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UK Police And Public Injured As Violence Flares At "Peaceful" Dudley Protest

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spnadmin

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A MAJOR investigation has been launched after 200 militant protesters complaining about meat and alcohol being consumed at a Dudley Sikh community centre wrecked the place and attacked the police.

After the dust settled after the major public disorder, two members of the public were in hospital with head injuries as was a policeman who had head injuries, all three are in a stable condition whilst another police officer sustained dental injuries.

Violence erupted at around 12.45pm at a community centre on Swancote Road when 200 militant protesters forced their way into the building.

Chief Inspector Deb Doyle, who led the police response to the disorder, said: "What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers and then forced their way inside the centre.

"Once inside they have vandalised the building and refused to leave until the centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises.

"I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in to their local police station immediately or face officers arresting them at home in the very near future."

Roads around the building were closed for five hours to allow emergency services access to the site, while the force helicopter hovered overhead capturing the incident on camera.

Officers from across the force attended the incident to restore order and assist in negotiations between protesters and the centre's management.

A coach was allowed into the area under police escort to remove legitimate centre users to safety.

Protesters ended their occupation of the building at around 6pm when centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises.

Significant damage was caused to the inside of the community centre which remains cordoned-off this evening while specialist forensic examiners search for evidence.

CCTV footage has been seized and officers will soon begin the process of scouring through the hours of footage to identify those responsible for the violence.

A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder was later released on police bail bending further enquiries.

Damage was also caused to a car parked outside the centre when the coach evacuating centre users scraped its side.

Anyone with information on those responsible for the disorder and vandalism should call Dudley police on 0345 113 5000. Alternatively, people who do not wish to speak to police officers directly can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


http://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/90...violence_flares_at__peaceful__Dudley_protest/
 

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spnadmin

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Maybe someone has the answer to my question. Is this occurrence in any way connected to the Satkaar Anti-beadbi Campaign that has focused on the Dudley Sikh Community Center for more than a few weeks?

A scheduled protest was called off pending discussions with the management committee. Then, on 27 May, the protest was rescheduled for the next day.
http://satkaarcampaign.blogspot.com/

The next day, 28 May, a wedding was cancelled as a result of pressure by Satkaar. Then Satkaar cancelled its scheduled protest for 28 May, as no wedding was to be held. The next thing that happened: 200 protesters created havoc.
 
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Militant Sikhs clash with police in Dudley in row over meat and booze

May 29, 2011

Militant Sikhs clash with police in Dudley ( U.K.)
in row over meat and booze


May 29 2011

A MAJOR investigation has been launched after 200 protesters complaining about booze and meat being served at a Midland community centre wrecked the venue and attacked the police.

Violence erupted at 12.45pm yesterday as militant Sikhs forced their way into the Sikh Cultural Centre in Wellington Road, Dudley, causing significant damage and leaving three people in hospital.

Two members of the public and a policeman suffered head injuries as the protest spiralled out of control. As cops battled to restore order, they faced a barrage of bottles, bricks and other missiles.

The protest was organised after centre managers agreed to serve booze and meat at a private party due to take place last night.

The trouble only ended after a five-hour stand-off when centre managers caved in, and agreed to ban the serving of alcohol and meat.

Chief Inspector Deb Doyle said: “What started as a peaceful protest soon turned to violence when a minority of people started throwing missiles at officers, and then forced their way inside the centre.

“Once inside they vandalised the building and refused to leave until the community centre managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol on the premises.

“I would urge those responsible for the violence to hand themselves in or they will face officers arresting them at home in the very near future.”

Roads around the building were closed for five hours to allow emergency services access to the site, while the force helicopter hovered overhead, capturing the incident on camera.

Officers from across the force were called in to assist in negotiations between protesters and the centre’s beleaguered management.

At one point a coach was allowed into the area under police escort to take legitimate centre users to safety. Protesters ended their occupation of the building at around 6pm,

Police said significant damage had been caused to the inside of the community centre, which last night remained cordoned off while forensic examiners searched for evidence.

CCTV footage has been seized and police will today begin the process of scouring through the hours of footage to identify those responsible for the violence.

Protest organisers said: “All Sikhs should be aware of the basic Sikh tenets that meat and alcohol are not permissible in the Sikh faith.

“The centre owners have insulted the Sikh faith and violated Sikh Maryada by allowing a party to take place at the Sikh Cultural Centre.”

Anyone with information on those responsible for the disorder and vandalism should call Dudley police on 0345 113 5000

source: http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/m...ey-in-row-over-meat-and-booze-66331-28783083/
 

spnadmin

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Re: Militant Sikhs clash with police in Dudley in row over meat and booze

Who can report them, Randip Singh ji? The police were called and what they found was not "satkaar" but a jungle rumble. The police should throw the book at them.

The Satkaar movement began approximately in February or March of this year after panthic.org started a systematic "beadbi watch." This is code for: Use the Internet to round up posses; go after sangats and browbeat them. I don't care what the issue is...this is not the Sikh way... taking gurmata into one's own hands. Mostly they go after Ramgharia temples, another issue for me. Ramgharia do things differently. Some have a bone to pick with them.


I am not Ramgharia, but I do respect their history of contributions to the protection of Sikhi in a turbulent period in our history, and their contributions in Africa and the UK in the diaspora. So where is the Satkaar? I cannot figure this out.
 

spnadmin

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Re: Militant Sikhs clash with police in Dudley in row over meat and booze

Two related threads about the same story have been merged.
 

spnadmin

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The date on that is the same as the day the mob broke in and destroyed the interior. Proof of a modus operandi. Now I may anger some with my remarks. But this looks not too different from the kind of badly scribbled document that is dictated to prisoners of war, an admission of guilt that is later signed (often videotaped as well). It is really interesting that we have signatures and can see who signed for Satkaar in black and white, and who signed for the sangat. Signing for the sangat are people who have "authority and consent of the Gurdwara trustees and management committee." Satkaar is the group that organized, cancelled, and then announced and cancelled the protest that backfired.

If you read the entire note there are some other very remarkable statements...for example in item 3, the cultural center "will not be sold or leased or otherwise disposed of to any other trust or entity." That cannot be a legal or enforceable statement. This looks like what it is. You can complete the sentence for me.
 

Harry Haller

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This mob, angry enough to put 3 people in hospital, have carried out this act with rage and force. They are no better than the muslims who tried to convert India by the sword. Reasoned discussion and knowledge is the way to educate, the thought of a poor policeman in hospital saddens me, and someone from the local sikh community should apologise that this internal issue has involved so many people in the act of peacemaker.

We are supposed to be a just, compassionate and peaceful race, not a bunch of thugs.

Now I have felt, for some time about one particular action of Baba Banda Singh Bahadurji. There is no doubt that he was a loyal and good sikh, and there is no doubt that he had the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh in him. However, was what he did to Sirhind an act of calm military thinking, or was it bloodlust. This is the only issue I have with the Baba's actions, he can be forgiven for striking coins, for wanting to enjoy family life, but until the battle of sirhind, sikh history is filled with stories of chivalry, fairness, singh lions fighting against an oppressive regime, all in the name of honour and god. Sirhind, to me represents a battle of pure anger and revenge, punishment, retribution, in some ways, how can we blame these people, when they have clearly been indoctrinated into this way of settling disputes by the way of the sword by people that should clearly know better.

In my humble view, Babaji, and his followers were very very angry, just as these people were, but any point, any valid argument will only come to nothing if backed by violence and intimidation, this is not I believe the spirit of sikhi

I have a potrait of Babaji on my wall, I find it inspiring because of his heroic exploits, more so, because he was not a Guru, he was an emotion feeling man doing his best to conquer the five thieves like the rest of us
 

Randip Singh

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This mob, angry enough to put 3 people in hospital, have carried out this act with rage and force. They are no better than the muslims who tried to convert India by the sword. Reasoned discussion and knowledge is the way to educate, the thought of a poor policeman in hospital saddens me, and someone from the local sikh community should apologise that this internal issue has involved so many people in the act of peacemaker.

We are supposed to be a just, compassionate and peaceful race, not a bunch of thugs.

Now I have felt, for some time about one particular action of Baba Banda Singh Bahadurji. There is no doubt that he was a loyal and good sikh, and there is no doubt that he had the spirit of Guru Gobind Singh in him. However, was what he did to Sirhind an act of calm military thinking, or was it bloodlust. This is the only issue I have with the Baba's actions, he can be forgiven for striking coins, for wanting to enjoy family life, but until the battle of sirhind, sikh history is filled with stories of chivalry, fairness, singh lions fighting against an oppressive regime, all in the name of honour and god. Sirhind, to me represents a battle of pure anger and revenge, punishment, retribution, in some ways, how can we blame these people, when they have clearly been indoctrinated into this way of settling disputes by the way of the sword by people that should clearly know better.

In my humble view, Babaji, and his followers were very very angry, just as these people were, but any point, any valid argument will only come to nothing if backed by violence and intimidation, this is not I believe the spirit of sikhi

I have a potrait of Babaji on my wall, I find it inspiring because of his heroic exploits, more so, because he was not a Guru, he was an emotion feeling man doing his best to conquer the five thieves like the rest of us

Unfortunately in war the unthinkable happens...but you are absolutely correct to point out the actions of Bandha Bahadhur. Many to this day, still do not regard him as a Sikh and just call him Bandha Bahadhur i.e. he didn't take Amrit and disagreed with many tenets of Sikh philosophy.
 

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CCTV checked after dispute at Sikh cultural centre


Police are examining CCTV footage after three people, including an officer, received head injuries in a protest at a Sikh cultural centre.

Up to 200 people went in the building in Dudley on Saturday angry that meat and alcohol was being served, which they feel is against the religion.

It is understood they were there for five hours until managers agreed to ban the supply of meat and alcohol.

A man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder was released on police bail.

Police said "significant damage" was caused to the centre.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-13595596
 

Scarlet Pimpernel

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Even a first year law student knows that agreements must be freely entered into and no party should be coerced.To persuade the committee would have been much better, but obviously there was a difference of opinion on the interpretation of the 2006 Sandesh.

The Community Hall is over the road from the actual Gurdwara.But the campaign wanted the Hall to promote/ cultivate Sikhi principles.
I objected to the protest as I new there was possibility that it would turn violent ,I emailed them and posted in opposition on the forum where Satkaar had posted a release.

I was harrassed on the topic and called an alcoholic,fool and much worse. One member even posted my facebook photo, to point out that I was a mona, and to imply that I was unqualified to post on the topic. One member wrote a few pages on how I was supporting Beadbi!

In defense of the campaign,they might have a point on the cultivating but they need an independent mediator between them and the "offending" Gurdwara's so that it never comes to this again.

I asked the forum to delete my account as I did not want to associate with members with such small minds.
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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Baba banda Singh bahadur was renamed GURBAKSH SINGH fater he took Khandeh Batteh dee Pahul from the panj under Guru Gobind Singh Ji Himself.
Banda was "discovered" by Guru ji himself..and the name Banda is by Banda himseff when he told GGS..I am YOUR BANDA !!

Baba Ji is one of the MOST MALIGNED in Sikh history becasue he shook the foundations of Mughal Rule...a Group of SARKAREE SIKHS ( who also tried to make negotiations between GGS and the Mughals at Mukatsar - 40 mukta shaheed battle)...called the TATT KHALSA were working on the GOVT side.

1. A GURU who campaigns for HOUSEHOLDER..GRISHTH..and is himself married with children..would NEVER impose celibacy on any one especially a SINGH. GGS was married and had four sahibzadahs. Inconceivable he would ban Banda from marriage and make him a brahmcharee !! No way.

2. Sikh DISUNITY and desertion of him by tatt Khalsa Forces forced the surrender and capture of banda...

3. banda died a MARTYR just as the thousands others..without a single Hai/Complaint/remorse/or deal made to convert etc....He was most horribly tortured..his flesh torn apart by hot pincers..his toddler son had his heart ripped out in front of him and the beating heart was forcibly pushed into Banda's mouth..700 of his loyal Sikhs were killed in groups of 100 in front of his eyes..youngest martyr was aged 7 only...This scene was watched by the British india company goras and they were astounded not a single singh compromised with death..

We must be very careful when we malign or join others in maligning such a mahan shaheed....

The WAR on Sirhind was to punish the Wazir Khan butcher of innocents. Had he surrendered..he would have been alone in death. Later on maharaja ranjit Singh fought many wars battles..each was an epitome fo sikh chivalry and honourable fighting as always. bandas time was different..he had a huge rabble following him as well. It was time a fledging small time army was fighting the mighty mughal empire and unseating it.Such are extraordinary times...and extraordinary things happen in such times. Maharaj ranjit singh attacked and captured Multan several times..each tiem with loss of life..and each tiem the Multan Goiv begged forgiveness and the Maharaja gave him back his city.fort..until the 17th time...when he was finally killed. Its remarkeable that not a SINGLE DEATH sentence was carried out in maharja ranjit Singhs raaj...a raaj that stemmed from banda's sacrifices. Given time Banda would have done the exact same...

Only NOW is the IOSS Chandigarh in the forefront of a RESEARCH project on banda Singhs and his cmapaigns...so little is written about him its a sad commentary on us that we forget so easily...
 

Scarlet Pimpernel

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If you had one hundred or so Angry Sikhs in front of you,I guess you would sign almost anything!

The problem is with these campaigns is that they get extended ,first you stop all halls within a Gurdwara which is right,then they extended it to any land owned by the Gurdwara which is maybe a logical extension or not, whichever camp you belong too, liberal or strict adherence.

The background to this is that the committee changed the ownership of the Hall when they were told that they had violated the Sandesh maybe they were being clever or trying to address those concerns in a roundabout way,whichever it was is open to debate.
In anycase the transfer infuriated the Satkaar people and then they said you can't change the ownership,which is not in the Sandesh they just added that in themselves on the day.
 

Harry Haller

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Dearest Gyaniji,

I agree absolutely with everything you have written

I also agree such giants of sikh history should not be maligned

For a long time I have felt that Bandaji possibly did not act in full accordance with Guruji's instructions, but having said that, my own post answered my own question. Banaji should be rightly lauded for what he did, yes, I think he did make mistakes, I think he did have two much anger, and yes the Guru had no desire to turn him or any of his sikhs into a brahmcharee, but having said that Bandaji was given a crucial and trusted role in unifying the Khalsa after Guruji's presence in this world had ended. Surely this role was bigger and more important than acts of angry revenge on Sirhind, and also in this role, I am not suggesting Banda should have been celibate, however he did raise children and have 2 wives right in the middle of all this. If it had been me, in that situation, I would have struggled with a trip to the movies!

The answer to this? Gyaniji is quite correct, let us not pretend the man was perfect, he was not a guru, but no he does not deserve to be criticised for his actions at an extremely violent and angry time.

He did the best he could, in fact, I should be able to relate to him better than any hero of sikhi as his input into sikhism was not spiritual but rather he was a man of sewa.

Gyaniji is also correct in that there is not enough written about the man, I can find no more on the internet or in books than I did 25 years ago when I read voraciously about all sikh heros
 
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