Sikh Community

PM to attend 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur on Tuesday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday inaugurate the 'Panchajanya', a monument dedicated to the sacred conch of Lord Krishna in Kurukshetra, and also participate in a special programme to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The prime minister will also visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive experiential centre in the Haryana city, where installations depict significant episodes from the Mahabharata, highlighting its enduring cultural and spiritual significance, a PMO statement said. Modi will participate in a special programme commemorating the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the revered ninth Sikh Guru, the statement said. Modi will release a special coin and commemorative stamp to mark the occasion, and address the gathering. The government is observing a year-long commemoration to honour the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The prime minister will also perform darshan' and pooja' at Brahma Sarovar, one of India's mo

PM extends greetings on Guru Nanak Jayanti; recalls his teachings, wisdom

President Droupadi Murmu also extended warm greetings to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti

1,796 Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak's birth anniversary

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission shared on Wednesday that it has issued over 2100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India ahead of the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak

Punjab BJP deletes tribute post for those killed during Operation Bluestar

The Punjab BJP has deleted a social media post in which it paid tributes to "martyrs" of Operation Blue Star, the Army operation which was carried out in June 1984 to flush out armed militants from the Golden Temple. The post on X was shared on Sunday but it was taken down later without assigning any reason for the same. In the post, the Punjab BJP had condemned the then Congress government for "attacking the Golden Temple" and expressed solidarity with the families of those who lost their lives. The post, which has now been deleted, read, "June 1, 1984'?' 'Saka Neela Tara'. A humble tribute to all the martyrs of the day one of the attack on the Darbar Sahib by the Congress government." The BJP had also shared pictures of the damage suffered by the Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and an armoured vehicle with deflated tyres. The post, which was shared on Facebook as well, was deleted a few hours later. Meanwhile, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani K

Happy to take responsibility for INC's past mistakes: Rahul to Sikh student

At Brown University, Rahul Gandhi said he was not in politics during the 1984 riots but is willing to take responsibility for Congress's historical wrongs, including towards Sikhs

Baisakhi 2025: Thousands of Sikhs gather in Pakistan for New Year fest

Punjab and other northern Indian states celebrate Baisakhi, a major harvest celebration. It often occurs on April 13 or 14 and signifies the beginning of the Sikh New Year

Delhi govt signs MoU with Centre for skill development among Sikh youth

The Delhi government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for the skill development of Sikh youth, with an allocation of Rs 100 crore to enhance employment opportunities, officials said on Saturday. This initiative will be implemented by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Industry Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Sirsa visited a gurdwara to seek blessings following the signing of the MoU. Sirsa said Sikh students interested in skill development in any field can approach the DSGMC for training under the programme. Rijiju said the initiative will initially benefit 31,000 youth and will be gradually expanded. He added that the programme aims to generate employment and ensure greater workforce participation among young individuals.

Man attacks devotees with rod inside Amritsar's Golden Temple, 5 injured

An unidentified man attacked devotees with a rod at Amritsar's Golden Temple, injuring five people, including a seriously wounded Sikh youth from Bathinda; police have arrested the attacker

'Turbans thrown in dustbin': Sikh deportee recounts US detention ordeals

Deported Indian immigrant Davinder Singh recounts harrowing tales of mistreatment, with reports of inadequate food, extreme cold, and religious insensitivity

US officials visit gurudwaras in New York, sparking Sikh community outrage

The Trump administration's decision to revoke protections for sensitive areas has drawn criticism from Sikh organisations, who see it as a threat to their faith's sanctity

Veer Bal Diwas 2024: History, significance, celebrations, wishes and quotes

Every year on Dec 26, people celebrate Veer Bal Diwas to pay tribute to the unmatched bravery and sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh's four sons, which are among the most revered figures in Sikhism

SAD set for overhaul as Akal Takht says leadership lost moral right to lead

The 104-year-old Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is set for a reorganisation following the Akal Takht's decision to form a committee to oversee elections for the party president's post and other office bearers. The party's political fortunes have waned in recent years under the leadership of Sukhbir Singh Badal, who, three months ago, was declared tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Akal Takht. On Monday, the Sikh clergy issued a tankhah' (religious punishment) for Badal and other leaders for mistakes committed by the SAD and its government in Punjab between 2007 and 2017. Prior to the pronouncement of the punishment, Badal admitted to several mistakes, including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during SAD government's tenure in Punjab. Sukhbir Badal, the former deputy chief minister, was credited with the party's victory in the 2012 assembly elections. However, the SAD won only 15 out of 117 seats in the 2017 elections and just three seats in the 2

India, Pak renew pact on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for next 5 yrs: MEA

India and Pakistan have renewed the agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the next five years, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday. In view of the continued requests of the pilgrims regarding the removal of USD 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan to not levy any fee or charges on the pilgrims, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "It has been agreed between India and Pakistan through diplomatic channels to extend the validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a further period of five years," the MEA said. The agreement, signed on October 24, 2019 to facilitate the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, was valid for a period of five years. "Extension of the validity of this agreement will ensure uninterrupted operation of the Corridor for use by the pilgrims from India to .

Diplomatic tensions between India, Canada have implications on Sikhs: NAPA

The recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, particularly surrounding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have had profound implications for the Sikh diaspora, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) said on Friday. This incident has intensified existing insecurities and divisions within the community, affecting how Sikh immigrant families navigate their identities, political beliefs, and social interactions, said Satnam Singh Chahal, NAPA's Executive Director. Earlier this week, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma after dismissing Ottawa's allegations linking the envoy to a probe into the killing of Nijjar. Nijjar was gunned down in Surrey, British Columbia, in June last year. Chahal said the Nijjar incident has exacerbated pre-existing divides within the Sikh diaspora. Some community members view the Canadian government's stance as a legitimate defense of human rights, while others see it as an

Top Canada police official urges Sikhs to speak out as they probe India

The head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has urged the Sikh community here to speak out as they continue to investigate allegations linking the Indian government to a campaign of violence on Canadian soil. In an interview with Radio-Canada on Tuesday, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme urged people with knowledge relevant to the investigation they are doing to come forward, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported. On Monday, Duheme publicly alleged that "agents" of the government of India had played a role in "widespread" acts of violence in Canada, including homicides. Duheme alleged that Indian diplomats and consular officials in Canada have been linked to murders and acts of "extortion, intimidation and coercion" against Canadians and people living in Canada. He told reporters that the national force felt it had to come forward to disrupt the networks working in Canada, which he said pose a "significant threat to public safety in our country." "If people come forw

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