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India Attack On Sikhi In Punjab

Oct 29, 2010
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In Mohali yesterday people were protesting and police were arresting the protesters. One Sikh with turban was escorted by police and the officer removed the protester's turban after an instruction to him "do not remove his turban" from a fellow policeman.
Question
Does this forum consider that a subject of discussion or is it an 'unwritten law' that in Punjab you do not discuss anything controversal?
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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In Mohali yesterday people were protesting and police were arresting the protesters. One Sikh with turban was escorted by police and the officer removed the protester's turban after an instruction to him "do not remove his turban" from a fellow policeman.
Question
Does this forum consider that a subject of discussion or is it an 'unwritten law' that in Punjab you do not discuss anything controversal?

the question of yours..is it about this Forum or Punjab ?? Whose law ?? ..written or unwritten ?? who do you want to answer this ??
 

spnadmin

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davinderdhanjal ji

Just as an FYI

SPN servers are in the United States. Some of the leaders of SPN reside in Punjab. Legal liabilities swing both ways. The US can shut us down for failing to abide by laws governing the Internet. Punjab cannot shut down our servers, but they can put some of our leadership in jail, for hurting religious sentiments, without bail, and lose the keys. So I second Gyani ji's response to you, and would be happy to clarify if I can. Please be specific.

You are BTW free to post on the Mohali events. As long as TOS is not violated there should be no problem.

However anyone representing SPN as a forum admin or leader, even those residing outside of India, is not free to post at will, on each and every topic of controversy, without prior discussion with other leaders.

I don't see Mohali is one of those topics where anyone would land in jail for expressing an opinion here at SPN. So basically I am not sure exactly what your concerns are.
 
Jan 6, 2005
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YouTube - Insult to Turban in Mohani, Punjab
We are fighting for Pride of Turban in France and other countries,
but see the respect of Turban in our own Punjab!

AISSF demands Punjab CM's resignation over desecration of Sikh turban by Punjab Police in Mohali
Punjab Newsline Network

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

CHANDIGARH: All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) demanded resignation from Parkash Singh Badal over the disturbing incident in Mohali, state of Punjab ruled by Akali Dal (Badal) in which a young Sikh man’s turban was forcibly removed in broad day light by a police officer on the orders of another senior officer of Punjab Police.

According to Karnail Singh Peermohammad, President AISSF, Mohali incident proves that SAD (Badal) have not only failed to protect the dignity of Sikh articles of faith but they are also engaged in intentional desecration of Sikh turban.

The incident took place on March 28, 2011 when pharmacists from Punjab exercising their fundamental right gathered in Mohali for a peaceful sit-in to high light their demands. Punjab police on the orders of Badal Government first cane charged the gathering in which women were beaten mercilessly by Punjab Police. Not satisfied after beating the women, senior officers of Punjab Police then ordered the police to forcibly remove turbans of Sikhs who were present in the gathering. A footage with audio and video clearly showing a Sikh police officer order another police officer to forcibly remove a Sikh’s turban has emerged.

According to Peermohammad, forcibly removing the turban of a Sikh by the Punjab Police is insult of Sikh religion and Parkash Singh Badal as head of Punjab Government should take the legal and moral responsibility of Punjab Police’s action and should resign. The current SGPC leadership which propagates itself to be protector of Sikh rights and has met foreign governments over the issue of turban frisking should also resign from their seats for maintaining criminal silence over the outrageous desecration of Sikh religious symbol by Punjab Police, added Peermohammad.

AISSF appealed all Panthic Parties to meet on April 14, 2011 to chalk out a unanimous plan to protect the dignity and respect of Sikh articles of faith which is under by present Punjab government with the connivance of SGPC.

source: http://www.punjabnewsline.com/conte...ration-sikh-turban-punjab-police-mohali/29924
 

Kanwaljit.Singh

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It is still not clear what was the intention of the first cop (turbaned one). And I was wondering. In the film 'Patiala House' somehow the family shown in the film could live with dignity in London (and I guess it kind of reflects the state of Sikhs in London). But here in India we are still being ill-treated. And sad part is that no Sikh stands up anywhere in India against such actions.
 
Jan 6, 2005
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Police officers ( SPD Pritam Singh & SHO Kulbhushan ) involved in this case suspended! Sikh organizations demand they be fired!

199400_10150180873230815_653080814_8421833_7847282_n.jpg
 

spnadmin

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Latest in the ongoing developments.

SP, SHO suspended for "involvement" in turban removal
PTI | 09:03 PM,Mar 30,2011

Chandigarh, Mar 30 (PTI) The Punjab government today ordered suspension of a Superintendent of Police and an SHO, allegedly involved in forcibly removing turban of a Sikh in Mohali during a protest. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal who also holds the Home portfolio, also ordered an magisterial inquiry into the incident. The Home Minister also issued a stern warning that the government will take stern action against anyone found guilty of showing disrespect to turban or any religious symbol of the Sikhs or other communities. "There is absolutely zero tolerance of any such act of this nature committed by anyone, regardless of the position held by the guilty. No one will be spared in this regard," he said. Badal directed the state DGP to ensure complete compliance of government orders in this regard. The incident took place on March 28 when pharmacists from Punjab were staging a protest near Punjab Cricket Association stadium and were cane-charged by police to disperse them.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfe...for-involvement-in-turban-removal/630248.html
 
Jan 6, 2005
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As usual the mouths of the biggest "chamchas" of Badals: Akal Takht Jathedar & SGPC President, are sealed shut on this serious matter! Yet they claim that they represent & protect the religious / spiritual values of the Sikhs around the world! SHAME ON BOTH OF THEM. What a SAD affair!

-----------------------------------------------------​

Terrorist tag for Punjab Police demanded after turban incident

2011-03-31 05:30:00 - SIFY NEWS

New York, March 30 (IANS): A Sikh advocacy group has urged the US and Canada to declare Punjab Police a 'terrorist organization' after its treatment of protesting pharmacists in Mohali Monday.

In a statement here, Sikh for Justice said when pharmacists from Punjab were exercising their fundamental right in Mohali by staging a peaceful sit-in to highlight their demands a Sikh man's turban was forcibly removed by a police officer on the orders of another senior officer of Punjab Police.

'The incident proves that the (Shiromani Akali Dal) SAD (Badal) have not only failed to protect the dignity of Sikh articles of faith but they are also engaged in intentional desecration of the Sikh turban,'' the statement said.

It alleged that Punjab Police 'on the orders of Badal Government first cane-charged the gathering in which women were beaten mercilessly by Punjab Police. Not satisfied after beating the women, senior officers of Punjab Police then ordered the police to forcibly remove turbans of Sikhs who were present in the gathering.

'Footage with audio and video clearly showing a Sikh police officer order another police officer to forcibly remove a Sikh's turban has emerged.''

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor for the SJF forcibly, said forcibly removing the turban of a Sikh is 'the worst form of religious persecution and violation of Sikh human rights, especially when it takes place in Punjab, the homeland of Sikhs under the government headed by a Sikh.''

The Sikh body said it will 'approach the governments of the United States, Canada and European Union to declare Punjab Police as a 'terrorist organization' for the recent incidents of torture in custody, extra judicial killings and blatant desecration of Sikh articles of faith in Mohali.''

It said it was also considering legal action on the matter.

(Gurmukh Singh can be contacted at gurmukh.s@ians.in)

source: http://www.sify.com/news/terrorist-...-incident-news-international-ld4nkiaedea.html
 
Oct 29, 2010
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<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id=ieooui></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> The question is related to ‘State of Sikhi today’ and requires input from anyone with the knowledge to help to pose the suitable question and then possibly solve it if possible.
What is reported may not be the underlying problem.
I have a very recent example, a company asked me to come up with a design of an instrument (on phone and information sent to my office) – I forwarded a few solutions – however on reviewing the implementation of the design on their computer system they showed me where it was to fit in the final customer’s concept. The design request had been taken out of context and the solutions did not address the problem although my customer was happy with the solution.
So the problem has to be correctly posed to find the right solution.
Similarly, I think, the problem of the turban in this case will suspend the culprit for a few days till the fire dies down and resurrect the said policemen. The authorities will say your problems have been addressed.
The real issue lies elsewhere and deeper.
Dr. Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke addresses historical aspects which sheds light on the main issue see link below (from sikhphilophy.net). I think a full feature film of this would help.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6328595918868971690&q=surinder+khahira#
May I try to pose some questions that may prompt to some input?

  • In the turban case why is the police being responsible to the Punjab Government? Are they not the upholders of the law? If the government breaks the law police can reprimand them as they can an ordinary person! If prosecution of the officers concerned takes place and then work up the chain we should see the broken links.
  • Still on Law Mr. Mitta and Mr. Phoolka’s book ‘When a tree shook Delhi’ goes through endless court cases to find and sentence the culprits of 1984 carnage but the Judges presented with a predefined judgement totally irrelevant to the evidence presented! Judiciary is not impartial and has no morality – is it paid by politicians or business people? People like Khalara and now amritdhari Sikhs are being killed – no action is being taken – SGPC and Akal Takhat – anything you can do?
  • SGPC is led by a politician who has not helped Sikhs in all the time in power. If Akal Takhat can punish some Sikhs for attending non Sikh functions why can they not punish the leaders who are destroying Sikhi? And who is responsible for all the factions that splintered from Sikhi of Guru Nanak and Gobind Singh?
  • If Sikh contribution to Indian independence was 70%+ whey does the majority of Indian state machine corrupting Sikh scriptures and trying to get rid of Sikhs? As a spoilt child ‘I am not going to do anything and not let anyone else do it either’ in this case even destroy what has already been constructed with lot of hardship and bloodshed!
  • If both parties are perpetrators of ill will towards Sikhs – why is there not a third party – even communism (they showed even handedness in the 1984 police blindness).
These are all related and contributors to the state of Sikhi today – however there are obviously more questions and can possibly be surmised into one?
 
Oct 29, 2010
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Could those big words have anything to do with being caught by the camera? I guess muting this will cover all the other similar actions that were not recorded!
Please Sikh reporters highlight these actions every time possible.
 

spnadmin

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davinderdhanjal ji

I cannot add to what you have written -- and will only sum up from my point of view. A culture of contempt has been nourished, and the self-esteem of Sikhs is so badly eroded, that even Sikhs are contemptuous of Sikhs. If the past is prologue to the present, then most of the 19th and all of 20 th centuries have been eras of contempt. Now perhaps this very day the turban will be the living symbol around which a shared sense of past suffering and a positive future can restore high positive regard for the Sikh quom.

p/s I do have something to add, forgive me. What Sikhs for Justice under the joint leadership of Advocates Pannum and Phoolka is doing is very important. This incident is nothing new. This incident is not just about turbans. It is part of a long--standing pattern. There have been scores of incidents since 1999, even worse. But each time shared outrage either wears itself out or is brutally silenced. Pannum is piecing each chapter into a larger framework. Each chapter can no longer be isolated from the one before. As astonishing as his plans may seem to some, it is the only way to bring leadership to account.
 

Kanwaljit.Singh

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Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh ji, the important thing was that the police tried to abuse the person by targeting his faith. And we all reacted because we are Sikhs. Will we react if something similar happens to a Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian or a Jew person? No? Then it was not at all worth it. Guru Tegh Bahadur gave up his life to stand up for freedom to practice religion. We have to do the same, irrespective of the fact if the affected person is Sikh or not. Akaal Sahai.
 

spnadmin

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Veer ji

I understand how the breadth of your humanity folds the suffering of all into its embrace. But before Sikhs can effectively address the political and religious suffering of others in convincing ways, we have to clean up our own house. Otherwise it is nothing but noise from an empty barrel.

Sikhs must demand from their leadership the same respect that Hindus had for our Gurus 400 hundred years ago. Their integrity was so convincing, two were martyred for it. Guru Hargobind, Guru Teg Bahadur, Guru Gobind Singh commanded the respect of others because they respected the identity of panth, and its principles. The events of the week past, and the years since the 1980's prove we have a lot of catching up to do.

When we study what happened in Mohali, look several levels down, the event is not about disrespecting the turban. It is about disrespecting the identity of the one who is wearing it.
 
Aug 28, 2010
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TURBAN along with KESH is a PRIME identity for Sikhs.
Any insult to these in any form should be considered as Non Bailable offence then only we should expect restrictions on such activities.
Prakash.S.Bagga
 

Gyani Jarnail Singh

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Latest...update

Sikhs hold protest, block traffic in Mohali

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sikhs-hold-protest-block-traffic-in-mohali/770177/0


Hundreds of Sikhs held a massive demonstration and blocked traffic on the busy road connecting Mohali with Chandigarh — through Sector 51-52 and Sector 43-44 — on Thursday evening. They were protesting against Wednesday’s incident where policemen had allegedly removed the turban of a Sikh in Mohali.

Following this, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal sought a detailed report of the magisterial inquiry — ordered by him on Wednesday — within 48 hours to initiate further action against all those found guilty in “showing disrespect to the Sikh religion by removing a turban of a Sikh in Mohali”. Mohali SP (Detective) Pritam Singh and Phase VIII SHO Kulbhushan Kumar — accused in the incident — have already been placed under suspension.

To lodge their protest against what they termed as “hurting the religious sentiments”, Sikhs from different quarters gathered at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Phase VIII around 5 pm and marched towards the Phase VII-VIII traffic light point. They squatted on the middle of the road, blocking traffic. They not only demanded that the guilty policemen be dismissed from service with immediate effect but a criminal case under Section 295-A of the IPC be registration against them.


Those who participated in the protest included local SGPC member Hardeep Singh, All India Sikh Students Federation president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, Youth Akali Dal Panch Pardhani president Sandeep Singh Canadian, Shiromani Akali Dal Panch Pardhani president Harpal Singh Cheema, Akhand Kirtani Jatha International president R P Singh, Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha president Jatinderpal Singh, Guru Asra Trust promoters Kuldeep Kaur and Kanwar Singh Dhami, and Voice of Nature president Chuhar Singh.

Half-an-hour into the protest, the local administration — led by SDM Amit Talwar and SP (City) Harpreet Singh — reached the spot. They accepted a memorandum from the protesters, with an assurance to forward it to the state government.
 

spnadmin

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SJF’s Open Letter to Punjab CM




On March 28, 2011 when pharmacists from Punjab exercising their fundamental right gathered in Mohali for a peaceful sit-in to high light their demands. Punjab police first cane charged the gathering in which women were beaten mercilessly. Not satisfied after beating the women, SP Pritam Singh then ordered SHO Kulbhusan to forcibly remove turban of a Sikh youth Jagjit Singh.


Unfortunately, Mohali is not the first incident when Sikh turban was desecrated and women were beaten during SAD (Badal) rule. In another recent incident, women demanding jobs were mercilessly beaten by none other than your senior party leader Sikander Singh Malooka in the presence of SAD (Badal) Member Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Desecrating of turban and beating women are severely abhorred in Sikh religion but unfortunately instead of taking action against MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal who claims to be champion of women rights, Sikander Singh Malooka and other SAD workers who took part in beating women, you as SAD head and chief Minister of Punjab added insult to the injury by defending and justifying the beating of women.

No wonder, Mr. Chief Minister, that today Sikh men and women around the world are being singled out and subjected to attacks because they are being disrespected and crushed under the boots by their own leaders and parties in their homeland Punjab.

While in foreign lands, Sikhs face turban patting in the name of security check up, however, what happened in the state of Punjab, the homeland of Sikhs and Sikhism under the rule of SAD (Badal) is actually an attack on Sikh identity and desecration of Sikh religion. SAD (Badal) has been very vocal in asking Union Government headed by Congress (I) to take up the issue of turban frisking with foreign governments. Now that there is irrefutable evidence of consistent acts of desecrating turbans in Punjab, you as a head of the Punjab Government should act to restore the sanctity of the articles of Sikh faith.

While the perpetrators of Mohali incident must be arrested and prosecuted, the root cause of attack on Sikh identity and religion lies in the fact that Sikhism has been stripped off its separate identity under Article 25 of the Constitution of India. In your own statement of August 14, 2002 you publically admitted that: “I burnt copy of Article 25: Badal”, however, after reaping the political benefits, you have abandoned the issue of segregation of Sikhism from Hinduism. Abandoning this central issue by parties like SAD (Badal) has made Sikh articles of faith an easy target of desecration, home and abroad.

To maintain honor and dignity of Sikh articles of faith and to restore respect of women, we demand:

Punjab Vidhan Sabha should pass a resolution demanding Parliament of India to amend Article 25 to segregate Sikhism from Hinduism.

Arrest and prosecute S.P. Pritam Singh and SHO Kulbhushan for desecrating turban.
Arrest and prosecute the policemen who cane charged women in Mohali.

Pass special legislation from Punjab Vidhan Sabha making special law “Violence Against Women Act” (WAVA) protecting women.

To act on these demands is well within your powers. As Chief Minister of State of Punjab you do not need permission or consent from the Government of India.

http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2011/04/01/sjfs-open-letter-to-punjab-cm/
 
Oct 29, 2010
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Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh ji, the important thing was that the police tried to abuse the person by targeting his faith. And we all reacted because we are Sikhs. Will we react if something similar happens to a Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian or a Jew person? No? Then it was not at all worth it. Guru Tegh Bahadur gave up his life to stand up for freedom to practice religion. We have to do the same, irrespective of the fact if the affected person is Sikh or not. Akaal Sahai.
No we wont - if I may be allowed to present an excuse - we are being attacked from too many angles.
I am sure we can offer help to them by asking them to contact Badel Government and Indian Government - and ask them a question "how did they manage to stifle a race that that drove out Afganis out of India and then the British?" The answer might save these minorities at least.
 

Chaan Pardesi

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Khalsa Ji, I will not say anything else as I am totally lost for words in that this happens in the land of the Sikh Gurus and in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nager, which the central Government has renamed as Mohali.Sikhs should insist on calling it sahibzada Ajit Singh nager, even in posts.

This is one of the main leading forums of the Sikhs.Along with other Sikh groups we should call for naming SP Pritam Sinh as the GADAAR of the Kaum for insulting the Dastaar of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Pritam Sinh is NOTHING more than a paid GADAAR of the Sikh panth.This should be awarded as the official TITLE for Pritam Sinh.

Kul Bhushan is nothing more than the aulaad of gangu Brahman, who acted on the say of his MASTER.He is nothing more than a slave.

This is not the only incident in recent days.A gangu Brahman di aulaad wala officer also stopped two Sikh youths in Chandigarh and threatened them with issuing a ticket for not wearing a helmet.When the Sikh youth protested, he was asked to offer a bribe;when the youth refused, he was asked to take off his turban to prove that he was a Sikh.This was shown on a hindi news channel and the comentator recalle dthat In parliament of India the insult to the turban at Milan was refered to as national insult to india, but within India the police are insulting the turban... how does the government intends to stop such insults...What the hell is wrong with this so called police mentally?When challenged by the camera man, the man was cowering to hide ...and walking away and trying to give excuses...This story has been overlooked.This also needs to addressed.

This cannot carry on.Sikhs have to do something to stop it for once and all.We are fighting head, foot and nail for respect to be shown to the dastaar in the foreigna lands , but in Punjab it is abused openly and easily by corrupted paid agents of gangu brahman.

Pritam Sinh should be declared as THE GADAAR of the Panth and addressed as such by all in their writings from now on.


Sikhs in foreign countries should look out for Pritam sinh should he decide to .....
 
Oct 29, 2010
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Chaan Pardesi Ji,
I had a mail where we can sign a petition against the said offence see the link below:
http://unitedsikhs.org/petitions/petition.php?id=16
I am not sure how to view the status of the effort they are putting in but the momentum has to to be maintained. Knowing the courts in India it will be a long haul.
One thing that comes to mind - in UK there are three Sikh channels and all three are going separately for the attack. If that is in UK I am sure other countries and possibly Punjab as well must also be trying to register the complaint - a concentrated effort may be better to avoid overloading the courts.
I wonder if it is the first time or has it been done before (I mean someone persuing a court case against police or government). If it has been done before then may be the procedure could be used as basis of this or future actions using one powerful body created for the purpose - wish there was a life in SGPC!
 
Oct 29, 2010
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Dear SPNADMIN,
I followed your link and saw the article. It has further added salt to the wound. I was surprised to find no one had left any comments. I did - just in case they are not allowed to publish them I copy them here too:
Has the CM explained why the police is targetting Sikh turbans?
Has police explained why they are carrying out this policy and on whose order?
Is the CM capable of understanding the letter, what are his credentials that make him so immune to Sikh needs?
Is he and his cronies educated?
If Congress came in has anybody asked their members expecting to win seats what their agendas are for bringing sanity into Punjab and the next government?
 

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