400.The Man in Blue – Do we respect our sisters ?

Amrikan Singhaní living in Norway
Very competitive in sports,very fit, able to speak for herself and having the confidence to do the ardás in the divan

Do we respect our sisters ? 

This column follows up on last week’s column on the Sikh Awareness Society (SAS). Let’s first look at definitions. 

A Sikh according to the Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM) is someone who beliefs in The One, in the teachings of the Gurus/the Guru Granth Sahib and in the Khande di Pahul given to us by Tenth Guru. We are not Sikh girls, boys, men or women because we belong to the Sikh ‘tribe’, but because of our beliefs and practices.

A girl according to the dictionary is a ‘female child’. The issue here is not about children, but about young women of Sikh background.

Sikhs (as defined by the SRM) should be the servants of all, and extend their care to all people of whatever background who live and work in Southall and surroundings without having the required visas. Because of where most of us come from we can speak and understand the languages of those that come from the subcontinent, which makes it practical to mainly work with them.

But let us not denigrate young women by calling them girls and let’s recognise that all, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, faith, nationality have a right to make their own mistakes. 

If a ‘Sikh’ woman wants to have a relation with somebody from a different community it is none of our business. If a woman, regardless of her background, works as a prostitute we can offer help, but we have no right to force her into anything.

If ‘Sikhs’ and others, male or female, are addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling we should offer help (Guru has the perfect cure !), but if addicts are not committed to change even Guru can’t help.   

Sikh parents should show by example how blissful it is to be with God, how God gives us strength and happiness. But when adult children decide to follow a different path, even Guru Nanak had to let his sons live according to their own lights.

We do not own our family; we do not own our daughters, sisters, wives. Respect means that if they do things that we think are wrong, we can talk to them in a loving manner, but if they insist we have to accept it.

Real Sikh young women can, with the help of God, look after themselves. Real Singhanís and Singhs will make mistakes, and should be given all help and comfort when they realise that they did make wrong choices. Bad people have power over our ‘Sikh’ women because they rightly belief that after making bad mistakes they cannot go back to their family, their friends and their Gurdwara. Shame on us for this lack of compassion, shame on us for our lack of true respect for our sisters ! 

Sikh Coalition – Violent Assault on Sikh Student in Texas

A Sikh graduate student was thrown into a swimming pool and brutally assaulted in West Texas. The Coalition is taking action to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Swimming For His Life

The young man (identity withheld for his protection) held a part-time job delivering pizzas to ease the burden of his college expenses.  He brought pizzas into a home on a delivery and four men took the pizza. Without paying, they began eating, while at the same time hurling racial epithets at the Sikh man and threatening him.

“I’m going to **** you up in Iraq, I’m going to **** you up in Afghanistan, I’m going to **** you up over here.”

The men then grabbed the Sikh student and threw him into a swimming pool. The four attackers surrounded the pool, kicking him in the head and body. Every time he tried to escape, they would stomp or hit at him. For 20 minutes, he swam for his life trying to escape. He eventually seized an opportunity to flee and barely made it to his car with two men in pursuit.

The Sikh man went to the hospital to address his injuries the next day. He is now doing better physically, but is still emotionally scarred because his attackers have been roaming free.

Local Police Do Little

Though the local police were called shortly after the attack, they failed to respond adequately. The police classified the incident as a misdemeanor, which means that the attackers may not have to serve any jail time.

The attackers’ behavior put this young man’s life at risk. To our knowledge local charges have still not been filed. The Sikh Coalition and the victim are appalled at this lack of action by local police.

The local police also did not file the incident as a hate crime. It is clear from the attackers’ references to ‘bin Laden’ and ‘Go back to Afghanistan’ and the fact that they kicked off his turban that this assault targeted not only him as an individual, but his Sikh identity.

Coalition Takes Action

Harsimran Kaur, the Sikh Coalition’s Legal Director, contacted the local police department demanding the men be charged with hate crimes. Although the local police department refused to prosecute the perpetrators, the Sikh Coalition did not give up. We immediately contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are pleased that the DOJ is currently investigating the matter as a possible federal hate crime.

“I was terrified that I would die that night,” the victim said. “No one should have to endure something like this just because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance. I am grateful that the Sikh Coalition intervened or else I surely would have not gotten any serious response from any of the law enforcement agencies.”

Moving Forward

Because criminal charges have not been brought against this young Sikh’s attackers, they remain free to live in the town where he was attacked.  The student has received numerous death threats over the past few months. He recently fled the town and has moved into a new home. The young man intends to continue his education at another university.
 
The Sikh Coalition will keep the community informed as the criminal matter moves forward. Due to the sensitive nature of the case we have been asked not to release personal information at this time.

The Coalition continues to encourage all Sikhs to fearlessly practice their faith and stand up for their rights.

SALDEF – Protecting the Sikh ID

Join SALDEF and Protect the Sikh ID in 2010

Your photo ID card allows you to travel, obtain credit, purchase goods and services, and fully participate in the social and economic life of the United States.

What would you do if you were asked to remove your dastaar in order to receive your photo ID card? 

Would you accept humiliation and remove your dastaar, or would you choose to live without a valid photo ID card and lose all of the social and economic privileges that flow from it?  Or would you fight to protect the Sikh ID?

Join SALDEF to protect the Sikh identity by making a monthly donation of $10, $20, $50, $100 or more.

Thanks to your support so far, we have secured a written commitment from Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano that the Department of Homeland Security intends to protect the right of individuals to wear religious headcoverings in driver’s license and other identification photographs. Although this statement of intent is a step in the right direction, we need the U.S. Congress to ’seal the deal’ by amending the PASS ID Act of 2009 so that it explicity protects our civil rights.

Click here to tell your U.S. Senator to amend the PASS ID Act of 2009 so that it explicitly protects our right to wear religious headcoverings in driver’s license and other identification photographs.

We can only defend civil rights of Sikhs and protect the Sikh identity with YOUR support. Consider donating monthly to SALDEF for the next year to continue and expand our work and ensure that the civil rights of ALL Sikhs are safeguarded.

Donate Now!

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)
1413 K St, NW, 5th floor | Washington, DC 20005
phone: 202-393-2700 | fax: 202-318-3344
www.saldef.org | info@saldef.org

The Equality Bill – Caste discrimination in the UK

The Equality Bill – Report Stage
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Caste discrimination in the UK

The Equality Bill brings together in one Act the 9 strands (“protected characteristics”) of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.  The aim of the amendments is to add the strand of caste to that list; i.e. to include a ban on caste-based discrimination in employment, and in the provision of goods and services – not in personal matters such as arranged marriages.

Over the last 60 years, there has been a gradual increase in the number of people in the UK from the Indian subcontinent.  These communities have settled here and brought with them their own social habits, norms, and customs, including the caste system.  That system can be described as a hierarchical, group-based system of social stratification, where both group membership and group and individual status are hereditary, ascribed, and permanent.  It is separate from race:  individual A and individual B may well be from the same race, but A can still discriminate against B on the basis of B’s caste.

Since 1969 the UK has been a party to the UN International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  In 2002 the relevant UN Committee recommended inter alia that State Parties should enact legislation to outlaw all forms of discrimination based on descent, in accordance with that UN Convention.

On 8 October 2009, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, publicly condemned caste discrimination, which affects 270 million people world-wide.  Other countries have laws to protect against caste discrimination; notably, the constitution of India 1950 outlaws the practice of “untouchability”, and makes caste discrimination unlawful; so does Australia.  In 2008 the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh stated that “caste is a blot on humanity”.

The UK government rightly recognises the evil of caste-based-discrimination.  In its response to the consultation on the Equality Bill, in July 2008 it said:  “While recognising that caste discrimination is unacceptable, we have found no strong evidence of such discrimination in Britain, in the context of employment or in the provision of goods, facilities or services.”

That was said despite a July 2007 report – albeit based on anecdotal evidence – indicating that caste-based discrimination does exist in the UK.  Given the government’s unchanged position, in  August and October 2009 the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, commissioned a “scoping study”, seeking to establish if there be evidence of caste-based discrimination in the UK; and asking those who said that they had experienced caste-based discrimination, the setting in which it had occurred, and the effects it had had upon them.  Over 300 people participated in an online questionnaire and 9 focus groups in England.  This study does not claim to be statistically rigorous, but it does give some broad results indicating that there is caste-based discrimination here in the UK

A majority of the research participants identified negative experiences arising from caste-based discrimination, and it affects citizens in ways beyond mere personal choices and social interaction.  Survey findings include:

• 45% stated that they had been either treated in a negative way by their co-workers (20%), or had had comments made about them on account of their caste (25%);
• 9% believed they had missed promotion at work due to their caste;
• a further 10% stated that they had been underpaid because of their caste;
• 9% stated they had experienced verbal abuse;
• 5% had been subjected to threatening behaviour because of their caste;
• 7% said that, when they were under 12 years old, they had been subjected to threatening behaviour, and 16% to verbal abuse, because of their caste;
• 10% of the perpetrators of caste-based discrimination for the under 12s were said to have been teachers, and 42% fellow pupils;
• 25% stated their family doctor had asked them directly or indirectly about their caste;
• 16% stated that a nurse at their GP’s surgery family doctor had asked them directly or indirectly about their caste;
• 13% stated that a community nurse had asked them directly or indirectly about their caste;
• 18% stated that they knew the Caste system exists, because of places of worship specific to particular castes;
• 71% identified themselves as belonging to the “Dalit” community;
• 58% confirmed that they had been discriminated against because of their caste;
• 37% stated that this had occurred on several occasions;
• 79% believed they would not be understood appropriately by the UK police service if they reported a “hate crime” incident based on caste-based discrimination;
• 85% are aware that there is no legislation in place to protect victims of caste-based discrimination.

A number of academics and UK organisations, including the Anti Caste Discrimination Alliance, the Dalit Solidarity Network UK, the Federation of Ambedkarites & Buddhists Organisations, and CasteWatchUK, say that caste-based discrimination can affect in some way or another a relatively high proportion of the approximately two million Asian-heritage people in the UK, and that it extends beyond social interaction.  Conversely, whilst the Hindu Council UK and the Hindu Forum of Britain have both acknowledged that the caste system exists in the UK, they argue that caste discrimination is not endemic in the UK, and only plays a role in social interactions and personal choices like marriages, conversations, and friendships. 

The government’s decision to not include a clause in the Equality Bill 2009 to protect citizens against caste-based discrimination in the UK seems mainly to have been mainly informed by the Hindu Forum of Britain and the Hindu Council UK’s reports and representations; and an unrepresentative and restricted sample of 19 replies.

That decision is regrettable, and the government should reverse its position.  If the discrimination is wrong, then we should ban it; as Labour has done for the other protected characteristics.  Indeed, save for disability, every single piece of anti-discrimination legislation in the UK has been introduced by a Labour government, often in the face of considerable opposition.

Jeremy Corbyn MP
Rob Marris MP

Amendments to the Single Equality Bill to include Caste Discrimination

Equality Bill : amendments for the House of Lords

Clause 4
Page 4, line 12, after “age;”, insert “caste;”.

Clause 5
Page 4, line 28, after “ages.”, insert
“5A  Caste

“(1)  Caste includes - 
(a)  jati;
(b)  biraderi;
(c)  varna

“(2)  A person has the protected characteristic of caste if the person is a member of a caste group found within a hierarchical group-based system of social stratification, where both group membership and group and individual status are hereditary, ascribed, and permanent.

“(3)  In relation to the protected characteristic of caste -
(a)  a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a reference to a person of a particular caste group;
(b)  a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference to persons of the same caste group.
 
“(4)  The fact that a caste group comprises two or more distinct caste groups does not prevent it from constituting a particular caste group.”

Clause 13(5)
Page 7, line 16, after “race”, insert “or caste”

Clause 14(2)
Page 7, line 31, after “age;”, insert “caste;”

Clause 19(3)
Page 10, line 16, after “age;”, insert “caste;”.

Clause 25(1)
Page 12, line 34, after “is age.”, insert
“25(1A)  Caste discrimination is -
(a)  discrimination within section 13 because of caste;
(b)  discrimination within section 19 where the relevant protected characteristic is caste.”

Clause 26(5)
Page 14, line 12, after “age;”, insert “caste;”

Clause 148(6)
Page 94, line 39, after “age;”, insert “caste;”

Schedule 28
Page 225, line 14, after “201(7)”, insert “caste ll  section 5A” 
Page 225, line 14, after “201(7)”, insert “caste discrimination ll  section 25(1A)”

Jeremy Corbyn MP
Rob Marris MP

YouTube – Derek Clark MEP (UKIP) speaking out for Sikh rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-J-vz64cOE

“Years after we first called for Sikhs to have the right to wear their Kirpans when visiting their elected representatives, the European Parliament maintains its ban”, said Derek Clark UKIP Euro MP for the East Midlands.

“This is a gross insult to a law abiding community and is in effect religious discrimination”.

“For well over a century Sikhs have fought and died with us for our freedoms and it is a disgrace that we do not allow them theirs”, he went on.

“The European Union pretends to believe in human rights, tolerance and so on, but its actions prove this to be so many hollow words”

This message has just been received from UKIP. The speech in the European Parliament Derek Clark MEP refers to the lobby in the UK Parliament on 19 November 2009.

The Tribune – Defying religious myths, youths renovate mosque

Kulwinder Sandhu, Tribune News Service

Ajitwal (Moga), December 13. Belonging to different religions, youths of Ajitwal village, situated on the National-Highway-95, have set an example for all.

They have renovated a mosque that was also a halt for commuters and traders, who passed through the National Highway-95 in the pre-Independence era.

The mosque was in a bad shape for decades until youths of the village took up the task to renovate it.

Shahi Imam of Punjab Moulana Habib Ur Rehman Saani Ludhianvi, who visited the mosque today praised the youths, particularly those belonging to Hindu and Sikh sects, for restoring the structure and setting up an example of religious harmony.

The act holds significance, as Muslim prophet Ajit Khan founded the village about three centuries ago. It was known as ‘Jittwal’ at the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The first inhabitants of the village were two brothers Bhai Karam Chand and Bhai Sahib Chand. Once, a caravan of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, including his relatives, was passing when a woman fell ill. Since there was no hakim (doctor) available, she was brought to Bhai Karam Chand. He offered her sand and the lady was said to be cured. Thus, people had built a spiritual connection with the village. Since the village is situated on the GT road, a mosque was established where Muslim traders worshipped and stayed.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091214/punjab.htm#1

Sikh Federation – Pressure of Sikh Lobby forces minister to promise Code of Practice on Sikh aticles of faith in early 2010

Sikh New Discussion – Saturday 21 November 2009

On Thursday 19 November around 150 Sikh representatives took part in a lobby at the Houses of Parliament organised by the Sikh Federation (UK).  

Over 200 MPs were contacted prior to the lobby and over 100 MPs, including Ministers were lobbied on the day itself.

One of the issues covered in the lobby was the need for a Code of Practice on Sikh articles of faith.

The UK Government first promised a Code of Practice four and half years ago.  

In the meantime Sikhs have been experiencing more and more difficulties.  Many of the difficulties have related to the Kirpan, but the wearing of the Kara and the Dastaar has also been challenged.

Considerable pressure has been exerted with the issue raised through Parliamentary Questions, during Parliamentary Debates and in letters to relevant Ministers.  

Two weeks before the lobby the Sikh Federation (UK) wrote to Rob Marris MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for UK Sikhs, regarding the Code of Practice.  Rob Marris challenged the Minister to explain the latest position knowing Sikhs would be in Parliament taking up the matter at the lobby and they would want answers.

In a letter received on 20 November (sent on 17 November) the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Shahid Malik confirmed that the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) would be producing guidance on Sikh articles of faith in early 2010 and the Sikh community would have ownership of the development of the guidance.  

The EHRC is taking forward work on developing guidance in partnership with the Department for Communities and local Government (DCLG). The Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) are also participating.  A meeting was held in Birmingham on 20 November to discuss a draft of the guidance that was circulated on 17 November.

Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said ‘we suggested during the lobby the Code of Practice is agreed with Sikh community representatives as soon as possible and to agree an implementation plan for the Code by 31 March 2010.’

Sikh Coalition – Will air travel embrace you or disgrace you this (USA) holiday season?

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

As always, the Sikh Coalition continues to monitor whether Sikh air travel passengers are unfairly singled out for enhanced scrutiny at the nation’s (USA) airports.
 
Your Rights at the Airport, the Transportation Security Administration has created a webpage that describes you rights at the airport: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1037.shtm
 
In addition, the Sikh Coalition, in partnership with United Sikhs and the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), has created a document on the rights of Sikh air travelers. That document can be found here:

http://sikhcoalition.org/documents/SikhAirTravelersGuideandBillofRights.pdf

Our Request to you, we ask that you do your part this Thanksgiving weekend, by reporting your air travel experience to us, good or bad.
 
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges all Sikhs to practice their faith fearlessly. If you believe that you have suffered discrimination in air travel, please report it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FF3GWCN

Sikh News Discussion – Issues raised during the Sikh Lobby of the UK Parliament

Tuesday, 24 November, 2009

Posted by young.sikhs.uk.wolverhampton@googlemail.com to Sikh News Discussion

ISSUES RAISED AT THE SIKH LOBBY OF UK PARLIAMENT

See the following link for photograph: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6239/imgp8177.jpg

Some of the Sikhs with the Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma, who along with many other MPs agreed to support Sikhs on all the issues being raised.

On Thursday 19 November around 150 Sikh representatives took part in a lobby at the Houses of Parliament. Over 200 MPs were contacted prior to the lobby and over 100 MPs, including Ministers were lobbied on the day itself. Meetings were held with around 25-30 MPs or their assistants, including:

John Austin, Paramjit Dhanda, Mike Gapes, Sandra Gidley, Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, Alan Keen, Ann Keen, John Lancaster, Bob Laxton, Fiona Mactaggart, Mike O’Brien, Virendra Sharma, Dr Phyllis Starkey, Mark Todd and Keith Vaz.

Five issues were raised during the lobby:

i) the campaign for separate ethnic monitoring of Sikhs for the Census 2011 where the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is ignoring the needs of the Sikh community

MPs were requested to copy their Sikh constituents all correspondence with Jil Matheson the new head of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). MPs were informed an Early Day Motion (EDM) would be tabled and that they would be urged to support. If Parliamentary protocol or other reasons prevent them from signing the EDM a letter of support was requested.

ii) the need for a Code of Practice on Sikh articles of faith where the UK Government has been dragging its heels for four and half years and Sikhs are experiencing more and more difficulties – Kara, Kirpan, Turban (Dastaar) etc.

Parliamentary Questions were raised with all Government Departments and raised in Parliamentary Debate in April 2005. The UK Government promised at that time in Parliament a Code of Practice, but then changed its mind after the General Election. The Government was again reminded in December 2006 in Parliamentary Debate by MPs from all the main political parties of its promise.

Despite considerable political pressure and numerous individual cases of discrimination the UK Government is still in the process of developing a Code of Practice. Following the lobby the relevant Minister confirmed the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is taking forward work on developing the Code of Practice in partnership with the Department for Communities and local Government (DCLG). The Home Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) are also participating. The Code is expected in early 2010.

iii) the increased discrimination being experienced by turban wearing Sikhs at various airports in Europe

MPs were informed a Sikh lobby was planned at the European Parliament for March 2010 and urged to write to the Europe Minister to arrange with UK MEPs to host the lobby and raise awareness on Sikh articles of faith throughout Europe where Sikhs are being discriminated.

iv) the death penalty case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar

MPs were requested to provide copies of their correspondence with : i) the German Embassy in the UK; ii) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; iii) the European Parliament President; and iv) the EC Commissioner for External Relations.

v) the need for the UK Government to stop providing visas to those involved in the Genocide of Sikhs in November 1984

Following the successful campaign to have Jagdish Tytler dropped from the delegation to visit the UK a note was provided to MPs supplying details of a number of leading Indian politicians and police officers implicated in the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. MPs were urged to request the UK Government and other EU member states to exclude entry to these individuals.