Target: 1,000,000 Chaupai Sahib’s by June 2009

25 YEARS
June 1984 saw the armies of India launch a full scale attack on Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar. This was one of the first of a series of brutal and calculated attacks on the Sikh community designed to ridicule and break the backbone of the faith. In the following 25 years we have seen hundreds and thousands of people lose their lives in what is nothing short of genocide. There has been no justice delivered as those guilty of crimes including murder, rape and torture walk freely and often hold ministerial positions. From the walkways of Darbar Sahib to the streets of Delhi, Sikhs have undergone unspeakable horrors.

WHATS THE PLAN?
The Khalsa is the army of Vaheguru himself, and the Khalsa Saint-Soldiers were created to defend the innocent and weak against tyranny and oppression. The Khalsa was formed to be a force which could always be relied upon for help, people that would never turn anybody away, a house that was always open to the homeless and the woundedHowever, today it seems we have lost our way and rather than helping others, we find ourselves knocking at different doors asking for justice and protection. This is a small attempt to remind us that the only door we need to knock at, is that of the Guru.O God (Gobind), kindly protect my honour and grasp my arm, I am Your humble servant.The aim is to collectively complete 1,000,000 Chaupai Sahib paath’s in memory of the victims of the 1984 genocide, to pray for justice, and for the chardi khala of the Panth. This is our chance to unite across the globe, pray together and demonstrate our unity on this issue.We cannot do this alone, we need our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers from around the world, to join in with us and complete this task. As individuals we can only achieve so much, but with the support of Gurbani and the Sangat, we can attain everything.So let’s show our conviction and faith in Vaheguru and complete 1,000,000 Chaupai Sahib’s by 4 June 2009.WHY?Many of us will say that we have a passion for justice for the victims of 1984 and that we care about the Panth. However, in practical terms we often feel frustrated at not being able to do much to help. This paath will allow each one of us to make a daily contribution to the betterment of the Panth. We are at a stage where simply attending one day events is not enough, we need to be working daily towards justice and living as true Khalsa’s. If we truly care, then taking out just a few minutes each day is a small contribution to make.


WHO CAN AND SHOULD GET INVOLVED?
The answer to this question is:Anyone who feels hurt by the atrocities we have suffered over the last 25 years.Anyone who wishes to pray for the victims of the 1984 to present, Sikh genocide.Anyone who feels that that the innocents who suffered at the hands of tyrants deserve justice.Anyone who feels that they are part of the Sikh Nation and wish for the Nation to flourish.Anyone who actually wants to make a difference.So in essence, this should include each and every one of us. It doesn’t matter if you are a Sikh or a non-Sikh, whether you have taken Amrit or not, whether you keep your kesh or not, whether you belong to certain groups or not. This is our chance to gather as a community of human beings and do something together for the betterment of our mothers and fathers who have suffered beyond our worst nightmares.


SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?
What we ask is that each of us reads/listens to as many Chaupai Sahib’s as possible with a collective aim to reach the target of 1,000,000. So read/listen to the bani and record how many you have done. Then on a weekly or fortnightly basis update the website so that we can keep a record of how we are doing.If you cannot read Gurbani then please try and listen to the bani being read. You can download the audio, watch videos with the audio playing and obtain English translations for you to read. We just want as many people contributing as much as they can for the Panth, OUR Panth. If this means that you can manage one Chaupai Sahib a day, then we thank you, as that is one more prayer that had been done for the betterment of OUR Panth. Each Chaupai Sahib will take no more than 5 minutes. So please, take out this time and do as much as you can.


RECORDING THE PAATH
The primary method of recording the number of paath done will be via this website, and once it opens on January 1st 2009 (see below) we ask that you visit the site regularly to submit the number of paaths you (and your family/friends) have done. The information we receive will be treated with full confidentiality.
DEGH TEGH FATEHPANTH KI JEET

Bhai Sarabjit Singh Hazoori Ragi Kirtan Darbar

Bhai Sahib Bhai Sarabjit Singh Ji (Hazoori Ragi Shri Darbar Sahib Shri Amritsar) will be doing kirtan on Sunday 12th October 2008 from 6:50 pm to 8:00 pm at Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Clarence Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1LD.Please attend and enjoy great kirtan. The kirtan darbar is being held by Kent Kirtan Society in partnership with Guru Nanak Komal Sangeet Acadmey.

Kirtan Darbar, Bhai Kuldeep Singh Javadi Kala Wale

Bhai Sahib Bhai Kuldeep Singh Ji (Javadi Kala Wale) will be doing kirtan on Sunday 28th September 2008 from 7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m at Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Clarence Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1LD.

Please attend and enjoy great kirtan. The Kirtan darbar is being held by Guru Nanak Komal Sangeet Academy Gravesend in partnership with Kent Kirtan Society.

Kirtan Darbar, Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shaant

Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurmeet Singh Ji Shaant Jalandar wale will be doing kirtan on Sunday 31st August 2008 from 6:45 p.m to 8:00 p.m at Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Clarence Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1LD.

Please attend and enjoy great kirtan. The Kirtan darbar is being held by Guru Nanak Komal Sangeet Academy Gravesend in partnership with Kent Kirtan Society.

Jathedar Gurbachan Singh..........

Installation Akal Takht chief for uniformity in maryada

After his installation ceremony here today, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, emphasised the need for bringing uniformity of “maryada” (Sikh code) in all Sikh institutions and the accomplishment of the desired goals as per the age- old Sikh tenets.
“The distinct identity of the Sikhs should be a source of inspiration for the world,” he said.
Seeking immediate arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the newly installed Jathedar asked the Central and Haryana governments to seal his dera in Sirsa and its branches.
Answering a question, Giani Gurbachan Singh said he would discuss with other Sikh clerics in case the dera chief offered to appear before Akal Takht as a humble Sikh.
To yet another question whether he would ask Shiromani Akali Dal supremo to get baptised, he simply said: “We will try”. He, however, said he would personally monitor the movement of “Amrit Parchar”.
Sikh clerics from Takht Patna Sahib and Hazoor Sahib, SGPC chief, Nihang sects, Akali factions, student federations and Nirmala Sants, etc, presented the Jathedar with “Dastars” (turbans) in the presence of a moderate gathering. SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra hoped that the new Jathedar would be instrumental in resolving all the pending issues of the Sikh community.
However, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, the outgoing Jathedar, was conspicuous by his absence at the installation ceremony. Giani Puran Singh, who had been unceremoniously removed as Jathedar of Akal Takht by the SGPC eight years ago, presented Dastar to the new Jathedar. Vedanti succeeded him then.
SGPC chief Avtar Singh said former Jathedar did not turn up at the function though Harbhajan Singh, manager of the Darbar Sahib visited his residence yesterday to invite him for the ceremony. He said Vedanti had tendered his resignation due to “ill-health” and the committee appreciated his services as Jathedar and Granthi of the Golden Temple. When asked that Vedanti had told the media that he was forced to quit, he said it was an afterthought.
The SGPC president said strict action would be taken against those officials who had locked the Akal Takht secretariat with a view to stopping the entry of Vedanti into it.
The SGPC president said the long-pending matter of appointing a religious adviser to the Jathedar of Akal Takht would be made if Jathedar Gurbachan Singh desired so. Former Jathedar Vedanti had sent a number of reminders to the SGPC to appoint religious adviser to streamline the functioning of the Akal Takht secretariat.

Lifts ban on Iqbal Singh

The ban imposed on Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar of Patna Sahib, from attending the meetings of Sikh clergy has been lifted by Giani Gurbachan Singh, a few minutes after his installation as the Jathedar of Akal Takht here today.
Giani Gurbachan Singh was one of the signatories to the “Gurmatta”, which had reversed the controversial edicts pronounced by Giani Iqbal Singh from Takht Patna Sahib. The Patna clergy had impeached Jathedars of three Takhts of Punjab, Akal Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Kesgarh Sahib, besides the Head Granthi (now Jathedar Akal Takht) and Granthi of the Golden Temple, debarring their involvement in any Panthic activity.
The decision of Giani Gurbachan Singh to lift the ban on Giani Iqbal Singh may cause embarrassment to the SGPC, which had been demanding the latter’s resignation.

Notice to SGPC, Centre over Vedanti’s removal

UK-based religious adviser to Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jasdev Singh Rai, today served a legal notice on the SGPC and the union home minister for the “unceremonious removal’ of Jathedar of Akal Takht.
In an e-mail to The Tribune, Rai said he would also move the UNO against the SGPC and the Government of India for violating the Gurdwara Act, passed by the Lok Sabha in 1925.
It added the statutory body SGPC had gone beyond its limit as permitted under Article 25 (a) of managing shrines and other gurdwaras by unilaterally assuming authority and responsibility to manage, appoint and influence the highest temporal office of the Sikh community.

Vedanti skips Giani Gurbachan Singh's coronation

The rancour was finally evident on Thursday with former jathedar of Akal Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti not attending the coronation of Giani Gurbachan Singh. Vedanti’s ouster has raised questions about the functioning of SGPC and SAD’s influence over it. Though SGPC president Avtar Singh maintained that Vedanti submitted his resignation owing to poor health, the theory gaining ground is that he was asked to do this to avoid being sacked. Balwant Singh Dhillon, professor and Sikh scholar, opined that the existing system of removal and appointment of jathedars only suits those who think they are competent to appoint them. He said he failed to understand the reason behind Vedanti’s sudden exit. Karan Singh, founder president of the Sikh Foundation, Switzerland, said the Sikh diaspora was not happy with the treatment meted out to Vedanti. He alleged that the SAD was ruling the SGPC by proxy and was using the influence of Akal Takht for its political purposes. Karan said his foundation would honour Vedanti and would also initiate an international move against his "forcible" removal. "No one should be allowed to remove a person who is revered by the Panth in this fashion," he said. Vedanti was not available for comments. His personal assistant Prithipal Singh said he didn’t understand why SGPC had locked the Akal Takht secretariat. "I have my personal computer, "Chandoa Sahib" and few other belongings there," he said. Prithipal also said Vedanti would come before media at an appropriate time.

Meeting of High Priests soon on Dera row: Top Sikh cleric

New Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh on Thursday said that he would soon convene a meeting of five Sikh High Priests to chalk out Panthic strategy on tackling the lingering Dera Sacha Sauda row.
Talking to reporters in Amritsar soon after he was installed as Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the higest temporal seat of the Sikhs, he asked the Sikh community to abjure confrontation with the Dera Sacha Sauda sect.
The top cleric said a meeting of five Sikh High Priests would be held soon at the Akat Takht secretariat in the Golden Temple to chalk out Panthic strategy on the Dera Sacha Sauda row.
He sought help of Punjab, Haryana and Union governments in curbing what he said anti-Sikh activities being carried out by the sect.
Last year, Joginder Singh Vedanti, who quit as Akal Takht Jathedar two days ago, issued an edict calling upon Sikhs to boycott the Dera Sacha Sauda.
Calling for maintaining peace and tranquillity in Punjab, the new Jathedar asked Sikhs not to get provoked by activities of the sect.
He said he was hopeful those who were involved in acts of violence against the Sikhs would be punished by courts.
The top cleric said services of SGPC, a statutory body which manages affairs of Sikh shrines, would be sought to tackle the contentious issue.
Earlier, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar told the gathering at the coronation ceremony that the installation of the new Jathedar would help solve the Dera row.

Praising PM led to Akal Takht top priest's removal

What led to the sacking of Joginder Singh Vedanti as the head priest of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs? "I was sacked," said Vedanti, "because I supported Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the crucial trust vote." It is learnt that a top delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee, including its president Avtar Singh Makkar, general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bahur and executive committee member Rajinder Singh Mehta rushed to Vedanti to collect his resignation letter. Though they deny that they were involved, Vedanti told rediff.com on Wednesday that he was forced to resign and Giani Gurbachan Singh was appointed in his place.
"Some days ago, the three of them came to me and asked me to resign. They were very angry and told me that some of my remarks had upset their political partners. I told them that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, as a Sikh, has done the nation proud. If that has upset their political partners, then I don't have anything to say. I would say the same about Dr Singh again. He is honest and a true Sikh," Vedanti told rediff.com in a candid conversation. It is said Vedanti helped the prime minister in framing his speech during the trust vote, at least in the parts where he referred to Guru Gobind Singh.
To pacify the agitated officials who reportedly asked for his resignation at the instance of Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Vedanti wrote out the resignation letter and handed it over to Bahur. "The moment they got the letter, they left. Appointments are done and cancelled, I have no quarrels. But I was pained at the manner in which it was carried out," he said. Makkar, however, denied Vedanti's claim. "We are willing to distribute copies of the resignation letter to the media to prove that it was written in his own handw," Makkar told this correspondent. Eleven out of the 13 executive committee members voted in favour of Vedanti's resignation while Karnail Singh Panjoli and Gurwinder Singh alleged that the letter was written under duress.
Vedanti has also been accused of supporting the demand for a separate homeland for Sikhs during his recent trip to the United States. "I never made such statements. You can browse newspapers in the US during that period. What I said was that wherever the Sikhs go, they carve out a separate state for themselves and our homeland has no boundaries. I still stand by that statement," Vedanti clarified.
Vedanti also came under attack for his poor handling of the Akali-Dera row and the Sant Samaj had sought his resignation. With Lok Sabha elections around the corner, Badal did not want to take any chances but wanted to keep the Sant Samaj happy.

Dhami is Dal Khalsa chief

Harchranjit Singh Dhami (55), the newly elected president of radical Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa has expressed his belief in ideological and principled politics.
Dhami, who hails from Hoshiarpur, did his MSc from DAV College, Jalandhar, in 1975. An industrialist, he had served the organisation as acting president from 2003 to 2005.
Dhami said the Dal Khalsa would follow a non-violent path to achieve its goals. However, he admitted that they had failed to transform the body into a mass-base organisation because of its hardliner image and the tendency of the people to stick to the powers that be.

Dal Khalsa criticises Badal for Jathedar Vedanti’s `ouster’

Dal Khalsa, a Sikh organisation, Wednesday criticised the ‘ousting’ of Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and accused Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his family of only wanting a ‘yes man’.
‘They only want a team of yes man in Akal Takht, and if any leader tries to go against them, they just throw him out. The latest example is of unprincipled ousting of former Jathedar of Akal Takht, Joginder Singh Vedanti two days ago,’ said Kanwarpal Singh, general secretary of Dal Khalsa here Wednesday.
Vedanti resigned as Akal takht chief two days ago.
‘Badal and his son exploited Vedanti till he was of their use. Now they have elected Gurbachan Singh, the new Jathedar of Akal Takht, without consulting anyone and without any formal elections which are against the principles of Sikhism,’ claimed Singh.
Dal Khalsa demanded formulation of a proper procedure to elect the Akal Takht Jathedar.
Criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Dal Khalsa president Dhami said: ‘He is always helpless and always works under some pressure. He has not done even a single thing for the betterment of Sikh community in the country.’
‘Dal Khalsa is collaborating with other minority communities to formulate a policy to curb the human rights violations in the country,’ said Dhami.

Latest News from Punjab about Vedanti and Gurbachan Singh

Vedanti quits, Gurbachan Singh to be Takht Jathedar

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) that assembled here today accepted the resignation submitted by Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and appointed Giani Gurbachan Singh, head granthi of Harmandar Sahib, as president of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.
The meeting of the SGPC was held at Gurdwara Sri Hargobind Sahib and was presided over by Avtar Singh Makkar and attended by 13 of the 15 members. Vedanti had yesterday submitted his resignation to SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and executive member Rajinder Singh Mehta, in which he cited health reasons for resigning from the post.
The resignation was today read out by Makkar before the SGPC members and was accepted by 11 of the 13 members present during the meeting. Karnail Singh Panjoli and Gurwinder Singh raised objections against the resignation, alleging that Vedanti was being forced to resign as SAD chief Prakash Singh Badal wished so. Bhajan Kaur and Santok Singh did not attend the meeting.
Panjoli alleged that Vedanti had fallen off the good books of Badal for his having raised the demand for a separate state for the Sikhs during his recent visit to the US and for having asked Sikh MPs to support Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the N-deal issue in Parliament.
Panjoli said the manner in which Vedanti had been “forced to resign” without having been allowed time to put up his point of view was unacceptable.
Makkar told The Tribune that Vedanti had stated in his resignation that due to ill-health he was unable to continue as Akal Takht Jathedar and had requested the SGPC to appoint the next Jathedar of the Takht.
He said it had been decided to appoint Giani Gurbachan Singh as Akal Takht Jathedar and he would be sworn in on August 7 in the presence of various Sikh organisations.
He, however, refused to divulge the reasons behind Vedanti’s resignation.
Vedanti had been appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht in 2000. Recently, he came under attack from a number of Sikh organisations for his having failed to handle the Sikh-dera row with a “strong hand”.

I was forced to quit, says Vedanti

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee forced Giani Joginder Singh to resign as Jathedar Akal Takht . The resignation was accepted at a meeting of the SGPC executive committee held at Sri Hargobind Sahib, gurdwara ,Kurkushetra today.
SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and executive committee member Rajinder Singh Mehta visited the official residence of Jathedar Vedanti, here yesterday evening and sought his resignation. Jathedar Vedanti claimed both SGPC office-bearers threatened him with sack at today’s executive committee meeting if he did not step down. “I never wished to resign till tercentenary celebrations of “Gurta -Gaddi Diwas” of Guru Granth Sahib in October in Nanded Sahib (Maharashtra) but the SGPC forced me to resign”, he said. Almost all Sikh centenaries since 1999, including tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa Panth, the quadri-centenary of the foundation of Akal Takht, and 500th birth centenary of Baba Budha, were marred by controversies. The SGPC committee has made it known the Jathedar resigned on “health grounds”.
After removing Vedanti, the SGPC chief rushed to the residence of the Chief Minister at Chandigarh to apprise him about the development.
Panthic sources claimed Vedanti ,appointed by the SAD , dominated the SGPC as Jathedar on March 28, 2000 after sacking Giani Puran Singh as Jathedar, Akal Takht was the most pliable and controversial. A day after his installation as Jathedar, Akal Takht, Vedanti had revoked all controversial edicts made his predecessor Giani Puran Singh including the “excommunication” of Bibi Jagir Kaur, then SGPC chief , three Jathedars and some SGPC executive members . “He was the most controversial Jathedar ”, said Rajinder Singh Khalsa, convener Khalsa Panchayat the first to launch movement against Jathedar Vedanti in 2003 , following charges of corruption.
Vedanti had lauded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, days before Trust vote in Parliament. He had termed Manmohan Singh honest and true Sikh. Earlier, the Jathedar had irked the SAD and the SGPC for backing movement for separate state for the Sikhs , in April in Washington DC. Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Avtar Singh had sought his explanation for “irresponsible statement” in the USA. According to another view the SAD wanted to get rid of Vedanti to please the Sant Samaj with Lok Sabha elections in mind.
Jathedar Vedanti had not summoned Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his family members during his eight years as Jathear Akal Takht.
Though the 13 out of 15 executive members had accepted the resignation of Jathedar Vedanti two members Karnail Singh Panjoli and Gurwinder Singh Shampura gave dissenting note alleging Jathedar Vedanti was removed under pressure of the RSS and the BJP and it was decided at a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Akali Dal.
Recently Jathedar Vedanti came under attack from a number of Sikh organisations for having failed to handle the Sikh-Dera row '. The Sant Samaj , headed by Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa had sought his resignation for mishandling the Dera Sacha issue.
SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann has asked the SGPC to install Bhai Ranjit Singh as Jathedar Akal Takht if it wanted to win over Sikh masses.

From sewadar to Akal Takht chief

Head granthi of the Golden Temple, Giani Gurbachan Singh, who has been appointed officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, joined the SGPC as “sewadar” on February 29, 1972, at Darbar Sahib, Muktsar. In 36 years, his rise to head the temporal Sikh religious seat is indeed a remarkable achievement.
Born on April 6, 1948, in Chakk Baja village (Muktsar), the home district of the Chief Minister, Giani Gurbachan Singh is a confidant of the Badal family. Like outgoing Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and former high priest Giani Puran Singh, he is under-matriculate. Though Giani Gurbachan Singh, also a relative of Jathedar Vedanti, will be installed Jathedar on August 7, a number of Sikh organisations have criticised the SGPC and the SAD for ignoring the age-old Sikh Maryada connected with the installation.In 1996 Giani Gurbachan Singh was promoted from sewadar to granthi and katha vachak and then in 2004 head granthi of the Golden Temple.
He had been transferred from Muktsar to Dhamdhan gurdwara (Jind), Haryana, following a complaint of presenting siropa (robe of honour) to then home minister Buta Singh, during the period of his excommunication from the Sikh Panth. However, he was transferred back to Darbar Sahib after he clarified the siropa was actually presented to Joginder Singh Mann, a former Congress minister, who then handed it over to his uncle (Buta Singh).

Bhai Gurmeet Singh Shaant Kirtan Darbar

Bhai Sahib Bhai Gurmeet Singh Ji Shaant Jalandar wale will be doing kirtan on Sunday 3th August 2008 from 6:45 p.m to 8:00 p.m at Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Clarence Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1LD.

Please attend and enjoy great kirtan. The Kirtan darbar is being held by Guru Nanak Komal Sangeet Academy Gravesend in partnership with local sevadars.

In History Today:

Guru Harkrishan Maharajs Parkash Purab:

Guru Har Krishan Ji (7 July 1656 - 30 March 1664) was the eighth of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. He became Guru on 7 October 1661 following in the footsteps of his father, Guru Har Rai Ji. Before Guru Ji died, he nominated Baba Bakala Ji, as the next Guru of the Sikhs. It turns out that this was his granduncle Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The following is a summary of the main highlights of Guru Ji short life:
✏ When Guruji stayed in Delhi there was a smallpox epidemic which resulted in many deaths. By Guruji's blessing, the lake at Bangla Sahib provided a cure for thousands. Exposing himself to his many devotees he too died of Smallpox. Thus he unselfishly, without the thought of danger to himself, served many people. This is true Sewa to care for the sick even at the risk of one's own life.
✏ Gurdwara Bangla Sahib was constructed in Guruji memory. This is where he stayed during his visit to Delhi. This was originally the palace of Raja Jai Singh, who was a strong Sikh and a devotee of the Guru.
✏ Guru Sahib caused the illiterate water-carrier named Chhaju Ram to expound the philosophy of the holy Gita on the challenge from Pandit Lal Chand. On hearing this narration of the holy Gita, Pandit Lal Chand was deeply humiliated. He was so impressed with this feat performed by the Guru that he became a Sikh and later escorted the Guru Sahib up to Kurukashatra.

News:

Ladoo-time in Amritsar as PM wins trust vote

Even as Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti has refused to comment on the winning of confidence vote by the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, Jathedar, Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh has congratulated the Prime Minister on this historic victory.
Talking to The Tribune from Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh described Dr Manmohan Singh as a true and honest Sikh who had quoted hymns from Dasam Granth while seeking confidence vote on the floor of Parliament. However, Jathedar Vedanti, who had eulogised Dr Manmohan Singh earlier, today preferred to keep mum.
Meanwhile, Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar, Akal Takht, has said it was moral defeat of the SAD which had failed to support the government of the first Sikh Prime Minister. He said it was ridiculous the SAD leadership had stated they could not support Dr Manmohan Singh merely on the basis that he was a Sikh.
Meanwhile, there is lot of jubilation in the town, especially in the houses of Surjit Singh Kohli and Daljit Singh Kohli, brothers of the Prime Minister. They distributed ladoos to mark the victory.
On the other hand, the BJP burnt the effigies of the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi in protest against bribe given to three BJP MPs.
Congress leaders, led by Prof Darbari Lal, a former deputy speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, distributed ladoos in the morning much before the counting of votes. Manjit Singh Calcutta, a senior Akali leader and member of the SGPC expressed satisfaction over winning the confidence vote.

Tight security in city as Sikh bodies observe bandh today

Security has been further stepped up in the city in view of the bandh call given by certain Sikh organisations to protest against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem.
Following Monday’s incident in Kamla Nagar, where five Dera followers of a family were injured allegedly by activists of a Sikh organisation — the city police have sounded high alert.
After the recent clashes between the Dera followers and Sikhs in Haryana and other places, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) R K Jaiswal had already put the city police on high alert.
Speaking to Newsline, SSP Jaiswal said: “We have made adequate security arrangements in view of the bandh call tomorrow. All police personnel have been asked to remain on alert. The entire city will be under our close surveillance not only tomorrow but till the situation turns normal.”
Two additional police companies have been called to the city and deployed in different areas to prevent any untoward incident due to the simmering tension between the Dera Sacha Sauda followers and the Sikh community. According to police officers, some sensitive areas have been identified which will be under special scrutiny during the bandh.
The Sikh organisations had called for a bandh following a clash between the Dera followers and the members of Sikh community at Dabwali in Haryana last Friday. A Sikh had been killed in the incident, which had sparked widespread protests from Sikhs in Punjab and other parts of the country.

Sikhs call bandh in Punjab; disrupt rail, road traffic

Sikh protestors on Wednesday disrupted the rail and road transport between Delhi and Punjab, while demanding the arrest of Dera Sacha Suada Chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim. According to reports, six major trains between national capital and Punjab have been disrupted. The trains, which were affected by the protests, include Delhi-Amritsar intercity express, Amritsar-Delhi Express, Amritsar-Pathankote Express, Abohar-Haridwar Express and Amritsar-Saharsa Garib Rath. The protestors are demanding the arrest of the Dera chief and his bodyguard for allegedly killing a Sikh in in Mulund in Mumbai last month. Meanwhile, Damdama Taksal spokesperson Baba Harna Singh has appealed to the protesters to calm down and allow movement of road and rail traffic. However, expressing his support to the protest, he said, “I want to ask a question that why the govt is harassing us. It has not arrested Dera Sacha Sauda chief till now.” On further course of action, he said that the organization will hold a meeting on July 30 to chalk out future plans.

Latest from India, yet another Singh is Shaheed bringing the total to 3

Security stepped up in city ahead of July 23 bandh

The city police have been put on high alert to prevent any untoward incident following fresh clashes between the Sikh community and Dera Sacha Sauda members in Haryana. In the view of the Punjab bandh call given by Sikh organisations on July 23, additional police force has been deployed in the city.
According to sources, senior district police officers are keeping a close watch on the situation. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Urban) RK Jaiswal held a meeting with his officers and asked them to deploy police force in various parts of the city.
Sources said that though the entire city is under close watch, some sensitive areas have been zeroed-in on.
Speaking to Newsline, SSP Jaiswal said two companies of the police force had also been called from outside the district. He said the security has been stepped up till July 23 when Sikh organisations will observe a bandh. The SSP appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony.
Following the fresh clashes between the members of Sikh community and the Dera Sacha Sauda at Dabwali in Haryana on Friday, one person from the Sikh community had been killed. This had sparked widespread protest from Sikhs in Punjab and other parts of the country.
Some Sikh organisations have called for a bandh on July 23 to protest against the Dera head Gurmeet Ram Raheem.

Haryana Cult Clash Claims life of another Singh

The conflict between the Sikh Nation and the Sirsa based Sauda cult took another turn for the worst when clashes between cultists and Sikh protestors claimed another Sikh youth's life in the town of Dabwali in Haryana.
Furious over the latest murder, members of the Sikh community clashed with cultists for several hours before authorities managed to control the situation in the border districts of Bathinda, Mukatsar, Faridkot, and Sirsa. Tensions also flared in the districts of SriGanganagar, and Hanumangarh on the border with Rajasthan.
On Saturday, thousands of Sikhs gathered in large numbers at Shaheed Bhai Harmandir Singh's native town of Dabwali to pay tribute to the Sikh Nation's third Shaheed in the anti-Sauda Dera agitation.

Bhai Harmandir Singh, who was also known as Mandar Singh in the community, was a local leader of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha. His body was cremated according to Sikh rites after being taken from a local Haryana Gurdwara Sahib in a huge procession and show of strength by the Sikhs.
The Shaheed Singh's body, draped by siropas (robes of honor) presented by Sikh organizations, was carried on top of a large vehicle with his father Sardar Mohinder Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, and other prominent Sikh leaders, and members of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha.

Passions were on edge as the large numbers of mourners raised loud Jaikaras of 'Bole so Nihal, Sat Sri Akal' and 'Shaheed Harmandar Singh Amar Rahay.' Slogans against the Sirsa dera and its criminal chief were also raised through the procession.

After the Shaheed's body was brought to Dabwali's cremation ground, an emotional farewell was given by the martyr's parents, elder brother, and wife Manjit Kaur. His surviving daughter, Sukhandeep Kaur, 5, and son Gurcharn Singh, who is only two and half years old, seemed oblivious to the tragedy that occurred in their family.
The Funeral fire for Bhai Harmandir Singh's body was lit by the shaheed's father and elder brother, along with Jathedar Nandgarh and Avtar Singh Makkar of the SGPC.
After the antim-saskar, Sikh leaders such as Simranjit Singh Maan, Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal, Daljit Singh Bittu, eulogized the martyr at the local Gurdwara at Dabwali.
There was a huge presence of local police, Border Security Forces, and Rapid Action Forces throughout the area, in which the entire border area between the districts of Bathinda and Mukatsar had been sealed and a curfew put in place. Only during the antim-saskar procession was the curfew lifted for about two and a half hours.
According to eyewitnesses, a local 'naam-charcha' (Sirsa cult meeting) was being organized at the residence of Sundar Dass Mehta on Friday. Volunteers of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, including Bhai Harmandir Singh, complained to the local police officials about the meeting, but officials, who themselves sympathize with the cultists, turned a blind eye to the issue.
When the Singhs, numbering only 15-20, began to protest outside Mehta's residence, they were violently confronted by the cultists whose numbers had now surged into the hundreds-heavily armed. In the initial attack, dozens of cultists ambushed Bhai Harmandir Singh with sharp weapons and latthis (staffs), several others were injured in this melee.
When other members of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha found out about the situation, they quickly arrived at the scene and took possession of the Shaheed Singh's body, and in protest closed down the Delhi-Dabwali highway.
According to press reports, the deputy commissioner Oma Shankar, and senior police captain Venktarmun, soon arrived at the protest scene and attempted to disperse the protesting Singhs using the infamous 'lathi-charge' tactic in which half a dozens more Singhs were injured directly due to police brutality.
As reports of the mistreatment of the Sikhs in Haryana spread, more Sangat began to pour into the town of Dabwali, in which during the evening the Sikh protesters began to retaliate against the authorities and Sirsa cultists. It took several hours and reinforcements from neighboring districts before the Police could contain the situation.
As in the past, local government officials are suspected of sympathizing with and protecting the cult dera members, and are being partly blamed for the death of Harmandir Singh. They include deputy commissioner Oma Shankar, a sub-inspector Dalip Singh, and local patwari.

Legal Cases against Cult Leader

Several fresh developments in the Gurmeet Ram Rahim case this past week. While the Sikh Community mourns the death of Bhai Harmandar Singh, the murder by Sacha Sauda cultists will further intensify the case. In addition, another case was opened against Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the Chandigarh Division Court this past week by a widely renowned lawyer Arvind Thakur of the Global Human Rights Commission of Chandigarh. In a written plea to the court, Thakur testified that he has received death threats on behest of the Sirsa cult leader on July 7, 2008.
Although the court had sent summons to Gurmeet Ram Rahim to appear in the Chandigarh Court on July 17th or to send a legal representative, he failed to provide any notice of his absence from the court. The matter is being perceived as a dishonor of the law and legal system. Furthermore, the summons required the attendance of the Dera Chief’s personal manager and his youth division’s President but they also failed to appear in court. While the court adjourned without any decision, it was decided by the court that the Dera Chief should appear in the Chandigarh Court on September 4th for the case hearing.
The three officials of Dera Sacha Sauda have been accused of issuing death threats to Thakur and his family. The original letter, which was sent through registered email to Thakur, has been submitted to the court and its validity is being verified. A copy of the letter was also sent to the police after consultation of the Chandigarh District Bar. In the writ filed with the court, it was alleged that the Dera’s personal manager played a key role in issuing the death threat to Arvind Thakur.
Furthermore, Thakur asked the court to provide him with security as the Chandigarh Police failed to complete the necessary investigations on time and there could be danger to his and his family’s life. Thakur said that he is being threatened as he raised his voice against Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his wrongdoings.

Dhaarna Held Against Dera Chief

Co-ordinated by the Sant Samaj, the initiated Dhaarna for the arrest of the Sirsa Dera Chief concluded its fifth session today. Under the command of the Sikh nations renowned Parchaarak Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Ji Dhadrianwale, accompanied by members of the Sant Samaj, Sikh organisations and the Sikh youth, a Dhaarna was held in Sector 16, Chandigarh.Like before, memorandums were given to the governing bodies of Haryana and Punjab. To receive these memorandums, no senior member of the governing bodies was in attendance, only delegates were sent. After the four hour Dhaarna when the time for Ardaas came, four Sikh activists not being able to withstand the strong Indian heat and sunlight fainted. These included one woman, two Sikh youths and an elder member, who were given water and glucose to regain consciousness.Sant Baba Ranjit Singh Ji Dhadrianwale have already stated last week that their full support and backing will be given to this Panthic lobby against the Dera Chief. Sant Dhadrianwale has said that first the Dera Chief imitated Dasmesh Pitha and made a mockery of the Sikh traditions, then last year a Sikh was killed by one of his followers, and now while injuring others, another Singh has been shot dead by the cult leaders bodyguard in Mumbai.They said that co-ordination from Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar Sahib (Shekupura, Patiala) meant activists of the Nirvair Khalsa Dal branches in various cities such as Sangrur, Sunam, Nabha, Bakhshi Vala and other parts of Punjab were able to take part in the ‘Rail Roko’ programme. Sant Dhadrianwale stated that the Government should fulfil its role by arresting the Sirsa Dera Chief and punish him accordingly. Sant Dhadrianwale repeated full support will be given to the Gurmat Sidhant Parchaarak Sant Samaj and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Damdami Taksal, as well as other like-minded organisations, who will continue the movement against the Dera Sacha Sauda of Sirsa, so that no one in the future again has the courage to challenge the Sikh Qaum.It must be noted that from the 9th July 2008, the Sant Samaj has been holding Dhaarna’s daily in this Chandigarh-based location, and an unbroken chain of these events will continue until the 19th July 2008.

Bhai Kamaljit Singh Ji Hazoori Ragi Shri Darbar Sahib Amritsar in Gravesend UK

In this Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Kirtan of the Lord's Praises are most sublime and exalted.

Bhai Sahib Bhai Kamaljit Singh Ji Hazoori Ragi Shri Darbar Sahib Amritsar will be doing kirtan from Monday 14th July 2008 till Sunday 20th July 2008 at 6:10 p.m to 6:50 p.m everyday at Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Clarence Place, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 1LD.

Please attend and enjoy great kirtan. The Kirtan darbar is being held by Guru Nanak Komal Sangeet Academy Gravesend in partnership with local sevadars.

For further information contact the numbers below:
Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara Gravesend – 01474 350611
www.gururamdass.blogspot.com

Latest about Ram Raheem and reaction

Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Panch Pardhani) announces indefinite hunger strike before the Parliament starting 20th July against the injustices and atrocities of the Indian state against Sikhs.

A mass contact march to start on 1st August from Takhat Shri Damdama Sahib covering entire Punjab.

In its important meeting at Ludhiana the Party’s Supreme Council felt that the Indian state has never accepted the uniqueness and independence status of Sikh Panth. Due to this perverted conception, since 1947 Sikhs had to suffer such times as June 1984 attack on Darbar sahib, November 1984 Sikh massacres and genocide of Sikh youth in 80’s & 90’s. Simultaneously the state has always encouraged pseudo-religious cults & godheads such as nirankaris, noormahalias and sirsa wala with intention to undermine the basic principle of Shabad Guru in Sikhism. The Panth is in continuous struggle against such state policies. Recognizing the true sentiments of Sikh Panth and continuous persecution and injustice against Sikh Panth, Akali Dal will go on an indefinite hunger strike from 20th July in front of Indian Parliament. Each jatha of 5 Sikhs will sit on hunger strike for 48 hours. Ardaas at Akal Takht Sahib will be held on 19th July at 10 AM to start this agitation.3 main issues of present times:1). Arrest Gurmeet ram rahim of dera sirsa- This imposter has been hurting the feelings of Sikh Panth for last one year. He is responsible for martyrdom of two Sikhs. The state has been shamelessly protecting and encouraging him.2). Return us our Sikh reference library:During the 1984 attack on Darbar Sahib, the Indian army took away hundreds of handwritten Saroops of Shri Guru Granth sahib and rare historical manuscripts. The state has not returned these to this day. The Sikhs feels that they can’t participate in the tri-centenary celebrations of Shri Guru Granth Sahib without this treasure.3). Amend article 25(2) (B) of Indian constitution:Sikh religion is unique and independent of any other religion but the Indian constitution stubbornly clubs the entire Sikh Panth under the Hindu religion, which is direct attack on our entity.Apart from this our party feels that the established ruling parties are responsible for pushing panth and Punjab to the brink of degradation and destruction. The need of the hour is the mass based movement with Guru Granth Sahib as its base. The party will start a mass contact program in villages and cities from 1 August from Takhat Shri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo. This mass contact march will cover entire Punjab with the purpose of education and organizing people for bright future which they deserve.