Punjab, now a land of peace and prosperity?

A study of the Punjab, 25 years later after Operation Bluestar

Punajb is still the only state in India that does not have control over its very own natural resources (water, electricity and grain). Punjab is still the only state in India that has a shared capital.

Wednesday 10th February 2010

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Kirpan is a 'part of the body' say devout Sikhs

I wear my Kirpan and I’ve always worn it for the last 40 years

Britain’s first Sikh judge, who is due to be knighted by the Queen, on Monday defended his right to wear the Kirpan and warned schools they could be guilty of discrimination if they ban Sikh pupils from wearing the Kirpan.

Sir Mota Singh, a Kenyan-born Sikh, made the comments following several controversial cases in Britain surrounding the wearing of ‘articles of faith’ in public places.

Many Sikhs, Muslims and Christians have been angered after schools, employers and politicians objected to them wearing religious clothing and symbols — including crosses, Karas, Kirpans, turbans and veils — outside their homes.

Monday 8th February 2010

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The Power of the Crown

Why blend in when you were formed to stand out?

The turban has been an integral part of the Sikh Tradition since the time of Guru Nanak Dev. Historical accounts relay to us that all Sikh Gurus wore turbans and their followers, Sikhs have been wearing them since the formation of the faith.

The turban serves as a mark of commitment to the Sikh Gurus. It distinguishes a Sikh as an instrument of the Guru and decrees accountability for certain spiritual and temporal duties. It is a mark of the Guru and declares that the Sikh wearing a turban is a servant of the Divine Presence.

Saturday 6th February 2010

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Sikh Federation (UK) Press Briefing

MPs express annoyance ONS regarding 2011 census. Dismayed at handling do of demand for ethnic group box for sikhs.

On Monday 1 February the Sikh Federation (UK) released an investigative report titled: Can the Office for National Statistics be trusted with the 2011 Census?

The report is an investigation into the Office for National Statistics (ONS) process to select ethnic groups for the 2011 Census questionnaire and the unfair exclusion of the Sikh category.

Friday 5th February 2010

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Ravidassia sect sends shockwaves across world's Sikh community

It claims its own pilgrimage site to rival the Sikhs? Golden Temple in Amritsar and its own scriptures to replace the Sikhs? Guru Granth Sahib

India has never been short of religions: although 80 per cent Hindu, it also In the wake of recognition of Ravidassia community as a separate religion by Dera Sachkhand Ballan, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee today described them as part of the Sikh faith.

Now it has another. The establishment of Ravidassia in the northern city of Varanasi last weekend the latest addition is sending shockwaves across the world?s 23 million-strong Sikh community. Ravidassia was founded by a radical Sikh sect called Dera Sachkhand Ballan, which consists mainly of ?Untouchables?, or Dalits, who come at the bottom of India?s complex and still pervasive caste hierarchy.

Thursday 4th February 2010

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