Sikh Community

Sikh body supports Rahul Gandhi's remarks on community during US visit

A Sikh body on Wednesday came out in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks during his recent US visit about the community, saying its members have an inalienable right to adhere to and protect their religious and cultural rights. In a statement, Khushhal Singh, general secretary of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said Gandhi's special mention of Sikhs' freedom to wear turban and worship in gurdwaras was an open recognition of their distinct religious and cultural identity. He said the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha rightly identified the decades-old distortions in Indian politics as caste hierarchy and religion-cultural conflicts which "invariably manifested as violence and misgovernance". According to Khushhal, political thinkers associated with the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a central body of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras, are of the opinion that Gandhi opted for the right direction which would put an end to the politics of hate, communalisation and targeting of ...

Kangana's Emergency to miss Sept 6 release; CBFC to not issue certificate

Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency' didn't get any relief on Wednesday from the Bombay High Court which refused to pass any order in the wake of a directive by the Madhya Pradesh HC directing CBFC to consider objections to the movie before certifying it. The film was scheduled to release on September 6 but will now be pushed back for two weeks as the HC directed the censor board to consider the objections raised against the film and then certify it by September 18. The film's producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises had moved the Bombay HC seeking a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue certificate for the biographical drama Emergency', helmed by actor-MP Kangana Ranaut. The plea claimed that the censor board was ready with the certificate but was not issuing it apprehending law and order unrest after the movie's release. A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla on Wednesday accepted the producer's contention that the certificate

Petition filed in Chandigarh court demanding criminal case against Kangana

Advocate Ravinder Singh, said that in the film 'Emergency' made by Kangana Ranaut, an attempt has been made to defame Sri Akal Takht Sahib

SAD sends legal notice to CBFC over Kangana's upcoming movie 'Emergency'

The notice addresses top officials of the CBFC, requesting an immediate revocation of the certification granted to the film Emergency

Kangana Ranaut in legal trouble for 'misrepresenting' Sikhs in 'Emergency'

SGPC has issued a legal notice to actress and producer Kangana Ranaut to remove the trailer of the film and for the filmmakers to issue a formal apology to the Sikh community

India, Canada meet as more arrests may point to another Sikh murder plot

Intelligence chiefs from India and Canada have recently met to share evidence, said people familiar with the matter

Sikh pilgrims head to Pak for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary

The group departed for Pakistan from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office on Friday

Gurbani, messages of harmony at UK Parliament complex for Baisakhi

The devotional strains of Gurbani and messages of harmony rang out at the Houses of Parliament complex in London this week for a first-of-its-kind Baisakhi celebration. Organised by the British Indian think tank 1928 Institute and diaspora membership organisations City Sikhs and the British Punjabi Welfare Association (BPWA), the event brought together a cross-section of professionals, community leaders and philanthropists at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room on Monday evening to spotlight the UK-India relationship and contributions of the Sikh community to British life. City Sikhs Chair Jasvir Singh led the proceedings, which included speeches and Gurbani by the Anahad Kirtan Society. It's a real honour to celebrate Baisakhi, the birth of the Khalsa by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Baisakhi celebrates the beginning of the Khalsa and the teachings that accompany this, focussing on equality by proactively removing forms of hierarchy, ego and fear, said Kiran Kaur .

LS polls: Large number of Sikhs, including DSGMC members, join BJP

A large number of Sikhs, including members of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, joined the BJP on Saturday. Citing a host of measures taken by the government to help the minority community, BJP president J P Nadda on the occasion said if anybody has really worked for the community, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda also cited central government decisions such as the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, the FCRA registration for donations to the Golden Temple and the action against accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases. He said the BJP highly regarded the contribution and sacrifices of the community for the country and will keep working for its welfare. The BJP has been in an overdrive to deepen its bond with Sikhs and is looking to put up a strong fight in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, where they are in a majority. A number of well known Sikh politicians from the state have joined the party recently.

Watch: Sikh community in the US holds mega rally in support of PM Modi

Ram temple: Sikhs in Ayodhya to hold Akhand Path ahead of Pran Pratishtha

'Sikhs from various parts of the country will participate in the Akhand Path,' said BJP national spokesperson R P Singh

Anand Marriage Act implemented in Jammu-Kashmir after long-standing demand

Detailed rules were framed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for registration of marriages under Anand Marriage Act, which provides statutory recognition to marriage rituals of Sikhs, fulfilling their long-standing demand to not have to solemnise their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act. Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023' has been framed for the registration of Anand marriages, under which tehsildars concerned shall be the registrar of such marriages within their respective territorial jurisdiction, as per a government notification issued. Sikh couples can apply for registration within a period of three months after solemnising their marriage but face late fee if formalities are completed after the expiry of the deadline, reads the notification issued by the department of law, justice and parliamentary affairs on November 30. This has been a long pending demand and we are thankful to the Lt Governor for keeping his promise, Vice President of Distric

Your turban does not mean terrorism: NYC Mayor Adams amid attacks on Sikhs

The Sikh turban does not mean terrorism but symbolises faith, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, as he described the recent attacks and hate crimes against the community as a stain on the country and vowed to protect its members. He also gave a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism. You are not about terror; you are about protector. That is what needs to be taught throughout this entire city. Our young people need to know that, our adults need to know that, Adams said while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in the Queens neighbourhood of South Richmond Hill. Describing the Sikh community as an anchor in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood, Adams said: Your turban does not mean terrorism. It means protecting, it means community, it means family, it means faith, it means city, it means us coming together. We will change the dialogue and narrative with you. We can do it together. Adams and New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer .

Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Trudeau's party criticises anti-Hindu threats

Amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada, an Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party has expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crime targeting Hindus in this country in the name of freedom of expression. The sharp reaction from Chandra Arya, who represents the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada, came as extremist elements backed by a leader of the Khalistan movement openly asked Hindu Canadians to go back to India. "A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organises the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India," Arya, a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, said. "I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies," the ...

Question mark over India-Canada economic ties amid diplomatic standoff

Canada identifies expelled Indian diplomat as RAW station chief in Ottawa, sources say Canadian diplomat expelled from Delhi is intelligence officer

How India and Canada's relations crumbled after killing of Sikh leader

On June 18, unknown assailants shot and killed Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who supported the formation of an independent homeland - known as Khalistan - for Sikhs in northern India

Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act to end right over Gurbani telecast: CM Mann

The Chief Minister said this Act will be called the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act, 2023, and will come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette

SGPC passes budget of Rs 1138.14 cr for FY 2023-24 in its general meeting

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on Tuesday passed a budget of Rs 1,138.14 crore for the financial year 2023-24 during its general meeting here, officials said. In one of the resolution passed during the meeting, the body condemned arrest of Sikh youths who during a recent police crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his aides. The SGPC said the Sikh youths who were arrested, would be provided legal aid by the body. SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal presented the budget which was passed by the SGPC members. Head granthi (Priest) of the Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple) Giani Jagtar Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC office-bearers and members were present during the budget meeting. Sharing information after the budget meeting, Dhami said the SGPC budget has recorded a 17 per cent increase as compared to last year. The SGPC president said a special amount has been arranged for

US State Senate unanimously passes resolution honouring Sikh community

The resolution was moved by Representative Angela Romero and Senator Luz Escamilla from Salt Lake City

SGPC seeks action against those making provocative statements in Punjab

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday said it has written to the police here and demanded strict action against those making provocative speeches against the Sikh community. The letter was written by SGPC secretary Partap Singh, which was handed over to Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Parminder Singh Bhandal. Singh said in two separate videos, two men from Gurdaspur and Amritsar allegedly made some provocative statements against the Sikh community. He said such statements can disturb the peaceful environment in the state. The SGPC secretary demanded strict legal action against the two after registering a case against them under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.