the culprits and establish peace in the state.

Khalsa Action Committee Protest March Halted

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar – The Khalsa Protest March organized by the Khalsa Action Committee was halted by the Punjab Police even before it commenced from Gurdwara Amb Sahib. The march was held with several motives, amongst those: the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, release of S. Simranjit S. Mann, bail of various Singhs arrested in connection with attacking ‘Jhoota Sauda’ deras in Punjab, retracting of charges against Daljit S. Bittu and other Singhs, were the priorities.
The protest was going to be held in collaboration with various political and panthic jathebandis, including Shiromani Akal Dal (A), Shiromani Akali Dal 1920, Majha Akali Dal, Dal Khalsa, Damdami Taksal, Akhand Kirtani Jatha and others. According to the initial plans, the Khalsa Action Committee had decided to hold peaceful protests outside the houses of the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers.
All necessary planning was carried out by an eleven member committee instituted by the Khalsa Action Committee. This committee included members of various Sikh organizations. These members had already performed ardas and taken hukamnama to initiate the march, but upon leaving the Gurdwara Sahib, it was discovered that the large police force that was deployed around Gurdwara Amb Sahib had sealed the road from both sides which stopped the march from going any further.
According to Mr. R.S. Charta, SSP Mohali, the Khalsa Action Committee had not sought special orders to carry out the march and thus carrying out the march without court orders would be considered illegal. The police intervention was however declared superfluous by members of the Khalsa Action Committee. Bhai Mohkam Singh, main spokesperson of the Khalsa Action Committee held that permission was sought in advance from the Chandigarh Police and the Punjab Police intervention was wrongful and unnecessary.
Bhai Mohkam Singh further blamed Parkash Badal’s Government for failing to upkeep law and order in Punjab. He said that if Parkash Badal’s Government had shown any interest in honoring the sentiments of the Sikh community, Gurmeet Ram Rahim would have been arrested by now. He said that despite the fact that Gurmeet Ram Rahim has various types of criminal charges pending against him in court, the Punjab Government is still trying to save him.
Several other Sikh leaders also expressed grief over the cancellation of the march. On the other hand, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh showed complete surprise after seeing a letter printed on Akal Takhat Sahib’s letterhead asking the Sikh Sangat to withdraw the protest march. Other Sikh leadership however lashed out at Parkash Badal for once again forcing the Akal Takhat Sahib Jathedar to take actions under his political influence.
It was announced by the Khalsa Action Committee that all future programs would be held according to the schedule, along with the mega-convention. These programs will be carried out regardless of the wishes of the State Government and they will be held to achieve the same motives.
It was also learnt that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had played a big role in the cancellation of the protest march. According to Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SAD General Secretary and Tarlochan Singh, member of Haryana Rajya Sabha who expressed relief after the march was cancelled, Badal and Hooda followed the directions of Manmohan Singh when banning the march.

Unrest continues between Sirsa Cult and Sikh Sangat

Firozpur, Punjab – Months after Gurmeet Ram Rahim carried out his blasphemous act of mimicking Guru Gobind Singh Ji, tensions are still high in several parts of Punjab and neighboring states. This past week, just as the Khalsa Protest March had trouble in the hands of the Punjab Police, in another incident that took place here at Firozpur, the Punjab Police once against acted ruthlessly when a group of peaceful Sikh protestors started a protest outside the Dera of the Sacha Sauda cult.
Meanwhile tempers were simmering after the funeral of premi Jaswinder Sinh, the cult follower who had earlier committed suicide. Dera followers announced that they would be holding the controversial 'Naam-charcha' program on July 13th despite the fact that they were banned from holding such programs by Akal Takht Sahib and the Sikh Sangat. In reaction, local Panthic activists have pledged to stop any such function in their neighborhood.
Tensions rose in Firozpur when a group of Sikh protestors staged a fresh protest against a ‘naam charcha’ program that was organized by local Dera Sacha Sauda followers. The Sikh protestors held that the dera followers should not be allowed to hold these naam charchas because principles of the Sikh religion are many times insulted during the discourses. The Sikh delegation also asked that the ‘Ik Onkar’ symbol be removed from outside of the gate as the dera principals are not in alignment with the Sikh religion.
Tensions arose when the police refused to act upon the demands of the Sikhs. The Sikh protestors then took it upon themselves to remove the ‘Ik Onkar’ insignia from the gate of the dera. Although the ‘Ik Onkar’ is a religious symbol of the Sikhs, the police acted furiously and started to baton charge the Sikh protestors. Tear gas was also used to ‘control’ the protestors. Sikh Sangat vehicles were also infringed upon by the police in the process.
When the Sikhs realized that the police were going out of control, the Sikh Sangat started throwing rocks at the police. This helped discharge the police, but as a consequence of the clash, several Sikhs, over ten policemen and two press reporters had to be admitted to the local civil hospital.
After the situation was under control, a group of Sikh protestors told the press that the dera followers had challenged the local Sikhs to try stopping their naam charcha. It was because of these challenges that the local Sikh Youth felt the need to stop the naam charcha. Sikh protestors gathered outside the dera congregation in the early morning. At that time, only a few CRP men were present there who later asked the Punjab Police for help. When the Punjab Policemen reached the spot, they acted harshly and baton charged the protestors. The police troop was being headed by Dinesh Partap Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police.

Indian State's interference in Sikh Religious matters is unwarranted

Bhai Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu (Senior Vice President, Akali Dal Amritsar) held a press conference in Chandigarh. He claimed that Indian State is interfering in religious matters of Sikhs and this is unauthorized interference. He accused that State is ignoring sentiments of Sikh Nation and trying to forcibly suppressing Sikh movement in dera issue. For instance, he said, State stopped many persons and leaders from participating 9 July dharna in Mohali held by KAC. He informed SAD (A) youth leader S. Mandhir SIngh and his Jatha were stopped by Ropar Police. Similarly, Dal Khalsa Jatha was also stoped at Ropar. There are other incidents of like nature also. He said State is on its' way of closing all peaceful means of protest and this is extremely dangerous. He said if situation goes out of control the whole responsibility shall be on Central and State Government and its' agencies. Commenting on postponing Ratia convention he said firstly established Sikh Leadership takes decision without consulting Sikh Sangat and then postpone it under State Pressure. This trend is reducing the credibility of this leadership. As on 08 July S. Ram Singh of SAD (A) has announced in a press conference that SAD (A) has separated itself from Khalsa Action Committee, Bhai Bittu said that it may be thinking an individual and it is not decision of the party. He said we joined KAC after deciding for it in a Political Affairs Committee, and only PAC has the right to decide in this regard. On charges of Sedition against him and S. Simranjeet SIngh Maan and others, Bhai Daljit SIngh said that State is misusing law and legal process to trap Sikh leaders. He said role of Judiciary in this matter is also discouraging. It is worth notable that stay on arrest of Bhai Daljit Singh in a sedition case at Fatehgarh Sahib is vacated by the court of Addn. Sessions Judge on 4 July, the day when court rejected bail application. Meanwhile on 09 July the High Court has asked the Punjab Government to file reply by 02 August on bail application filed by Bhai Daljit SIngh in High Court through his council, Advo. Navkiran Singh, But the court has not stayed arrest of Bhai Bittu and police is in his search.

SGPC and KAC failed to resolve Dera Sacha Sauda issue : Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji

Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab - Former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh said that SGPC and the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) had failed to resolve the Dera Sacha Sauda row.
Talking to media persons at SGPC run Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Bhai Ranjit Singh accompanied by senior SAD(Amritsar) leader Emaan Singh Mann alleged that KAC lacked the will and the SGPC was `just a puppet’ in the hands of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal so the Dera row could not be resolved.
He said that both had failed to carry out the directives issued by the Akal Takht. He said that both the organizations were misleading the Sikh masses. He said no concrete measures had been taken till date that could force the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda to come and apologies at the Akal Takht.
Replying to a question, Bhai Ranjit Singh said that he and his supporter would join hands only with a committed Sikh organization, which really intended to resolve this issue and had the will to carry out the directives issued by the Akal Takht.
He said that the Dera chief had tried to run down the authorities of Akal Takht by sending apology letters that had been written by his followers and not by him. He said that instead the Dera chief should personally appear before the Akal Takht to tender an unconditional apology.
Bhai Ranjit Singh later visited the Talwara village near Sirhind, from where some religious books were alleged taken into custody by Fatehgarh Sahib Police from the Gurdwara library. He said that police could not have raided the Gurdwara without any prior knowledge of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal.

Akal Takht Jathedar statement is confusing : SSF

Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab - Commenting on statement of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, in which he asked Sikhs to keep Unity and integrity of India , Sikh Students Federation (SSF) President Parmjeet Singh Gazi said that this statement was unnecessary and confusing.
Talking to media persons, Gazi said during struggle against blasphemous act of Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS), so far Sikhs have not done anything which can be regarded as a danger to unity and integrity of country. So there was no need to give such a statement. SSF sees state pressure behind this statement. He said since Salabatpura episode a lot of physical as well as psychological violence has been done against Sikhs.
He accused that Indian State and Government of Punjab is totally ignoring sentiments and feelings of Sikhs. False charges of sedition against Sikhs, episodes like Ferozepore, non-activeness of State against dera head and excessive use of police force to suppress Sikh Struggle are steps towards closing all peaceful democratic means of protest. What ever is termed as misguided and ulterior acts in Akal Takht Jathedar statement is just an expression of anger and feelings of Sikh Nation.
He said Unity and Integrity of Sikh Nation is more important for Sikhs than unity and integrity of any geographical area. He said unity and integrity of Sikh nation has a threat from deras and Giani Joginder Singh along with all Sikhs is duty bound to protect Unity of Sikh Nation. SSF urges the Akal Takht Jathedar to refrain from issuing unnecessary and confusing statements under any kind of pressure.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Friday 13th July 2007

Avtar Singh, KAC chief trade charges

Amritsar, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) chief Bhai Mohkam Singh have crossed swords over seeking extension of the term of SGPC chief from the present one year to two-and-a-half years.
Both, KAC chief and SGPC president also traded charges of “siphoning of” gurdwara funds. Bhai Mohkam Singh said the SGPC must take Sikh masses and Panthic organisations into confidence before seeking the extension of the term of SGPC’s office-bearers.
While refuting the charges of Bhai Mohkam Singh that the Ratia Sikh conclave was postponed on the “directions” of the union home minister, the SGPC chief said this issue never cropped up at the meeting between SGPC delegation and the minister in New Delhi. “The delegation had simply sought acceptance of long-standing demands of the Sikhs, including handing over the rare manuscripts taken by the Army during Operation Bluestar,” he said.
The SGPC chief described Bhai Mohkam Singh a person of “dubious character” who had been “misleading” the Sikh masses for his “vested interests”. He said if the working of the SGPC was not up to the mark and there were reports of siphoning of gurdwara funds, then Bhai Mohkam Singh must tell his brother to resign as supervisor in the SGPC.
Meanwhile, Bhai Mohkam Singh and Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, met Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti at his official residence here to lodge their protest for postponing the Sikh conclave at Ratia in Haryana.
They also urged Jathedar Vedanti to lead the KAC march proposed to be launched on July 15 from the residence of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwale at Rode village. Though Jathedar Vedanti has assured his participation, yet sources say that he was unlikely to visit the residence of Sant Bhinderanwale to mark the beginning of the march.

‘Nandgarh has not resigned’

Amritsar, Dispelling speculations that Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh has resigned as Jathedar of Takht Nandgarh, SGPC chief Avtar Singh has said such rumours are being spread by some mischievous persons with a motive to create confusion in the Sikh Panth.
In a press note issued here today, the SGPC chief said Jathedar Nandgarh had been working for the Panth. Hence, there was no question of his stepping down as Jathedar.
Meanwhile, Jathedar Nandgarh remained inaccessible to the Sikh Sangat. His cellphone has been on the switched-off mode for the third consecutive day.

SAD (A) memo to Takht

Amritsar, Demanding strict action against the police officials who entered into a gurdwara in Talwara village, Fatehgarh Sahib, and took away books and photographs of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala, Bhai Beant Singh, Bhai Satwant Singh, Kehar Singh, Sukhdev Singh Sukha and others, the SAD (A) today presented a memorandum to Akal Takht here today.
Member of the SGPC Harcharn Singh Burjhari, along with other leaders, has urged the Jathedar of Akal Takht to immediately intervene.

CBI closes in on Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim
Sadhvis say they were raped

Sirsa: The CBI has indicated that it has enough evidence to convict Sacha Sauda dera head Gurmeet Ram Ram. One Sadhvi has said that she was raped for three years by the Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The CBI has also procured many records of medical treatment and hospitalisation of sadhvis at the Dera hospital.
As the doomsday nears for the Dera Sacha Sauda's murder and molestation of girls-accused head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, desperate efforts have been unleashed by the Sirsa camp to ward off the imminent danger.
Even as top sources in the CBI confirmed that the federal sleuthing agency investigating the murder case is all set to submit the report on July 31 to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, new revelations have hit media headlines. It seems three sadhvis of the dera have now gone on record before the CBI alleging rape against the dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
On Thursday, the dera tried an another ace, writing a letter in the name of the people of India and claiming innocence in terms which only damn the dera head.
In its letter to the nation, written after the directive of the Akal Takht to the Sikhs to maintain integrity of the country, the Dera said that tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, had pardoned Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for cruelty shown towards the Sahibzadas and other family kin of the Guru, and the Guru did so to preserve peace and brotherhood to prevail in the society.
"Is it not disrespect of the Gurbani and the Gurus that three apologies submitted by the Dera have been disregarded?" the letter added.
It also claimed that the Dera chief can't even think of imitating the tenth Guru.
What the dera's spin masters probably could not interpret was that all said and done, they were comparing their chief to infamous Aurangzeb, not a comparison that would make the dera happy.

Dera Follower

Bathinda :Chakk Attar Singh Wala, the native village of Jaswinder , a dera follower who had burnt himself to death in Sirsa, was today fortified with heavy police deployment. Stringent checks were imposed on the movement of people.
The bhog ceremony of Jaswinder is slated to be held in the village on Friday and dera followers have announced to hold a 'naam charcha' on the occasion. As a preventive measure, the police today took about 20 dera followers into custody. Police said the arrests were made on the basis of the case registered against dera followers for attacking cops on May 15 outside Mini-Secretariat.
"Among the arrested persons are Gurcharan Mann and Ajaib , who are members of a seven-member committee of the dera," said sources. "Given yesterday's sequence of events during cremation ceremony of other dera follower in Bathinda, we had apprehensions that the persons who have been arrested today can trigger an untoward incident during the bhog ceremony," Bathinda SSP Naunihal said.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that father of Jaswinder and the dera committee moved two separate applications to the district administration for allowing the satsang during the bhog ceremony. While the Bathinda DC was not available for comments despite repeated attempts, highly-placed officials said a conditional permission was given by the DC in which "he had asked to use only deceased's house for holding the ceremony and that too in the presence of family members and close relatives only". In Bathinda, paramilitary and Punjab Police continued to hold flag marches at regular intervals throughout the day.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Thursday 12th July 2007

Gurmatta Withdrawal Nandgarh, Samaj lodge protest with Vedanti


Amritsar, Even as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa and senior Panthic leaders held a closed-door meeting with Jathedar of Akal Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti over withdrawing “Gurmatta” for holding a Sikh conclave at Ratia in Haryana, the Sant Samaj has convened a meeting at Damdama Sahib on July 19 to discuss the next course of action in the dera controversy.
Baba Harnam Singh claimed that the Sikh high priests, including Jathedar Vedanti, would attend the proposed meeting at Damdama Sahib.
It was learnt that Jathedar Nandgarh lodged his protest with Jathedar Vedanti for taking decision to withdraw the “Gurmatta” without taking him (Jathedar Nandgarh) into confidence. The unscheduled meeting was held at the residence of Jathedar Vedanti and it lasted for more than two hours.
The religious leaders tried to persuade Jathedar Vedanti to hold a march to Ratia, to which the latter refused. A section of the Sant Samaj had described the volte face by Jathedar Vedanti regarding the proposed conclave as “unprecedented” in the Sikh history.
It is believed that Jathedar Nandgarh told Jathedar Vedanti that with the withdrawal of the “Gurmatta”, the institution of Akal Takht had been denigrated.
Though Jathedar Akal Takht could take independent decision on an issue, as per Sikh traditions, he had never reversed the “Gurmatta” passed by five Sikh high priests in the past without taking all of them into confidence.
Meanwhile, the chief of Damdami Taksal said the meeting of the Sant Samaj, which was proposed to be held at Ferozepur on July 13, had been advanced to July 12.
He said Sikh leaders would meet the Ferozepur administration to withdraw cases registered against Sikhs following clashes with followers of the dera.

Case against Akali leaders sought Dera follower cremated

Bathinda, Dera Sacha Sauda follower Sham Sunder Bansal, who died after setting himself afire to lodge his protest against the alleged harassment of followers of the sect by Akali leaders, was cremated at the local cremation ground amid tight security.
As the situation was tense in the town, policemen and paramilitary forces were deployed at various places.
Meanwhile, SHO of the city police station Harwinder Singh Virk said a case under Section 309 of the IPC was registered against Bansal on July 8. However, the section in the case had been changed to 306 of the IPC (forcing a person to commit suicide).
He said Bansal had not levelled allegations against anyone that he was forced to commit suicide. He had mentioned in his statement that Sandhu and Sarup Chand Singla were present at the function, the SHO added.
Meanwhile, the police had to face tough time taking the vehicle carrying the body of Bansal to the cremation ground.
Earlier, followers of the dera staged a dharna in front of the vehicle carrying the body at Bansal’s house in Paras Ram Nagar. They demanded that a criminal case be registered against Akali leaders, including a former minister, for harassment of members of the sect.
They let the vehicle moved to the cremation ground after a senior functionary of the dera assured them that a criminal case had been registered against two Akali leaders.
On the way, too, hundreds of followers staged a dharna in front of the Paras Ram Nagar police post, demanding the copy of the FIR in the immolation case.
The body was cremated according to the rituals of the sect.

Dayal urges dera chief to settle issue

Chandigarh, Dr Joginder Dayal, member of the national executive of the CPI, here today urged the chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda to reciprocate in a positive manner to the decision taken by Giani Joginder Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, with regard to the cancellation of the Sikh convention at Ratia.
He said the dera chief should come forward to settle all issues with those who had been feeling hurt because of his certain actions. He said the dera chief should confine himself only to religious activity and should have nothing to do with politics.
“It was wrong on the part of dera management to extend open support to a particular party,” he added. “If the dera chief is interested in politics, he should come out openly into the political arena,” said Dr Dayal.
Dr Dayal has urged the Sikh clergy to withdraw the call of social boycott of dera premis. “Social boycott is not desirable in our society. For centuries, Dalits have been suffering because of their social boycott by upper classes.”
The call given for social boycott leads to serious problems in society for decades to come. It can lead to vertical divisions on the basis of several factors including religion,” he said.
Commenting on Badal government, Dr Dayal said it was a direction-less government. The state was failing on the industrial, unemployment, law and order, education and other fronts. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is not worried to resolve these problems.
On the problem of rural indebtedness, he said, “All loans of farmers should be waived”, he said. Sick industry should be revived and the Union Government should be compelled to given industrial package to Punjab on the Himachal pattern.
He said because of unavailability of potable water, cancer was spreading in certain parts of the Malwa region. Level of toxicity in drinking water was very high, he added.
He said the oil refinery project in Punjab had been revived because of Laxmi Mittal and not because of the SAD-BJP government or the Congress party.
Dr Dayal said Punjab was being ruled by the SAD-BJP and not by the people’s government. The SAD-BJP was protecting its own activists and targeting opponents. The same was done by the previous Congress government, he said.

House of dera member torched or is it just false cases against sikhs

Bhagta Bhai Ka (Bathinda), July 11The house of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Rajinder Pal was set on fire by miscreants here late last night. At the time of the incident all members of the family were sleeping on the roof.
Fear gripped dera followers here and in adjoining villages after the incident came to light this morning.
Rajinder and his brother have been putting up in the house for the past many years. They run separate shops in the town.
Members of the family raised an alarm before the fire spread. They, with the help of local residents, doused the fire after little effort. The miscreants sprinkled kerosene on the front doors of the house to set these on fire.
One of the members of the family told The Tribune that that when they noticed flames, they immediately extinguished it with the help of local residents.
She said though the police was informed about the incident immediately, policemen and officials visited their house this morning only. No security had been provided to them by the police, she added.
The front doors of the house, a bed and window had got damaged in the fire.
Dyalpura SHO Jagjit Singh said a case under Sections 436 and 427 of the IPC had been registered on a complaint of Rajinder.

JD (S) flays remarks on Sukhbir

Hoshiarpur, July 11The Janata Dal (S) has condemned the recent statement of chief of Damdami Taksal Harnam Singh asking acting president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal to get himself baptised if he wanted to continue to lead the Sikh community in general and the Panthic party in particular.
Executive committee member of the Janata Dal (S) Balwant Singh Khera, in a press note issued here today, also criticised SGPC chief Avtar Singh for giving a full-page advertisement in various newspapers regarding the launch of “Singh Sajo campaign” from July 15.
“There are around 2 crore Sikhs in the world, of which only 5 per cent are Amritdhari Sikhs. Therefore, it is illogical to say that Gursikhs are lowly than Amritdhari Sikhs. Every Sikh who believes in ‘Kirat karo, nam japo and band chako’ is decent”, Khera said.

Indian State's interference in Sikh Religious matters is unwarranted

Chandigarh:Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu (Senior Vice President, Akali Dal Amritsar) held a press conference in Chandigarh. He claimed that Indian State is interfering in religious matters of Sikhs and this is unauthorized interference. He accused that State is ignoring sentiments of Sikh Nation and trying to forcibly suppressing Sikh movement in dera issue. For instance, he said, State stopped many persons and leaders from participating 9 July dharna in Mohali held by KAC. He informed SAD (A) youth leader S. Mandhir SIngh and his Jatha were stopped by Ropar Police. Similarly, Dal Khalsa Jatha was also stoped at Ropar. There are other incidents of like nature also. He said State is on its' way of closing all peaceful means of protest and this is extremely dangerous. He said if situation goes out of control the whole responsibility shall be on Central and State Government and its' agencies. Commenting on postponing Ratia convention he said firstly established Sikh Leadership takes decision without consulting Sikh Sangat and then postpone it under State Pressure. This trend is reducing the credibility of this leadership. As on 08 July S. Ram Singh of SAD (A) has announced in a press conference that SAD (A) has separated itself from Khalsa Action Committee, Bhai Bittu said that it may be thinking an individual and it is not decision of the party. He said we joined KAC after deciding for it in a Political Affairs Committee, and only PAC has the right to decide in this regard. On charges of Sedition against him and S. Simranjeet SIngh Maan and others, Bhai Daljit SIngh said that State is misusing law and legal process to trap Sikh leaders. He said role of Judiciary in this matter is also discouraging. It is worth notable that stay on arrest of Bhai Daljit Singh in a sedition case at Fatehgarh Sahib is vacated by the court of Addn. Sessions Judge on 4 July, the day when court rejected bail application. Meanwhile on 09 July the High Court has asked the Punjab Government to file reply by 02 August on bail application filed by Bhai Daljit SIngh in High Court through his council, Advo. Navkiran Singh, But the court has not stayed arrest of Bhai Bittu and police is in his search.

Haryana govt imposes restrictions on dera Sacha Sauda function

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Government has issued instructions that the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda would neither be allowed to use any public place nor loudspeakers for the purpose of their scheduled 'Nam Charcha' on July 12 at Ratia in Fatehabad district.
This was revealed by Haryana Chief Secretary, Prem Prashant while interacting with media persons here Wednesday.
Prem Prashant said that in case anyone has to do 'Nam Charcha', it might be done at one's home. He said that a decision to this effect has been taken to maintain peace in the area.
The Chief Secretary said that as the proposed Sikh rally, which was scheduled for today, had also been deferred by the Akal Takht Jathedar, the tense situation has been diffused. He appreciated that wise sense has prevailed upon both parties. As he was replying to the questions of media persons, he rang up Deputy Commissioner Fatehabad to enquire about the situation in Ratia. He was informed by the Deputy Commissioner that some people had visited the Gurdwara at Ratia, but returned after paying obeisance and situation was normal. The State Government would protect life and property of the people, he added.
In reply to another question, Prem Prashant made it clear that no instruction has been issued to prevent the people from visiting Gurudwara in Ratia. The State Government is in touch with Punjab Government and Chief Ministers of both States too have been discussing the issue with each other, he added.
On the issue of on going hunger strike by some of the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, the Chief Secretary said that none of their demands related to Haryana, but these were for Punjab. However, the doctors of Haryana were examining medically those on hunger strike and in case of worsening of anyone's condition, they were being shifted to hospital.
When asked to comment of the power situation, he said that power had been purchased at a rate of even Rs.seven or eight per unit for short term so as to ensure its supply to consumers.
He denied having received any proposal for construction of metro rail from Chandigarh to Ambala. However, he added that efforts were being made to connect Faridabad with metro rail in first phase of the project, but it would be possible by 2012 or 2013. Gurgaon would be connected with metro rail by 2010.
When his attention was drawn towards a newsitem appearing in a section of the press concerning the issue of tenure for IAS cadre posts in the State, the Chief Secretary made it clear that every State has its schedule of tenure. The Central Government has amended All India Service Rules for determination of fixed tenure for IAS cadre posts. The State Chief Minister has recommended a minimum tenure of one year for all IAS cadre posts in the State and his views have been communicated to the Central Government. In case of transfer of an officer, the issue is looked into by the Tenure Committee headed by the Chief Secretary. he added.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Wednesday 11th July 2007

The happenings in Punjab displayed above, nothing has changed, we are still not free.

Khalsa Action Committee march stopped in Mohali

Chandigarh: Frsutrating the plans of the panthic bodies under the banner of Khalsa Action Committee to march to the residences of the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers, the Punjab Police prevented a march of hundreds of Sikhs protesters against Sacha Sauda dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim from entering Chandigarh.
The representatives of the Chief Ministers reached Mohali to collect the memorandums, signed by Bhai Mohkam Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh, Karnail Singh Panjoli, Gurdip Singh Bhatinda and Paramjit Singh.
The march was stopped in Mohali itself after they it from Gurudwara Amb Sahib. The marchers were to sit on a dharna in front of the official residences of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana. The protesters then got together into an impromptu rally after seeing that they will be forcibly stopped as the Chandigarh police had put up barricades and stationed riot police at the city's border crossover points with Punjab.
The march was organised by the Khalsa Action Committee, which also includes Dal Khalsa and Damdami Taksal but the Akali Dal (Amritsar) had announced that it will keep away from the march.
Meanwhile, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti has said that the July 11 rally at Ratia in Fatehabad district of Haryana, 15 km from the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, would be held as scheduled.
In the memorandum submitted to Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, the protesters said that "Due to laxity in dealing with such a sensitive issue, the cult leader and his so-called premis have become more offensive, and their targets are mostly the mainstream Sikhs, who are committed to Akal Takht and its edicts issued in this regard from time to time."
"The situation is similar to the one prevailing before April 1978 and June 1984...Regrettably, this day too, justice to the Sikhs seems in jeopardy in Punjab and Haryana. The laxity on part of Punjab and Haryana administrations notwithstanding, the Centre and the higher judiciary are either sleeping over such a sensitive issue or lacking a proper vision (will) to deal with the matter. Not only that, the Opposition leader in the Punjab State Assembly openly supports the cause of the criminal cult leader just for petty electoral gains. It seems that the Congress did not learn any lesson from the past.
"(T)hings have been allowed to come to a pass where the Dera head projects himself as a law unto himself. He encourages (preaches) violence through his followers, the terrorists in the garb of dera-premis. They need to be brought to book in order to curb their criminal activities and put an end to their nefarious designs and machinations to create trouble for the state, apparently at the instance of their Delhi masters. The filing of a petition before the President of India to dislodge the Punjab government claiming that it had failed to maintain law and order in the state is not without strings.
"On the other hand, Sardar Badal, your litany -- law will take its course; no one is above law and rule of law will prevail -- is nothing but a reflection of the lackadaisical approach of the state government of which you are the head."
The memo further said: "Mr Badal, in the given situation, you need to immediately neutralise your political enemies within the Panth and counter the others, especially the Congress which is at the back of this episode, by becoming proactive to act against this menace.
"The first thing you need to do is to unconditionally release and take back cases of the Sikh leaders, including Simranjit Singh Mann and Daljit Singh Bittu who have been booked due to political reasons. Sardar Mann is being kept behind bars only to stall his political activities that could be directed against the dera chief and his co-cultists. Bhai Bittu is being terrorised into silence only because he is a leading member (co-convenor) of the KAC.
"Secondly, withdraw all cases falsely registered against all those Sikhs, who have been active during Sikh agitations against the cultists in the wake of the Dera row. The foremost need is to immediately arrest all those so-called dera-premis involved in the murder of Bhai Kamaljit Singh and the murderous assault on innocent Sikhs at Bathinda. The dera head should be arrested along with his coterie of advisors (spokespersons) under 120-B of the IPC in all these incidents as they have deliberately and maliciously instigated the offenders."
"As far as the case under section 295-A of the IPC against the dera head and others is concerned, any apology whatsoever it may be, does not absolve the culprits as the case is non-compoundable. Any relief from the High Court under section 438 Cr P C is a misnomer and it should be effectively challenged forthwith.
"Despite his so-called apology, misleadingly pleaded in the HC, the dera head is repeatedly ridiculing the Sikh religion and its amrit-sanchar ceremony. More such cases should be registered against him and his associates. They should be arrested in fresh cases as law does not tolerate such blasphemous and outrageous acts in which these dera premis are unashamedly indulging."

Indian State's interference in Sikh Religious matters is unwarranted

Chandigarh:Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu (Senior Vice President, Akali Dal Amritsar) held a press conference in Chandigarh. He claimed that Indian State is interfering in religious matters of Sikhs and this is unauthorized interference. He accused that State is ignoring sentiments of Sikh Nation and trying to forcibly suppressing Sikh movement in dera issue. For instance, he said, State stopped many persons and leaders from participating 9 July dharna in Mohali held by KAC. He informed SAD (A) youth leader S. Mandhir SIngh and his Jatha were stopped by Ropar Police. Similarly, Dal Khalsa Jatha was also stoped at Ropar. There are other incidents of like nature also. He said State is on its' way of closing all peaceful means of protest and this is extremely dangerous. He said if situation goes out of control the whole responsibility shall be on Central and State Government and its' agencies. Commenting on postponing Ratia convention he said firstly established Sikh Leadership takes decision without consulting Sikh Sangat and then postpone it under State Pressure. This trend is reducing the credibility of this leadership. As on 08 July S. Ram Singh of SAD (A) has announced in a press conference that SAD (A) has separated itself from Khalsa Action Committee, Bhai Bittu said that it may be thinking an individual and it is not decision of the party. He said we joined KAC after deciding for it in a Political Affairs Committee, and only PAC has the right to decide in this regard. On charges of Sedition against him and S. Simranjeet SIngh Maan and others, Bhai Daljit SIngh said that State is misusing law and legal process to trap Sikh leaders. He said role of Judiciary in this matter is also discouraging. It is worth notable that stay on arrest of Bhai Daljit Singh in a sedition case at Fatehgarh Sahib is vacated by the court of Addn. Sessions Judge on 4 July, the day when court rejected bail application. Meanwhile on 09 July the High Court has asked the Punjab Government to file reply by 02 August on bail application filed by Bhai Daljit SIngh in High Court through his council, Advo. Navkiran Singh, But the court has not stayed arrest of Bhai Bittu and police is in his search.

Conclave PM’s intervention did it

Amritsar, The timely intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh helped in defusing the Sikh-Dera Sacha Sauda impasse. He had conveyed his concern over the impending confrontation to Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, secretary-general, SAD, and Tarlochan Singh, a Rajya Sabha Member from Haryana , during their meeting in New Delhi yesterday.
Both Dhindsa and Tarlochan Singh conveyed the anxiety of the Prime Minister to Parkash Singh Badal and Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana. The Prime Minister had reportedly told the Sikh leaders that the clashes had been bringing a bad name to the community and some way be found to get the Sikh conclave postponed.
Tarlochan Singh then motivated the members of Haryana SGPC to send their representation to the Jathedar, Akal Takht, to help in defusing the impending confrontation. He also spoke to Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti on this issue. The SGPC chief, Avtar Singh, also prevailed upon Jathedar Vedanti to withdraw the call.
Talking to The Tribune, Tarlochan Singh said the Prime Minister also talked to the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers to seek their cooperation in defusing the situation.
The SGPC members from Haryana, belonging to both groups, had also faxed their representation to the Jathedar, Akal Takht, in which they apprehended that the conclave might result in violence. The union home minister had also sought the cooperation of SGPC chief during their meeting in New Delhi.
The move to get the conclave postponed was kept secret which was clear from the fact that Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, expressed surprise over the development.
On learning that Jathedar Nandgarh was annoyed with the postponement, the entire top leadership of SAD and SGPC used their good offices to stop him from taking the extreme step of sticking to the “gurmatta”.

Khalsa panel struggle being crushed: Bittu

Chandigarh, Senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Daljit Singh Bittu here today said the peaceful struggle waged by the Khalsa Action Committee against Dera Sacha Sauda was being “suppressed” by the Punjab and union governments.
He said the committee was committed to getting the decisions announced by Akal Takht against the dera chief implemented. The social boycott of the dera would continue. But all this would be done peacefully, he added.

24 Sikh protesters, six cops hurt in clash

More than 24 Sikh protesters and several policemen were injured during a clash in front of the Dera Sacha Sauda branch situated on the Hussainiwala road here this morning.Hundreds of Sikh protesters reached the dera early morning to prevent dera followers from holding "Naamcharcha”.ADC Rahul Tiwari and SDM D.P.S. Kharbanda, who had reached the spot early morning, said the district administration had already prevailed upon dera followers not to organise “Naamcharcha”.The SDM said the administration told the leaders accompanying the protesters that since "Naamcharcha" was not being held, they should return peacefully.Instead of returning, the protesters, which included workers from various Sikh bodies, broke the police barrier and rushed towards the dera.They demanded that the symbol of "Ek Onkar" placed at the entrance of the dera should be removed as the dera was not supposed to use that symbol. The civil authorities told the protesters that since Akal Takht had not issued any directives on use of "Ek Onkar", they should not insist on removing it so that the atmosphere did not get vitiated.The protesters started pelting stones and attacked the police with swords and other sharp-edged weapons. Six policemen - head constable Sudesh Pal, Nirbhai Singh, Angrej Singh, Subhash Chander, Darshan Dayal and Jagir Singh - were injured in the incident. Two photojournalists also sustained injuries.The police used water canons and teargas shells and later resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.Paramjit Singh Kalsi, president, Sikh Student Federation, termed the police action as unwarranted. He denied that the protesters had turned violent and blamed the district administration for the melee.The police has registered a case against prominent Sikh leaders who led the protest. According to information, the police has registered a case under Sections 307, 324, 353, 186, 332 and 188,, IPC, against Harpal Singh Bhullar, Paramjit Singh Kalsi, Jaspal Singh, Udik Singh Kunde, Dilbagh Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Ladda, Balwinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Rajinder Singh, Harjinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh along with a few unidentified persons for defying magisterial orders, instigating the crowd and causing injuries to policemen.When contacted, Harpal Singh Bhullar, while condemning the police action, stated that instead of registering a case against the dera followers, the police has falsely implicated them for no fault of theirs. Bhullar said that he, along with other leaders, tried their level best to pacify the crowd but some persons from other towns had turned violent.

Only baptised Sikh should lead SAD

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa of Damdami Taksal, who is also a member of the Sant Samaj, yesterday observed that only a baptised Sikh should lead the SAD as only such a person could become a role model and stem the tide against the increasing apostasy among the community.To the utter dismay of party acting chief Sukhbir Badal and his supporters, he suggested that Sukhbir get baptised immediately if he wanted to continue to lead the Sikh community in general and the Panthic party in particular.
Visibly stung by the statement, senior leaders could be seen smarting under the comment which was greatly appreciated by the audience.He was addressing a gathering at Gurdwara Ram Sar at Kaind village, near here, on the occasion of the fourth death anniversary of Sant Mohinder Singh.Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, who is also president of the Gurmat Sidhant Parchar Committee, alleged that it was the apathy of Sikh leaders in propagating Sikhism in the northern states, including Punjab, which was responsible for the mushrooming of deras and anti-Sikh forces.Later, during a meeting chaired by Badal, various constituents of the Sant Samaj accused the state police of shielding Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim who, according to them, should have been arrested by now."The police not only helped him by delaying the process for his arrest, it also did not seize his passport also," alleged Baba Harnam Singh maintaining that the court had directed the police to take the travel document in its possession.After giving a patient hearing to the office-bearers of the Sant Samaj, Sukhbir Badal said, "Within two days, you will find that necessary action on the part of the state government has been taken." The administration was supposed to act according to the orders of the court, he added.

Haryana CM offers to coordinate with Punjab on dera Sacha Sauda issue

CHANDIGARH: Focussing on dera Sacha Sauda controversy, the Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh hooda Monday in a significant statement said that his government is committed to maintain peace and harmony in the entire region. He said his government would work in coordination with Punjab government to maintain peace.
He said that action would be taken as per law and law and order would be maintained at all cost and no body would be allowed to vitiate peace full atmosphere of the state.
The statement of Hooda came minutes after the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti in Amritsar announced to postpone the Ratia Sikh conclave of July 11. It is understood that some understanding has been reached behind the scene between Haryana and Punjab governments to deal effectively with dera Sacha Sauda issue.
An official spokesman of Haryana government said late at night on Monday that the Ludhiana based Khalsa action committee today presented a memorandum to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for securing justice to ensure rule of law and peace in haryana and punjab in the wake of dera sacha sauda's, alleged criminial activities against sikh faith and sikh community. They also stressed to take stringent legal measures against dera head and other cultists. The memorandum signed by Bhai Jasbir Dingh Khalsa and Harinder Singh Khalsa of Khalsa Action ommittee was received by OSD to haryana CM, M.S.Chopra on behalf of the CM at Chandigarh-Mohali border today.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Tuesday 10th July 2007

Dera row: Ratia Sikh conclave postponed Decision divides Sikh clergy

Amritsar, Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti has postponed the Sikh conclave, scheduled for July 11 at Ratia in Haryana following tremendous pressure from various quarters. This was stated in a press note, issued on the letter head of Akal Takht this evening here.
However, the decision left the Sikh clergy divided even as Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib expressed surprise over the issuance of the press note. The Sikh high priests yesterday announced that “come what may” the Sikh conclave would be held as per schedule.
However, with the volte-face, the Sikh masses in general and SGPC members from Haryana and Tarlochan Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from Haryana, have expressed happiness over the decision of the Jathedar Akal Takht.
The decision to postpone the Sikh conclave had been taken in the larger interest of the Sikh community. Jathedar Vedanti said the decision to postpone the Panthic conclave had been taken in the wake of the developments which were not in the interest of the Sikh community.
Sirsa: Dera Sacha Sauda has decided to postpone its scheduled discourse programme to be held at Ratia in Fatehabad district on July 11 after holding a meeting with the peace committee and officials this evening. The dera will now organise the discourse on July 12.

Khalsa march fizzles out

Mohali, The Khalsa march led by Khalsa Action Committee members fizzled out here this afternoon when the Mohali police stopped them outside Gurdwara Amb Sahib. Terming the move as death of democracy in the state, committee members announced that the Akali government had violated the orders of Akal Takht in stopping them from carrying out the Takht’s instructions.
The committee had asked Sikhs to gather at the gurdwara this morning and march to the residence of the Chief Ministers, Punjab and Haryana, to protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the two governments in taking action against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
Donning black overalls, the committee members, leading a group of about 200 persons, walked out of the gurdwara but were stopped there by the police. Chanting “waheguru, waheguru”, the group remained peaceful. Rejecting the offer of the Chandigarh police to take a contingent of representatives to the houses of the two Chief Ministers to hand over their charter of demands, the protesters sat down on the road amid heavy police presence.
Addressing the group, Karnail Singh Panjoli said the state government should not have interfered like this. “We were given assurances by Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal that we would not be stopped. Even the DGP talked to us this morning and told us that we would be allowed to go up to the border of Chandigarh,” he said. Ravinder Singh of Shiromani Akali Dal (1920) alleged that the Punjab government was in unison with the dera chief.
Later, it was decided that the officers on special duty to the two Chief Ministers be called to the spot to accept the memorandum. N.S. Sangha. OSD to Punjab Chief Minister, and M.S. Chopra, OSD to Chief Minister, Haryana, accompanied by Ram Kishan, chief parliamentary secretary, Haryana, accepted the memorandum. In it the committee members have pointed out that due to the laxity in dealing with the dera issue the “cult leader and his so called ‘premis’ have become more offensive and their targets are mostly the mainstream Sikhs.”
The members demanded the release of Simranjit Singh Mann and withdrawal of cases against Daljit Singh Bittu and all those Sikhs who were active during Sikh agitations against the cultists. “This is the last time we are handing over memorandums to the government. After this we will only stage protests,” said Panjoli.
The committee members alleged that the police stopped a large number of their supporters all across the state.
Meanwhile, SSP, Mohali, R.S. Khatra said Section 144 of the CrPC had been promulgated in the district and a special permission was required for the march, which the protestors did not bother to procure. “We had no option but to stop them from collecting and moving forward,” he said.


Suicide bid Dera follower dead
Kiosk burnt

Sangrur, The tea stall of a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda, Om Parkash, was burnt by unidentified persons near the old truck union office here last night. A complaint in this regard had been lodged with the police by the dera followers.
Bathinda, July 9Shyam Sunder Bansal, a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda, who attempted self-immolation in this town last evening, died at Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi tonight. Shyam Sunder Bansal had suffered more than 70 per cent burns.
A criminal case had been registered against Sham Sunder Bansal for attempting self-immolation in Paras Ram Nagar area of this town late last evening.
Nau Nihal Singh, SSP, said a case under Section 309 of the IPC was registered against Sham Sunder.
Sham Sunder made the attempt after a function organised in connection with bringing a large section of dera followers back into the fold of Sikhism at Gurdwara Tungwali got over. It was organised by a local Akali worker.
He was first taken to the local civil hospital. He was later shifted to a Delhi-based hospital.
Harwinder Sharma, one of the eyewitnesses, said he was standing along with four persons when they saw Sham Sunder in flames. He pointed out that Sham Sunder was crying for help. He added that they managed to douse the flames and arranged the vehicle to take him to the hospital.
However, the SSP said so far he has not received any complaint in this connection.
Sham Sunder in his statement to the police had said that he took the extreme step as he could not tolerate the harassment being done to the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda by members of a Sikh organisation. He also recorded that he could not tolerate what was being done to the followers by a section of society.
Interestingly, the police officials, who accompanied the patient, took plain papers from the police post, Pathrala, to record the statement.

‘Amrit sanchar’ drive from July 15

Amritsar, To counter the dera culture and social evils and give direction to the youth of the state, the SGPC has decided to launch an “amrit sanchar” drive in different parts of the state from July 15.
SGPC president Avtar Singh here today released the schedule of various programmes to be held as part of the drive. He said the “dharam prachar” drive had also been launched under the supervision of SGPC members in their areas.

SGPC delegation meets Patil

Amritsar, A four-member delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), led by its president Avtar Singh Makkar, met union home minister Shivraj Patil today for immediately stopping the unfortunate activities of the Dera Sacha Sauda and speeding up the probe in the serious charges of rape and murder against the dera chief.
The delegation included senior vice-president Dalmegh Singh Secretary and Iqbal Singh Media advisor of the SGPC.
Makkar urged the home minister to speed up the action against the dera chief so that the peaceful environment of Punjab was not disturbed.

Seeking bail, SAD (A) leader says case against him false

Chandigarh, Senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Daljit Singh, alias Bittu, today claimed he was booked on false allegations of raising seditious slogans during a peaceful march as the ruling party solely wanted to gain political mileage out of the Dera Sacha Sauda issue.
In his application filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court for pre-arrest bail, Bittu claimed that the ruling SAD did not appreciate the participation of other groups in peaceful marches organised by the Sikh community. In an attempt to prevent his party from coming into the limelight by taking part in one such march, a false case was planted on him, he added.
Going into the background of the matter, he said a first information report was registered on May 31 under Sections 124-A, 153-A, 341 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code at Fatehgarh Sahib police station. The main allegations against him were that he had raised slogans which fell under the definition of seditious uttering during a march the same day. Taking up the petition, Mr Justice L.N. Mittal of the high court today issued notice of motion to the state of Punjab. The case will now come up on August 3 for further hearing.

Sikh Protesters Stoped From Entring in Chandigarh by Punjab Police

Frsutrating the plans of the panthic bodies under the banner of Khalsa Action Committee to march to the residences of the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers, the Punjab Police prevented a march of hundreds of Sikhs protesters against Sacha Sauda dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim from entering Chandigarh. The representatives of the Chief Ministers reached Mohali to collect the memorandums, signed by Bhai Mohkam Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh, Karnail Singh Panjoli, Gurdip Singh Bhatinda and Paramjit Singh Gazi. Two representatives, Udham Singh and Jaswant SIngh (Haryana) were selected from sangat to hand-over memorandum, as no prominent personailty came to receive it.The march was stopped in Mohali itself after they it from Gurudwara Amb Sahib. The marchers were to sit on a dharna in front of the official residences of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana. The protesters then got together into an impromptu rally after seeing that they will be forcibly stopped as the Chandigarh police had put up barricades and stationed riot police at the city's border crossover points with Punjab.

Police Lathicharged Sikhs in Firozpur

Tension prevailed in Firozpore over function of dera sauda sirsa (DSS). Members of various SIkh organizations gathered to stop the function of dera. Police personal was deployed in large number. As the situation was very tense souda function was stoped. After that Sikh Bodies were demaning removal of boards of dera which was carring Sikh Symbols. Here they come in conflict with police. Police used tear gas and fired rubber bulits on Sikhs. In this lathicahrge some Sikhs are injurred. Sources says Police have registered cases against the organisation leaders including Harpal Singh Bhullar, Paramjit Singh Kalsi, Jaspal Singh, Udik Singh Kunde, Dilbagh Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Ladda, Balwinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Rajinder Singh, Harjinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh besides some unidentified persons. The charges include defying magisterial orders, instigating the crowd and causing injuries to policemen.

Akal Takht postpones Ratia rally after pressure mounted on Badal govt

Chandigarh: As concerns over maintaining peace grew in view of the proposed Sikh Sammelan at Ratia in Haryana, the top Sikh clergy led by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti on Monday evening announced postponement of the rally citing their desire to maintain peace.
The decision, announced by the Akal Takht secretariat around 7 pm Monday evening India time, is likely to be viewed as backtracking by many panthic bodies, particularly because it comes after a pattern of moves by the clergy which involved two steps forward, one step backward strategy repeatedly.
The call for the rally was given by the Akal Takht a fortnight ago when the clergy had met specially to consider the apology of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on June 27. The clerics hadd rejected the apology and had issued a separate Gurmata for the Ratia rally.
After consistently maintaining that the Akal Takht orders can never be altered or taken back, the postponement of the rally is likely to lead to serious issues within the Sikh community. The Punjab Government was under considerable pressure from the Haryana government on the question of the rally.
Particularly, the postponement comes after expressions of concern and reports that it was giving anxious moments to the Haryana government and Haryana police as thousands of Sikhs were expected to participate in it at a venue which is barely 15 km away from the Dera Sacha Sauda sect headquarters in Sirsa.
Moreover, the sect management had also called for a big prayer meeting of its followers at its headquarters on the same day - which has now been postponed by a day.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda as well as senior civil and police officials from both states had met last week to discuss the issue. The Haryana government was apprehensive that the rally could lead to violence.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the dera head, is accused in a murder case under investigation by the CBI and the Sikhs are enraged that he imitated the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs' Amrit Sanchar ceremony and uses lexicon typical of the Sikhs.

Punjab police thwarts KAC attempt for dharna at CM's residence

CHANDIGARH: Punjab police on Monday thwarted an attempt by the members of Khalsa Action Committee(KAC) formed by radical Sikh organisations to counter dera Sacha Sauda from holding a dharna in front of residences of Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers here.
The KAC members and their supporters had announced to hold dharna to press for the arrest of dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh who is booked by Punjab police in a case of blasphemy. Yet, Akal Takht has also convened a Sikh conclave in Ratia in Haryana on July 11 on same issue.
About 500 activists of various Sikh organistions led by KAC convener Bhai Mohkam Singh of Damdami Taksal assembled at Gurdawara Amb Sahib in Mohali and started marching towards Chandigarh. They however were stopped by strong police contingent from moving forward. The KAC started dharna at Mohali and asked the police authorities to ask Punjab and Haryana Chief Minister to come there to accept the memorandum.
The both government's had sent their respective OSD's to collect the memorandum. Kanwarpal Singh Bittu secretary general of Dal Khalsa said that it was unfortunate that state governments had sent bureaucrats to collect memorandum whereas either CM's themselves or any senior minister should have come.
He said that they were told that Chandigarh administration had imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 in city. He wondered that then Chandigarh police should have stopped them at the city border but why Punjab police has stopped them from holding march.

Dera issue: KAC blames Punjab, Haryana govt for laxity

CHANDIGARH: The Khalsa Action Committee on Monday in separate memorendum submitted to Punjab and Haryana governments has demanded immediate arrest of dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh to save the law and order situation.
The memorandum submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said, " Due to laxity in dealing with such a sensitive issue, the cult leader and his so-called premis have become more offensive, and their targets are mostly the mainstream Sikhs, who are committed to Akal Takht and its edicts issued in this regard from time to time. No Sikh worth his salt, will continue to tolerate the illegal activities of the Dera head who had attired himself like Guru Gobind Singh and tried to negate (or equate) the Amrit of the Guru. The worldwide reaction of the Sikhs to the blasphemous activity of the dera is a testimony to this".
It further said that regrettably justice to the Sikhs seems in jeopardy in Punjab and Haryana. The laxity on part of Punjab and Haryana administrations notwithstanding, the Centre and the higher judiciary are either sleeping over such a sensitive issue or lacking a proper vision (will) to deal with the matter. Not only that, the Opposition leader in the Punjab State Assembly openly supports the cause of the criminal cult leader just for petty electoral gains. It seems that the Congress did not learn any lesson from the past.
The KAC has quoted that Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Master has proclaimed it earlier at Dina Kangar, in his Zafarnama, that: 'When all other means of resistance against tyranny and oppression fail, it is legitimate, as a last resort, to turn to the sword.'
Addressing Badal, the memo said that in the given situation, you need to immediately neutralise your political enemies within the Panth and counter the others, especially the Congress which is at the back of this episode, by becoming proactive to act against this menace.
The KAC stated that the dera head should be arrested along with his coterie of advisors (spokespersons) under 120-B of the IPC in all these incidents as they have deliberately and maliciously instigated the offenders.
As far as the case under section 295-A of the IPC against the dera head and others is concerned, any apology whatsoever it may be, does not absolve the culprits as the case is non-compoundable. Any relief from the High Court under section 438 Cr P C is a misnomer and it should be effectively challenged forthwith, it added.
In the memorendum submitted to Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the KAC said that due to laxity in dealing with such a sensitive issue, the cult leader and his so-called premis have become more offensive, and their targets are mostly the mainstream Sikhs, who are committed to Akal Takht and its edicts issued in this regard from time to time. No Sikh worth his salt, will continue to tolerate the illegal activities of the Dera head who had attired himself like Guru Gobind Singh and tried to negate (or equate) the Amrit of the Guru. The worldwide reaction of the Sikhs to the blasphemous activity of the dera is a testimony to this.
It said that the response of the Haryana Congress to the Sikh nation is not encouraging either. We are afraid it may not go the Bhajan Lal way in your state. Sikhs have not forgotten the Haryana government’s role vis-à-vis the Sikhs during the Asian games in 1982. We, for sure, know that no responsible head of a state government would allow the situation to deteriorate and ultimately face the music himself.
The KAC said that no one among them has any explanation as to why your government had failed to bring to book the cult head in rape and murder cases, why the Indian premier investigation agency, the CBI, has become a baby cat before the dera head, thus rendering the Hon’ble HC ineffective, and why your government is dragging it's feet from the matter.
The KAC has demanded to register case against dera head in Haryana on the pattern of Punjab and lend full support and cooperation to the Punjab government to bell the "wolf- the sinner" and put him behind the bars.
The foremost thing needs to be done by your government is to ban and seal the Dera premises or deras wherein these illegal and immoral activities are carried out, almost daily, the KAC told Haryana CM.

Dera trouble sparks in Majha too

Dera controversy has hit Majha region too. A violent clash was today averted in Gaggo-Bua village in neighbouring Tarn Taran district, following which the police made elaborate security arrangements.
According to the eyewitnesses, the trouble started when a group of Sikhs, representing Damdami Taksal and local Satkar Committee, allegedly went to the house of Harjit Singh, a Dera Sacha Sauda follower, after they received information that he had hung the photograph of dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh above that of Guru Gobind Singh.
Harjit, a retired Punjab Police employee, first resisted the move, but on seeing the pressure rising, agreed to remove the portrait of the dera head. The senior residents of the village intervened and the matter was resolved. Meanwhile, Harjit and Sikhs have filed separate complaints with the police and the situation was being said to be tense, but under control.
Tarn Taran DSP (City) Ranbir Singh said the police had received the complaint from Harjit against a group of Sikhs, who forcibly entered his house and threatened him with dire consequences.
He also confirmed that Sikhs leaders too have filed a cross complaint against Harjit Singh for hurting religious sentiments of the community. In the complaint, the Damdami Taksal alleged that they feared that Harjit would hold dera’s religious function in the area shortly.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Monday 9th July 2007

Dera Row - 24 protesters, six cops hurt in clash

Ferozepur, More than 24 Sikh protesters and several policemen were injured during a clash in front of the Dera Sacha Sauda branch situated on the Hussainiwala road here this morning.
Hundreds of Sikh protesters reached the dera early morning to prevent dera followers from holding "Naamcharcha”.
ADC Rahul Tiwari and SDM D.P.S. Kharbanda, who had reached the spot early morning, said the district administration had already prevailed upon dera followers not to organise “Naamcharcha”.
The SDM said the administration told the leaders accompanying the protesters that since "Naamcharcha" was not being held, they should return peacefully.
Instead of returning, the protesters, which included workers from various Sikh bodies, broke the police barrier and rushed towards the dera.
They demanded that the symbol of "Ek Onkar" placed at the entrance of the dera should be removed as the dera was not supposed to use that symbol. The civil authorities told the protesters that since Akal Takht had not issued any directives on use of "Ek Onkar", they should not insist on removing it so that the atmosphere did not get vitiated.
The protesters started pelting stones and attacked the police with swords and other sharp-edged weapons. Six policemen - head constable Sudesh Pal, Nirbhai Singh, Angrej Singh, Subhash Chander, Darshan Dayal and Jagir Singh - were injured in the incident. Two photojournalists also sustained injuries.
The police used water canons and teargas shells and later resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd.
Paramjit Singh Kalsi, president, Sikh Student Federation, termed the police action as unwarranted. He denied that the protesters had turned violent and blamed the district administration for the melee.
The police has registered a case against prominent Sikh leaders who led the protest. According to information, the police has registered a case under Sections 307, 324, 353, 186, 332 and 188,, IPC, against Harpal Singh Bhullar, Paramjit Singh Kalsi, Jaspal Singh, Udik Singh Kunde, Dilbagh Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Ladda, Balwinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Rajinder Singh, Harjinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh along with a few unidentified persons for defying magisterial orders, instigating the crowd and causing injuries to policemen.
When contacted, Harpal Singh Bhullar, while condemning the police action, stated that instead of registering a case against the dera followers, the police has falsely implicated them for no fault of theirs. Bhullar said that he, along with other leaders, tried their level best to pacify the crowd but some persons from other towns had turned violent.

Another dera follower sets himself afire

Bathinda, Sham Sunder Bansal, a young follower of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda today attempted self-immolation in Paras Ram Nagar area of here late evening today.
Bansal, who deals in electronic business, attempted self-immolation after a function organised to bring a large section of dera followers back into the fold of Sikhism in Gurdwara Tungwali in Paras Ram Nagar got over.
Harwinder Sharma, an eyewitnesses, said four persons were standing near the gurdwara when they saw a ball of fire coming towards them. Bansal, who had used kerosene to set himself afire, suffered 70 to 80 pc burns. He was conscious when taken to hospital.

SAD (A) to boycott Ratia conference

Amritsar, The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) will not participate in the panthic conference to be held in Ratia in Haryana on July 11. Akal Takht is organising the conference. The SAD (A) is apprehensive about the safety of the Sikhs who are in minority there.
Ram Singh general secretary SAD (A) said here today the party would participate in the conference only if Akal Takh Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti assured them life and property of the Sikhs living in Haryana would be safe besides changing the site of the conference. He said Jathedar Vedanti should also assure the Sikhs that no untoward incident would take place which could harm interests of the community in that state.
Ram Singh said a delegation of the pary would soon meet union home minister Shivraj Patil, in New Delhi to apprise him of the atrocities committed by the SAD-BJP government on the party workers and the members of the minority communities in the state. He said if the union government failed to provide any relief they would be forced to meet the President in this regard.
Meanwhile, Jathedar Vedanti has clarified the panthic conference would be held in Ratia at all costs. He said the Haryana government would be responsible if any untoward incident happened at the site of the conference. He also appealed to the Sikhs in the country and abroad for launching peaceful campaign against the dera.
A meeting of the Sikh high priests was also held at Akal Takht to reconsider the letter issued by the dera chief on June 27 for seeking forgiveness. Rejecting the ‘mafinama’ the resolution said it was simply a press note without any signatures and was not addressed to anyone.

Dera Row- Dharnas before houses of Badal, Hooda today

Chandigarh/Mohali, The 15-member Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) will lead a gathering of 1,100 Sikhs to stage dharnas in front of the residence of the Punjab Chief Minister and Haryana Chief Minister here tomorrow.
Committee members are protesting against the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the two governments in taking action against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and instead were clamping down on them.
“We will be gathering at the historic Amb Sahib Gurdwara tomorrow morning and then move to the residences of the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers where we will stage a dharna from 12 noon to 2 pm. A memorandum of demands will also be handed over to them,” said Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, member of the advisory committee of the KAC and general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (1920).
The Chandigarh police has, however, banned the entry of the gathering into the city. “Section 144 of the CrPC has been promulgated here. We have asked the Mohali police to contain the gathering at Mohali,” said SSP Chandigarh Dinesh Bhatt. “However, arrangements have been made to allow a small contingent of the protesters to meet the two Chief Ministers and submit their charter of demands,” he added.
The Mohali police has made elaborate arrangements at the Amb Sahib Gurdwara to contain the crowd. IG Range L.K. Tewari held a meeting of senior police officers outside the gurdwara this evening. “We have made arrangements to contain a gathering of over 2,000 persons,” said SSP Mohali Ranbir Singh Khatra.
The committee members have promised the march to Chandigarh would be peaceful. “We have directed our workers not to bring any swords or lathis,” said Gurdeep Singh. The assurance notwithstanding, over a 1,000 policemen will be on duty at the gurdwara tomorrow.
The Chandigarh police has also called for four companies from Punjab and two from Haryana to deal with the situation.
Security at the residences of the Chief Ministers and Governors of the two states has also been enhanced.
The Khalsa Action Committee comprises representatives of the state’s hardliner groups including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), SAD (1920), Dal Khalsa, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj, International Human Rights Organization (IHRO), Sikh Students Federation, Delhi Shiromani Akali Dal and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee among others.
Daljit Singh Bittu, Jasbir Singh Rode, Ravi Inder Singh, Mohkam Singh, Paramjit Singh and B.S. Gill are expected to lead the protest.
Listing their demands, Gurdeep Singh said the Punjab Government did not have to wait for court warrants to arrest the dera chief.

Only baptised Sikh should lead SAD: Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa of Damdami Taksal

Mandi Ahmedgarh, Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa of Damdami Taksal, who is also a member of the Sant Samaj, yesterday observed that only a baptised Sikh should lead the SAD as only such a person could become a role model and stem the tide against the increasing apostasy among the community.
To the utter dismay of party acting chief Sukhbir Badal and his supporters, he suggested that Sukhbir get baptised immediately if he wanted to continue to lead the Sikh community in general and the Panthic party in particular.
Visibly stung by the statement, senior leaders could be seen smarting under the comment which was greatly appreciated by the audience.
He was addressing a gathering at Gurdwara Ram Sar at Kaind village, near here, on the occasion of the fourth death anniversary of Sant Mohinder Singh.
Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, who is also president of the Gurmat Sidhant Parchar Committee, alleged that it was the apathy of Sikh leaders in propagating Sikhism in the northern states, including Punjab, which was responsible for the mushrooming of deras and anti-Sikh forces.
Later, during a meeting chaired by Badal, various constituents of the Sant Samaj accused the state police of shielding Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim who, according to them, should have been arrested by now.
"The police not only helped him by delaying the process for his arrest, it also did not seize his passport also," alleged Baba Harnam Singh maintaining that the court had directed the police to take the travel document in its possession.
After giving a patient hearing to the office-bearers of the Sant Samaj, Sukhbir Badal said, "Within two days, you will find that necessary action on the part of the state government has been taken." The administration was supposed to act according to the orders of the court, he added.

Police Lathicharged Sikhs in Firozpur

Tension prevailed in Firozpore over function of dera sauda sirsa (DSS). Members of various SIkh organizations gathered to stop the function of dera. Police personal was deployed in large number. As the situation was very tense souda function was stoped. After that Sikh Bodies were demaning removal of boards of dera which was carring Sikh Symbols. Here they come in conflict with police. Police used tear gas and fired rubber bulits on Sikhs. In this lathicahrge some Sikhs are injurred. Sources says Police have registered cases against the organisation leaders including Harpal Singh Bhullar, Paramjit Singh Kalsi, Jaspal Singh, Udik Singh Kunde, Dilbagh Singh, Lakhwinder Singh Ladda, Balwinder Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Rajinder Singh, Harjinder Singh and Gurvinder Singh besides some unidentified persons. The charges include defying magisterial orders, instigating the crowd and causing injuries to policemen.

Punjab Police brutally beats Sikh protesters protesting misuse of 'Ek Onkar' emblem

Ferozepur: The already tense social fabric in Punjab is giving way increasingly in small towns and congested clusters of population where the agitated Sikhs are trying to give expression to their rage after the clear directive from Akal Takht against Dera Sacha Sauda.
Only on Sunday, hundreds of Sikh activists clashed with the police following an alleged attempt to storm a Dera Sacha Sauda base on the Ferozepur-Hussainiwala road. Nearly 30 Sikh protesters were injured as the policemen unleashed lathis even when all they were doing was to protest against the antics of a person who, even the Chief Minister has conceded, has committed extremely reprehensible act and has provoked an entire community.
The Sikh protesters wanted to prevent holding of "naam charcha at the Dera premises. After the program was cancelled following a request from the administration to the cult, the agitators wanted that the Dera people wipe off the words "Ek Onkar" from one of the walls of the Dera. It was not in dispute that the words had no business to be on the Dera wall, particularly when the Dera men do not consider themselves Sikhs and are not ready to submit themselves before the Akal Takht.
The protesters had started gathering since early morning with sticks and swords near the Dera premises - Sikhs had earlier declared "nam charca" would not be allowed. Though the district administration had convinced the Dera not to hold the function today, heavy police was still deployed to tackle any situation. A five-member delegation of Sikhs was also taken inside the Dera premises by Ferozepur SDM D.P.S. Kharbanda to convince them that "nam charcha" was not being held.
But the protesters' insistence on erasing "Ek Omkar" soon developed into a violent attempt at ransacking the premises. As the protesters raised slogans in favour of Khalistan and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the police retaliated with water cannons and teargas, later unleasing the lathi charge.
The clash left about two dozen Sikh activists and seven policemen injured. Officiating Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said the situation had been brought fully under control. In Punjab, it often means that the people have been beaten up soundly for them not to return for some time.
Creating cause for further provocation, the police has registered a criminal case against Harpal Singh Bhullar, president of the International Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society, Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) activists Bhai Jaspal Singh and Paramjit Singh Kalsi and one Dilbag Singh besides 11 other persons under Sections 307, 353, 323, 186, 188, 182, 151, 152, 153, 332, 148 and 149 of the IPC at Ferozepur Sadar police station.
Meanwhile, paramilitary forces and the state police have cordoned off the area and sealed all roads leading to the Dera base, situated only a few kilometres from the IndoPak border.

Police stop Sikh marchers on Chandigarh outskirts

Chandigarh : Punjab Police Monday prevented thousands of Sikhs from proceeding into the city in a protest march against Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
The police stopped the marchers at Mohali town, 10 km from here, after they started from Gurudwara Amb Sahib. The marchers were planning to hold a demonstration outside the official residences of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana.
The protestors then gathered at a nearby ground for a rally.
There were many policemen present to prevent the protestors from reaching Chandigarh.
The Chandigarh police put up barricades and stationed riot police at the city's border crossover points with Punjab. Security barricades were also put up outside the homes of both chief ministers and on the road leading to the governor's houses.
The march call was given by the Khalsa Action Committee, a joint group of various religious and radical Sikh organisations like Dal Khalsa and Damdami Taksal.
The protestors had planned to hold rallies outside the residences of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Haryana counterpart Bhupinder Singh Hooda to demand the arrest of the Dera chief and action against him.
The Dera chief earned the ire of the Sikh community after he portrayed himself as the 10th Sikh guru, Gobind Singh, in May. The Sikh clergy and leaders have been demanding his arrest since then for hurting religious sentiments.
The sect godman lives near Sirsa town in neighbouring Haryana, 300 km from here.
He got interim bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court after a Bathinda court in Punjab issued an arrest warrant against him for allegedly hurting Sikh religious sentiments.
In Amritsar, The Akal Takht, highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), mini-parliament for Sikh affairs, indicated that a full apology from the sect chief could be considered to defuse the situation.
The dera chief had earlier sent two apparently reluctant apologies, which were rejected by the Akal Takht.
Akal Takht chief, Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, said Sunday that a rally called by Sikhs at Ratia town in Fatehabad district of Haryana, 15 km from the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, would be held as scheduled July 11.
The chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana met along with senior civil and police officials to discuss the holding of the Sikh rally in Haryana. Hooda urged Badal to impress upon Sikh religious leaders not to hold the rally in Haryana as it could lead to tension between the Sikh community and dera followers.
Punjab had witnessed large-scale violence in May after the controversy erupted. The Haryana government does not want the Punjab-centric problem to spill over to the next state and lead to violence.

Sikh clergy stays firm on Ratia convention
Jathedar Vedanti says dera magazine distorting Gurbani

Amritsar, : Sikh high priests today issued fresh appeal to the community to make the July 11 Sikh congregation at Ratia a mega success. Continuing with their tirade against Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, they reiterated that the "apology" issued last month was just a "press note".
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti read the 'Gurmata' and said Dera's in-house magazine 'Sachi Shiksha' has been distorting Gurbani. Without saying anything on further action against the dera head, Vedanti said Sikhs did not need permission from the Haryana government to hold the convention.
"The edict has already been issued, and the entire community must follow it," said the Jathedar, adding that by imitating Guru Gobind Singh, the dera head had indulged in blasphemy for which he could not be forgiven. "We have received reports that dera's magazine is using verses from Guru Granth Sahib and distorting the Sikh philosophy. The dera head must stop this immediately," he said.
Asking the Haryana government not to stop the Sikhs from converging at Ratia, he said they would not apply for any request to hold the congregation as it was their right to protest against the controversial dera head. "No slogans or unwarranted acts should be followed," he said.
Notably, the Sikh clerics had been furious with the way the dera had worded and later re-worded the apology. "It (apology) bore no signatures. Ram Rahim Singh, who is too egoistic, does not want peace and harmony to prevail," said Vedanti.
However, SAD (A) general secretary Bhai Ram Singh and son of Simranjit Singh Mann Imman Singh today said Ratia was not the right place for the Sikh congregation. "Sikhs are not safe in Punjab, where Badal is at the helm of affairs. How could they be safe in Ratia? We are thinking of avoiding the meet. Instead, we will have our own Panthic gathering in Sunam on July 22 and meet the Punjab Governor on August 3," said Mann.
When asked about some SGPC members from Haryana opposing the Sikh congregation, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Jathedar Avtar Singh said the SAD (Badal) and the
SGPC were committed to hold the gathering and it would be a mega success.

Differences crop up between Mann and KAC

CHANDIGARH: Sharp differences reported to have cropped up between Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Simranjit Singh Mann and rest of the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), which is spearheading agitation against Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
The SAD(Amritsar) sources said that Mann had decided to keet distance from from KAC owing to certain principles. SAD(Amritsar) senior leader Emaan Singh Mann Monday admitted his party's differences with KAC but he refused to comment when asked whether his party had dissociated itself from KAC. He said that his party has chalked out its own programmes and following these programmes.
Earlier, Delhi Sikh Gurdawara Management Committee(DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna had deviated from the line of action adopted by KAC and he was removed from the convenor ship of committee. Sarna had mediated to secure second apology from dera Sacha Sauda.
Sources said that Mann's party was not satisfied with the working of some members of KAC. Sources said that there is even groupism in the party on some members of the KAC. The party had already declared not to participate in the panthic conference to be held in Ratia in Haryana on July 11. Akal Takht is organising the conference and KAC had already announced to support this call of Akal Takht.
It may be mentioned that in a memorandum to Punjab Chief Minister , the KAC demanded unconditionally release and withdrew cases of the Sikh leaders, including Simranjit Singh Mann and Daljit Singh Bittu who have been booked due to political reasons. It was also submitted that Mann is being kept behind bars only to stall his political activities that could be directed against the dera chief and his co-cultists while Bittu is being terrorised into silence only because he is a leading member (co-convenor) of the KAC.
When contacted Kanwarpal Singh active member of KAC said that SAD(Amritsar) had not dissociated itself from KAC.

Akal Takht reiterates decision to hold Sikh conclave in Haryana on July 11

AMRITSAR: The Sikh clergy Sunday at a meeting held at Amritsar reiterated its decision to hold the Sikh conclave at Ratia in Haryana on Jukly 11 to seek arreest of dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. The Sikh high priests turned down the demand to put off the proposed Sikh confernece.

The Haryana government had expressed its reservations to allow the Sikh conclave because dera Sacha Sauda has also sought permission of the district administration to hold its parallel congregation.
Jatehdar Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti said after the meeting that large congrehgation of Sikh community at Ratia would be held on July 11 despite Haryana government decision not to grant permission.
Vedanti said that they didn't need permission of Haryana government since conference would be held inside the Gurdwara (Sikh shrine). "We have not asked Haryana government for permission and neither Sikhs require permission to hold its functions inside the Gurdawara", Vedanti said.
Adding further Vedanti said that it would be peaceful program being organised to mount pressure on Haryana Government to arrest Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh who had hurt the sentiment of Sikh community. All the Sikh High Priests would attent the gathering, Vedanti added.
Talking about the apology tendered by the sect Dera Sacha Sauda on second time, Vedanti said that it was a kind of press note and not proper apology. The language used in the press note sent by Saca Sauda was describing the dictatorial attitude reflecting cunningness and ego, said Vedanti.Vedanti said that if fresh apology is tendered by the Dera Sacha Sauda in a proper and respectful manne, may be considered once again.
Vedanti said that Gurmit Ram Rahim facing charges of murder and rape and present activities of Dera creating hatred and disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of Punjab.
Today meeting of Sikh clergy was attended by Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jatehdar Takht Patna Sahib Iqbal Singh, Jatehdar Takht Kesgarh Sahib Tarlochan Singh, Jatehdar Balwant Singh Nandgarh of Takht Dam Dama Sahib and Priest Golden Temple Jagtar Singh.
Vedanti today once again asked the Sikh community living in India and abroad to follow the edict issued from Akal Takht on May 29 this year by which Sikhs have been directed to boycott dera followers.
On May 29 edict, Akal Takht has described the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh arrogant, mischievous and cunning. Vedanti in his statement had called upon all the Sikh organizations to assemble on single platform to tackle present ongoing the situation.
It may be mentioned here the earlier on June 20, a court in Bhatinda issued arrest warrant against Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
And same day on June 20, DSGMC Parmajit Singh Sarna he has received the second time draft from the Dera Sacha Suada consisting apology and further it was forwarded to Akal Takht Amritsar.
On June 27 Akal Takht has rejected second apology tendered by the Dera Sacha Sauda. Earlier on May 30, Sikh clergy had outrightly rejected the first apology of Dera Sacha Sauda while directing the Sikh community to continue politically and socially boycott Dera in a peaceful manner.
The Dera chief got stuck into a quagmire of controversy after an advertisement appeared in newspapers on May 13 purportedly showing him distributing "amrit" (nectar) while attired in a dress similar to that of Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh. Following this nationwide violence broke out in which hundreds of people were injured and one was killed.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Sunday 8th July 2007

KAC for unconditional apology

Fatehgarh Sahib:Convener of the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) Bhai Mohkam Singh said here today that the dera row could not be resolved till the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda tendered an unconditional apology to Akal Takht. Speaking to mediapersons at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Bhai Mohkam Singh, accompanied by SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli, said SGPC chief Avtar Singh should join the committee.

Sant Samaaj have given an ultimatium of 2 days for the arrest of Gurmeet Raam Raheem

Dera follower dies

The body of Jaswinder , a follower of Dera Sacha Sauda, who attempted self-immolation on July 2 and succumbed to his injuries last night in Delhi, was cremated at the local cremation ground amid tight security late this evening.
As the atmosphere was charged, the district police authorities deployed Punjab police personnel and men from the Rapid Action Force in and around this village. Jaswinder , a local resident and a Punjab government employee, had attempted self-immolation on the premises of the mini-secretariat in Sirsa to lodge protest against the alleged harassment of followers of the sect by the state government.
As the news of his death spread in this area, dera followers started pouring in this village since early morning.
The body was brought to his native village from Delhi by road accompanied by a cavalcade of about 60 vehicles.
Nau Nihal , SSP, said traffic on the Bathinda-Badal road was stopped for some time when the cremation took place.

Khalsa Action Committee invites SGPC chief for dharna on July 9

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) convener Bhai Mohkam Singh has sent invitation to SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to participate in its proposed dharna in front of residences of Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers on July 9.
Talking to select media persons Saturday in Gurdwara Shri Fatehgarh Sahib Bhai Mohkam Singh, accompanied by SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli said that KAC is staging dharna to lodge their protest against Punjab and Haryana and not against any individual so Makkar should participate in their dharna. He said that KAC is spearheading campaign against Dera Sacha Sauda chief so SGPC should cooperate with KAC. He said that Makkar should participate in dharna against Chief Ministers as it.
Bhai Mohkam Singh said that KAC is satisfied with the role of Akal Takht over Dera Sacha Sauda issue but not with SGPC. He said that KAC accepted the all edicts issued by Akal Takht in the Dera issue but these SGPC and Badal led Shiromani Akali Dal had failed to implement these edicts in true sense. He said that it is only KAC, which is working for implementation of Akal Takht edicts in a peaceful was as directed by the Sikh clergy so SGPC and Badal led SAD should wholeheartedly support KAC. He offered two proposals to SGPC and SAD (Badal). He said that KAC is ready to come on common platform with SGPC and Badal led SAD in the Dera issue otherwise SGPC and pro Badal should come forward to support KAC.
He said that conflict with Dera Sacha Sauda could not be resolved untill the Dera Chief personally apologize before Akal Takht. He said the Dera chief should apologise in real sense. He said that KAC would wholeheartedly support the ‘Amrit Sanchar’ programme initiated by SGPC. He said that SAD Acting president Sukhbir Badal and all MLA of SAD (Badal), Youth Akali Dal should also get baptized. Bhai Mohkam Singh evaded reply about Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Saturday 7th July 2007

Haryana govt yet to okay SGPC’s meet

CHANDIGARH: Fearing a clash between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and Sikh community, the Haryana government has so far withheld permission to an SGPC-proposed function on July 11 at Ratia in Fatehabad. However, it has sought addimore central security forces to prevent any untoward incident, said senior officials on Friday. The situation seems to have become more tense with the Dera seeking permission to hold naam charcha on the same day at Sirsa, just 14 km away from Ratia. Efforts are said to be on in persuading the Sikh clergy, through the Punjab government, to shift the function site outside Haryana."If it is a question of sending a message to Haryana government, they can easily organise it in Chandigarh, the seat of both governments. But why Ratia, where even a slightest provocation can lead to a major flare up?" asks a senior official. With the states in constant touch with the Centre, senior officials of both governments are also said to have met, followed by a one-to-on meeting between the two chief ministers. While 10 companies of central security forces are sought for Fatehabad, Sirsa administration has five such companies already in place including two IRB, two CRPC and one RAF units. Sirsa SP, Vikas Arora says they have been briefed to maintain law and order in the area, for which they are fully prepared. SP Fatehabad, Saurabh Sinha, responsible for Ratia, says the forces have carried mock drills and have also reached the area. Sukhwinder Singh, district president Satkar Sabha, Haryana, has applied for permission to hold the Sikh meet at Ratia’s anaj mandi on July 11. However, DC Fatehabad OP Sheoran says, the administration will make up its mind after "considering various factors."

Police Activities remained high to arrest Bhai Daljit Singh

Throughout the day Fatehgarh Sahib police was on its' toes in search of Bhai Daljit Singh. A Police party from Fatehgarh Sahib was in Patiala to arrest of Bhai Daljit Singh. CID activities also remined high throughout the day. Bhai Daljit Singh is expected to move High Court for Grant of Anicipatory Bail in this case of Sedition U/s 124A (IPC).

Bhai Mohkam Singh Elected New Convenor of KAC

In an important meeting held at Gurudwara Sahib, Sarabha Nagar (Ludhiana) Bhai Mohkam Singh is selected as next convenor of Khalsa Action Committee (KAC). Previous Convinor of KAC; Parmjeet Singh Sarna has resigned from the post, his resignation was accepted on 28 June meeting of KAC held at Fatehgarh Sahib.

Court Refused to Grant Bail to Bhai Daljit Singh

In a sedition case the Addisional Session Judge of Fatehgarh Sahib has refuesed to grant Bail to Bhai Daljit Sigh. Session Judge hearing the case was on leave and matter was heard by Addn. Sessions Judge. Arrest of Bhai Daljit Singh was stayed by Previous judge, now that stay is removed. This case was registed on 31 May, it is related to Protest March held at Fatehgarh Sahib. This case is registered just to keep Bhai Daljit Singh away from dera sauda issue.

6 Marches and Protest Dharna

In todays meeting descussion on Protest Dharna to be held by KAC at Chandigarh on 9 July was discussed in detail. Besides this work policy for Khalsa Marches in six malwa districts of Punjab was also framed. These marches are to awair people about Sikhi.

Diffrenses Resolved - Sant Samaj's Outside Support

Today KAC Genral Body was informed by S. Jasbir Singh Rode and Kanwarpal Singh Bittu that difrenses with Sant Samaj has been resolved to a large extent. Meanwhile Sant Samaj has decide to extend outside support to KAC, previously Sant Samaj had two of its' representatives as members of KAC.

New Members of Khalsa Action Committee

In todays meeting four new members are admitted to KAC. They are S. Harinder Singh UP (Sri Guru Kendari Singh Sabha, Chandigarh), S. Dalbara Singh Gill (International Human Rights Organization - IHRO), S. Charn Singh Lohara (Akali Dal, Amritsar) and S. Swarn Singh Khalsa.

Makkar's Statement

Avtar Singh Makkar, president of SGPC has said that there is no need of Khalsa Action Committee as there is SGPC to impliment directives of Akal Takht. This statement is surprising as Sangat has recognized KAC by participating in 24 June Khasla March, which was opposed by SGPC as per direction of Badal Dal cheif, PS Badal.

Suicide Attempt by Dera Follower

As 25 dera followers are on fast untill death at Sirsa, another follower attemted to commit suicide by seting himself ablaze.

Makhar and Sukhbir Badal to meet home minister

SGPC chief Avtar Singh and SAD working president Sukhbir Badal will meet union home minister Shivraj V. Patil on July 9 to demand extending the term of the SGPC president and other office-bearers from one to two-and-half years.
The proposed deputation comprising senior SGPC and SAD leaders would also urge expediting the CBI case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The joint deputation will also urge the union home minister to get back the rare manuscripts and books taken from the Sikh Reference Library of Golden Temple after Operation Bluestar.
Ranjit Singh Nanda, a retired CBI inspector, had made a statement that the rare manuscripts, hukamnamas, books and invaluable material of the Sikh Reference Library was taken in gunny bags and big trunks to an unknown place after Operation Bluestar. The joint deputation would also seek permission to co-opt foreign-based Sikhs in the SGPC.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Friday 6th July 2007

Court Rejects Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu's Bail in Sedition Case

FATEHGARH SAHIB: The Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib on Wednesday dismissed the anticipatory bail application of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) senior vice president Daljit Singh Bittu booked in a sedition case by punjab police Hardev Singh Rai lawyer of Bittu said that they will move Punjab and Haryana High Court for the bail. It may be mentioned here that Bittu was booked by the district police on May 31 on charges of sedition after he allegedly raised provoking slogans during a protest march organized against chief of Dera Sacha Sauda. Bittu filed his anticipatory bail application in the court of District and Session Judge, Fatehgarh Sahib, who had earlier stayed his arrest for some time. Sources said as District and Sessions Judge is on leave, so Bittu case was presented in the court of Additional Sessions Judge.

Dharna in Chandigarh on 9 July

KAC shall hold Dharna in Chandigarh before residence of CM of Punjab and Haryana on 09 July, 2007. In this dharna 1100 persons shall participate. This is in protest of in-activeness of both Governments in dera sauda issue. KAC accuses both for favouring dera in one way or other.

6 More Khalsa Marches in Malwa

Khalsa Action Committee shall hold 6 more Khalsa Marches in six District of Malwa region of Punjab. March shall be held on 15 July in Moga, 20 July in Faridkot, 25 July in Mukatsar, 31 July in Barnala, 5 August in Sangrur and on 10 August in Mansa. Further Action shall be announced in a Convension to be organized in Gurusar Mehraj (Bathinda) on 14 August.

Khalsa Action Committee fights Dera, SGPC fights KAC

Punjab continues to bide time on a powder keg as fabric strains
Amritsar/Sirsa: At a time when the Khalsa Action Committee, the umbrella body of many a panthic organisations, is leading the struggle against Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim and the entire construct of deravaad, who, other than Gurmeet Ram Rahim, wants it to vanish?
"We do not recognise the Khalsa Action Committee. Only the SGPC will lead any agitation against the dera. We do not recognise any action committee formed after the dera head's blasphemous action." This was SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, speaking to the media after a meeting of the executive committee of the SGPC which gave no new programme and discussed no new issue. The Khalsa Action Committee represents entire Sant Samaj, Damdami Taksal, Akali Dal (Amritsar), DSGMC, factions of AISSF, former jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode and many others.
Makkar, himself a hand-picked choice of Badal who came to the top seat through a Falstaff-turning-King move, clearly had no idea that under no Act, clause or law has the SGPC any authority to recognise or not recognise any other panthic body, but the arrogance which comes from being part of the Badal Darbar was writ large in his remarks. No preparations for the July 11 sammelan at Ratia in Haryana were discussed, and none were claimed to have been made.Meanwhile, developments on the Dera Saucha Sauda front continued at a hectic pace this past week, but clear signs are emerging that Gurmeet Ram Rahim is now upping the ante, looking for newer ways to build pressure, curry political favours and push the legal doors to finally have a chink through which he can escape the wrath of the Sikhs, the might of the law and the ends of justice.So, with Jathedars choosing to play on backfoot, the Dera sadh pressed for the frontfoot approach while the KAC had dug in its heels. The SGPC, led by Makkar, was largely donning the panthic spoiler's role.
So, just after the Akal Takht rejected the non-apology, termed it an unsigned 'press note', and the Khalsa Action Committee, by easing out DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna from the convenorship, sent clear signals that it will brook no lackadaisical approach but at the same time kept the united face by retaining him and prevailing upon him to stay as part of the panel, the murder and molstation-accused Dera head knew the game on the religious turf was going out of his hand. Those he could manouver were losing the respect and authority among Sikh ranks.
He dashed to the nearest source of succour, and got himself an anticipatory bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday, just a day after the Parkash Singh badal regime belinked before the panthic lobby's pressure and nod was given for his arrest.
With this started the Dera end of the game. A young follower of the dera set himself afire to protest the arrest warrants against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and was rushed to Rohtak hospital with some 80 percent burns.
The dera also fielded its women shakti, and a panel of its women followers met Punjab Governor SF Rodrigues, telling him that both Haryana and Punjab govts were informed of the contents of the 'apologies'. They wanted Rodrigues to direct the state government to withdraw criminal case registered against Dera head, something for which independent gubernatorial authority does not exist.
Across Punjab, the social fabric in rural countryside is still tense. In Samuka village of Sangrur, Sikhs denied the Guru Granth Sahib bir to dera follower Piara Singh whose mother had died. On June 8, posters against Gurmeet Ram appeared in Bathinda's Bandi village under Sangat police station, leading to tension. In Ballianwari village, Sikh residents forced a dera follower to remove the dera cry of 'Dhan Dhan Satguru..." from outside his house. In Kamalu Sawaich village, gurdwara commitee president Leela Singh resisted attempts to hold a nam-charcha. Situation was fairly tense when wife of Shaheed Kamaljit Singh, who was killed in firing from inside a dera in Sunam, was honoured.
Earlier, before the dera head had gotten bail, a large number of his followers took to the streets demanding the withdrawal of the case registered against him. Incidentally, he is the prime accused, it is a case of murder and the investigating agency is India's federal CBI, equivalent to the FBI in the US. One of the interesting accusations made by the dera's chief spokesperson was that the drafts of both the 'apologies' were approved by Punjab CM Badal.
Haryana police, keen on keeping the Dera head mollified, was scouting around for vegetarian security guards for the Z-plus securitised murder-accused, and the Haryana Chief Secretary was in touch with his Punjab counterpart to take stock of the likely strength of July 11 Ratia conclave.

Khalsa Action Committee Reorganizes

Amritsar Sahib (KP) - The campaign against Kooraa Sauda received a small setback when the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), which was started to implement and execute the Hukamnama of Sri Akal Takht Sahib issued to counter the anti-sikh threats of Sirsa Cult, became fractured due to withdrawing of support from the Sant Samaj and Paramjit Sarna. Despite the internal conflict, the KAC has reconstituted itself and announced a new spokesman and convener.
New Khalsa Action Committee held meetings according to it’s plans - without the Sant Samaj and Parmjit Sarna. Sources within Khalsa Action Committee say some important decisions were made during the meeting, including naming the former spokesman of the Damdami Taksal, Bhai Mohkam Singh, the convener of the KAC.
In a related note, the chief of ‘Sant Samaj,’ Harnam Singh Dhumma, said after an emergency meeting of Sant Samaj at Zira, the Sant Samaj decided to remove Sukhchain Singh and Baljit Singh Daduwal from the Khalsa Action Committee. In addition to these 2 members, the President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Parmjit Sarna has distanced himsel from the KAC.
Sources state that the committee has decided to meet with the Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers to discuss Ram Raheem’s arrest as well as holding several protests and marches. The Khalsa Action Committee approved Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s rejection of the fresh Dera’s ‘apology.’

KAC Announces New Agendas, Anti-Dera March

Amritsar Sahib (KP) – The Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), that was founded for the sole purpose of implementing the recent Hukamnamas in countering 'dera-vaad' in Punjab, recently announced several key strategies to protest against the ongoing activities of the Sirsa cult and to demand strict action be taken against its chief.
A major plan to march upon the residences of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana, along with carrying out protest marches in six districts of the two states were also announced. According to the announcements by the KAC, a jatha of over 1100 black dastar wearing Sikhs would gather at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali on July 9th. This jatha would then proceed with the protest march and march to the residences of both chief ministers to protest against the activities of cultist Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The committee also supported the decisions reached at the meeting of the Jathedars that took place at Akal Takht Sahib on June 27. It was decided that the protest march--that will go through six districts of Punjab and Haryana--would be in accordance with the mandates of Akal Takht Sahib and would proceed to reach its aims under peaceful terms.
The protest marches would be carried out from Moga, Faridkot, Muktsar, Barnala, Sangrur and Mansa on July 15, July 20, July 25, July 31, August 5 and August 10 respectively. It was announced that if the Punjab Police is unsuccessful in arresting the Dera Sacha Sauda cult leader, then a large scale Panthic convention would be held in the state of Punjab to discuss a further course of action and a fresh political agenda.
In addition, the committee also appointed Bhai Mokham Singh as its official spokesperson and convener. Bhai Mohkam Singh was elected to take up the duty after Paramjit S. Sarna had resigned from his post after the Damdama Sahib protest march. Paramjit S. Sarna had filed his resignation from the committee after the dera submitted a press note with a fresh 'apology'.

Court Grants Bail to Sirsa Cult Leader

Chandigarh, Punjab (KP) – Accused rapist and murderer, Sirsa Cult Leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim has taken a breath of relief as he was granted interim bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case of hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community. According to the orders of the High Court, the arrest has been delayed until August.
The interim bail was issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on requests of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and his cult followers. The court was moved to take actions since the Punjab Government had given the Bathinda Police Station go-ahead to carry out the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
The Haryana Government also did not cause any disruptions in the arrest process. But the mere go ahead of the Haryana Government did not mean anything since the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim was not possible without the help of the Haryana Police. The Haryana Police on the other hand did not show much interest in helping the Punjab Police to carry out the arrest.
In the mean time, this gave the Sacha Sauda cult followers some time to seek help of the High Court to get the bail orders implemented. While the Punjab Police to some extent heeded to the pressure by the Panthic organizations, the Punjab Government headed by Parkash Badal, once again failed to work in the interests of the Sikhs.
Congress leaders such as Rajinder Bhathal and Shamsher Dullo have continued showing firmness in their stand to support Dera Sacha Sauda. As chances of Capt. Amarinder Singh leading the Congress party in the next assembly elections seem unfeasible, Bhathal and Dullo still see an advantage in aligning with Dera Sacha Sauda.
Dera Followers on the same hand have started a unique campaign to get the arrest warrant fully revoked. As several places dera followers carried out protests and some went to the extent of physically hurting themselves by self immolation. A delegation of Sacha Sauda leadership has also held meetings with several representatives of the Punjab and Haryana Governments to seek their support.
While these activities of Dera Sacha Sauda are continuing, the Badal Government has still not done much to help implement the Hukamnamas and Gurmattas of the Sikh community and because of its own shortcomings, the situation in Punjab is still tense. The general Sikh public does not want anything less than the arrest of Gurmeet Ram Rahim but on the other hand, the Dera followers are strongly opposing any such moves.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Thursday 5th July 2007

Hooda, Badal meet on dera issue

Chandigarh, As the Dera Sacha Sauda issue continues to be on the boil, the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana met here this morning to discuss the law and order situation in this region in this regard.
Sources said Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda called on his Punjab counterpart, Parkash Singh Badal. Though some officers were present, both also talked separately for a while, it is learnt.
The dera issue, involving a large section of the people in Punjab and Haryana, continues to worry both state governments. Hooda and Badal’s meeting was preceded by a meeting of the DGPs of both states yesterday. The chief secretaries of the two states had met a few days ago.
The problem before both states is how to tackle the sensitive issue. On July 11 Sikh organisations will be holding a meeting at Ratia in Fatehabad district. A call for holding the meeting has been given by the Sikh clergy. Ratia is close to the Punjab border. The town was recently in the news because of tension between followers of the dera and Sikh groups opposed to them.
The sources said the two Chief Ministers had decided to extend full cooperation to each other to tackle this issue tactfully. Police arrangements in the border belt of Punjab and Haryana would be scaled up in the days to come to avoid any untoward incident. Already, there is tension in certain villages in Punjab and Haryana because of the dera issue.

SAD(A) leader Bittu denied bail

Fatehgarh Sahib, The court of Additional Sessions Judge here today dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of senior vice-president of the of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Daljit Singh Bittu. Bittu was booked by the police on May 31 on charges of sedition after he along with some of his associates raised provocative slogans during a protest against Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
Bittu had filed a plea for anticipatory bail in the court of the District and Sessions Judge, who had earlier stayed his arrest. Sources said as the District and Sessions Court Judge was on leave,Bittu's case was taken up for hearing in the court of the Additional Sessions Judge.

SSF alleges misuse of sedition law against Sikhs in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The Sikh Students Federation(SSF) has alleged gross misuse of law of Sedition (Section 124-A of IPC) against 'Sikhs in Punjab on political considerations.
Parmjeet Singh Gazi, President of SSF has claimed that during the days of militancy there was abuse of laws like TADA at a large scale against Sikhs. He said that now these black laws are practically replaced by Charges of Sedition under Section 124A of IPC (1860). He alleged both SAD-BJP and Congress governments are frequent in framing false charges of sedition against Sikh leaders. He claimed that this process is used like a multi-edged weapon against Sikhs.
He said that one hand Sikhs leaders are put behind the bars and are kept away from public issues, on the other hand continuous charges of sedition are defaming the Sikh Nation and are an attack on our credibility world wide. Giving facts in support of his argument Gazi has that Congress government framed charges of sedition against Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu for speaking in favor of farmers of Barnala district last year; now charges of sedition are framed against him in Fatehgarh Sahib district for peacefully participating in a march. He said since last 4-5 years charges of sedition are registered against Sikhs on 6th June at Sri Amritsar every year.
He said that recently a charge of 7/51 against SAD(Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann has been converted into sedition at Jalandhar. He said that a case of Sedition is registered against Sikhs after success of Khalsa March at Talwandi Sabo on 24 June. Moreover charges of sedition against Sikhs are more frequent in Punjab than other residents of other states. All these are clear-cut instances of misuse of law.
Gazi said that all freedom-lovers, Human rights activists and Social organizations should speak up against this discriminatory trend. He said that Sikhs belonging to legal profession should try all alternatives with in Indian System to prevent this misuse of law and legal process and they should take up the matter at international level as well.

Dera Row

The top brass of Punjab and Haryana Police on Tuesday reviewed the law and order situation in the two states as the Dera Sacha Sauda row persisted with tension palpable in several areas.
N P S Aulakh and Ranjiv Dalal, DGPs of Punjab and Haryana respectively, assisted by senior police officers reviewed the situation this evening, a Haryana police spokesman said. The meeting decided to take stringent measures to foil any attempt by anti-socials to disrupt peace in the two states, he said. Both Haryana and Punjab Police also decided to step up vigil and check all incoming vehicles into their states.
Meanwhile, a delegation of women's wing of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect met Punjab Governor S F Rodrigues and sought his intervention to stop what it said "victimisation" of Dera followers. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor alleging that false cases had been registered against sect's followers allegedly at the behest of the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab.
It appealed to the Governor to intervene immediately and stop "victimisation" of Dera followers. On Monday, the Punjab Congress moved the NHRC accusing the state government of atrocities against political rivals and dalits.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Wednesday 4th July 2007

Copies of two dailies burnt

Moga, Activists of about six Sikh organisations burnt the copies of two vernacular dailies today for allegedly publishing exaggerated news.
They were protesting against the controversial news which appeared in a Hindi and a Punjabi daily with regard to a July 1 incident in which windows of a vehicle carrying Dera Sacha Sauda followers were allegedly smashed by some Sikh activists at a railway crossing at Dagru village.
The Sadar police station, under which the area falls, registered the case against unidentified persons late in the night on the day of the incident.
Activists of the Gurmat Parchar Committee, SAD (A), Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) and (Grewal) groups participated in the protest.
Gurpritam Singh Cheema of the Gurmat Parchar Committee in a memorandum to the deputy commissioner stated that whenever the state committee of Dera Sacha Sauda came here a controversy got created.

Raid on gurdwaraSAD(A) demands action against SHO

Fatehgarh Sahib, The seizure of some religious books by the district police from the library of a gurdwara at Talwara village has kicked off a controversy here. The SAD(A) is now demanding registration of a case against the SHO under whose supervision the raid was conducted.
Activists of the SAD(A), who held a protest here today, submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, seeking registration of case under Section 295-A of the IPC against the SHO of Fatehgarh Sahib police station Darshan Singh.
Speaking to mediapersons, senior leaders of the SAD (A) Emann Singh Mann and Bhai Mandhir Singh Kang, along with members of the SGPC Ravinder Singh Khalsa and Bibi Surinder Kaur, alleged that apart from religious books related to Guru Granth Sahib, some books related to Operation Bluestar, Damdami Taksal, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and some pictures were seized by the police. They said the action violated the rules as none of the books kept in the library had been banned either by the Punjab government.
The SAD(A) activists stated that the SHO, along with a police party, forcibly entered the gurdwara last evening and took away several books and pictures. They maintained that around 10 policemen came to village yesterday, after which several police parties arrived there and remained stationed in the village all through the day. Around 5.30 pm the SHO came and searched the library, the SAD (A) leaders alleged.

SGPC to take dera issue to Centre

Fatehgarh Sahib: A SHIROMANI Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee delegation would meet Union Home Minister on July 9 over the Dera Sacha Sauda issue. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar today told ENS that the dera issue and other pending issues of the SGPC that fall under the purview of the Union government would be discussed in detail, so that peace may prevail in the state and no "Sikh feels cheated".
Makkar expressed these views after presiding over the executive committee meeting of the SGPC at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib that was also attended by Raghujit Singh Virk, senior vice-president of SGPC, and Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary.
He added that Z-Plus security to Dera Sacha Sauda chief and other issues related with the dera would be discussed with the Union ministry. "Several issues like Sikh reference library issue and foreign Sikhs in SGPC would also be discussed with the Union Home Minister,” he claimed, adding that the Union government is not taking the issue of Sikh Reference Library seriously.
Answering a query on challenging of interim bail of the dera chief in the Supreme Court, Makkar said the SGPC would consult legal experts in this regard.
He said the SGPC did not recognise the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) that had been constituted to spearhead the agitation against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief. He said it was the prerogative of the SGPC to safeguard the religious interests of the Sikh community. "Some Sikh leaders were trying gain political mileage by floating such committees. Though the KAC maintaining that it follows directives issued by the Akal Takht, the manner in which it was coming up with its own programmes contradicts the claims,” he added.
Speaking about the remarks made by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who has equated the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh with that of Vedas and Upanishads, Makkar said such statements should not be issued by anybody.
On the possibility of summoning of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Paramjit Singh Sarna to Akal Takht because of his links with Dera Sacha Sauda, Makkar said he would not comment on it and only the Akal Takht Jathedar can give a suitable reply.
About the SGPC executive committee decisions, Makkar said the committee decided that all employees would be retired at the age of 58 years. He said this would be strictly followed and those employees who are working over the age of 58 in SGPC would be terminated within two months. He said no extension would be given to retired SGPC employees.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab:Tuesday 3rd July 2007

Khalsa Action Committee SGPC refuses to recognise it The SGPC chief said some Sikh leaders were trying to further their political interests by floating such committees.

Fatehgarh Sahib, Differences between the SGPC and the Khalsa Action Committee today came to the fore as SGPC chief Avtar Singh stated that they would not recognise the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC).
Stating that it was the prerogative of the SGPC to safeguard the religious interests of the Sikh community, The SGPC chief said some Sikh leaders were trying to further their political interests by floating such committees. He said though the committee was maintaining that it was following the directives issued by Akal Takht, the manner in which it was coming up with a different programme contradicted their claims.
He was here to preside over a meeting of the SGPC’s executive committee. He further said they would be meeting the union home minister on July 9 and submit a memorandum regarding the pending issues that fall under the purview of the Central government. He said the issue of the dera chief’s arrest would also be discussed with him.
The SGPC chief said a delegation of the SGPC would soon visit Dera Baba Nanak in Lahore to prepare a report on the renovation of the historical Sikh shrine. He said the delegation would also work on the modalities with regard to the completion of a 400-room guest house there.

Two dera followers beaten up
t
Bathinda, Chanan Singh and his son Baldev Singh, Dera Sacha Sauda followers, were beaten up by 10 persons in Lal Singh Basti here today evening.
Police sources said they received multiple injuries. They were beaten up when coming to the town from nearby Naruana village.
Sources added two of 10 attackers had been identified and a case registered in this connection.

Punjab Police Looted Sikh Library in Fatehgarh Sahib

(Fatehgarh Sahib) : Three days back Bhai Daljit Singh was in Talwara Village situated at some distance from here for inauguration of a Sikh Library established in the memory of great Sikh Shaheed of 20th Century, Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale. But today Punjab Police rushed in the same village not to have books issued for them not to donate books but to loot the library. Punjab Police Personnel belonging to this district came to the library last evening and took away all books with them forcibly. Thin information is provided by S. Mandhir Singh, a young Sikh leader and ex-president of Sikh Students Federation. He accused the police for excess and claimed that all book at the Library are published in Punjab by named publishers and most of them are written by prominent Sikh and other authors. These books are available on every book shop and there is no reason for taking books to police custody from library. He claimed that Police has no right to do so and must return the books. A memorandum to this regard has been submitted to DC of Fatehgarh Sahib.


Joshi triggers row by saying no difference between tenth Guru's writings and Vedas

New Delhi: Senior leader of Akali Dal's alliance partner BJP, Murli Manohar Joshi, has created new trouble for the Akalis by insisting that there is no difference between what Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, preached and what Vedas and Upnishads say.
Significantly, the remarks were no off the cuff statements which are routine but were part of a piece published in the RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser'. Joshi seems to have made the remarks while releasing the Hindi translation of Zafarnamah, the Guru's "letter of victory" to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
There is a dispute over many portions of the Dasam Granth, or the collective writings of Guru Gobind Singh, with a large number of Sikh scholars saying they were not authored by him because they are themed on "avtaarvaad", or incarnation, a concept rejected in the faith. The issue is pending before the Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikhism, over the past many years.
Punjab's Ajit newspaper prominently published the story on page one quoting from Organizer. Even a newspaper as left wing as The Hindu also took note of Joshi's indiscretion.
An meeting of the executive committee of the SGPC, technically known as the interim committee, is scheduled to take place on Monday where the issue of Murli Manohar Joshi's remarks may come up.
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna, condemning Joshi's stance, urged the SGPC and CM Parkash Singh Badal to take up the matter with the senior leadership of the BJP. He said the RSS was in the habit of routinely making such statements.
In the past, Badal and his ilk have always sought to downplay such remarks in order to escape any controversy that may arise out of a tough posturing.

SGPC to take dera issue to Centre

Fatehgarh Sahib: A SHIROMANI Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee delegation would meet Union Home Minister on July 9 over the Dera Sacha Sauda issue. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar today told ENS that the dera issue and other pending issues of the SGPC that fall under the purview of the Union government would be discussed in detail, so that peace may prevail in the state and no "Sikh feels cheated".
Makkar expressed these views after presiding over the executive committee meeting of the SGPC at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib that was also attended by Raghujit Singh Virk, senior vice-president of SGPC, and Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary.
He added that Z-Plus security to Dera Sacha Sauda chief and other issues related with the dera would be discussed with the Union ministry. "Several issues like Sikh reference library issue and foreign Sikhs in SGPC would also be discussed with the Union Home Minister,” he claimed, adding that the Union government is not taking the issue of Sikh Reference Library seriously.
Answering a query on challenging of interim bail of the dera chief in the Supreme Court, Makkar said the SGPC would consult legal experts in this regard.
He said the SGPC did not recognise the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) that had been constituted to spearhead the agitation against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief. He said it was the prerogative of the SGPC to safeguard the religious interests of the Sikh community. "Some Sikh leaders were trying gain political mileage by floating such committees. Though the KAC maintaining that it follows directives issued by the Akal Takht, the manner in which it was coming up with its own programmes contradicts the claims,” he added.
Speaking about the remarks made by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who has equated the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh with that of Vedas and Upanishads, Makkar said such statements should not be issued by anybody.
On the possibility of summoning of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee chief Paramjit Singh Sarna to Akal Takht because of his links with Dera Sacha Sauda, Makkar said he would not comment on it and only the Akal Takht Jathedar can give a suitable reply.
About the SGPC executive committee decisions, Makkar said the committee decided that all employees would be retired at the age of 58 years. He said this would be strictly followed and those employees who are working over the age of 58 in SGPC would be terminated within two months. He said no extension would be given to retired SGPC employees.

SAD(Amritsar) up in arms against seizure of Bhindrawala books from Gurdawara libary

FATEHGARH SAHIB: The activists of Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar) led by Simranjit Singh Mann are up in the arms against Punjab government following Punjab police raid in a liberary in village Talwara and seizure of certain books related to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala and other Sikh martyrs.
The police reportedly conducted the raid on July 2. The library was recently inaugurated by SAD (Amritsar) senior vice president Daljit Singh Bittu.
SAD (Amritsar) activists are up in arms against the police action and submitted memorandum to Deputy Commissioner and demanded registration of case under section 295-A of the IPC against Fatehgarh Sahib SHO Darshan Singh.
While addressing a press conference SAD (Amritsar) senior leaders Emann Singh Mann and Bhai Mandhir Singh Kang in the presence of SGPC members Ravinder Singh Khalsa, Bibi Surinder Kaur informed that Daljit Singh Bittu inaugurated library at village Talwara Gurdwara on June 29 in the presence of all prominent persons of ten villages and a medical check up camp was also organized.
They said that apart from religious books related with Guru Granth Sahib, some books related with Operation Blue Star, Damdami Taksal, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were also kept in the library. They said that these books were never banned by Punjab government or any other government and general public can buy these books easily in market.
They alleged that Fatehgarh Sahib SHO Darshan Singh along with a police party forcibly entered the Gurdwara in police uniform on July 2 evening and took away several books and pictures from there. They said that around 10 policemen had come to village Talwara in morning and different police parties remained present in the village till late evening. They said that around 5.30 PM SHO Darshan Singh had come to village and searched the Gurdwara library in presence of prominent citizens of the village.
They said that earlier a false case was registered against Daljit Singh Bittu on the statement of Fatehgarh Sahib SHO Darshan Singh, who himself now included in the ‘sacrilege’ act. They said that pictures of ‘Sikh martyr’, which was forcibly taken away by police had already declared ‘martyrs’ by Akal Takht, their death anniversary functions also observed every year at Akal Takht and their pictures are also available in Central Sikh Museum, Amritsar.
They said that they had taken up the matter with senior leadership of the party to decide future course of action. They said that the party would adopt proper legal procedure.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Monday 2nd July 2007

SGPC meeting today Sikh bodies divided over shifting of battle to Haryana

Amritsar, The executive meeting of the SGPC to be held at Fatehgarh Sahib tomorrow will discuss the call of the Sikh clergy to hold a conclave at Ratia in Haryana on July 11 even as various Sikh organisations are divided over shifting of the battle against Dera Sacha Sauda from Punjab to Haryana.
This will be the first meeting of the SGPC executive after the rejection of the fresh apology by the clergy and interim bail to dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court had also issued a notice of motion to the Punjab government in this regard.
Though the Sikh high priests had announced that they would participate in the proposed conclave at Ratia , the SAD and the SGPC have also expressed their reservations on the “gurmatta” passed at the Akal Takht secretariat here on June 27.
However, it will become difficult for the Sikh high priests to back out of the “gurmatta” due to the pressure from hardliners. Moreover, the Khalsa Action Committee has also supported the call to hold a conclave at Ratia.
Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti was reportedly not interested in holding the conclave in Haryana but it was Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh who insisted that the Panthic congregation should be held in Haryana with a view to presenting a show of strength.
On the other hand some pro-Congress Sikh leaders met Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and suggested him that the Punjab border be sealed a day before the proposed conclave.
Tomorrow’s SGPC meeting would also discuss the statement of senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who has equated the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh with that of Vedas and Upanishads. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna had urged Jathedar Vedanti to call a meeting of all Sikh organisations in this regard. He said Parkash Singh Badal should clarify his stand whether he had approved the statement of Joshi or not.

Sikh activists chase ‘premis’; no case registered

Moga, Timely police intervention today averted a showdown between followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and Sikh activists when the dera followers were chased by the activists in cars and motorcycles.
The chase, which started from Naam Charcha Ghar located at Moga bypass, concluded 15 km away at the railway crossing at Dagru village.
According to dera followers, three members of the 25-member state committee had arrived at the local branch of dera to hold a meeting.
The members were Harjit Singh, Mahinderpal Bittu and Jatinder Kumar. After the conclusion of the meeting they, along with five more members, boarded two cars and left for Ferozepur.
Bittu said as soon as they left some vehicles began chasing them. He said smelling trouble they informed the police immediately.
He alleged that the activists armed with sharp-edged weapons and sticks came out of their vehicles at the crossing.
Meanwhile, the dera followers came out of their vehicles and mingled with the crowd to save themselves, he added.
The activists smashed windows of their vehicles and deflated tyres. The police arrived on the scene and brought the situation under control.
The SHO, Sadar police station, under whose jurisdiction the area fell, said it was a minor incident and no case had been registered.

Future Course of Action Announced by KAC

The Khasla Action Committee has announced its' future course of Action in Dera Sauda Sirsa (DSS) issue. Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu and Bhai Mohkam Singh announced schedule of future actions of KAC in a press conference held at Jalandhar.

Dharna in Chandigarh on 9 July

KAC shall hold Dharna in Chandigarh before residence of CM of Punjab and Haryana on 09 July, 2007. In this dharna 1100 persons shall participate. This is in protest of in-activeness of both Governments in dera sauda issue. KAC accuses both for favouring dera in one way or other.

6 More Khalsa Marches in Malwa

Khalsa Action Committee shall hold 6 more Khalsa Marches in six District of Malwa region of Punjab. March shall be held on 15 July in Moga, 20 July in Faridkot, 25 July in Mukatsar, 31 July in Barnala, 5 August in Sangrur and on 10 August in Mansa. Further Action shall be announced in a Convension to be organized in Gurusar Mehraj (Bathinda) on 14 August.

Sarna Resign From Converorship of KAC

S. Parmjeet Singh Sarna has resigned from convernorship of Khalsa Action Committee. His resignation is accepted by the Committee in its' 29 May Meeting at Fatehgarh Sahib, though Sarna shall remain member of KAC. Next Convenior shall be elected on 4 July in a meeting to be held at Ludhiana.

Differences with sant Samaj Resolved

Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu calimed in the press conference that diffrences with Sant Samaj has been resolved and now onwards two representatives shall participate in all meetings of KAC.

Sikh leaders seek Akal Takht meet over Joshi's remarks

NEW DELHI: Sikh religious leaders on Sunday made an appeal to the Akal Takht to convene a meeting of top five clerics over what they alleged were attempts to portray their faith as part of Hinduism. Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Paramjit Singh Sarna condemned senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi's comments reported in Sangh mouthpiece that what Guru Gobind Singh preached was no different from the message of Vedas and Upnishads. Sarna, a fierce critic of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, also cited an RSS statement posted on its Website that Sikhs are part of the Hindu samaj . "Guru Gobind Singh's ideology was unique and completely different from Vedas or Upnishads. Such comparisons are highly objectionable and condemnable and we appeal to the Akal Takht to take strong note of them and call a meeting of the five Singh Sahibans (clerics) to work out a response to this continuous propaganda," he remarked. In his comments, senior SGPC member Harinder Pal Singh also denounced Joshi's remarks. "Those who make such comments are trying to further a set agenda," he said. There is a dispute over many portions of the Dasam Granth, or the collective writings of Guru Gobind Singh, with a large number of Sikh scholars saying they were not authored by him because they are themed on "avtaarvaad", or incarnation, a concept rejected in the faith. The issue is pending before the Akal Takht, the highest seat of Sikh temporal authority, over the past many years.

Latest Breaking News from Punjab: Sunday 1st July 2007

Dera chief had apologised himself: Petition - Gurmit Raam Raheem trying to get out of going to jail

Chandigarh, Has Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh tendered an apology? If arguments on a petition moved by him in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for anticipatory bail yesterday are any indication, he admits that he has tendered an apology.
The court in its order held that the petitioner, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, never represented himself to be Guru Gobind Singh. “It is also submitted that the petitioner even tendered apologies and clearly stated that he never intended to hurt the religious feelings of the Sikh community,” order of Justice L.N. Mittal said.
Since the petitioner in the case is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and not Dera Sacha Sauda, arguments given in the court on his behalf clarify position as to who has apologised, the chief or the dera, over the controversy generated by May 13 advertisements in various newspapers by the dera.
Even in his petition, the dera chief held that he “never spoke against any Sikh or religion. Guru Gobind Singh is the guru of all human beings and the petitioner himself follows the principles laid down by him. The petitioner never wore a blue dress. The attire worn by the petitioner did not resemble the attire of the Sikh guru. The petitioner did not wear or copied the attire deliberately or with the malicious intention to outrage the religious feelings of any section, class or community”.
He further stated, “In the interest of peace, the dera had even issued apologies in order to defuse the matter, which had not been accepted by the Sikh clergy. It was after the rejection of the apology that the government of Punjab has now issued sanction, paving the way for the arrest of the petitioner.”
Now, when the petitioner has himself admitted to tendering apologies in the case, it should assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikh community, argued a senior lawyer. The conditional bail order carries the admission of apology by the petitioner and now it is a matter of record, he added.

Punjab govt hardens stand against dera chief

CHANDIGARH: Punjab government has hardened its stand towards dera Sacha Sauda even as Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday granted interim bail to dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted interim bail to Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh till August 6, few hours after the formal orders of Punjab government granting sanction to arrest the dera chief reached to Bathinda police.
Bathinda police was awaiting state government nod to arrest the dera Chief after the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate had issued arrest warrants of dera Chief with a rider that state government permission would be required before police executing the arrest warrants.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today defended the state government action and stated said "nobody is above law and the state government is working well within the ambit of law". Chief Minister aid that "nobody is above law".
About the accusations of Dera and Congress leadership in Punjab that "excesses" were being allegedly committed against "the Dera followers, the Chief Minister said "no one can claimany excesses committed against anyone."
A case was registered against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly attiring in a dress to look alike Guru Gobind Singh in newspaper advertisements issued on May 13. A clash between dera followers and Sikhs had taken place in Bathinda on May 14.
The Sikh clergy had issued edict for social, religious and political boycott of dera chief and his followers on May 17 at a Sikh conclave in Talwandi Sabo. The Akal Takht had also rejected two apologies tendered by dera. The Sikh clergy has described dera chief arrogant as he had addressed the apology to Guru Gobind Singh and issued it in the form of apress note.
The Akal Takht has called a Sikh convention in Ratia in Haryana on July. However, it is learnt that Haryana government has decided not to grant permission for the Sikh conclave.

Sikhs and the law of the land

A deredar of Sirsa has insulted the Guru of the Sikhs, the history of the Sikhs, the principles and traditions of the Sikhs. More than a month has since passed. Neither the media has presented the view point of the Sikhs honestly nor has the government done justice. The community is being told that law will take its course but the culprit who has insulted an entire community is being provided a level of security equivalent to that available to the Prime Minister. His deras are being guarded with the same zeal. When it comes to committing excesses upon the Sikhs, then where does this course of the law run? Unless these issues are deliberated upon and understood, the ongoing agitation of the Sikhs will not be able to deliver crystallized results.Under the law of the land, the Sikhs who were displaced from Pakistan during the Partition got lesser land than what they left behind. It was as per the law set down by the government that the Sikhs were not allowed to live at one place. When the Punjabi Suba was carved after thousands of Sikhs went to jail and S. Darshan Singh Pheruman attained martyrdom, lakhs of Punjabis and vast swathes of Punjabi-speaking areas were left outside Punjab. Control of the river waters and the power generation/distribution was snatched away. All of this was the result of the law taking its own course.In 1978, 13 Sikhs were killed by the nakli Nirankaris at Sri Amritsar. The court at Karnal not only acquitted all the accused in this case but also admonished the police for wrongly implicating the peace-loving citizens (Narakdharis) and thus hurting them. This pronouncement of the court was as per the law of the land. In 1984, on the day of the Shaheedi Gurpurab of the fifth Sikh Guru, under the garb of arresting Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale, the Indian Army attacked Sri Darbar Sahib with tanks and artillery, which was presumably as per the law of the land. Mind you, that not a single case was pending against Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in any thana or court. At least not under the law of the land.The 21st century began for this country with the application of the law of the land when the police presented 133 witnesses against Prof Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar but not one was able to identify him. He, however, has been sentenced to death, of course under the law of the land.Why does the law go to sleep when it comes to the Sikhs? When the RSS leadership openly terms the Sikhs as part of Hindus, does that not amount to an excess as per the law of the land? The little subtle secret is that even the Constitution of the country does not recognize the independent identity of the Sikhs. When constitutionally the Sikhs do not have an existence of their own, then where is the issue of being victims of excess?When people immigrate from one country to the other, and the law of the new nation does not recognize them, then they can be termed illegal, aliens, but those who are deprived of their rights in the lad of their birth are not illegal. They are slaves. The illegal, the aliens are expatiated by the governments, thrown into jails but to loot, beat, kill or jail the slaves, you don't need much of the law. For example, even if the Supreme Court has not considered or pronounced that shouting a slogan in favour of Khalistan is any crime, but myself is facing a case of no less a crime than the crime of sedition for ostensibly doing exactly that. The most heinous crime in any country is the crime of sedition, but in this country, one is booked for sedition for desecrating a statue. Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann is facing a case of sedition because he did not like the fact that there should be a statue of Beant Singh who is no icon of human rights. Compared to his actions, the head of the dera who insulted the Sikhs gets Z+ security.The inference is simple: Because the quom is pushed into slavery, the izzat accorded to a statue is more important than the izzat of the entire quom.The Constitution and the law of this land is based on the brahamanvaadi philosophy. The basis of this philosophy is caste, idol worship and bharam-jaal. The SIkh gurus replaced caste with the philosophy of ‘Manas ki jaat sabhe aike pehchaanbo’ and ‘Sarbat Da Bhala’. The idol worship and human-worship were replaced with Akal Purakh and Shabad-Guru. The mumbo-jumbo of bharam and mantars was replaced by the construct of the Khalsa's high living and true calling.The Khalsa made history by following the path of the Gurus and had its own reign. Many do not like the fact that the Gurus were able to negate the Brahamanvaad's basic concepts and equipped the Sikhs with their separate ideology, history and unique identity which enabled them to rule. It is because of this that whenever anyone insults the Saroop, the principles or the Gurus of the Sikhs, he invariably gets a pat from the state or the central governments. The rise of the pakhandis like Narakdharis, Nurmehlias and many others who hurt the Sikh principals and sentiments can only be ascribed to this. The Sirsa creature is only part of this pattern.One last thing. Can the Sikhs find a way to remain alive as Sikhs? The answer is that they will have to remain conscious and resolute about their history and principles. They must stick to their unique Rehat and conduct, and must ensure that in their land of birth the Punjab, the laws must be in consonance with the philosophy of Guru Granth Sahib and Sikh principles so that the Sikhs can live like Sikhs should. Many Sikhs think that with the Sirsa dera head seeking apology, being arrested or dying, the issue will end. But this is only a miniscule part of the larger issues being faced by the Sikhs. The key problems of the Sikhs will remain as long as they do not become the arbiters of their own existence. They may have to witness more rounds of 1947, 1966, 1978, 1984. The slaves do not breathe easily. They haven’t done so in history. When anyone can get up and insult the Guru of the Sikhs, and the Sikhs start holding dharnas, then be clear about the inference. Raaj bina na dharma chale hain…The medieval ages had a proverb – the might is right. The core of this wisdom hasn’t changed in modern times. If Punjab had been ruled as per the Sikh philosophy and principles, then anyone insulting the Gurus would have been extended the same treatment as Chandu was meted by the Guru of Miri-Piri. Then we would not have been spilling out on the roads to seek justice. Then we would not have been facing sedition cases. The ever rising fencing around the Salabatpura dera only signifies our political slavery.
(The author is Senior Vice President of Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar)