The Tribune – Martyrdom of Banda [Singh] Bahadur; Plans afoot to celebrate tercentenary in 2016

Sanjay Bumbroo, Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 13. Preparations are afoot to celebrate the tercentenary of the martyrdom of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the erstwhile Sikh General, in Fatehgarh Sahib in 2016.

Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said today a procession would start from Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra and culminate here after passing through the towns, which the Sikh General had conquered after fighting the Mughal rulers.

Makkar said no kar sewa would be held during the renovation of Jahaji Haveli of Dewan Todar Mal. Makkar said the SGPC had hired the services of an architect for the restoration of the historic building, the construction of the boundary wall and the landscaping of the area around Jahaji Haveli.

SGPC chief said the construction work of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur museum was on. Executive Engineer Manpreet Singh, Parmjit Singh and other members of the SGPC were among those present in the meeting.

Banda Bahadur was sent by Guru Gobind Singh to Punjab to punish the cruel rulers of the time. Soon, Sikh forces, under the leadership of Banda Bahadur, killed many tyrants, including Nawab Wazir Khan, who was responsible for mercilessly killing the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130514/punjab.htm#12

The Tribune – Will take up frisking issue with government: Italian envoy

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 11. Italian envoy Daniele Mancini has assured Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh of taking up the issue of frisking turbaned Sikhs at airports in Italy with his government.

Mancini along with his family was here to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple. He also visited the Jathedar’s residence in the holy complex. Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh raised the issue with the envoy and said it hurt Sikh sentiments as the turban was a religious symbol for the community. He said modern gadgets could be adopted to do away with the practice of taking off Sikhs’ turbans for intensive checking.

Mancini said he would take up the issue on a priority basis as over 2.30 lakh Punjabis resided in Italy. He said over 50 gurdwaras were situated in the country.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130512/punjab.htm#9

Sukhvinder Singh – My thoughts on the recent discussion on Caste

Underneath Sukhvinder Singh’s thoughts on the recent caste debate. All Sikhs should recognise that discrimination based on caste (or gotra) is most definitely against the Guru’s teachings. We should also all humbly admit that many Sikhs practice discrimination, not just on the grounds of caste or gotra, but also for instance on the grounds of gender. This weakens the panth and makes us into a community that preaches high ideals but does not practice them !  Man in Blue

The Universal Human Rights Declaration, Article 1 states that : All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

This is exactly what Guru Nanak Dev ji stated in the 14th Century, yet it took the western world until 1950 onwards to recognise this.

When talking about equality, Sikhs often use the quote ‘Manas ki jatt sab eko pachan’-Recognise the Human Race as One’. However equality is not about denying your different identities as often quoted. Guru Nanak Dev ji revolted against the Varna system, because it put individuals into different categories and treated them according to what category they were based on ritual purity.

Bhagat Ravidas and Bhagat Nam Dev, both classed as Shudras were not allowed to enter the Mandirs to pray. It was the fact that they were not allowed to pray as equals with others that Guru Nanak Dev ji revolted  against. He did not deny them their identity, i.e. Bhagat Ravidas as a weaver.

Guru Gobind Singh ji gave the Sikhs a separate identity, does this mean that he did not recognise the human race as one, because you could say that why label humans as belonging to a certain group, why not just say we are all humans, why separate identities or groups like different religions, ethnic groups etc.

Does Sikhi not teach us about the diverse living beings on this earth as all being created by the Creator but in different forms [molded from the same clay - Man in Blue].

For example I could say that I have several identities, Sikhi does not mean that I discard all those identities, i.e. I am a Sikh first, to some I am a Khalsa. I am also of Indian origin, a Punjabi as I was born in Punjab, I was born into a family of farmers, so have a heritage linking me to a ‘Jat identity’. Or do i say I am none of the above but just a human being?

What my understanding of equality according to the teachings of the respected Guru Sahibs was that we should not act as superior to others but treat all as are equals. Equality is about treating people with fairness, respect, equality and dignity. It is not about denying our different identities.  It is about not discriminating against others who have a different identity to us.

This is what is central to Sikh principles, not about arguing or having discussions on why we call ourselves jats, tarkans, (social groupings which are different to the Hindu Varna sytem), why we use surnames like Sandhu, Gill etc in addition to Singh or Kaur. The reality is that even Guru Gobind Singh ji said ‘that i am the son of a Kashatri not a Brahman.

The focus on who the different varnas, jatis, biradris etc during the debate on ‘Caste’ recently is all caste based and identity politics. The focus should have been on the victims of discrimination.

The focus on who the different varnas, jatis, biradris etc during the debate on ‘Caste’ recently is all caste based and identity politics. It should have been on the victims of discrimination and the linking of social grouping with the varna system and linking to Sikhism a point even Lord Singh failed to mention during his excellent speech during the debate.

Sukhvinder Singh (UK)
sukhvinderpadda@aol.com

529. The Man in Blue – ‘Headscarves’ in Belgium

Many secondary ‘Free’ schools (mostly Roman Catholic) and Community (GO!) schools in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium have measures in place that ban religious symbols or the wearing of head-cover.

The result is a ban on the wearing of turban, patka, hijáb, yarmulk etc. Most primary schools either do not have this type of restrictions or do not implement them.

From the 1st of September of this year the GO! Schools are banning religious symbols from all primary and secondary schools under its jurisdiction.

The Sikh community in Belgium joined a front of 25 organisations formed by BOEH! (boss on your own head) and ‘Justice and Democracy’ to act against this blatant discrimination.

We will petition the Raad van State (Council of State) asking it to declare the ban unconstitutional and against the freedom of religion. Some previous rulings by this body give some hope. But we have learned from experience that going the legal way in this country is often costly and ineffective.

In this case we had not much choice as GO! seems no longer interested in dialogue. Because the BOEH! lawyers are very familiar with the subject and can use previous formats in this case, they decided to charge us 4000 Euro only. Although the Raad van State is slow and unpredictable we decided to take the chance.

The Sikhs have collected 1360 Euro so far, with 200 more promised. We are financially supported by two organisations that help the minorities, which means that the Sikhs only have to collect 1500 Euro. We have also two promises to finance any shortfall.

Why are the people in the Dutch (Nederlands) speaking part of Belgium so afraid of the religious symbols of minority religions ? As the northern Dutch speaking Belgians were themselves a discriminated group in the past you would hope that they would have sympathy for other minority groups.

The nationalist NVA party, which might get up to 40% of the vote in the 2014 elections in the Dutch (Nederlands) speaking region, indulges in negative rhetoric both about French speaking Belgians and about immigrants and descendents of immigrants.

The key-problem in this country is that there is no robust anti-discrimination legislation like we have in the UK. This combined with islamophobia and xenophobia leads to escape clauses like the ‘neutrality’ principle which allows companies and organisations to discriminate the wearers of religious symbols.

The message to the religious minorities is that we have to integrate, but also that we are not really welcome. This does not mean that all Belgians have this negative attitude, but those that do seem to have public opinion with them and other parties lack the courage to oppose the NVA.

528. The Man in Blue – Caste, Gotra, Jaat

Hinduism is a conglomerate of beliefs and practices, some of which go back to the ancient Aryans/Indo-Germanics who trekked from the Caucasus to both Iran and to the South-Asian sub-continent.

Amongst modern Hindus I have found people who do not believe in caste, who do not do rituals, who believe in One God, and who think that you have to look after all fellow human beings. There are even more Hindus who believe in ‘Manuvád’, are very keen on rituals, believe in 33 crore Gods and only work on personal liberation. Just like ‘The Indian’ does not exist, so does ‘The Hindu’ not exist.

Caste is described as the four traditional groups. These groups might have existed before the arrival of the Aryans in India, and be adjusted to the circumstances found in the subcontinent, or might be a product of the South Asian soil. Interestingly Iranian Aryans do not have such a system.

When ‘Hinduism’ was making progress amongst so-called tribal people and the people of South India, the approach of the Brahmins was as follows : They shared their knowledge with the ruling class of the ‘tribals’ and South Indians and said : If you join us we will make you Kshatriya and the rest of your people will be Shudras, and they can no longer challenge your authority.

The Brahmins were supplied by the Aryans. The Brahmins had not just knowledge of (useless) rituals and of how to divide and rule, they also knew about irrigation, veterinary medicine etc.

In essence the caste system was, and still is, a racist system, a form of apartheid invented long before this word was used in Suid Afrika. There have always been groups that left ‘Hinduism’ or were on the fringes of ‘Hinduism’ who either did not practise caste or actively opposed to it.

Within Sikhism there is widespread discrimination, not so much in the name of the 4 castes but more based on gotra or jaat. Just as is the case with caste, those looked down on tend to have darker skins than those that are looked up to.

But there is no Jat caste, Ramgharia caste or for instance Mazhbi caste. I do not know if these divisions pre-date caste or not.

I am against caste or gotra discrimination just like I am against racial or gender discrimination. As a Sikh I feel upset when I hear my fellow Sikhs talk in a derogatory way about people of other nationalities, social groups or caste. Honour killings are of course totally abhorrent, but they also happen in our community.

I am a Sikh, I have been taught as a first principle that Humanity is One, but people who also claim to be Sikhs kill their daughters because they are disobedient and want to marry outside caste or gotra. We have to join with organisations like Castewatch UK, and fight the Guru’s fight for One Humanity, for the sister and brotherhood of man. Blaming the Hindus is just not good enough.

Press Release – Network of Sikh Organisations – Deliberate distortion of the Guru’s teachings

London, Friday 12 April 2013. Lord Singh of Wimbledon, The Director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) has expressed both disappointment and concern, following a debate on a community channel regarding proposed anti-caste legislation currently passing through Parliament.

Lord Singh said: “I am saddened and at a loss to understand why Dr Jasdev Singh Rai goes around trying to muddy the waters of clear Sikh teachings. I am even more saddened that some of our gurdwaras and Sikh television aid and abet him in this by giving him a platform to do so.

There have been historical concerns. It was at a function organised by the Department of Communities and Local Government for which we were asked to provide literature about the Sikh faith He declared his inability to do this because he had to get agreement of certain groups in India. On another occasion when a Sikh lady asked for non-halal food at a Basakhi function, Dr Rai advised her to be more accommodating.

On Wednesday night he was inexplicably provided a platform on Sikh TV to oppose government legislation banning discrimination on grounds of caste. He then launched into pseudo social science gibberish about ‘caste’ being an invention of the British.

Has this learned doctor never read the Guru Granth Sahib written centuries before British arrival in India? Is he unaware of numerous gurbani quotations like ‘ask not a persons caste but look to the inner light within’, or the Guru reminding us that the evil of caste in Hindu society was so strong that even the shadow of a lower caste was said to pollute the food of a person of higher caste.

Sikh teachings remind us about how we should treat others and condemn caste and other forms of discrimination. The law in Britain seeks to do the same and all who call themselves Sikhs should support it. Unfortunately, some naively argue that legislation is not necessary, and caste discrimination will go away simply by talking about it. Precisely the same arguments were used again and again against legislation to prohibit discrimination against colour or national origin but it continued unabated until the passing of the 1976 Race Relations Act.

Sadly there are also some who call themselves Sikhs, who seek to preserve the remnants of caste that despite the Gurus teachings still linger in Sikh society. Jasvinder Singh Nagra, a close ally of Dr Rai, absurdly urges Sikhs to join a petition opposing the proposed law banning discrimination on grounds of caste because different jattis in Luton Gurdwara ‘get on with each other’.”

He added: “We are now gearing up to the celebration of Baisakhi when Guru Gobind Singh finally freed Sikhs from the shackles of caste like distinctions; shame on those who wish to hang on to them. To Dr Rai and his supporters I ask why?  To those who accept the message of Baisakhi I say beware of those who deliberately distort Sikh teachings.”

Hardeep Singh, Press Secretary
The Network of Sikh Organisations
http://www.nsouk.co.uk/   

The Tribune – Online course on Gurmat Gyan launched

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 7. Punjabi University has launched Gurmat Gyan online teaching programme. Under this programme, started by the Gurmat Sangeet Chair and Department of Gurmat Sangeet, the university has started various courses like elementary, foundation, certificate, under-graduate diploma and post-graduate diploma. In these courses, teaching of Gurmukhi, gurmat studies, gurmat sangeet as well as training will be undertaken.

Through the programme, a self-learning course in shabad kirtan has been started for the learners. Gurnam Singh, Head of Gurmat Sangeet Chair, said the elementary course would be available to the world community free of cost so that knowledge about Gurmukhi, gurmat studies and gurmat sangeet could be spread worldwide.

Vice Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh launched the website www.gurmatgyanonlinepup.com. Others present included Vice Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh, former MP, and Amrinder Bajaj, Patiala Mayor.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130408/punjab.htm#18

The Tribune – American Sikhs join Obama in calling for gun control

Washington, March 29. Members of the Sikh community joined President Barack Obama as he sought to spur lawmakers into action against gun violence in the wake of tragedies like the Newtown massacre in December that killed 20 first-graders.

“We need everybody to remember how we felt 100 days ago and make sure that what we said at that time wasn’t just a bunch of platitudes, that we meant it,” Obama said at a White House event on National Day of Action by supporters of tougher gun laws.

“We’ve cried enough and it is time now for Americans to pressure their elected leaders to pass a package of laws proposed by Senate Democrats,” a sombre and angry Obama told the audience, which included family members of Newtown victims.

Also invited were four prominent members of the Sikh community to represent the families of the victims of the gurdwara shootout at Oak Creek, Wisconsin, last August when six worshippers were killed.

Proposals ranging from expanded background checks to tougher laws against gun trafficking and improving safety at schools have been recommended in the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy. But these have all come to naught in the face of fierce opposition led by the influential National Rifle Association and conservative politicians.

Rajwant Singh, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), who was among the invitees, said in a statement: “People inspired by our faith must work towards making our society safe for all people, and especially for our children.” Prabhjot Singh Kohli, Chairman of Guru Nanak Foundation of America (GNFA), said the Sikh community was “actively supporting the control of guns going in the wrong hands” as it feared more tragedies similar to the one at the Wisconsin gurdwara. (IANS)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130330/punjab.htm#6

The Tribune – Martial arts display steals the show

Gatka and huge turban
Tribune picture

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, March 28. A magnificent display of horse riding and martial art skills by thousands of Nihangs marked the last day of the six-day historic Hola Mohalla festival here today.

Over 30 lakh devotees paid obeisance at various gurdwaras during the festival, which started on March 23 at Kiratpur Sahib after which the celebrations shifted to Anandpur Sahib on March 26.

The most significant event of the festival was the procession of Nihang groups belonging to the Budha Dal, Harian Velan, Damdami Taksal and the Tarna Dal. The procession began from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib gurdwara at 2 pm.

Nihangs exhibited their horse riding and martial art skills and sprayed Holi colours on the people all along the way.

The procession halted for a while at gurdwara Kila Anandgarh Sahib at Agampur before it concluded at the Charan Ganga stadium where the Nihangs again displayed their skills. Baba Budha Dal distributed prizes and cash rewards among the winners.

Earlier, the bhog ceremony of “akhand paths” was performed. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh delivered his message to the masses urging them to fight social evils like drug addiction and female foeticide.

A police team, which was formed to check the menace of begging during the festival, nabbed nearly 100 beggars and pick pockets.

Shopkeepers and vendors did a brisk business in the town.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130329/punjab.htm#5

The Tribune – Hola Mohalla: Devotees swamp Anandpur Sahib

Arun Sharma, Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, March 26. Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country and abroad today thronged the town to participate in a nagar kirtan taken out as part of the Hola Mohalla celebrations.

The nagar kirtan, which started from Agampur by Baba Pritam Singh of Nirmal Mandal, concluded at the dera of Sant Pritam Singh. Nihangs from various sects performed “gatka” during the procession.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said: “We are expecting the arrival of over 30 lakh devotees for taking part in the Hola Mohalla celebrations”. Ropar Deputy Commissioner PK Aggrawal inaugurated an exhibition displaying progress of the state in various fields.

The Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports and Cultural Club, Anandpur Sahib, is organising wrestling and kabaddi tournaments. Club president Kartar Singh said the title of Rustam-e-Zama would be bestowed upon the winner, who would be given a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh. The runner-up would get Rs 1 lakh, he said.

The Anandpur Sahib Sports Club UK is organising the 10th Holla Mohalla Circle Kabaddi Championship. Twenty one teams from various districts are competing in the championship.

Hundreds of individuals and social organisations have set up langars (community kitchens) all over the town and its adjoining areas to serve meals, snacks and beverages to the devotees.

There are nearly 200 langars set up in and around the two towns of Kiratpur Sahib and Anandpur Sahib. Besides regular meals, the community kitchens are offering sweets, milk, juices and other snacks to the devotees.

“We are serving paranthas with curd in breakfast while jalebis, pakoras, milk, tea etc are being served round the clock along with lunch and dinner,” said members of a langar committee from a Moga village who have set up their kitchen near Virasat-e-Khalsa.

The festival, where lakhs of devotees pay obeisance at various gurdwaras in the town, has provided a big market to many. Several local and outside traders have set up their kiosks to cash in on the festival fervour.

Shakeel from Moradabad has come here to sell his musical instruments including drums, tablas and mridangs. Coca Cola has organised a dance competition for youths visiting the fair.

Jathedar Bhan Singh from Khanna has set up a stall to sell traditional arms like swords, hoods, axes etc claiming to be up to 300 years old.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130327/punjab.htm#1