The Tribune – Stay on DSGMC poll; SAD, Sarna take to blame game

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 7. With the court staying the upcoming DSGMC elections, the ruling SAD (Delhi) and the SAD have resorted to a blame game, accusing each other of running away from the elections.

DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna alleged that some pro-SAD forces had filed the case, contending that voter ID cards didn’t have photographs and that delimitation should be done before the elections. He alleged that this was done at the behest of the Badals as they had foreseen their imminent defeat in the DSGMC elections.

“They could not find candidates to field against our party in Delhi. Moreover, two of their sitting DSGMC members — Malkinder Singh from Motinagar and Kultaran Singh from Janakpuri — had recently joined us,” he said.

Sarna claimed that the SAD had got a survey done and found that they could only win three out of the total 46 seats in the DSGMC elections. He alleged that the SAD also apprehended that the poll results of Punjab, which are to be declared on March 6, would have an adverse impact on its poll prospects in the DSGMC elections, which were to take place on March 11. “Now, they are merely buying time to salvage their prestige,” he said.

The DSGMC chief said they are going in for an appeal against the stay as they are totally in an election mode. “The government too will appeal against it,” he said. On the political implications of the court order, he said the SAD would face even worse route whenever the DSGMC elections take place now, as the electorate “understood each and everything”.

On the other hand, SAD secretary Daljeet Singh Cheema alleged that Sarna had got the DSGMC elections declared in February, thinking that the SAD leadership would be busy in Punjab Assembly polls and he could exploit the situation in Delhi. “However, his game plan failed as the Election Commission announced January 30 as the polling day in Punjab. Sarna is behind moving the petition seeking a stay on the elections,” he said, adding today’s developments had once again brought to the fore the “Congress’s interference in the Sikh affairs”.

“The Congress wants to grab the management of Sikh shrines and this fight is more evident in Delhi where Sarna is openly siding with the Congress,” he alleged. On the political implications of the stay on DSGMC polls, he said it would only add to the already growing resentment among Sikhs against the Congress.

The SAD is already blaming the Congress-led UPA government for delaying the election of office-bearers of the SGPC, the elections to which were held on September 18 last year.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120208/punjab.htm#8

SALDEF – Gurdwara Vandalized, Sikh Sangat of Michigan Demands Action

Tuesday, 7 February 2012. Late yesterday, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) called on local and federal authorities to initiate a hate crime investigation into the vandalism and defacing with graffiti of a gurdwara (Sikh congregational place of worship) in Sterling Heights, MI.

According to reports directly from the gurdwara management committee, the vandalism happened between the evening of February 5th and the morning of February 6, 2012.  The graffiti included vulgar language, racial epithets, the use of what appears to be a cross, a large drawing of a gun, and references to the attacks of September 11th.

The new site of the gurdwara has been under construction and is due for completion this summer; it was uninhabited when the crime took place.

The construction has been ongoing, and recently the exterior had been painted, with the graffiti now taking up a large area on the building’s front wall.

No witnesses have come forward yet, but anyone with information regarding this crime should contact the Sterling Heights Police Department directly.

“Attacks and vandalism against any house of worship must be condemned by all Americans,” said SALDEF Associate Executive Director Jasjit Singh. “We call upon local and federal law enforcement agencies to rightfully classify this incident as a hate crime and bring the perpetrators to justice to show that hate and violence are not tolerated in our society.”

SALDEF has been in contact with the Sterling Heights Police Department, Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to urge their action on this matter and to offer our support in assisting in the investigation.

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
1012 14th St NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-393-2700, Fax: 202-318-3344
Web: www.saldef.org, Email: info@saldef.org

The Hindu – Lokpal Bill to come up in Rajya Sabha during Budget session

New Delhi, 7 February 2012. The much talked about Lokpal Bill is expected to be brought again for consideration in the Rajya Sabha during the second phase of the Budget session of Parliament.

“The Bill is on the live register of the Rajya Sabha and it will now be taken up only in the second phase of the Budget session,” an official said.   The Budget session begins on March 12, 2012 with President Pratibha Patil addressing the joint sitting of members of both the Houses of Parliament and its second part will be held from April 24, 2012 to May 22, 2012.

The Lokpal Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session but later a political war broke out between the government and the opposition as the Bill could not be passed in the Upper House, with both sides accusing each other of carrying out “well-choreographed” chaos to scuttle it.   The opposition had charged the government with running away from a vote because of lack of majority in the House.

The government had then stated that the Bill was “alive” and would be taken up in the Budget session for passage.

In all its charges and counter charges, the government had ensured that it does not in any way annoy its ally Trinamool Congress, which had ganged up with the opposition and declared that it would vote against the provisions relating to Lokayuktas.

By May this year, the strength of the Congress and its allies is expected to rise slightly in the Upper House after biennial elections in several seats. The United Progressive Alliance does not have a majority in the House. (PTI)

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2869439.ece