MOGA, Punjab (October 22, 2014)—President of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Simranjit Singh Mann expressed deep concern about the explosive conditions being produced in the Punjab by RSS and other communal organizations. “Firing by the Pakistan border depicts the weak roots of the Hindutva Emperor,” he added. He declared the activities of Hindutva Emperor responsible for its weakness. Operation Blue Star in 1984, the November 1984 Genocide, the Muslim Genocide in Gujarat, and the depopulation of Sikh farmers in Gujarat all departed these minorities from Hindutva, making it weak. He said this Emperor is now unable to fight with Pakistan and China.

He said it is clear that these minorities will not favor India during the war with Pakistan or China, because they don not want war in their residential areas like Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu Kashmir, Leh Ladakh etc. Simranjit Singh Mann informed that the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh and Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh (who retained the pride of the Sikh community by killing Indira Gandhi) will be celebrated on 31 October at Gurdwara Rakaab Ganj Sahib. He appealed to Sikhs to reach Gurdwara Rakaab Ganj Sahib to celebrate this martyrdom anniversary. He invited all the Sikh organizations to reach Gurdwara Rakaab Ganj Sahib while marching towards it.

Manjit Singh Malla, Harpal Singh Kussa, Baba Amarjit Singh, Tarlok Singh Bhalla , Balraj Singh Moga etc. were present on this occasion. 

BHAINI (October 23, 2014)—Former hazoor ragi Sri Darbar Sahib, Bhai Nirmal Singh “Khalsa” has offered clarification after attending a program at Bhaini, the Namdhari headquarters.  Pleading alleged innocence in the case, Bhai Nirmal Singh has stated that his ragi jatha visited the institution after they were invited to receive awards for their service towards propagating Gurmat sangeet.

“I was not aware that the pseudo-cult leader sat on an elevated stage, we had only gone there to receive the award,” said Bhai Nirmal Singh in a handwritten press note.  He added, “When we arrived there, ‘sangat’ that was present in large numbers requested us to perform kirtan and we had no option but to recite shabads there.”

Bhai Nirmal Singh has stated that he is committed to the Khalsa Panth and has always opposed self-styled Gurus.

Although there is a ban over Namdharis performing kirtan in Gurdwaras by Sri Akal Takht Sahib, no such mandate has been issued over Sikhs attending and doing kirtan on Namdhari stages.  Namdharis are known to have teachers with superior classical music skills, however some of their practices do not align with Sikh traditions.

Many Sikhs feel the Akal Takht Sahib should offer clarification over how much Sikhs can communicate with the Namdharis, considering their continued defiance of Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s superiority. A number of renowned Sikh kirtanis, including “Shiromani Ragi” Bhai Balbir Singh and late Bhai Avtar Singh “Delhi” are known to have close relations with Namdharis.

While a large number of Sikhs have no day to day relations with the cult, many Sikh Ragis continue to take training there.  Although Bhai Nirmal Singh has offered his apologies, many ask if he had the right to accept the award from a fake Guru, that he himself considers a self-styled cultist.

Apology letter issued by Bhai Nirmal Singh -

Following website offers insight into how Namdharis are no longer part of the mainstream Sikh Nation: http://www.namdharitruth.info/

HS Longowal with Rajiv Gandhi

CHANDIGARH, Punjab (October 23, 2014)—The Punjab BJP seems to hijack the traditional agenda of The Shiromani Akali Dal in order to pave the way for capturing power in the state. Leaving everybody astonished, its leaders led by state president Kamal Sharma on Tuesday stated that the party wanted Chandigarh to be transferred to Punjab. He said it also wanted an amicable solution to the river waters dispute with the neighbouring state.

The BJP is seemigly enthused by its electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Kamal Sharma, Punjab BJP President

Talking to media persons, Sharma said, “We are for transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. But we want an amicable solution to the river waters dispute. There is no issue that can’t be resolved through talks.”

Clearly indicating that the party will not play second fiddle to the Akalis ahead of the municipal elections, he said the BJP wielded greater influence than the SAD in category A and B cities while the Akalis had their vote bank in small towns. Sharma said the BJP supported the Rajiv-Longowal accord signed in 1985.

It is for the first time that the BJP is in power in Punjab, Haryana and the Centre. Hence, the party’s stance on contentious issues is significant.

Sharma was accompanied by Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and adviser to the CM Tikshan Sud.

On being questioned on seat-sharing for the municipal elections, he said, “District-level leaders of the two parties are already discussing the issue. The party heads will meet later and take the final decision. Post-delimitation, the number of wards in each municipal body has increased. We have a greater presence in category A and B cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Abohar and Fazilka. The Akalis have a presence in Bathinda and small towns.”

Opining about former MP Navjot Sidhu’s outburst, he said it was Sidhu’s personal opinion. Sidhu had accused the SAD-led state government of looting the people of the state.

File Photo: Majithia Hurts Sikh Sentiments by Adding Name of Jaitley to Dasam Guru’s Shabad

CHANDIGARH, Punjab (October 23, 2014)—In the case of hurting Sikh sentiments by distorting Gurbani, the Court issued a fresh notice to controversial Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader Bikram Majithia on Tuesday. The court was told that the previous notices were not served.

Majithia put the name of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley in a Shabad of Guru Gobind Singh during an election meeting held for Lok Sabha polls in support of senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley at Sri Amritsar.

Punjab and Haryana High court lawyer Advocate Mandeep Kaur had filed petition against him that termed the blasphemous act of Majithia to be a violation of section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The petition demanded punishment of Majithia, and sought an apology from him before the court. The petition read that no one has the right to distort Gurbani.

The court asked Bikram Majithia to submit a reply on the issue raised by advocate Mandeep Kaur. The case will now come up for hearing on December 10.

Also, Bikram Majithia had appeared before the Akal Takht after the controversy broke-out over his conduct. He was asked to perform Sewa (service) at five Takhts by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.

Although, Majithia obtained relief from Sri Akal Takht Sahib which is under control of Badal family, by getting a mild “Tankhah” (religious penance), the petition has worsened his condition.

Balwant Singh Ramoowalia

CHANDIGARH, India (October 24, 2014)—Hindu right wing political party BJP has brought an interesting twist in the political environment of Punjab by raising the demand of transferring Chandigarh to Punjab, implementing the Rajiv-Longowal Accord. Various leaders of other parties have reacted keenly over the statement made by state BJP chief Kamal Sharma in a press conference.

In a press statement, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh has welcomed the Punjab BJP’s demand and its support for the Rajiv-Longowal accord.

Senior Akali leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, SAD’s senior vice-president, has shown similar solidarity with the demand saying the accord would benefit the state if implemented in letter and spirit, “I was privy to discussions that led to the signing of the accord. It’s main thrust was the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab.”

Capt Amarinder Singh

Amarinder Singh asserted, “It is the best time to give Chandigarh to Punjab since there is a BJP government at the Centre, in Haryana and in Punjab where the BJP is a partner in the government.”

“It is to be seen if the BJP sincerely pursue its demand with the Central government,” he said. He cautioned the party against its alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), saying the leaders of SAD were likely to sabotage any move they saw as an intrusion into their political space.

The former CM of Punjab said it suited the Akalis not to allow the contentious issues to be settled down.

CHANDIGARH, Punjab (October 25, 2014)—Following the historical success achieved by BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls, state leaders of the saffron party are not hesitating to make daring statement in regards to SAD-BJP ties. Now, veteran BJP leader and former Health Minister of Punjab Satpal Gosain has said the BJP alliance with the SAD in the state needs a rethink.

Taking a jibe at SAD, he said, “A string of allegations against the Akali Dal has not helped the BJP in any way. The drug trade allegations have been a major concern for the people. The BJP needs to rework the nitty-gritty of its relation with its alliance partner for its own good.”

He accused the SAD of betraying the interests of the Punjab industry, saying the industry was suffering and the businessmen in the state were disappointed.

“The industry is in doldrums. The state policies have ruined the industry. The surveys we conducted have shown that there is a widespread resentment among the industrialists,” he added.

Twelve year old Sikh Boy injured during clashes

AMRITSAR SAHIB (October 25, 2014)—Members of two different Nihang Dals were injured by gunfire in a clash as the groups were taking part in annual Bandi Chhor celebrations.  The condition of one Bir Singh from Barnala is said to be critical, while others are being assessed.

Traditionally, different Nihang factions take part in martial arts and artillery displays to mark the festival of Bandhi Chhor.  Nihangs also display horse back riding tricks during the celebrations. The celebration took place at Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj and are attended by various Nihang factions and Sikh Sangat from all over Punjab and worldwide.

The clash is said to have erupted over differences in leadership of the Shiromani Panth Dashmesh Tarna Dal (Ludhiana).

Police was already deployed at the scene when the shooting took place, they were swift to take action and bring the situation under control.  As per Parmpal Singh, additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, at least a dozen were arrested on the spot and taken into police custody.

This is the second time members belonging to different organizations have taken part in violence.  Earlier this year, a clash at Sri Akal Takht Sahib shamed the global Sikh community.  Similar to the incident on June 6, the clash between members of Nihang dals has found coverage by major newspapers across India.

The incident taking place around the day of Bandi Chhor Divas is extremely shameful for the entire community.  Giani Gurbachan Singh, appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, will be issuing a statement on the violent act soon.

LUDHIANA, Punjab (October 25, 2014)—A Human Rights Commission took a strict stand by ordering DGP to present the investigation report about a fake encounter in Ahluwalia Colony of Jamalpura. The Human Right Commission questioned the DGP through a letter on what facts and in which direction the police is investigating the case. Chairman of the Commission announced that if any indiscipline is found in the Police Report, the Commission will investigate on its own level.

RTI worker of Ludhiana informed the Human Right Commission about this fake encounter. He urged the Commission to expose the faces of criminals by investigating through upper level Agency. This complaint was registered on 29 September and the Commission took quick action by ordering the DGP to present an investigation report.

It is noteworthy that three policeman killed two brothers in Jamalpur on 27^th September, in a conspiracy organized by the husband of a female sarpanch of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

LUDHIANA, Punjab (October 25, 2014)—Terming the speculations of ending ties between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bhartya Janta Party (BJP) as baseless, Punjab Chief Minister and SAD pattern Parkash Badal on Friday stated that the SAD would never break its ties with BJP. He said the SAD was and would ever remain an ally of BJP and an integral part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the future too.

He was addressing the function organized to mark Vishavkarma Day. Talking to media persons after the function, Badal claimed that he had dedicated his entire life to keeping the interests of Punjab and Punjabis safe. Saying so, he indicated that interests of Punjab and Punjabis are safe if the SAD-BJP alliance remains. He said the SAD- BJP alliance has always stood the test of time.

The Punjab CM said that the SAD-BJP ties were everlasting and both the parties should not be seen as different from each other. He said that the time tested ties between both the parties was a unique phenomenon of the Indian democratic system, which has passed every litmus test in last few decades adding that the relationship between both the alliance partners was very strong, impeccable and cordial because it has been time and again cemented with mutual affection and understanding.

Commenting on poll results of Maharashtra, he said BJP and Shiv Sena would form the next government in the state. He said that both these parties had a similar ideology and they would certainly join their hands to form the government.

On being asked, Parkash Badal said that if extended an invitation he would surely attend the swearing in ceremony of Chief Minister designate of Haryana Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar.

Manjit Singh GK

AMRITSAR SAHIB (October 26, 2014)—Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has urged Sri Akal Takht Sahib to allow them to be permitted to print sacred Birs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib outside India. DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK who has just visited Canada and UK, wrote a letter to Akal Takht Sahib in this regard.

In a press release issued here, Manjit Singh GK said that he has just visited Canada and London where he examined the land claimed to be donated for installing the printing machines for Guru Granth Sahib. He said Gurdwara body was taking initiative of establishing the printing press. He said, in the letter, he has made Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar aware of the whole situation and after getting his permission, next step would be taken.

He said SGPC was making efforts to install printing machine for this purpose and DSGMC would try to do so in Canada and UK. He explained that Sikhs are residing in many countries in sizeable number and there is big demand of holy Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, but lacking adequate arrangements, maintaining respect of Guru Sahib proves difficult. In view of this, there is dire need of installing printing facilities in foreign countries.

It is notable that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had given all rights of printing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib to SGPC in 1998 and forbidden private publishers to print Birs. So far SGPC has been sending the holy Saroops by air or by Ships which was objected by some sections of Sikhs in respect to Maryada. So, that has raised demand of installing printing facilities for Guru Granth Sahib in foreign countries.

Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale

JALANDHAR, Punjab (October 26, 2014)—Portrait of the great Sikh martyr Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was installed in the Langar Hall of Gurdwara 9^th Patshahi at Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar locality on Friday. Damdami Taksal (Mehta) chief Harnam Singh Dhumma inaugurated the installation of the portrait with the echoing of “Bole So Nihal” slogans.

It is noteworthy that the Gurdwara is one of the most prominent shrines of the Sikh community in the metro city of Punjab which is under control of Panthik Sikh leaders led by Jathedar Jagjit Singh Gaba, president of the management committee of this Gurdwara.

While addressing the Sangat, Harnam Singh Dhumma lauded the move of installing portrait of Sant Bhindranwale. He said that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is a great Sikh general of 20^th century who got martyrdom fighting against Indian army at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in June 1984. He said that we should install his portrait in every house.

He said that the SGPC had declared to built a “Shaheedi Gallery” (Martyrs’ Gallery) at Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar, but had not made any efforts in this regard. He said that Shaheed Galleries honoring Sikh martyrs should come up in most Gurdwaras.

Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Bhai Isher Singh, son of Sant Jarnail Singh, Harcharanjit Singh Dhami and Bhai Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib (Both are Dal Khalsa leaders) also appreciated the installation of the portrait. The installed portrait was donated by Tejinder Pal Singh.

FAZILKA, Punjab (October 26, 2014)—Sikh nationalist political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, has extended its support to Punjab BJP demand of transferring Chandigarh to Punjab. However, it has opposed the Rajiv-Longowal accord, saying no area in Punjab should be allowed to be transferred to Haryana in lieu of Chandigarh.

The demand was raised by BJP state president Kamal Sharma in a press conference held at Chandigarh.

A memorandum was also submitted by the party leaders to the Fazilka Deputy Commissioner. The leaders included Emann Singh Mann, son of Simranjit Singh Mann, Jaskaran Singh Kahansinghwala, party general secretary, Parminder Singh Balianwali, Bathinda district unit president, Jasbir Singh Bhullar, Ferozepur district unit chief, Iqbal Singh Bariwala, Muktsar district unit chief, Balwinder Singh Mander, Mansa district president, and Iqbal Singh Kussa, president of the Moga district unit.

The leaders criticized the Rajiv-Longowal accord, saying that no area in Punjab should be shifted to Haryana in lieu of Chandigarh.

The transfer of Fazilka-Abohar territories remained a bone of contention between Punjab and Haryana in the mid-eighties.

AMRITSAR SAHIB (October 27, 2014)—Nihang Singh organizations organized a march dedicated to Fateh Diwas at Gurdwara Burj Akali Fulla Singh, Ghio Mandi, according to ancient traditions. Nihang Singhs participated in this march by wearing weapons and traditional clothes and reciting ovations, while sitting on horses and elephants. Baba Balbir Singh (Jathedar of Nihang Singh Samparda 96 Karodi Shiromani Budha Dal) was leading this march.

This march was started from Ghio Mandi and terminated in ground of Railway Colony of B-Block. Nihang Singhs exhibited their skills of horse riding and javelin throw. Some Nihang Singhs ride two horses at the same time, making the ground echo with ovations.

File Photo: Sikhs assist with flood relief in central Srinagar

AMRITSAR, Punjab (October 28, 2014)—The SGPC appealed to Chief Minister Umar Abdulla through a memorandum to pay attention towards rehabilitation of Sikh flood victims.

SGPC spokesman and Additional Secretary S. Diljeet Singh Bedi and Secretary Jagjit Singh Jaggi informed ‘Sikh24′ that they gave an memorandum to Umar Abdulla in a meeting and asked him to take urgent and necessary steps for rehabilitation of Sikh flood victims, as winter is oncoming.

The Chief Minister promised that the Government is trying to sort out this challenge and he will make necessary arrangements for it soon. Chief Minister Umar Abdulla thanked the SGPC President Jathedar Avtar Singh and appreciated the relief work done by Sikh Organizations during floods. S.Bedi said that he met Chairman of Awami Action Committee Meer Avice Maulvi Umar Faarookh and urged him to help Sikhs. He informed that relief material is being distributed in Relief Camp at Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib to every community without any distinction.  

YUBA CITY, California, USA (October 28, 2014)—A SGPC delegation from Amritsar is expected to arrive in California tomorrow.  SGPC President, Avtar Makkar, along with a number of other officials, will be taking part in the annual Yuba City Nagar Kirtan.  They are also planning to take part in the ground breaking ceremony of the International Sikh Mission, a project currently being overseen by the multi-millionaire Didar Singh Bains.

As per our earlier reports, the project in Yuba City will include a printing press, along with a school and a museum in form of a learning center.  Ground breaking ceremonies will actually take place on October 31st, however the SGPC delegation is arriving early because of the Nagar Kirtan.

The SGPC had earlier approved setting up the printing press here in Yuba City, after land was donated by Didar Singh Bains, a rich farmer, with close ties to Punjab and Sikh leaders.  It has been learnt that at least 13 acres were donated to the SGPC by Bains.  The land would be used for the printing facilities, a school, and an education center.

NEW DELHI, India (October 28, 2014)—A massive demonstration is reportedly being carried out by various organizations of different colours from Mandi house to Janter Mantar here on November 1^st to mark the 30^th anniversary of November 1984 Sikh genocide. The organizations will include Sikh advocacy groups, Muslim groups and human rights organizations.

The organizations which are taking initiative in this regard have made an appeal to the masses to join the demonstration against state terrorism and hate crime.

A joint statement issued to press by various organizations reads: “The genocide of Sikhs in Delhi, Kanpur and other places, which took place 30 years back, cannot and must not be forgotten. Right here in the capital of our country, organized mobs, led by the top leaders of the ruling Congress party, burnt alive and killed over 7000 innocent people of the Sikh faith. They indulged in mass kidnapping and rape of hundreds of women and girls.”

The statement was issued under the signature of Lok Raj Sangathan, Sikh Forum, Better Sikh Schools, Sikhi Sidak, Ghadar Heritage (Canada), Ghadar International, Citizens for Democracy, Sikh Chetna Lehar, People’s Movement against UAPA, National Patriotic People’s Front, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, Mazdoor Ekta Committee, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human  Rights, Nishant Natya Manch, All India Students’ Association, All India Progresive women’s Association, Communist Ghadar Party of India, Social Democratic Party of India, Welfare Party of India, CPIML (New Proletarian), Qoumi Party of India, United Muslims Front, Popular Front of India, SUCI (Communist), Association for Protection of Civil Rights, PUCL Delhi, Akhil Hind Forward Bloc (Krantikari), Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Hind Naujawan Ekta Sabha, All India Workers’ Council, Nagarik Parishad and National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations.

Regarding the inaction against the culprits of 1984 genocide, the statement says,

Far from providing protection to the victims, the state and security forces assisted the murderers. Subsequently, the inaction and the failure to register cases or properly investigate those that were filed are testimony to the highest level of patronage the killings enjoyed. The then Prime Minister of India, late Rajiv Gandhi, justified this genocide saying “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.” There is no doubt that the massacre of the Sikhs in 1984 was state-organised “communal massacre.

Similar, state-organised massacres of other communities have also taken place in different parts of India such as the Nellie massacre of tribal people in Assam in 1983, the massacre of Hindus and Muslims in Mumbai in 1993, Gujarat in 2002 and in Muzzafarnagar recently, and the massacre of Christians in Kandhmal in Odisha in 2008. In all these cases, the Indian state and security forces refused to discharge their sacred duty of protecting citizens. The murderers roamed freely for days on end. Right from the time of independence, organising genocides and pogroms has been the preferred weapon of the ruling establishment and their political parties to establish and consolidate their rule.

Even 30 years after the genocide, no progress has been made to secure punishment for the guilty. The politicians and police officers responsible for 1984 not only escaped indictment but were rewarded. If the guilty of 1984 had been punished and not rewarded, and the Indian state and the ruling party held responsible for the massacre, then the subsequent genocides and massacres would not have happened.

We are told to “forget and forgive.” We are told that people are communal and the state and security forces will protect us. We are told that we should not be negative and should move on.

These are all efforts to divert us from finding a lasting solution to end communal violence. Several organisations and prominent citizens, who have consistently been in the forefront of the struggle against state-organised communal violence, are continuing their campaign to demand justice to the victims of state-organised communal violence. It is essential to establish firmly the principle of command responsibility so that those in authority who mastermind such massacres are punished for their crimes

The campaign continues the struggle in this 30th year. We appeal to you as men and women of conscience to join the massive demonstration from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar on November 1st and voice our collective indignation.

Injured Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala (Damdami Taksal) in Hospital

TARN TARAN, Punjab (October 28, 2014)—Eight Sikhs, including Damdami Taksal leader Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, were severely injured in a clash held between Noormahal based cult, Divya Jyoti Jagarti Sansthan (DJJS) and Sikh organizations at Jodhpur village. The injured Sikhs were admitted to a nearby hospital.

The clash erupted when Sikhs led by Amrik Singh Ajnala, head of Damdami Taksal Ajnala, opposed the function of the controversial cult, whose preachers are accused of misinterpreting Gurbani and Sikh principles, at Jodhpur village today.

The Punjab police personnel who were deployed there to guard the cultists, reportedly opened fire on protesting Sikhs. According to information from various sources, Harjit Singh, a Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) follower, organized the function at his residence. The Yuva Pariwar Samithi, a wing of the cult, organized the function.

Earlier, when various Sikh organizations received information about the DJJS function, they planned to protest it and started to gather outside the village Gurdwara. The Sikhs entered the village from the two entry points of the village to reach the Gurdwara.

Some Sikhs were passing through the street on which Harjit Singh’s house is situated where the function was organized. The cultists assumed that the Sikhs were coming in to oppose the program. They started pelting them with stones from the roof from which some Sikhs sustained serious injuries. Sikhs responded hard handedly.

Seeing the situation out of control, the policemen opened fire on the Sikhs. The shooting lasted for five minutes.

Though the district administration deployed six to eight police personnel to prevent any untoward incident during the function and Tarn Taran SDM personally visited the venue, all the arrangements failed to control the situation.

Harjit, a DJJS cultist, said that he had already told the district administration and police about the program and received approval.But they did not take it seriously, resulting in some of the cult’ s followers being injured as well. He accused the police and district administration of allowing the incident to happen. He alleged that when he informed about the movement of Sikhs outside the gurdwara, the police did nothing to step up police security.

On the other hand, the leaders of Sikh groups said that they just reached there to oppose the function peacefully but the cultists attacked them with stones and gunfire, resulting in eight Sikhs injured.

Gopal Singh, a Sikh leader, said that the cultists opened fire on them when they were passing outside the house where the program was organized, to reach the village Gurdwara. He said that he still managed to reach the Gurdwara but two policemen chased them and open fire on Sikhs gathered in the Gurdwara. He said that the shooting inside the Gurdwara premises by Punjab police personnel would never be tolerated at any cost.

Tarn Taran SSP Manoj Sharma said that the police have been deployed at the spot and the situation was under control. He, however, avoided giving any comment on security issues.

JALANDHAR, Punjab (October 28, 2014)—Organizing the Oath Function of upcoming Haryana Government in Panchkula opened the path for Chandigarh’s acquisition by Punjab. S. Simranjit Singh Mann stated this in a conversation with press reporters after attending a meeting of his party at Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur. He said BJP’s state president of Punjab Kamal Sharma issued a statement about merging Chandigarh in Punjab and implementing the Rajiv-Longowal accord, and exactly after two days BJP Government of Haryana organized its Oath Function in Panchkula instead of Chandigarh, depicting the intent of BJP.

He welcomed the statement of merging Chandigarh in Punjab, but opposed the implementation of the Rajiv-Longowal accord by declaring it anti-Punjab. “Rajiv-Longowal accord finishes the Punjab’s Right on its water resources, which is given by Riparian Law,” added S. Mann. This accord was a conspiracy to depart Patiala and Abohar from Punjab.

S. Mann informed that the martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Bhai Beant Singh, Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh and Shaheed Bhai Kehar Singh will be celebrated on 31^st October at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. He demanded the Government to allot one canal land in the Indira Gandhi Memorial House for constructing a memorial of these martyrs at that place. S. Mann strictly condemned the foreign policy of the Modi Government. He said that the Modi Government is appointing RSS leaders as Governors and Government positions, which is a big danger for secularism.

S. Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singh Wala, Prof. Mohinderpal Singh, Sarbjit Singh (President, UK), Sukjit Singh Daroli (President of Jalandhar), Manjit Singh Reru (Urban President, Jalandhar), Sulakhan Singh Shahkot, Harbhajan Singh Kashmiri, Master Karnail Singh Narike etc. were present in this meeting.

Nihang Bir Singh

AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab (October 28, 2014)—Member of Nihang Singh sect ‘Shiromani Panth Dashmesh Tarna Dal’ Bir Singh, who was seriously injured in a clash held between two Nihang factions during the Bandi Chhod Diwas celebrations here, died at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on Sunday. He sustained serious gunshot injuries in his chest.

The violent incidents took place near Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj following a horse riding competition near B block Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj a couple of days ago.

His last rituals were performed at Nihangs’ base in the Mustafabad locality. The Islamabad police have added Section 302 of the IPC to the earlier case registered against the opposite group headed by Baba Sher Singh.

Islamabad SHO Amrik Singh said Bir Singh sustained a gunshot injury just below the ribs. His vital organs were damaged which led to his death.

A total of six persons were injured in the clash between two groups of Nihangs headed by Baba Major Singh and Baba Sher Singh. The dispute over the headship of Dera Jivan Singh was said to be the reason behind the clash.