WHY & WHEN NAME BHAGAT RAVIDAS WAS CHANGED TO GURU RAVIDAS

Monday, 2 February 2015

WHY & WHEN NAME BHAGAT RAVIDAS NAME WAS CHANGED TO GURU RAVIDAS

WHO IS SUPERIOR  – BHAGAT OR GURU?

With the passage of time Sikhism emerged as a separate religion therefore the term Guru became stronger than Bhagat otherwise Bhagat was always considered as more respectful word than Guru.

Bhagat, Guru or Bhagwan the God.

Guru is a simple word meaning teacher.  Guru teaches technique to reach up to God while bhagat (the one addicted to God) as a term is supposed to close to God. Therefore in spiritual terminology bhagat is a stronger term than the guru. 

Therefore Bhagat has been a very respectable term. Accordingly the medieval bhagats of Ravidas, Namdev, Kabir, Dhanna and others had always been considered as superior to Guru the teacher.

On the other had the rise of Gurus the teachers in Punjab was meteoric one. Right during their life time they had achieved the status of mass leaders. They identified themselves with the common people and claimed they were mere gurus the teachers. In humility Guru Nanak touched the nadir when he said;

I am lowest of the low caste

I am with the low and have nothing to do with the high ones

Because I know it is the low people where You shower Your blessings.

Thus in Indian society bhagat had a distinct honourable place while guru the teacher has a usual one until the term or post got honour after the Sikh gurus where treated like prophets in Punjab. But this never meant the grade of bhagat was lowered.

In the 80s and 90s when there was rebellion of Khalistan the Indian Govt obviously adopted all means to suppress it. One of these was creating divisions in Punjabi society. The Govt explored all possible avenues to promote hatred between the communities in the name of religion and castes. The Govt gave financial support where ever unions/organizations were launched in the name of castes etc. Govt scholars and universities were asked to accomplish this task. Guru Nanak University of Amritsar did played a prominent role along with Panjab and Patiala universities.

Cheap scholars naturally were attracted for this dubious researches. I my self remember having heard hatred speech on Doordarshan Jalandhar TV on Feb.8 (year was either 1993/4/5) where the Ravidasia community was being instigated against the mainstream Punjab society. It was being claimed why not status of Guru for Bhagat Ravidas. The preacher was claiming that this is discrimination against the quom.

Similarly other communities were being instigated against the Jatts. Second prominent community after the Ravidasias was Ramgarhias while the Tonk Kshatriya and Kabir Panthis did not favourably respond to the Govt's conspiracy. 

Thus as regards the grade or post the status of Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Namdev etc. remained same but the Bhagat Ravidas was changed to Guru Ravidas. The honourable status of bhagat was changed to Guru the teacher in view of prevalence of seniority of the term in Punjab in view of the Sikh Gurus.

It is however different that Bhagat Ravidas was so referred during his life times.

ਆਪਨ ਬਾਪੈ ਨਾਹੀ ਕਿਸੀ ਕੋ ਭਾਵਨ ਕੋ ਹਰਿ ਰਾਜਾ ॥ ਮੋਹ ਪਟਲ ਸਭੁ  ਜਗਤੁ ਬਿਆਪਿਓ ਭਗਤ ਨਹੀ ਸੰਤਾਪਾ ॥3॥ ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਭਗਤਿ ਇਕ ਬਾਢੀ ਅਬ ਇਹ ਕਾ ਸਿਉ  ਕਹੀਐ ॥ ਜਾ ਕਾਰਨਿ ਹਮ ਤੁਮ ਆਰਾਧੇ ਸੋ ਦੁਖੁ ਅਜਹੂ ਸਹੀਐ ॥

God, our King, is father to no one, except those who love Him. The veil of emotional attachment has been cast over the entire world, but it does not bother the God's bhagat the devotee. 3.   Says Ravidas, my bhagati the devotion to the One God is increasing; now, who can I tell this to? That which brought me to worship and adore You — I am still suffering that pain.  

Thus the name which has been current for the past 700 years is changed thanks to the politics. But please let me take the liberty to say that the identity of such a  nation who can change its tradition so easily is threatened in future. 

It is for these reasons Bhagat Ravidas had desired the liberty for human kind so that one can protect from the dirty politics. Says our revered Bhagat ( I kiss his feet) :-

ਬੇਗਮ ਪੁਰਾ ਸਹਰ ਕੋ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੂਖੁ ਅੰਦੋਹੁ ਨਹੀ  ਤਿਹਿ ਠਾਉ ॥ ਨਾਂ ਤਸਵੀਸ ਖਿਰਾਜੁ ਨ ਮਾਲੁ ॥ ਖਉਫੁ ਨ ਖਤਾ ਨ ਤਰਸੁ ਜਵਾਲੁ ॥1॥ ਅਬ ਮੋਹਿ ਖੂਬ ਵਤਨ  ਗਹ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਖੈਰਿ ਸਦਾ ਮੇਰੇ ਭਾਈ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਕਾਇਮੁ ਦਾਇਮੁ ਸਦਾ ਪਾਤਿਸਾਹੀ ॥ ਦੋਮ ਨ ਸੇਮ ਏਕ  ਸੋ ਆਹੀ ॥ ਬਾਦਾਨੁ ਸਦਾ ਮਸਹੂਰ ॥ ਊਹਾਂ ਗਨੀ ਬਸਹਿ ਮਾਮੂਰ ॥2॥ ਤਿਉ ਤਿਉ ਸੈਲ ਕਰਹਿ ਜਿਉ ਭਾਵੈ ॥  ਮਹਰਮ ਮਹਲ ਨ ਕੋ ਅਟਕਾਵੈ ॥ ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਖਲਾਸ ਚਮਾਰਾ ॥ ਜੋ ਹਮ ਸਹਰੀ ਸੁ ਮੀਤੁ ਹਮਾਰਾ ॥3॥2॥ 

Begumpura, ‘the city without sorrow’, is the name of the town. There is no suffering or anxiety there. There are no troubles or taxes on commodities there. There is no fear, blemish or downfall there.  1.  Now, I have found this most excellent city. There is lasting peace and safety there, O Siblings of Destiny.   1.  Pause .   God’s Kingdom is steady, stable and eternal. There is no second or third status; all are equal there. That city is populous and eternally famous. Those who live there are wealthy and contented. 2.  They stroll about freely, just as they please. They know the Mansion of the Lord’s Presence, and no one blocks their way. Says Ravi Daas, the emancipated shoe-maker: whoever is a citizen there, is a friend of mine. 3.2.   

Continue Reading | comments (5)

WHAT IS NAAM JAPNA

Friday, 30 January 2015

WHAT IS NAAM JAPNA

According to Sikh spiritualism, we can merge with God by singing/saying His praises. Thinking about God, His qualities, His powers etc. is also Naam. Naam is therefore exact equivalent of the English word 'name' which also means

qualities of a thing or person etc. A detailed issue on this is available at

http://www.punjabmonitor.com/2013/05/dookh-rog-santap-utrey-disease-pain.html

please scroll down to 3rd page.

Please also see how derawalas differ on this.
http://www.punjabmonitor.com/2013/07/gurmat-and-deramat.html

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Modes of Worship in other Religions

a) Hinduism

Murti
Sindoor being applied on the forehead of Goddess Durga during Durga Puja.
Murti the idol
In Hinduism, a murti typically refers to an image or statue. Devotional (bhakti) practices centered on cultivating a deep and personal bond of love with God often include veneration of murtis. Acts of devotion can include awakening the murti in the morning and making sure that it "is washed, dressed, and garlanded." Furthermore, the building of a temple for the murti is considered the highest act of devotion.

Some Hindu sects like Arya Samaj  and Brahmo Samaj, however, reject it.
Puja
Pūjā is a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It is done on a variety of occasions and settings, from daily puja done in the home, to temple ceremonies and large festivals, or to begin a new venture. Puja is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity or important person and receiving their blessing (Ashirbad). The puja ritual is performed by Hindus worldwide.

Aarti (Taking Aarti blessing)

Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aarti is generally performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja (in South India) or bhajan session (in North India).
Darśhana
Darshan is a Sanskrit term meaning "sight" (seeing or beholding;), vision, apparition, or glimpse of  holy person or artifact. One could also "receive" darshana or a glimpse of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person, such as a great guru.
Homa, Havan and Yajna

Homa (also known as homam or havan) is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action.
Yagya is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes. An essential element is the sacrificial fire - the divine Agni - into which oblations are poured, as everything that is offered into the fire is believed to reach the gods.
Substances and objects
Substances that are commonly used in Hindu worship include ghee, incense, kumkum, Marigold, milk, sandalwood, tulsi and vibhuti. Among objects used are the altar, banana leaves, bhog, coconuts, diya (oil lamps), fly-whisks, garlands, prasad, shankha (conch) and tilaka.
Tilaka
The tilaka, tilak or tika is a mark worn on the forehead and in some cases to the upper part of the head. The tilaka symbolizes the third eye, or mind's eye, associated with many Hindu gods, and the idea of meditation and spiritual enlightenment.
Tree worship
There are three species of sacred trees, pipal, banyan, and neem.
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation" Its use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. Mantras originated in the Vedic tradition of India. The most basic mantra is Aum, which in Hinduism is known as the "pranava mantra," the source of all mantras.
Mantra japa was a concept of the Vedic sages that incorporates mantras as one of the main forms of puja, or worship, whose ultimate end is seen as moksha (liberation). It involves repetition of a mantra over and over again, usually in cycles of auspicious numbers (in multiples of three), the most popular being 108.
Vrata or fasting
Such actions may include complete or partial fasting on certain specific days; a Yatra (pilgrimage) to a particular place or places; a visit, darśana and puja at a particular temple or temples; recitation of mantras and prayers; performing yajnas.
Festivals
All festivals in Hinduism are predominantly religious in character and significance.
Yatra the pilgrimage
Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine.

According to another site of Hinduism the Hindu worship modes are prescribed as under:-
Types of Worship

There are many different types of worship and each with increasing levels of complexity depending on the performer, available means, and desired outcomes. Roughly, they can be grouped into 13 overlapping groups.

• Puja – ritual worship, especially of the deity
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
• Arti – the greeting ceremony with lamps, etc.
• 
• Bhajan or Kirtan – hymns and chants
• 
  
• Darshan – taking audience of a deity or holy person
• 
  
• Prasad – offering and eating sacred food
• 
  
• Pravachan – talk or lecture on the scriptures
• 
  
• Yajna – ritual sacrifice
• 
  
• Havan – the sacred fire ceremony
  
• 
  
• Japa/Meditation/Prayer – internal practices of worship
• 
  
• Parikram/Pradakshina – circumambulation
• 
  
• Seva – active service, to the ashram, a deity, holy people, etc.
• 
  
• Upasana - sitting near the Diety or Guru in silence, contemplation, adoration, devotion, etc
• 
  
• Tapas - austerity or penance 

b) Buddhism

Worship is evident in Buddhism in such forms as: 

guru yoga, mandala, thanka, yantra yoga, the discipline of the fighting monks of Shaolin, panchamrita, mantra recitation, tea ceremony, ganacakra, amongst others. Buddhist Devotion is an important part of the practice of most Buddhists.  

In Buddhism, puja are expressions of "honour, worship and devotional attention." Acts of puja include bowing, making offerings and chanting. 

c) Islam

The Five Pillars of Islamic worship are: 

1) The Testimony of Faith (Reading of  Qalima) :

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.”  This saying means “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah),1 and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”  The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.  

2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day.  Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God.  There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper.

Namaz

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. 

3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):

All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.  Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’  The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year is two and a half percent.  

A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

 Every year in the month of Ramadan,4 all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

Hajj of Kaaba

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.  

The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water.  Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafat and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

d) Christianity

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORSHIP

Quiet, reflective, tender - “I will sing praise unto God. My meditation shall be sweet.” (Ps. 104:33-34)

Joyful, exuberant shouting and loud music - We are called to shout, play skillfully with a loud noise, and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Clapping Hands - “Clap your hands all you people.” (Ps. 47:1)

Lifting of hands expresses thanksgiving, blessing, petition, and obedience.

Dancing - We are called to praise Him through dance. “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Sa. 6:14)

Kneeling - “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” (Phil. 2:10)

Individual - “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening.” (1 Chron. 23:30)

“…Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19)

Congregational - “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregational celebration and praise.” (Ps. 22:22-25)

Continue Reading | comments

OBAMA ADVISES INDIA OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Tuesday, 27 January 2015

OBAMA ADVISES INDIA OF RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Finally President Barak Obama has rendered advice to Govt of India on religious tolerance. Earlier President Bill Clinton had felt the pain of religious persecution.  35 innocent Sikhs were then killed when Bill was visiting India. He later said that he was sorry for those innocent people. He said if had not visited India those 35 people would not have been killed.  Shamelessly the Govt of India has buried the inquiry report on Chittisinghpora killings. We are however hopeful that the present Prime Minister of Indira Sh. Narender Modi has learnt a lot on religious tolerance and we are sure Modi will never ignore advice of the big brother. 

Here is a Reuter's report Siri Fort Auditorium Delhi where Obama was speaking.

In final speech to India, Obama emphasises religious tolerance

 January 27, 2015 14:36 IST

US President Barack Obama shakes hands with the crowd after delivering a speech at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters

Making a strong pitch for religious tolerance, United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday said every person has the right to practice his faith without any persecution and that India will succeed so long it is not "splintered" on religious lines.

Obama greets with a namaste after he addressed
a gathering at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi.
Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters

Addressing a Town hall event at the Siri Fort auditorium on the third and final day of his visit to India, Obama also said that America can be India's "best partner".

"Every person has the right to practice his faith without any persecution, fear or discrimination. India will succeed so long it is not splintered on religious lines," Obama told the audience comprising mainly young people.

The president's comments came against the backdrop of the controversy over religious conversions and 'Ghar Wapsi’ programmes by right wing Hindu outfits in India.

Obama also cited Article 25 of the Indian Constitution dealing with Freedom of religion. "Your (Constitution) Article 25 says all people are equally entitled to the freedom of conscience and have right to freely profess and practise and propagate religion. In both our countries, in all countries upholding with freedom of religion is the utmost responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of every person," he said.

Obama also said that around the world we have seen intolerance, violence and terror perpetrated by those who profess to be standing for upholding their fait "We have to guard against any efforts to divide us on sectarian lines or any other thing," he said.

Obama further said that no society is immune by the darkest impulses of man and that more often religion has been used to tap into it.

He recounted an incident that occurred three years ago in Wisconsin where a man went into a Sikh gurdwara and "in a terrible act of violence" killed six innocent people which included both American and Indians.

"In that moment of shared grief, the two countries reaffirmed the basic truth that we must again today. Every person has a right to practice the faith that they choose and to practice no faith at all and to do so free of persecution, fear or discrimination," he said.

Obama greets with a namaste after he addressed a gathering at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters

In his speech, attended by young students, scholars and others, Obama said such a proposition holds much importance in India. "And nowhere it is more important than in India. Nowhere is it going to be more necessary for that foundational value to be upheld," he said.

Underlining the factors that unify both the countries, Obama said, "Our diversity is our strength" and cautioned that both India and the US have to be on guard against divisive efforts along sectarian lines or any other lines.

"...If we do that well and if America shows itself as example of its diversity and the capacity to live and work together in common effort and common purpose and if India as massive as it is with so much diversity, so many differences, is able to continuously reaffirm its democracy so that is an example for every other country.”

“That's what makes us world leaders. Not just the size of our economies or the number of weapons we have but our ability to show the way and how we work together," he said.

The US president picked Indian heroes like actor Shah Rukh Khan and sports icons like Milkha Singh and Mary Kom and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi to make a point that courage and humanitarian values unify both the nations.

"By what Dr King (Martin Luther King Jr) called content of our character rather than the colour of our skin or the manner in which we worship our god. In both our countries, in India and America, our diversity is our strength," he said.

Recalling his own experience as a minority in the US, Obama said that while he has had extraordinary opportunities, "there were moments in my life where I've been treated differently because of the colour of my skin." He also referred to the persistent false rumours that he is a Muslim, not a Christian.

"There have been times where my faith has at times been questioned by people who don't know me, or they've said that I adhere to a different religion, as if that were somehow a bad thing," Obama said. "The peace we seek in world begins in human heart," he added.

On Indo-US relations, Obama said, "India and the United States are not just natural partners -- I believe that America can be India's best partner."

"Of course, only Indians can decide India's role in the world," he said, adding, "But I'm here because I am absolutely convinced that both our peoples will have more jobs and opportunity, our nations will be more secure, and the world will be a safer and more just place when our two democracies stand together."

Obama also said the US supported India's inclusion as a permanent member in the UN Security Council. Against the backdrop of China exerting its influence in South China Sea, Obama said freedom of navigation must be upheld in the Asia Pacific and welcomed a greater role for India.

"The United States welcomes a greater role for India in the Asia Pacific, where the freedom of navigation must be upheld and disputes must be resolved peacefully," he said.

+++++++++++++++++++++

VHP hits back at Obama, calls him ‘stooge of Church’

Deeptiman Tiwary,TNN | Feb 7, 2015, 02.34 AM IST

(http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VHP-hits-back-at-Obama-calls-him-stooge-of-Church/articleshow/46151122.cms)

NEW DELHI: US President Barack Obama's recent remarks on 'religious intolerance' in India has irked the Hindu right in the country. Criticizing his latest remark — that "acts of intolerance" experienced by religious faiths of all types in India in the past few years would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi —Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Friday called Obama a "stooge of the Church" and asked the Narendra Modi government to identify and weed out people in the Indian political class suspected to be batting for the Church. 

VHP joint general secretary Surendra Jain said that Obama should instead take care of his country which was witnessing "atrocities" against blacks. "He (Obama) is himself black. Despite that, he has not been able to stop the atrocities being committed on blacks," he said. 

Alleging the influence of Christian missionaries on Obama, Jain said, "Obama seems to like his natural allies more than his friend. He made such statements in India and abroad after meeting certain people here on his visit. It is well known that Church plants people in politics. Obama has not been a good guest." 

VHP also agreed with Hindu Mahasabha, which is preparing to forcibly marry off couples seen together on Valentine's Day. According to VHP, cases such as the Nirbhaya gang rape happen because couples openly express love on Valentine's Day. Jain said, "There should be no violence (on February 14), but those who love each other must get married. In the name of love, do not indulge in naked display of lust. It is because of these celebrations that incidents like (Delhi gang rape) happen." 

On its right to be the moral police, Jain retorted, "What right did Mahatma Gandhi have to steer the freedom struggle? When police do not take action, society will have to." 

On Obama's comments, Jain said the US is only worried about Christians and never talked about atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. "Obama should have rather asked Christian missionaries to stop conversion. It is because of their antics that there is communal disharmony in India. We ask the government to identify and weed out such people in politics who are planted by the Church," Jain said even as he brushed aside recent attacks on churches in Delhi as a "law and order problem". 

"Even temples get vandalized, but do we say Christians have done it? Christians are protesting for political mileage and finance," said Jain. 

Continue Reading | comments

GANTANTAR - KEEP IT WITH YOU

Sunday, 25 January 2015

GANTANTAR - KEEP IT WITH YOU

Some friends are sending greetings to me on Indian Republic Day. I protest on this and say:

 WHAT KIND OF REPUBLIC AND WHOSE REPUBLIC? THIS DISHONEST & CORRUPT REPUBLIC KEEP IT WITH YOU

• It made law and pulled our industry out of Punjab to neighbouring states.
• It snatched away our river waters
• It discriminates against our mother tongue Punjabi and has all along denied its due
• It has worked on the policy of divide and rule in Punjab. It created a wedge between Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab.
• It destroyed our education system through a conspiracy.
• It discriminates against Punjab while allotting tax revenue. It is treating Punjab like its colony
• It has launched secret programmes to absorb Sikhism into Hinduism. It encouraged raising of hundreds of gurudoms. Some of its created pseudo-gurus are so corrupt and criminal they have allegations of murders and rapes against them. The Govt does not take action against them, "because they are bringing Sikhs into mainstream (read Hinduism)"
• They massacred thousands of our brothers and raped our sisters in Delhi in 1984 and have not punished the guilty till date. Reason obvious.
• They conspired to invade holiest of our holy places the Golden Temple and demolished Akal Takhat.
• Despite our protests its constitution brands Sikhs as Hindus. So when you work against the wishes of people you can't be called a democracy. 
• I protest on this day

Continue Reading | comments

Centre discriminating against Punjab

Saturday, 17 January 2015

Centre discriminating against Punjab - Sukhbir Badal

PATIALA: If Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal is to be believed, the state is at par with the US and Japan. To paint a rosy picture of the debt-ridden state, Sukhbir, speaking at a gathering of academicians on Thursday, equated Punjab's fiscal health with the US and Japan, claiming that its debt-gross state domestic product (GSDP) ratio is far better than those of developed nations.

Stating that Punjab had registered a "phenomenal" success in reducing debt-GSDP ratio and productive debt is not a "bad thing", Sukhbir went on to add, "We call countries like the US, Japan, Canada and France as rich countries. The US is under debt of 92% of its GDP rate. Japan is under debt of 225% of their GDP. Ours is only 32%. But we call these countries developed nations and Punjab a bankrupt state. Neither nations nor private companies can grow without debt. In reality, we have brought down debt to GSDP ratio from 44.8% to 32%."

Sukhbir said this during his 92-minute presentation in front of over 500 academicians and heads of various educational institutions during the "Conclave on Punjab, Today and Tomorrow".

Today's lecture was organized at Punjabi University, Patiala. Sources said the government is thinking of organizing another such conclave soon at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Claiming that Punjab's fiscal health is far better than other states, which are being hailed as "developed states", Sukhbir said, "Maharashtra is under debt of Rs 3 lakh crore, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are under debt of Rs 2.75 and Rs 2.5 lakh crore, respectively. Debt burden of Punjab is Rs 1 lakh crore."

Continuing with the Akalis' grumble during the 10-year UPA rule, the SAD chief said the Centre was discriminating against Punjab as the state's share in devolution of central taxes is much less compared to what Punjab actually deserves.

"It is a matter of great concern that Punjab's share in devolution of central taxes has been reduced from 2.45% in 1970 to 1.32% at present. Inefficiently performing states like Uttar Pradesh got devolution of funds to the tune of Rs 83,620 crore, whereas Punjab got only Rs 9,270 crore in 2012-13. We must stop encouraging inefficient and non-performing states and punishing best governed and performing states like Punjab", he said.

Stating that Punjab's revenue receipts had doubled to Rs 75,000 crore, he said resurgence in state's economy was despite the fact that salary and pension expenditure in Punjab had registered a fourfold increase from Rs 5,750 crore in 2002 to Rs 20,750 crore in 2013.

Continue Reading | comments

GURBAKSH SINGH FAST- ONLY ENEMIES ARE CRITICIZING HIM

Friday, 16 January 2015

GURBAKSH SINGH FAST- ONLY ENEMIES ARE CRITICIZING HIM

Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has highlighted the plight of Sikh prisoners who are not being freed despite having served the jail terms. It is good that he has no abandoned fast after 64 years otherwise we would have lost him for ever.
Now only enemies of Panth are criticising him as to why he abandoned fast and why he didn't die? We ask such people that if they are really well-wishers of the Panth they should themselves undertake such a fast unto death.
We are happy on the decision of Bhai Sahib.
However we regret to point out that it is a utter failure on the part of Sikh leadership who kept itself aloof from the fast of Bhai sahib. Had the leadership supported Bhai sahib we would have been a winner and prisoners would have been freed. The Sikh leadership exhibited a character of slaves.

Continue Reading | comments

OBAMA WELCOME BUT ENSURE INNOCENT LIVES ARE NOT LOST WITH YOUR VISIT

Tuesday, 13 January 2015

OBAMA WELCOME BUT ENSURE INNOCENT LIVES ARE NOT LOST WITH YOUR VISIT

President Obama u r visiting India on Jan. 26

Welcome!

But ensure that innocent lives r not lost due to ur visit.

Remember when President Bill Clinton was to visit India, agencies killed 35 innocent Kashmiri Sikhs on March 20, 2000 just to impress him that terrorists r killing people in Kashmir. Then Clinton had regretted that had he not visited innocent lives were not lost. It was BJP rule then also. Later however Congress Govt got the incident inquired from CBI but buried the report. So dear President think twice before u come to this part of world. May be some minority community has to pay for ur visit.

To see the past happening photographs of March 20, 2000 please click the link below:

(Please join this Facebook group to show solidarity with the victims)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chittisinghpora

Continue Reading | comments

PRISONERS ISSUE - SIKHS EXPOSE HOLES IN GOVT STATEMENT

Saturday, 10 January 2015

PRISONERS ISSUE - SIKHS EXPOSE HOLES IN GOVT STATEMENT

Yesterday Govt issued a statement in newspapers that there are no prisoners in Punjab jails who have completed their terms and that life term means life long ones. But some awake Sikhs have exploded the myth of misleading statement of the Govt. The Govt has said that how could they free a person who has been awarded life imprisonment. The Sikhs have come up with facts where even killer of innocent people who was awarded life imprisonment has been set free after 8 years.

Sikh Organisation For Prisoners Welfare (SOPW) with Dilbag Singh and 2 others

* PUNJAB GOVERNMENT PLACES ADVERT IN PUNJABI NEWSPAPERS TO HOODWINK THE CITIZENS OF PUNJAB – ADVOCATE JASPAL SINGH MANJHPUR SENDS A FITTING REPLY * ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਅਖਬਾਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵਲੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ - ਬੰਦੀ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਗਲਤ ਤੱਥ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਗਏ * ਹੇਠਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹੋ ਜੀ

According to the Punjab government, they have met with the Minister for Home Affairs and written to their counterparts in other States, to seek the release of Sikh political prisoners who have served more than the minimum term. Yet despite all they have said and done, today they published adverts in Punjab’s leading newspapers, in their own words: ‘to dispel the myths surrounding the issue of Sikh political prisoners’.

Below is a summary of the ‘question & answer’ style newspaper advertisement, placed by the Badal government:

1. According to them, “there are no prisoners in Punjab who have served their sentence, waiting to be released. In Punjab, any such prisoners are released without delay.”

2. The Punjab government stressed, life imprisonment means ‘for life’.

3. Life-term prisoners are eligible to be considered for release depending on certain requirements, after they have served a minimum term of 14, 18 or 20 years.

4. It is not a ‘given’ that the prisoner will be prematurely released but rather, State governments can grant premature release at their discretion on the basis of rehabilitation and each case is examined upon its merits.

5. The Punjab government states they don’t have the power to release the 7 Singh’s Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa is campaigning for; Gurmeet Singh, Shamsher Singh & Lakhwinder Singh fall under the jurisdiction of Chandigarh, Varyaam Singh is under Uttar Pardesh, Gurdeep Singh Khaira is under Karnataka, Lal Singh is under Gujarat and Professor Bhullar is under the control of the Delhi state government.

6. The Punjab government apparently ‘analysed’ the one year old tentative list, compiled by Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur of 120 Sikh political prisoners, and pulled it apart saying it was factually incorrect. The government did however concede there are in fact 2 prisoners Baaz Singh and Hardeep Singh (2 of the 7 prisoners in Punjab’s jails who have completed their minimum terms, whose cases were reported by Sikh Relief last month). This is an alarming contradiction to the governments claims made in point one - “there are no prisoners in Punjab who have served their sentences, waiting to be released. In Punjab, any such prisoners are released without delay.” The government’s excuse in answer to this - “we are restrained from exercising power of remission of life convicts under the 2014 Supreme Court ruling”.

7. The advert ends by vowing that the Punjab government will ‘soon’ file an application in the Supreme Court of India against the restraining order issued to the States. Badal’s government promises to ‘continue raising’ the issue of Sikh prisoners with the Centre and other State governments concerned.

It is clear, the Badal government denies to recognise the ‘political’ status of these Sikh prisoners and deals with the issue as if it were ordinary prisoners requiring only legal considerations. By taking a political approach to the issue, legal avenues can be found.

In India, it is theoretically correct that a life sentence means entire ‘life’. However, as reaffirmed by the Punjab government in their advert, the State does have the prerogative to grant early release to those who have completed their minimum mandatory sentence, but why is it not being exercised to release Sikh political prisoners? Instead, eligible Sikh political prisoners are denied their RIGHT to have their cases considered for early release without discrimination. The government also fails to explain, how ex-Inspector Gurmeet Pinky was released after serving only 8 years of a life sentence? How DSP Swaran Dass was released after serving only 5 years of a life sentence? If life means life, how is one set of law applied to Sikhs who cannot even be released after serving over 25 years and another law applied to human rights abuser cops?

The advert openly belittles the work of human rights lawyer, Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, in compiling an ever changing list of Sikh political prisoners. By using a year old version and stating the whole 120 prisoners on the list are names of those who have completed their minimum sentences, they have indulged in wrongful propaganda. Advocate Manjhpur has made several updated versions of the original list and clearly sets out the different categories of prisoner. Manjhpur says, “they are using the older list irresponsibly without consulting me” and he has issued an open letter in response, which sends a fitting reply to the governments claims.

Clearly, the government has used the advert to send out misinformation. For example, Baaz Singh, Hardeep Singh, Dilbagh Singh and Swaran Singh are in Punjab’s jails and had completed their minimum sentences BEFORE the Supreme Court stay came into force. In Baaz Singh’s case he should have been considered for early release SIX YEARS before the Supreme Court order of July 2014. Yet, the Punjab government claims to release any such prisoners “without delay”!

The Punjab government hides behind the Supreme Court order restraining their use of remission, but there is no such bar on granting other relief. Other options available are: reprieve, pardon, suspension and commutation of sentence. At the very least, are Sikh political prisoners not entitled to regular parole leave as granted to others? The problem is the “lack of political will” to solve this issue.

ਐਡਵੋਕੇਟ ਜਸਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੰਝਪੁਰ ਦਾ ਜਵਾਬ –

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਖਬਾਰਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵਲੋਂ ਵੱਡਾ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਬੰਦੀ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਗਲਤ ਤੱਥ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਲੋਂ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਸਾਲ ਜਾਰੀ ਕੀਤੀ 120 ਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੂਚੀ ਉਪਰ ਵੀ ਸਵਾਲ ਉਠਾਏ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਸੂਚੀ ਹੁਣ ਘੱਟ ਕੇ 83 ਰਹਿ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਪਾਠਕਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਹੀ ਤੱਥਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਤਾ ਹੋਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। ਮੇਰੇ ਪਾਸ ਐਨੇ ਵਸੀਲੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਐਨਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਲਈ ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਸਕਾਂ। ਪਰ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਮੈਂ ਜਵਾਬ ਲੇਖ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਦਿੰਦਾਂ ਹਾਂ:

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਦੇ ਡੀ.ਜੀ.ਪੀ ਸੁਮੇਧ ਸੈਣੀ ਤੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵਲੋਂ ਛਾਪੇ ਗਏ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਕ ਸਾਲ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ੧੨੦ ਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੂਚੀ ਨੂੰ ਆਧਾਰ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਗੱਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੇ ਕਦੇ ਸਿੱਧੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤੀ ਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਮੈਮੋਰੰਡਮ ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ। ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਆਪ ਹੀ ਇਹ ਲਿਸਟ ਕਿਤੋਂ ਚੁੱਕ ਲਈ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਰੌਲਾ ਪਾ ਲਿਆ।ਪ੍ਰੈਸ ਕਾਨਫਰੰਸ ਜਾਂ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਚ ਸਿੱਖ ਸੰਘਰਸ਼ ਅਧੀਨ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਯਾਫਤਾ ਉਮਰਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੇਵਲ ਦੋ ਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਨੂੰ ਹੱਕਦਾਰ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਪਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਵਿਚ ਵੀ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ ਵਲੋਂ ੯ ਜੁਲਾਈ ੨੦੧੪ ਨੂੰ ਲਗਾਈ ਗਈ ਰੋਕ ਨੂੰ ਅੜਿੱਕਾ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।

ਆਓ! ਵਿਸਲੇਸ਼ਣ ਕਰੀਏ ਇਸ ਸਾਰੇ ਕਾਸੇ ਦਾ। ਮੀਡੀਆ ਵਿਚ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਪਰਚਾਰੀ ਜਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ ਵਲੋਂ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਂਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਗਵਰਨਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਰਤੀ ਸੰਵਿਧਾਨ ਦੀ ਧਾਰਾ ੧੬੧ ਅਧੀਨ ਮਿਲੀਆਂ ਤਾਕਤਾਂ ਉਪਰ ਵਕਤੀ ਰੋਕ ਲਗਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਜਿਸ ਕਾਰਨ ਬੰਦੀ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਸੰਭਵ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਰ ੯ ਜੁਲਾਈ ੨੦੧੪ ਦਾ ਉਕਤ ਆਡਰ ਪੜ੍ਹਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਧਾਰਾ ੧੬੧ ਉਪਰ ਸਮੁੱਚੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿਚ ਰੋਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਗਾਈ ਗਈ ਸਗੋਂ ਆਡਰ ਵਿਚ ਕੇਵਲ ਪ੍ਰਾਂਤਕ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਿਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦੇਣ ਉਪਰ ਹੀ ਵਕਤੀ ਰੋਕ (ਸਟੇਅ) ਲਗਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।ਸਬਦ ਰਿਮਸ਼ਿਨ (ਛੋਟ ਜਾਂ ਕਮੀ) ਨੂੰ ਅੰਕਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਦਰਸਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਰਿਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੇ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ਜਦ ਕਿ ਧਾਰਾ ੧੬੧ ਵਿਚ ਕੇਵਲ ਰਿਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਪਾਰਡਨ (ਮੁਆਫੀ ਦੇਣਾ), ਰਿਪਰੀਵ(ਕੁਝ ਸਮੇਂ ਲਈ ਰੋਕਣਾ), ਸਸਪੈਂਡ (ਮੁਅੱਤਲ), ਰਿਮਿਟ (ਪਹਿਲੀ ਹਾਲਤ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਪਸ ਭੇਜਣਾ) ਤੇ ਕਮਿਊਟ (ਬਦਲ ਦੇਣਾ ) ਵਰਗੇ ਵੱਖਰੇ-ਵੱਖਰੇ ਸਬਦ ਅੰਕਿਤ ਕੀਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਆਪਣਾ-ਆਪਣਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਤੇ ਢੰਗ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਆ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਤੋਂ ਮੁਆਫੀ ਦੇਣਾ ਜਾਂ ਸਜ਼ਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਰਿਆਇਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਜਾਂ ਦੋਸ਼ ਮੁਕਤ ਕਰਨਾ ਜਾਂ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਬਦਲ ਦੇਣਾ ਜਾਂ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ ਕਰਨੀ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਹੀ ਅੱਡ-ਅੱਡ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਹਨ।

ਸੋ ਜੇ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਅੱਜ ਵੀ ਚਾਹੁਣ ਤਾਂ ਰਿਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਵੀ ਕਈ ਰਾਹ ਹਨ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਇਸ ਮਸਲੇ ਦਾ ਹੱਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਜੇ ਸਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਦਲਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਕਈ ਇੱਛਾ ਸ਼ਕਤੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਸਜ਼ਾਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵਕਤੀ ਤੌਰ ਉਪਰ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ ਕਰਕੇ ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਅਗਲੇਰੇ ਤੇ ਆਖਰੀ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਉਡੀਕ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਬਖਸ਼ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਸੀਮਤ ੭ ਬੰਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਲਿਸਟ ਵਿਚ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਬੇਅੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ ਵਿਚੋਂ ੩ ਬੰਦੀ ਲਖਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ, ਸਮਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਤੇ ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਡਲ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਬੁੜੈਲ (ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ) ਵਿਚ ਬੰਦ ਹਨ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਚੰਗਾ ਆਚਰਣ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਹੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੇ ੨-੨ ਵਾਰ ਪੈਰੋਲ ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ ਕੱਟ ਲਈਆਂ ਹਨ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਅਗੇਤੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਮਜਬੂਤ ਆਧਾਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਤਿੰਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਇਸ ਆਧਾਰ ਉਪਰ ਹੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੇ ਹਰਿਆਣਾ ਹਾਈਕੋਰਟ ਵਿਚ ਰਿੱਟ ਪਟੀਸ਼ਨ ਦਾਖਲ ਹੈ ਜਿਸਨੂੰ ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੇ ਉਕਤ ੯ ਜਲਾਈ ੨੦੧੪ ਦੇ ਆਡਰ ਨੂੰ ਆਧਾਰ ਬਣਾ ਕੇ ਲਮਕਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਦੂਜੇ ਪਾਸੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਹਰਿਆਣਾ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਦੀ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਅਨੀਤਾ ਚੌਧਰੀ ਵਲੋਂ ੨੭ ਅਗਸਤ ੨੦੧੪ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਜ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨਾਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦੀ ਦੀ ਅਗੇਤੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਹਦਾਇਤ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੇ ੧੨ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਅਸਲ ਕੈਦ ਤੇ ਛੋਟਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ ੧੮ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਕੈਦ ਕੱਟ ਲਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ੪ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਇਸਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਲਈ ਕਦਮ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਜਾਣ ਅਤੇ ਚਾਰ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਵਿਚ ਜੇਕਰ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਨਹੀ ਲਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਤਾਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਲੈਣ ਤੱਕ ਪੈਰੋਲ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਜਾਵੇ।

ਕੀ ਬੰਦੀ ਸਿੰਘਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਆਧਾਰ ਉਪਰ ਹੀ ਲੰਮੀਆਂ ਪੈਰੋਲਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀਆਂ ?ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਸਹੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੇਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿਚ ਬੰਦ ਬਾਹਰਲੇ ਰਾਜਾਂ ਦੀ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ ਪਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੈਰੋਲ ਤਾਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਹੀ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਫਿਰ ਕੀ ਭਾਈ ਲਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਸਮਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਲਖਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਬਾਜ਼ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਹਰਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਸੁਬੇਗ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਸਿੰਘ, ਭਾਈ ਸਵਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਤੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਹੋਰਨਾ ਸਾਰੇ ਆਮ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਵਾਰ ਪੈਰੋਲ਼ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਦਾ ਅੰਤਿਮ ਫੈਸਲਾ ਆਉਂਣ ਤੱਕ ਪੈਰੋਲ ਵਧਾਈ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ? ਇਸ ਤਰ੍ਹਾ ਪ੍ਰੋ. ਦਵਿੰਦਰ ਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੁੱਲਰ ਤੇ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰਦੀਪ ਸਿੰਘ ਖੇੜਾ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਵਿਚ ਸਿਫਟ ਕਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਸਮਾਂ-ਬੱਧ ਪੈਰੋਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਕੇ ਵਾਰ-ਵਾਰ ਵਧਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਪੈਰੋਲ ਤੇ ਉਸ ਵਿਚ ਵਾਧਾ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦੀ ਦੇ ਆਚਰਣ ਉਪਰ ਨਿਰਭਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।

ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ੧੯੮੭ ਦੀ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਬੈਂਕ ਡਕੈਤੀ ਦੇ ਕੇਸ ਵਿਚ ਸ਼ਜ਼ਾ-ਯਾਫਤਾ ੮ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਸਿਟੀਜ਼ਨ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਭਾਵੇਂ ੧੦-੧੦ ਸਾਲ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ ਜਿਹਨਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਸਭ ਨੇ ੩ ਕੁ ਸਾਲ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਕੱਟ ਲਈ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਉਹ ਪੈਰੋਲ ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ ਵੀ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੇ ਸਰੀਰਕ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਹਾਲਤ ਨੂੰ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ੧੯੯੯ ਦੀ ਵਿਸਾਖੀ ਮੌਕੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਫੈਸਲੇ ਕਿ ੬੫ ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਉਪਰ ਦੇ ਸਭ ਕੈਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਿਹਾਈਆਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ ਜਾਣ, ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਰਿਹਾਈ ਮਿਲਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਹੈ।

ਸਰਕਾਰ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਜੇ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦੀ ਇੰਸਪੈਕਟਰ ਗੁਰਮੀਤ ਪਿੰਕੀ ਦੀ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦ ੮ ਸਾਲ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਘੱਟ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਰਹਿ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦੀ ਡੀ.ਐੱਸ.ਪੀ ਸਵਰਨ ਦਾਸ ੫ ਸਾਲ ਬਾਅਦ ਆਪਣੀ ਅਪੀਲ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਵਿਚ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਅਧੀਨ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਰਿਹਾਆ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਡੀ.ਐੱਸ.ਪੀ ਜਸਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਹੋਈ ੭ ਸਾਲ ਦੀ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਕੇਵਲ ੧ ਸਾਲ ੮ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਕੈਦ ਕੱਟਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਤੇ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਵਿਚ ਅਪੀਲ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੋਣ ਦੇ ਬਾਵਜੂਦ ਰਿਹਾਅ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਗੋਂ ਉਸਦੀ ਨੌਕਰੀ ਵੀ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ ਗਈ? ਕਲਕੱਤੇ ਵਿਚ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਝੂਠਾ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਮੁਕਾਬਲਾ ਬਣਾਉਂਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਅਫਸਰ ਦੀਆਂ ਉਮਰ ਕੈਦਾਂ ਕਿਵੇ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ ਹੋ ਗਈਆਂ ?

Continue Reading | comments

What is the most effective way of protest: Hartal or AK-47

Friday, 9 January 2015

What is the most effective way of protest: Hartal or AK-47

What scares a king? is a chapter in History classes. And the conclusion drawn therein is that the treasure is most dear to the king. The king would thus often violate human rights in a situation where there is danger to his treasure. Of course the king would be ever prepared to face danger to his throne. 

It really surprises us that this principle is also relevant in the sort of democracy we are living in. Especially in the case of a minority people or Sikhs protesting in Punjab, it becomes all the more relevant. Let us examine how:

In the first place we will have to understand that the Punjab can't pose any danger to the throne of Delhi ruler because there being democracy and the Sikhs are only a microscopic minority just 1.5% of India's population.

Further supposing the protesters kill some pro-Govt people or employees, the ruler will be too pleased with it because he would in the first place publicise the incidence, issue public statement at which there would be public outcry and then crush the protesters with heavy hand and thus gain sympathy which will help him to get elected in next elections. 

Thus in the case of violent protest the ruler remains at ease because he already has an infra-structure like the police and army to deal with such situations i.e his employees are ready and rather waiting for such an eventuality.

Thus in the case of violent protest the politicians are not effected at all and they rather gain sympathy of the voters. This becomes all the more relevant if a minority is protesting because in such situation the majority give overwhelming support to the ruler, as it happened in the case of Sikhs and Indira Gandhi. Indira rather herself injected and promoted violence in the Sikh movement and then got political mileage out of this. From 1981 to 1984 she would ensure high publicity to the incidence of violence by Sikhs in her national media.

In the Parliament election that followed the 1984 the Congress won brute majority because of public sympathy.
Also one will notice that the Govt touts active on social media like the Facebook would always advocate violence and provoke the Sikhs for armed struggle.

Let us now come to the mode of peaceful protest like the hartal or band or strike out.

This must be clearly born out in the mind that in the case of peaceful protest, it is the politician or the ruler who has to work because it is he who is issue the statement or take action. So comfort of the ruler is affected. Now in case there is a pure peaceful demonstration  where there is only slogan shouting and no loss of work or production the politician in normal cases would have to work and issue statement. Of course in the case of minority or Punjab he might singly ignore the protest and even ask media not to give coverage to such a protest.

However if the protest is combined with closure of vehicular traffic, shops, showrooms and establishments the ruler becomes helpless. Through a major conspiracy Punjab has been converted to a 'Consumption State' from a producing province. Thus in the case of closure protest  the ruler would have to face a loss of thousands of crores  of rupees in a day.  The Central Govt daily earns a huge amount from Punjab in the shape of excise duty, income tax, sales tax etc. from petrol, diesel, gas, sale of vehicles, textiles, building material, house holders goods, road taxes, railways etc. Besides the Punjab's major production i.e agriculture sector is not effected during the band. Hartal thus means a big loss to the treasure the thing most dear to the ruler.

The treasure is most dear to the king is interestingly illustrated even in the case Parkash Singh Badal's ruling Punjab. He is considered to be very faithful to Delhi. He would even defend Delhi at the cost of even hundreds of lives of Sikhs but when it comes to treasure he would go to the extent to issue statement that the Centre is discriminating against Punjab.

Thus in principle and especially in the case of Punjab the band or strike is the most effective tool forcing the Delhi ruler to accept the demand.

Continue Reading | comments

Jagtar Singh Tara Arrested in Thailand - Tara was never out of sight of agencies

Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Jagtar Singh Tara Arrested in Thailand - Tara was never out of sight of agencies

It is in news today that Jagtar Singh Tara assassin of Beant Singh CM has been arrested from Thailand 3 days ago. My opinion is that it is all mere drama because I believe that Tara was never out of sight of the Indian agencies. The fact is Khalistani movement stand hijacked by Indian agencies and it the agencies which dramatise things. My opinion is that agencies helped the assassins to dig tunnel in the Burail jail and subsequently some the prisoners were nabbed while Tara was made to slip overseas. I am pretty certain that funds for Tara's travel were given by overseas Khalistanis who later informed the Punjab Police. –Just my opinion. (06-01-2015)

Any way here is the news clipping from Indian Express.

CHANDIGARH: In an international operation former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassin Jagtar Singh alias Tara was arrested in Thailand by Thai Police on a tip-off on his movements given by the Punjab Police after he had escaped from High Security Burail Jail ten year ago.

Sources said that the most wanted sikh militant was arrested from the house of  Bari in Phuket, who is said to be a brother of Sultan Bari, a Pakistan-based agent of Pakistan's Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). He was living under a fake name as Gurmeet Singh son of Kaka Singh on a Pakistani passport. He june last year he had moved to Thailand from Pakistan as before that he had been living in Pakistan after he had escaped from the high security jail here via Nepal.

A Punjab Police team had gone to Thailand in September for three weeks and later in November another police team was sent to arrest Tara but he had gone underground.

 “Tara is in the custody of the Thailand police and we will be completing all formalities to bring him back here as soon as possible,’’ said a senior Punjab police official.

Tara who was self-styled commander of Khalistan Tiger Force was one of the masterminds in the assassination of Beant Singh by a human bomb outside Punjab Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. Besides Beant Singh, 17 others had lost their lives in that blast.

Tara and along with other assassins Paramjit Singh Bheora and Jagtar Singh Hawara with their accomplice Dev Singh had escaped from high-security Burail jail in Chandigarh in 2004 after digging 100 feet long tunnel from their barrack to outside the jail.

While Hawara and Bheora were later nabbed from Nepal, Tara and Dev Singh had slipped into Pakistan.  Dev Singh is still  believed to be  in Pakistan on fake name of Luck Singh.

Reacting over the arrest, former Director General of Police KPS Gill said, " Punjab Police has done a good job. They have been after him for a long time."

The suicide bombing was carried out by Dilawar Singh Jaisinghvala of Khalistan Liberation Force. Standby bomber Balwant Singh Rajoana was also convicted for the killing and later sentenced to death. However, various Sikh groups protests against sentence leading to the government staying his execution in 2012.

---------------------------
Lo & Behold
I am virtually confirmed on the above as the papers have carried a story on 21-1--2015 that the authorities knew that a tunnel was being dug in the jail. A witness has confirmed it in court. Here is the news item:

Continue Reading | comments

CONGRESS THE MOTHER OF DRUG EVIL IN PUNJAB

Saturday, 3 January 2015

CONGRESS THE MOTHER OF DRUG EVIL IN PUNJAB

The suffering of Punjab is long tale that begins with the Sikhs opting India instead of going with Pakistan or having their own separate state. Immediately after independence when the Nehru Govt withdrew certain concessions enjoyed by the minorities under the British Raj, the Sikhs protested and to counter this Nehru used 'Chamcha (sycophant) Sikhs' the  Congressite like Kairon, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, Baldev Singh etc. Slowly the Chamcha culture in Punjab became so dead sycophant that they supported all moves of Congress which went deadly against the Punjabi masses. The chamchas supported River Water allotment to neighbouring states, Shifting of Punjab Industry to Neighbouring States, Reduction of Sikh Percentage in Army, Operation Blue Star, Support for Presidential Rule in Punjab, Denying the Provincial Status to Punjabi Language etc.

As we know the drugs were injected in Punjab through a conspiracy hatched during Indira Gandhi days and the big smugglers are virtually enjoying immunity. They have a network which consists of politicians also. Mostly the drugs originate from Afghanistan and reach India obviously through Pakistan. It is also being alleged that the smugglers simultaneously work for Indian intelligence agencies like the RAW. In the first place there is rampant corruption in Indian polices including BSF and secondly the RAW connection of smugglers facilitates the crossing of contrabands. 

Thus if the borders are thoroughly sealed the possibility of drug enterance in Punjab is automatically eradicated. Also the contraband like opium are not grown in Punjab. Thus if supply from neighbouring states is stopped the opium will also vanish from Punjab scene.

Accordingly the Akali Dal decided to protest on Jan. 5, against the BSF for clandestinely allowing passage of contraband. It also requested the Centre to some how either stop production of opium or ensure that this is not passed in Punjab.

Obviously this is hitting at the root of the whole problem and why should the conspirator tolerate it. Obviously it happened. Yes. The Congress cried. It cried loud. Not a simple political opposition. It straightaway demanded dismissal of a democratically elected Govt. Not only this, it said that a case of sedition be booked against the Chief Minister. 

Question arises is the announcement of protest demonstration against BSF seditious? Has it not been done in the past? Have the people not even protested against army what to talk of BSF? The answer is, not once but hundreds of times in the past have been protests against the army. There have been instances where naked women protested against army. And this is in the spirit of a democracy. It you disallow it , it means you are disallowing functioning of democracy.

But unfortunately the Punjab CM instead of adhering to the principled stand has taken a u turn. Now he says, "No, the protest is not against BSF it is against Pakistan." What more unfortunate could there be.

Thus the evil has won. After all it is Congress the enemy of Punjab. CONGRESS THE REAL VILLAIN OF PUNJAB

Continue Reading | comments

Bravest Joke Teller Ever.

Monday, 29 December 2014

The bravest joke teller ever. 

He has a death wish

An old blind cowboy wanders into an all girl biker bar

by mistake...

He finds his way to a bar stool and orders a shot of Jack Daniels.

After sitting there for a while, he yells to the bartender, 'Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?'

The bar immediately falls absolutely silent.

ln a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, 'Before you tell that joke, cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things:

1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.

2. The bouncer is a blonde girl with a 'Billy-club'.

3. l'm a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.

4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and professional weight lifter.

5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.

'Now, think about it seriously, Cowboy… Do you still wanna tell that blonde joke?'

The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head and mutters,  'No.. not if I', gonna have to explain five times….'

Continue Reading | comments

10 Habits that Damage Kidneys

Saturday, 27 December 2014

10 Habits that Damage Kidneys

by AMY GOODRICH

Our kidneys are super important for our health. They filter our blood, produce hormones, absorb minerals, produce urine, eliminate toxins, and neutralize acids. So as one of the most important organs in your body, your kidneys deserve some love.

Damage or steady decline of your kidneys can often go unnoticed for years as your kidneys can still do their job with as little as 20% of their capacity. Therefore kidney diseases are often referred to as “The Silent Diseases”. That’s why it is so important to take care of them before it is too late. 

Here’s a list of 10 common habits that put a lot of pressure on your kidneys and can cause serious damage over time. 

1.    Not Drinking Enough Water

Your kidney’s most important function is to filter blood and eliminate toxins and waste materials. When you don’t drink enough plain water during the day toxins and waste material start to accumulate and can cause severe damage to your body. 

2.    Too Much Salt In Your Diet

Your body needs sodium or salt to work properly. Most people however consume too much salt which may raise blood pressure and put a lot of stress on the kidneys. As a good rule of thumb, no more than 5 grams of salt should be eaten on a daily basis. 

3.    Frequently Delaying The Call Of Nature

Many of us ignore the urge to go because they are too busy or want to avoid public bathrooms. Retaining urine on a regular basis increases urine pressure and can lead to kidney failure, kidney stones, and incontinence. So listen to your body when nature calls. 

4.    Kick The Sugar Habit

Scientific studies show that people who consume 2 or more sugary drinks a day are more likely to have protein in their urine. Having protein in your urine is an early sign your kidneys are not doing their job as they should. 

5.    Vitamin And Mineral Deficiencies

Eating a clean, whole food diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits is important for your overall health and a good kidney function. Many deficiencies can increase the risk of kidney stones or kidney failure. Vitamin B6 and magnesium, for instance, are super important to reduce the risk of kidney stones. 

An estimated 70 to 80 percent of Americans isn’t getting enough magnesium, so there may be a good chance that you are one of them. Click here to learn more about magnesium deficiencies. 

6.    Too Much Animal Protein

Over consumption of protein, especially red meat, increases the metabolic load on your kidneys. So more protein in your diet means your kidneys have to work harder and this can lead to kidney damage or dysfunction over time. 

7.    Sleep Deprivation

We have all heard how important it is to get a good night’s rest. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to many diseases and kidney diseases are also on the list. During the night your body repairs damaged kidney tissue, so give your body the time to heal and repair itself. 

8.    Coffee Habit

Just as salt, caffeine can raise blood pressure and put extra stress on your kidneys. Over time excessive consumption of coffee can cause damage to your kidneys.

9.    Painkiller Abuse

Way too many people take painkillers for their small aches and pains, while there are many all-natural, safe remedies available. Excessive use or painkiller abuse can lead to severe damage of liver and kidneys. 

10.  Alcohol Consumption

Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine or having a beer once in a while, most of us don’t stop after just one drink. Alcohol is actually a legal toxin that puts a lot of stress on our kidneys and liver. 

To stay healthy and avoid kidney issues it is important to eat lots of fresh, whole foods and if you keep the above information in mind and avoid these common habits as much as possible, your kidneys will not be under constant stress and your body will thank you for that.

(source: http://www.realfarmacy.com/10-deadly-habits-that-seriously-damage-your-kidneys/)

Continue Reading | comments

SIKH OPINION MY FOOT- INDIAN ADMINISTRATION

Friday, 26 December 2014

SIKH FEELINGS MY FOOT- INDIAN ADMINISTRATION

Since Sikhs are a microscopic minority of India; just 1.5% the Indian administration has been neglecting the mass feelings or public opinion of the SikhS. Here are a few examples. May be the administration enjoyS seductive pleasure out of it when the Sikhs cry for justice. 

(This piece in Punjabi. Can be translated into English on demand.)

Continue Reading | comments

BEST WAY TO BULK REMOVE INACTIVE FRIENDS FROM YOUR FACE BOOK ACCOUNT

Thursday, 25 December 2014

BEST WAY TO BULK REMOVE INACTIVE FRIENDS FROM YOUR FACE BOOK ACCOUNT

I found a Facebook legal way to remove in bulk those unwanted ids. 

(At bottom given this text in Punjabi images also)

I had 5000 friends in my list but when ever I scrolled down my friend list I found a large number (about 300) of inactive and deactivated accounts have been occupying my space. The inactive account can be easily identified because the profile photo is missing in such case.

Deactivated I.D/ Inactive ID

Often the inactive ids remain stored throughout the friend list but not in the beginning.

I would therefore try to remove such ids but every time I would remove such an i.d the facebook page would start reloading which takes a long time even with my internet whose speed is quite fast. Every time I was forced to stop because of its being time consuming and tedious task.

I also tried some applications which I found were mostly spamming or spying kind of things.

 But I found that Facebook page does not start reloading in the case of labeling a friend id. So I labeled inactive ids as 'Close Friends' and the trick was successful. Because the 'Close Friends' appear in the beginning and I could remove all those very easily. In just 5 minutes I was able to remove about 300 ids.

Those who are not fully conversant with Facebook software here I give step by step tutorial to remove such inactive ids. 

1. Click on your name in the Facebook wall.

2. Click 'Friends'

3. Scroll down the friends list. Use auto scroll and leave it for few minutes until you reach the bottom of page.

4. Now start scrolling upwards and where ever you find some inactive i.d point the cursor at "friends" and a small window appears. Here click 'Close Friends'. And the i.ds is now 'star' marked. In this way mark all the inactive i.ds with the 'close friends' and the trick is done.

5. All inactive ids now appear on top of the page but below you close friends.

 

6. Here you can easily remove 2 ids at a time by pointing the cursor on friends

and then at the bottom of the window appears "unfriend". So click on the unfriend and you are done.

Continue Reading | comments