More in PW’s next edition…

Photo credit : Kulbir Beera

According to press reports thousands of Sikhs participated in a protest march organized by the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) seeking the arrest of cult-dera leader Ram Rahim.

Interestingly,  Parmjit Sarna, who was being dubbed as the spokesman for the KAC boycotted the function saying the march was unnecessary since the cult dera had already “apologized.”  Also missing: Harnam Singh Dhumma, and all the Takht Jathedars.  Vedanti is supposedly vacationing in Canada with family and relatives.

Along with thousands of members of the Sangat, key members of Khalsa Action Committee who participated in the march included : Parmjit Singh Gazi (Sikh Students Federation),  Kanwarpal Singh (Dal Khalsa), Daljit Singh Bittu (Akali Dal Mann) , Jasbir Singh Rode and Bhai Mohkam Singh (Damdami Taksal),  Harinder Singh Norway, Rajinderpal Singh (Akhand Kirtani Jatha), Jagdish Singh Jhinda (Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee),  Sukhchain Singh Dharmpura, and Karnail Singh Panjoli (Independent member of SGPC).

When the march concluded at Takht Sri Damdam Sahib, the double-faced Jathedar Balwant Nandgarh (who on Badal’s behalf had requested the march be cancelled) tried to woo the crowd by ‘honoring’ the KAC leaders with siropas.  The Sangat and the KAC outright rejected the Nandgarh siropas, and questioned Nandgarh on his about-face.  Sensing the sangat’s disgust directed at him, traitor Nandgarh quickly retreated from the scene.  

The enemy within
There is nothing the Jhootta-Saudas, Nirankaris, the Aushutoshes, and the Bhaniaraywaleys can do to the Sikhs.  They can be taken are of.  It is the corrupt Panthic leadership that will do us the most harm. The Panth needs to Reject and Eject the Badals, Dhummas, Vedantis, Nandgarhs, and the Sarnas of the Sikh Nation; otherwise we will continue to suffer the consequences.

- Niranjan Singh

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON D.C. – The fundraiser who held a gathering for Hillary Rodham Clinton with members of the Sikh community said Tuesday it was “unacceptable” for Barack Obama’s campaign to circulate a memo critical of her financial ties to Indian-Americans.

Rajwant Singh, national chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said he welcomed “Senator Obama’s regret of his campaign’s misconstrued remarks.” But he called on Obama to apologize directly to the Indian community.

“He needs to be more specific and needs to understand the pain it has caused,” he said.
Obama gave an interview Monday to India Abroad, a newspaper for Indian expatriates, in which he conceded that the concerns of Indian-Americans over his campaign memo “are entirely justified.”

“My support among Indian-Americans, South Asians and Asian Americans generally has been very strong and that’s the culture within which I was raised, as having grown up in Hawaii and Asia myself,” he told the newspaper.

Singh, in an e-mail and in an interview, took issue with the campaign’s characterization of Clinton as the “Democrat from Punjab.” The reference was to Singh’s joking introduction of Clinton at the fundraiser as the senator “not only from New York but also Punjab.”

Singh said he did not consult with the Clinton campaign before issuing his statement.

PTI Reports: 

The Punjab police today moved a local court seeking arrest warrants against the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

In an application filed before Duty Magistrate K L Khitchi, police said that after proper investigations it had sufficient evidence against the head of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Further reports state : 

In an apparent effort to cool tempers of some radical Sikh outfits demanding the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Punjab police on Monday moved a local court seeking arrest warrants against sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.

Punjab police filed an application before duty magistrate KL Khitchi seeking arrest warrants against the dera chief.

“After proper investigations, we have sufficient evidence against the head of Dera Sacha Sauda about his involvement in hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs,” Bathinda SSP Naunihal Singh said.

There seems to be no let up of tensions between Sikhs and followers of cultist Ram-Rahim.  Yesterday, several Sikhs were attacked by marauding Sirsa cultists in Cheema Mandi, Sangrur.

One of the victims, Gurjant Singh Tolawal, was grabbed by his beard and attacked with swords and sharp weapons.  The wounded Singh received more than 20 stitches and multiple injuries, he is currently hospitalized in Sunam.

News of the tragic event spread like wildfire in the nearby area.  The reaction by the Sikh Sangat was swift;  several shops and other personal property of the offending cultists was destroyed by the protestors.

Police is said to have cordoned off the area and assured the Sikh protestors that proper action would be taken against the cult miscreants.  

Details to follow in the next edition of PW…

Indian Press states : 

Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will be given a Z-plus security cover by the Haryana government …this makes Dera chief one of the most protected people in the state after Governor AR Kidwai, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and former chief minister Bhajan Lal.

A state-level review committee approved a custom-built bulletproof vehicle for the Dera head. His request for an electronic pulse jammer vehicle — one that stops remote controls from being operated in its vicinity — to accompany his carcade is also under consideration.

Reaction : 

15-member Khalsa Action Committee convenor Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “It is most unfortunate that a person facing criminal charges, including rape, blasphemy, land-grabbing and murder, has been provided security cover meant for a VVIP.’’

Lahore, Pakistan - Around 800 Sikh Yatrees  arrived here on Friday by a special train from India on a 10-day visit to attend the 401st death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Gee. Officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) accorded a warm welcome to the Yatrees on their arrival at Wagha Railway station. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), President, Sardar Bishen Singh was also present on this occasion.
The yatrees led by Raghbir Singh Saharan Majra, member,Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee, Sri Amritsar,  will leave for Nankana Sahib and later Panja Sahib, Hasanabdal  to perform their religious ceremonies.
The yatrees will return Lahore to attend the Martyrdom anniversary of  Guru Arjun Dev Jee  at Gurdwara Dera Sahib on June 16. They will also celebrate ‘Jor Mela’ on June 17 and will return to India on the same  day.
Later talking to the newsmen, the group leader Raghbir Singh Saharan  Majra said that the ongoing process of friendship between the two  countries should continue to promote love, peace and harmony  among the people of India and Pakistan. He said that trade between the two countries will be beneficial for the people of Pakistan and India. 

 He highly appreciated the arrangements made by Pakistan government to facilitate their visit  besides upkeeping their religious places here. 
 

(Source : Associated Press of Pakistan)

Indian Press reports :

Various Sikh bodies today demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, saying the state government had “failed” in arresting the head of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, recently embroiled in controversy for his reported blasphemous acts.

“Briefing the media, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said, “Badal has no right to continue as chief minister as he has not followed the religious edict issued by the Akal Takht.”

Sarna said Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had not been arrested despite a case being registered against him.

He said that despite the edict last month demanding that centres of the Sirsa-based sect in Punjab be “vacated”, no action had been taken on this also.