THIS IS HOW BJP DIFFERS FROM CONGRESS. ALLOTS 10% MORE REVENUE SHARE TO STATES

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

THIS IS HOW BJP DIFFERS FROM CONGRESS. ALLOTS 10% MORE REVENUE SHARE TO STATES

Congress as policy always wanted week states. Not only this this villain laid down the policy to discriminate one state from the other.

States set to get a third more of taxes

http://www.financialexpress.com/article/economy/states-set-to-get-a-third-more-of-taxes/47098/

Tax devolution to states will rise a huge and unprecedented 10 percentage points to 42% of the divisible pool of the Centre’s tax revenue between FY16 and FY20, compared with the previous five-year period, as the Narendra Modi government, vouching for cooperative federalism, accepted the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission (FC).

Along with the commission-prescribed statutory grants, the total untied transfers to states in the next five years will be 47.7% of the pool, up from over 39% between FY11 and FY15, giving a tremendous boost to states’ fiscal space and spending flexibility.

Despite the largesse, the Centre’s fiscal capacity won’t be constrained much either, as aggregate transfers to states from its gross revenue receipts will remain at 49.4% in the next five years, almost the same as now. It also has the option of slashing the discretionary (tied) outlays to the states while remaining committed to Union list items and expending judiciously on programmes that complement states’ spending on items in the concurrent list.

Fin-com

The tied transfers to the states include those under centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), which were reduced to 66 including 17 flagship schemes in the FY15 Budget from 126 earlier, besides various additional central aids and special Plan assistance.

Following the acceptance of the FC’s recommendations, the Centre, in an action-taken report on the same in Parliament on Tuesday, announced withdrawal of financial support to eight CSS and this process could gradually be accelerated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wrote to the state chief ministers, urging to “tailor-make” CSS as per their needs. However, he iterated that the Centre will continue to support national priority projects like poverty elimination, MNREGA, education, health, rural development and agriculture, among others.

Stating that the Centre is only happy to transfer more resources to states that are going to be strong partners in the development paradigm of the Modi government, finance minister Arun Jaitley said the Centre would expect the states to become financially self-sufficient gradually.

Add caption

With the higher devolution from the Centre, in the case of many states, these transfers will now become on a par with their own revenue resources. While states’ own revenue was estimated at R8.9 lakh crore in FY14, aggregate transfers to the states is seen to be R8.7 lakh crore in FY16 and over R10 lakh crore in the next year.

As per the FC’s award, the tax devolution to states would rise from R3.82 lakh crore budgeted for FY15 to R5.79 lakh crore in FY16, and untied grants from R64,675 crore to R88,865 crore. A press statement issued by the government, however, put the tax devolution to states in FY16 to be R5.2 lakh crore, also revising the FY15 figure downwards to R3.48 lakh crore.

Outlining the principles that govern the grant-in-aid to states’ revenues by the Centre, the commission, headed by former RBI governor YV Reddy, said the distinction between Plan and non-Plan could be done away with and proposed grants amounting to Rs 1.95 lakh crore over the next five years for 11 states that would continue to be revenue-deficit even after the generous devolution. During FY16, these states, which include post-division Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, J&K, Kerala, Assam and most northeastern states, will get an extra Rs 48,906 crore.

The FC recommended a total grant of Rs 2.87 lakh crore to local bodies (which is part of the untied transfers to states). It changed the criteria for determining the inter-se shares of states in tax distribution by assigning the highest weight of 50% to ‘income distance’, followed by population (17.5%), area (15%) and demographic change (10%). It introduced the new criterion of forest cover (7.5%) while dispensing with fiscal consolidation as a yardstick, in what showed the increase fiscal autonomy envisaged for states.

Sticking to the fiscal consolidation path drawn by the 13th Finance Commission, Reddy’s panel said “the ceiling on the (Centre’s) fiscal deficit will be 3% of the GDP from the year 2016-17 onwards up to the end of the award period”. It said the gross tax revenue of the Centre as a share of GDP will rise only modestly from 10.6% (Budget estimate) in FY15 to 11.4% in the final year of its award period.

“Fiscal deficit of sates will be anchored to an annual limit of 3% of the gross state domestic product. The states will be eligible for flexibility of 0.25% over and above this for any given year for which the borrowing limits are to be fixed if their debt-GSDP ratio is less than or equal to 25% in the preceding year.”

The commission also recommended the creation of an autonomous and time-bound Goods and Services Tax Compensation Fund through legislative action so that states have reasonable comfort on this front

---------------------------

14th Finance Commission: Government accepts recommendations; gives higher share to states in central taxes 

(Economic Times) http://economictimes.indiatimes.comfile:///C:/Users/as/Desktop/Economic%20Times.html?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government came good on its pledge to treat the states as partners in long-term development in a spirit of cooperative federalism by accepting a key recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission. The Centre will start transferring a much bigger share of central taxes to states — the 10 percentage point jump to 42% will translate into an additional, estimatedRs 1.78 lakh crore in the next fiscal year. "We are moving away from rigid centralised planning, forcing a 'one-sizefits-all' approach on states," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a letter to state chief ministers in which he communicated the government's acceptance of the commission's recommendations. 

"States have always been voicing their opposition to this philosophy for years," he said. The changes that have been set in motion should ensure that states will now have greater control over their economic futures besides being able to tailor social welfare programmes to their own particular needs, among other things. 

The government presented the commission's report in Parliament on Tuesday along with the action-taken report in the first of a series of big-picture financial announcements this week. The Economic Survey for FY15 will be presented on Thursday, the Railway Budget a day after that and the Budget on February 28. 

As per the recommendation of the commission headed by former Reserve Bank of India governor YV Reddy, the total devolution to the states in FY16 will be Rs 5.26 lakh crore against Rs 3.48 lakh crore in FY15. 

The recommendations of the finance commission will have a substantial impact on budget-making for the Centre with a number of departments witnessing big reductions in their allocations. The Centre has decided to discontinue support to eight centrally sponsored schemes, albeit fewer than the commission's recommendation of 30. "This is the largest ever change in percentage of devolution. In the past, when finance commissions have recommended an increase, it has been in the range of 1-2%," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said at a press conference. 

However, this is not likely to affect his budget as the total support to states was pegged at 63% of taxes, almost the same as earlier. "The finance commission has subsumed both plan and non-plan expenditure. Moreover, it has not given any sectoral grants, not even for environmental or healthcare. 

However, this implies that grants for centrally sponsored schemes will have to be curtailed. Else, they will have to raise revenue or cut expenditure," said M Govinda Rao, a member of the commission. The acceptance of the recommendations mark at least five major shifts from the past. First, the sizeable increase in tax devolution. Second, taking into account plan revenue expenditures while assessing revenue deficit grants. Third, discontinuing the distinction between special category and other states. Fourth, desisting from awarding sector/state specific grants or to subject grants to conditionality. And, fifth, to suggest institutional mechanisms for better monitoring of fiscal rules and to achieve 'cooperative federalism'. 

The core of this last lies in both increasing the proportion of (virtually much the same) aggregate transfers that will be available as non-debt transfers and to get rid of a swathe of central conditions and restrictions on how to utilise these funds. 

This will be a huge help to states in forging their own autonomously generated development scheme and keeping their fiscal deficit in check in the years to come. 

"In our assessment, the share of grants and tax devolution to states in the gross revenue receipts has been projected to increase from 47.5% in 2014-15 (base year, as per the previous finance commission formula) to 49.4% in 2019-20," the report said. 

"Thus, the equivalent share as a percentage of divisible pool is set to increase from 61.9% to 63.9%." It also made additional provision for revenue deficit states. 

To be sure, with these additional receipts in hand, states will see central support to state plans for the revenue part of the expenditure cease. State governments welcomed the higher devolution. "The decision to significantly increase the states' share will enable the states to utilise the enhanced resources according to the felt needs of the residents of the state," Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said. Compared with the devolution in FY15, the total outgo to the states in FY16 will see an increase of more than 45%, Jaitley said. Abhijit Sen, one of the four members of the commission, submitted a dissent note suggesting that devolution to the states should be pegged at 38% in the first year and maintained at that level unless there was an agreement to deal with fiscal problems. The commission suggested a fiscal deficit target of 3.6% for FY16 and 3% in subsequent years during the award period that runs to FY20. 

By accepting the recommendations of the finance commission, the Centre also has implicitly endorsed the fiscal deficit target of 3.6% of GDP for FY16 and 3% thereafter. 

By parting with a larger share of tax revenue, the Centre has to meet a larger share of its own expenditure via non-tax receipts including borrowings. However, it can significantly reduce the borrowing it currently undertakes to lend to states. 

The commission has recommended creating a fund for compensating states for any loss arising from transition to the goods and services tax, suggesting that such compensation be made available for five years --100% of shortfall in the first three, 75% and 50% in the remaining two, respectively. 

GST is scheduled to be rolled out on April 1, 2016. The finance commission has made some grants to states to be passed on to panchayats and municipal bodies. It has made recommendations on how to collect funds for disaster management.

------------------------------------------

More cash flow for states as govt hikes 10% share in Central taxes

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/more-cash-flow-for-states-as-govt-hikes-10-share-in-central-taxes/46570.html

Sanjeev Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 24

The government has accepted the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission for a record 10% increase in the share of states in Central taxes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it would strengthen states to design and implement schemes as per their needs.

The major takeaway of the report of the 14th Finance  Commission, headed by former RBI Governor YV Reddy for 2015-2020, is the increase from 32% to 42% in the devolution of the divisible pool of resources to states. 

The Finance Commission gives recommendations on specified aspects of Centre-State fiscal relations. As against a total devolution of Rs 3.48 lakh crore in 2014-15, the states will get Rs 5.26 lakh crore this fiscal. States had sought greater autonomy in implementing schemes as per their requirements as the centrally sponsored schemes did not meet the local needs.

The commission has also recommended a grant of 1.94 lakh crore over five years to meet the revenue deficit of 11 states including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal among others. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that after the increased devolution of 42%, Punjab would not remain a revenue deficit state although its problem of old debt will remain.

The commission has also recommended on the inter-se distribution of the states’ share amongst the states of the total pool based on criteria like population, changes in population, income distance, forest cover and area. Based on this, Punjab has a share of 1.577%, Haryana 1.084%, Himachal 0.713%, Uttarakhand 1.052% and J-K 1.854%.

The commission also provided for Rs 2.87 lakh crore for a five-year period for panchayats and municipalities. In a letter to all CMs, the PM said the government has decided to devolve maximum money to states and allow them the required freedom to plan the course of states’ development.

The commission has also made a fundamental shift in the pattern of financing revenue expenditures. 

Devolution: A paradigm shift

• Following acceptance of the 14th FC recommendations, Centre is moving away from a 'one size fits all' approach
• There is a shift from scheme and grant-based support from the Cente to a devolution-based support. Hence, the devolution of 42% of divisible resources — an increase of 10%
• The 14th FC has made a fundamental shift in the pattern of financing revenue expenditures
• It assumes all central assistance to state plan revenue expenditure to be part of the states' revenue burden and determines devolution on this basis
• Centre to continue support to MNREGA, education, health, rural welfare and agriculture

Continue Reading | comments

BADAL HAS REASON TO SAY AAP HAS NO FUTURE IN PUNJAB

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

BADAL HAS REASON TO SAY  AAP HAS NO FUTURE IN PUNJAB 

P.S. Badal (CM Punjab) has a reason to be confident that AAM ADMI PARTY (AAP) will not affect him.  We also feel that AAP is definitely a better party for India and we wish its growth but I doubt it will not displease majority community to give justice to the minorities. We have therefore closely observed the statements of AAP and thus feel AAP has no future in Punjab, because:-

1. It also considers Punjab as a two language state i.e it is not prepared to give Punjabi language its due.

2. AAP is of the view that rivers are a property of the Centre and thus wants to give more waters to Haryana and Rajasthan from Punjab rivers.

3. AAP will not abrogate such laws and orders which promote shifting of industry from Punjab.

4. AAP is also of the firm view that India should remain a unitary nation i.e no significant powers to the states. It is against federal structure.

5. AAP will not frame policy for uniform and just distribution of Central Revenues among the states. Congress has for the past 68 years failed to frame a just policy and distributes revenue among the states as per its fancies and wishes. 

6. AAP also considers Sikhism a part of Hinduism.

7. AAP will not wish to demolish the Dera culture of Punjab.

8. AAP also considers that 1984 Army Operation Blue Star was justified though it is against massacre of Sikhs in Delhi.

9. The AAP view on Kashmir is identical with Congress and BJP i.e it also wants to ignore the wishes of Kashmiri people.

I know some of the protagonists of AAP might contest my above statement but the question is will any central leader of AAP contradict me?

Continue Reading | comments (10)

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