Pagh Vala a work – Photo: Manpreet Singh Photography
By Aamna Mohdin | The Guardian | Britain |
At the height of wedding season, Jagdeep Singh Grewal professionally ties the turbans of four or five grooms a day. He is up before sunrise and often returns home long after dark. While the weddings can blur into each other, one incident has stayed with him.
On a cold October morning in 2018, Grewal arrived at the groom’s house at 5am. The groom’s mother pointed to a picture of a man wearing a turban and asked him to mimic the style. As he got to work, stretching out the fabric, then stitching and tying the turban, Grewal was taken aback by how emotional the groom’s mother and uncle became. The family were moved by the groom’s resemblance to the man in the photo, who Grewal later learned was the groom’s father – a former soldier in the Indian army who had died. “I could relate to it because my dad isn’t around and it was a tough moment,” Grewal says.
The 32-year-old runs Pagh Vala, a turban-tying service in London, with his friend and business partner Barinder Singh Bath. Theirs is part of a growing industry of bespoke turban-tying services in the UK, driven in part by younger members of the Sikh community displaying increasing pride in their roots and the rise of Bollywood stars such as Diljit Dosanjh bringing turbans into the spotlight.
Pete Singh, 39, the founder of Turban Pro, says: “Everyone wants to look good. It’s the main part of the outfit and your face is going to be in pictures, so you have to get the turban right.” He adds that he often works with “diva” grooms who are quite fussy about styles and shapes.
To read ‘Turban-tying services boom as young Sikhs embrace heritage’ (The Guardian, 6 July 2019), go here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
PRAYERS: Kirtan and Path da Bhog on 13 July 2019 (Saturday), 5.30pm to 7.30pm, at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, Kuala Lumpur followed by Guru Ka Langgar| Malaysia
IN MEMORY- Jaspal Kaur (1946-2018), Formerly Kuala Kangsar
First Barsi In Loving Memory Of
MATA JASPAL KAUR D/O SARJA SINGH JHUDGE
W/O LATE SARDAR SARJIT SINGH DHILLON (formerly KUALA KANGSAR)
Mum battled Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) with great Chardikala and always graced everyone with a beautiful smile.
She left us not in sadness but in celebration as her soul merged with Akal Purakh.
”Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life”
Deeply missed and always cherished by all her loved ones.
PRAYERS: Kirtan and Padh Da Bhog will be held on 13 July 2019 (Saturday) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul, Kuala Lumpur followed by Guru Ka Langgar. ‘
Contact:
Jaslin 012-2785117
Daniel 019-3868950
| Entry: 6 July 2019 | Source: Family |
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
A Kuala Lumpur gurdwara kirtan competition is offering return air tickets to either Amritsar or New Delhi for one jatha (group) as a special prize.
Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Kampung Pandan will be organising the 6th National Kirtan Competition 2019 on 11 Aug 2019.
The competition will be divided into five categories from below 11 years old to the open category. There are cash prizes for the top three of each categories.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
SIXTH NATIONAL KIRTEN COMPETITION 2019
At
WADDA GURDWARA SAHIB JALAN KAMPONG PANDAN, KUALA LUMPUR
Rules & Regulations
The Competition is open to all Malaysians, Singaporeans, resident Sikhs in the Asean countries, foreign Sikhs employed locally and foreign students enrolled in local universities, colleges and institutes of higher learning.
Any one participant can take part in only ONE age-group or be a member of only ONE
Any under-aged person may participate in a group ABOVE his/her age-group on condition that NOT MORE THAN ONE such person is allowed in any one group. Having participated in such a group, he/she will not be eligible to participate in his/her age group.
Each jatha shall comprise not less than 3 and not more than 5 members, including the “Jodi” player. However the maximum number for Group E can be six (6).
Age-groups. The competition shall be held in the following categories:-
GROUP
AGE LIMIT
DEFINITION OF AGE LIMIT
1.
Group A
Below 11 years
Born between 01.01.2008 and 31.12.2018
2.
Group B
11 – 15 years
Born between 01.01.2003 and 31.12.2018
3.
Group C
16 – 20 years
Born between 01.01.1998 and 31.12,2018
4.
Group D
Open Group
No age limit. Participants cannot take part in any other age group.
5.
Group E
Traditional –
No age limit. Participants cannot take part in any other age group.
Note: All participants in Groups (i) to (iii) above will be required to submit a copy of their Identity Card / International Passport, together with their application form.
The time permitted for the kirten is as follows:-
Groups A, B & C: 10 minutes
Professional Group ‘D’ : 12 minutes
Traditional Group ‘E’: 12 minutes
The time-limit shall be strictly adhered to.
All jathas shall pay an entrance fee, as follows:
Groups ‘A’, ‘B’: RM30
Groups ‘C’, ‘D’ & ‘E’: RM50
Kirten will be strictly limited to hymns from GURBANI ONLY. Dharmak Geet will not be allowed.
Each jatha shall make its own arrangements for musical instruments. Electronic instruments such as a keyboard may be used, provided it has no pre-set background beats and music.
Each jatha shall make its own arrangements for transport and lodging. Transportation costs and accommodation expenses shall NOT be paid by the organisors of this competition.
Food and refreshments will be served throughout the duration of the competition.
The Challenge Trophies are perpetual trophies and cannot be won outright even if a particular jatha has won any trophy for three (3) consecutive years. However, a replica of the trophy MAY be awarded to a jatha which has won any trophy for three (3) consecutive years.
The Challenge Trophies must be returned to the Organisors (WADDA GURDWARA SAHIB JALAN KAMPONG PANDAN, KUALA LUMPUR) immediately after they have been awarded. No trophy may be taken away by any jatha.
Cash prizes will be awarded as follows:-
Group
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
Best ‘Jodi’/ tabla player
‘A’
Rm 400
Rm 300
Rm 200
Rm 100
‘B’
Rm 400
Rm 300
Rm 200
Rm 100
‘C’
Rm 500
Rm 300
Rm 200
Rm 100
‘D’
Rm 500
Rm 300
Rm 200
Rm 100
‘E’
Rm 500
Rm 300
Rm 200
In addition to the above Cash prizes, a special prize will be awarded. One of the winning jathas from Groups A, B, C and D will be presented with return air tickets for the performing jatha and Team Leader. This will be done by drawing lots at the end of the programme. The Jatha may travel any time between September, 2019 and 30th. April, 2020 .
The Organising Committee must be informed of the date the Jatha wishes to travel, before 31st. December, 2019.
A special cash prize will be awarded to the jatha with the Best Overall Bana.
Marks will be allotted for the following:-
Presentation / attire 10 %
Singing in tune / vocal 20 %
Impact of Shabad 15 %
Instrumentation 10 %
Accuracy of Gurbani 20 %
Rhythm / tempo 10 %
Tabla / drum 15 % (Total 100 %)
Note: A jatha may borrow a Jodi player from another jatha, but no marks will be allotted for section (vii) above.
Group E (Traditional) participants may use Dholak, Chemtey, Shaeney, and Khadtal.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to vary the above rules as and when it feels it is necessary to do so.
The decision of the judges shall be final and cannot be challenged in any Court of Law.
The closing date for all entries shall be 31st. July, 2019. Entries received after 31st. July 2019 may not be accepted. Any entry without the appropriate entry fee will not be entertained.
PLEASE NOTE:
All participants must report at Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Jalan Kampong Pandan, Kuala Lumpur BEFORE 8.00 a.m. for registration and a briefing by the Organisers.
All participants will have to produce their identity cards OR certified true copy of theirBirth Certificates OR (in case of locally employed foreigners) proof of employment locally OR (for foreign students) Student Visa, for verification of the participant’s date of birth and/or employment.
Master T. Balwant Singh
For Organising Secretary
Contact: Mobile – 012-2516153
e-mail: balwant@migs.edu.my
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Photo: A random photo taken from Kamloops Punjabi Bikers Facebook page
By Asia Samachar Team | GERMANY |
The right for Sikhs to don a turban instead of a helmet when riding a motorcycle took a beating in Germany when a court ruled declined to exempt from the rule on religious grounds.
This is a setback for the growing Sikh community in Europe, largely migrants from India, who enjoy the exemptions in UK, some provinces in Canada as well as countries like Malaysia and Singapore.
Motorcyclists must wear a helmet and cannot be exempted from the rule on religious grounds, one of Germany’s top five courts has ruled.
The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, one of Germany’s top five courts, rejected a Sikh man’s appeal, who had argued that the helmet would not fit over his turban.
“People wearing a turban on religious grounds are not for that reason alone exempt from the obligation to wear a helmet,” said presiding judge Renate Philipp, according to a DPA report.
He added the claimant has to accept this restriction to his freedom of religion as it serves to uphold the rights of others, too.
The ruling yesterday (4 July) backed a verdict from a lower court in the southern city of Constance, which had found that driving a motorcycle was not essential for the claimant, as he also had access to a car and a delivery van.
The Leipzig court argued that the obligation to wear a helmet not only protects the driver but also keeps other drivers from being traumatised if they cause heavy injury to someone driving without a helmet, the report added. The court also said a driver wearing a helmet would be better placed to help others in case of an accident.
In other jurisdiction, Sikhs have made progress in their right to don the turban in other spheres, including when serving in the police and the armed forces. The most recent advancement took place in Marietta, a city northwest of Atlanta, whose police department has announced that it will allow Sikhs in uniform to wear a turban and maintain the beard.
On 3 Jan 2017, the US army issued a directive that requires brigade-level commanders to grant religious accommodations for hijabs, beards, and turbans with unshorn beards and hair for soldiers in all roles unless the requester’s religious belief is not sincere or if the Army identifies a specific, concrete hazard. The directive makes it easier for Sikhs to serve with their religious articles of faith intact.
Last month, the US Air Force granted a Sikh airman permission to wear a turban, beard and long hair. This allowed Airman 1st Class Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa, a crew chief at McChord Air Force Base, Washington, to become the first active airman to get religious accommodation which authorising him to adhere to Sikh religious grooming and dress principles while serving in the Air Force.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Dya Singh (middle) with Gurpuri founder Sukhdev Singh (left) and trainer Sukhdev Singh – Photo: Dya Singh
By Dya Singh | OPINION |
Some of us Sikhs have a ‘haj-like’ attitude where our holy places are concerned especially in India and also Pakistan. Some who can afford it go very regularly like as if just going to these places will save their souls or perhaps cleanse their bad karma. ‘Yatra to Hem Kunt’ or ’25-stop one-month yatra of our most famous holy Sikh shrines including Keshgarh Sahib, Hazoor Sahib and also Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib’. Ask Leo Travels and Baldave will give you a cheap price! He has it down to a fine art and provides a great service.
Let me tell you of my ‘yatra’ in Malaysia because ‘jithay jaye behay mera Satguru, so than suhava …’. In this brief visit to Malaysia three weeks after ‘Barsi’, I was able to pay my respects at Malacca gurdwara for obvious reasons. The gurdwara, for me, always carries the aura of Sant Baba Sohan Singh because I had the privilege of doing kirtan in his presence there in the 1960’s. A visit there brings back some very fond memories of days gone by.
I prefer going to Malacca outside of the ‘Barsi’ which has now been given a more formal name like ‘Salana Yaadgar Smagam’ or is it ‘Sant Baba Sohan Singh Ji Salana Yaadgar Smagam’ or something to that effect to move away from the word ‘Barsi’ which to some is considered a sacrilege. Let me assure you, it will always be referred to as ‘Barsi’ by all Malaysians into the future too.
To me, as to most Malaysian Sikhs, ‘barsi’ is just short of ‘anniversary’ or as I call it ‘anibarsi’. It does not have any deep dark insidious Hindu-based raising of dead spirits rituals as some make it out to be. I like to think that we Sikhs have outgrown all that mumbo jumbo. We remember our beloved Sant Baba Sohan Singh on a yearly basis with great affection. (And believe me, some come for Barsi to have a good time and especially get drunk while their wives, children and female folks attend gurdwara. They too raise spirits and definitely not the dead kind! Apparently beer runs out in Malacca during Barsi!) Each to one’s own.
I prefer lesser crowds these days. Must be age! The gurdwara has beautiful rooms for which there is only a nominal charge of RM50 per night. They can sleep up to 6 in some rooms. Hire a room and stay a few days.
There is always some ‘path’ or an Akhand path going on and there is always langar and cha. What more can one ask for? Spend time listening to path, have langar and as I like, go for long walks. The boardwalk along the river is absolutely magnificent and Malacca’s Chinese chicken rice is world famous. I also discovered good pork satay in Malacca – the one meat you can be assured, is not halal!
Try spending a whole night just listening to path during an ‘Akhand Path’. Take a pillow and a thin blanket, make yourself comfortable and just listen to the magic of path. And when you feel sleepy just lie down in a corner and let the paath create an aura of well-being throughout your whole ‘being’. It is truly a magical and rejuvenating experience. There is always sewa of some kind to be done too.
We travelled there via Mantin and the beautiful gurdwara there and a refreshing well water bath which is reportedly has curative properties. To me it is an invigorating shower!
We returned via Kuala Pilah. Another beautiful scenic drive, away from major roads.
A few days later my dear friend Menjit suggested Khalsa Land and Gurpuri Land. My ‘yatra’ was beginning!
KHALSA LAND
Malaysian born Sarjit Singh and his good wife have dedicated the rest of their lives to looking after this beautiful ‘Sikh Retreat’ belonging to Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM). Nestled in secondary jungle and large orchards just off the trunk road south-bound from Rawang and the turn off is just before the junction to Kuala Kubu Bharu. It is now a location for the annual Sikh youth samelan held in late December every year and there are also numerous ‘mini-samelans’. This is large acreage with purpose-built facilities for spiritual gatherings with accommodation in air-conditioned containers. At the time of writing this, it can ‘sleep’ almost 200!
I have been visiting this beautiful place over the last ten odd years and this year, it felt like it has attained its tranquility. There is peace and a sense of calm here. The stress just melts away.
Khlasa Land – Photo: Dya Singh
Now the vegetation is starting to grow. Shady trees, a large playing field, and also fruit trees and vegetable plots. This year, besides rambutans, papayas and mangoes mainly, there was also the first yield of durians!
I also met an enterprising young man who is into a project to nurture bees in the hope of making honey. He told me that they needed to grow more flowers and other flowering plants, but it was a viable project. So, more vegetation and hopefully pure honey into the future.
Sometimes the Orang Asli (aborigines) children come and work especially gardening. I enquired whether they are given any langgar. Veer Sarjit told me an amusing story. One of the youngsters kept stirring the dhal for some time. Veer Ji asked him why he kept doing that and he said, “satu pun kechi punya ikan ta-ada kah?”. (Is there not even one small fish inside?)
Nestled within this tranquillity is the beautiful Darbar Sahib. Kirtan, satsang, simran and ‘path’ happens quite regularly and growing. The local sangat from nearby towns like Ulu Yam, Rasa and Kuala Kubu Bharu has started frequenting. Larger groups of youth come regularly to hold ‘simrans’ and for other spiritual pursuits.
It was a moving experience just spending a few hours here. We even got langar, rambutans and a juicy papaya. I recommend it. Next time I want to spend a few days just ‘being’ here.
Someone asked me today for a ‘location’ Anand Karaj – the spiritually moving kind. Not the noise and colourful affair that we are now used to. My suggestion was – ‘Khalsa land’!
GURPURI LAND
A day later, Menjit suggested that we visit Gurpuri Land – the ‘retreat’ for the Gurpuri Organisaton which nurtures Sikh orphans and children from poorer homes in Malaysia. A vision and mission of another dear friend, Giani Sukdaiv Singh, Gurpuri is now an established Sikh ‘institution’ of Malaysia.
It is on acreage fairly similar to Khalsa Land just across from Bentong off the Karak Highway in Pahang state.
Giani Ji takes all his kids from the big ‘smoke’ KL to this tranquil ‘retreat’ once a month for the weekend where they do their own cooking, they garden, they play and also receive some inspirational talks, motivation and kirtan. We happened to turn up as the older kids were practising archery and the younger ones were involved in painting and other craft work.
After a hearty ‘langgar’ of Hokkian mee and kway teao (vegetarian of course) with air bandung I had the honour of doing some inspirational kirtan and a discourse on the true ‘soorma’ after a quick briefing from inspirational professional motivator who I only know as ‘Sukhdev Success’. He was running this retreat with Tarlochan Singh, one of the band masters of the famous Sikh Sri Dasmesh Marching Band. There was also a very dynamic Chinese lady to further inspire the participants. I was most touched when she told me that it was her honour to finally meet the person who had come up with the globally famous Mool Mantr melody! A good massage to my ego!
It goes without saying that there was a lusty rendition of our Mool Mantr and our ‘Game of Love’ – ‘Jo thao prem khelan ka chao’. Gurpuri kids know our melodies pretty well and sing them very often. My wish for kirtan hajri was fulfilled.
Gurpuri is well into a project to grow organic foodstuff on a commercial basis and for the consumption of the children besides other promising projects.
We drove back from a very fulfilling and spiritually uplifting morning along the old road to Janda Baik, then Gombak to Kuala Lumpur. There is a hot spring on the road but we ran out of time and were not able to have a soak and also because there was threat of a heavy thunderstorm.
To be just in the presence of Giani Ji is very uplifting. Waheguru bless him, Gurpuri and especially the children.
I truly believe that Giani ji is not only giving lesser fortunate Sikh kids a chance in life but also raising future leaders of the Sikh ‘quom’ with well-rounded secular education with a spiritual base. The kind of education every child needs.
In conclusion I remember the words of the late Joginder Singh, one of the original founders of SNSM. He ‘never’ went for teerath yatra to India, yet a most pious upright Sikh. “Sikhs should realise that ‘teerath yatra’ is an inward journey, not necessarily to supposedly sacred shrines of our religion. Teerath brt ar dan kar, mun mai dherai guman. Nanak nehphal jaat the, jeo kunchar ishnan. Go and ‘metha tek’ at your local gurdwara or have parkash of Guru Ji at home and journey inwards. That is teerath yatra.”
Well, I also like to go to non-local gurdwaras in my beloved Malaysia while I can.
I commend those who have dreamt and built and nurtured Khalsa Lland and Gurpuri Land. Jithay jaye behay mera Satguru, so than suhava.
Malaysian-born Dya Singh, who now resides in Australia, is an accomplished musician and a roving Sikh preacher. The Dya Singh World Music Group performs full scale concerts on ‘music for the soul’ based on North Indian classical and semi-classical styles of music with hymns from mainly the Sikh, Hindu and Sufi ‘faiths’. He is also the author of SIKH-ING: Success and Happiness. He can be contacted at dyasingh@khalsa.com
* This is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Before you read this, I’ll need to throw in some disclaimers. I’ve been affiliated to the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia for almost all my life. I’m also a very close friend to the incumbent Jathedar of this non-profit organization surviving completely on volunteerism.
My views, like everyone else who’s worth their salt, may be tinged with bias, with added with masala from my many years observing the going-ons of the Sabha from the inside and from the outside.
My final disclaimer – this isn’t even remotely an account of the recently concluded Annual General Meeting held on June 29th 2019. The meeting minutes and reports should be publicized and socialized soon.
What I witnessed last Saturday was indeed almost panacea to scars our community has collected over the past handful of years when many of us were dragged into the Dasam Granth debate. Whichever way we had leaned towards in this divide (and no, I wouldn’t term it as a Great Divide just yet), the brutal truth is that many relationships have been soured or even severed over it.
What we witnessed was a chronic case of “Holier than thou” complex from both sides that tried to impose their philosophies onto our thoughts. The intent, however questionable from both sides, was never to disunite the Sanggat nor to disrupt healthy dialogue, but as the saying goes, roads to hell are often paved with good intentions. And before anybody brands me as party to either of side, let me unequivocally state that I’m in the middle. I suspect the majority of our community sit comfortably in the middle, too.
So, it was so heartening to hear from the attendees, young and old, that we have bigger problems to tackle than taking part in a debate that’s as controversial as it gets over the past two decades. Social ills, like alcohol and drug abuse, was given due attention, requiring tremendous energy and work for not just the Sabha, but for everyone present.
The Sangat was obviously concerned with the escalating number of youth abusing alcohol and drugs in front of our very own eyes. Every single one of us is duty-bound to help ourselves and our naujawans (youth) cope with this problem. As I sat at the back of the room, it was visible to me that the younger naujawans were clearly perturbed and worried about these social ills affecting their friends and family.
As the master of ceremonies read out the activities and work that has been done throughout the year, I beamed with pride that Sabha had put their heads down, and just got to work.
It was obvious that they had their work cut out for them, but they were also under-staffed to carry out more work that was demanded upon them. Charity, our Sikh bedrock principle, for all, be it Sikhs or not, was being done throughout. Education and awareness for the youth and by the youth, was still at the forefront of their agenda. But there’s much to be done.
Some resolutions were brought up, and in a dialogue that promoted unity and togetherness, were also turned back amicably. No arguments. No shouting matches. No mudslinging. All of us present agreed to disagree and move on. One of the more senior members of the committee alluded to Sabha steering away from controversy, and that was that.
Let’s put an end to this debate about who’s right and who’s wrong with our own understanding of what’s right and what’s wrong. Everyone has his right to believe whatever he or she thinks is true, within his or her own capacity. Who are we to impose our thoughts on the Sangat? We have bigger problems to solve. And it requires each and every one of us to pitch and help Sabha, rather than point our fingers to them with the burden so heavy, it’s insurmountable without help from all of us.
Jagdesh Singh, a Kuala Lumpur-based executive with a US multinational company, is a father of three girls who are as opinionated as their mother
* This is the opinion of the writer, organisation or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Asia Samachar.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here
A German court is to rule today (4 July) whether a Sikh motorcyclist should be allowed to ride wearing the turban prescribed by his religion rather than a standard helmet, reports DPA.
The southern city of Konstanz refused special permission to the Sikh man, who later took his case to the highest court for administrative cases. The court, which sits in the eastern city of Leipzig, is expected to publish its decision around noon, according to the report.
The lower court found that freedom of worship, which is guaranteed under the German constitution, was in conflict with the rights of third parties to psychological and physical integrity. Drivers wearing a helmet would in addition be in a better position to provide first aid or to call the emergency services after an accident, it ruled.
The report noted that the “dastaar” is an important part of Sikh culture and is mandatory for all Sikhs, who wear it to cover their uncut hair. It represents honour, self-respect and piety.
The report added that several provinces in Canada have provided exemptions to Sikhs wishing to wear turbans rather than helmets on the road.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Manjinder Kooner, left, and Gurdial Dhami, right, stand outside the Gurdwara in Windsor after an Ontario superior court justice ruled on a case that limited membership. (Jason Viau/CBC)
By CBC News | CANADA |
Legal battle resolves conflict in Sikh community, access to Canadian gurdwara
Gurdwara Khalsa Prakash in Windsor had been limiting membership to maintain control, reports CBC News
Manjinder Kooner, left, and Gurdial Dhami, right, stand outside the Gurdwara in Windsor after an Ontario superior court justice ruled on a case that limited membership. (Jason Viau/CBC)
A legal battle over obtaining membership at a Sikh place of worship has been resolved after 10 years before the courts.
The executive committee of the Gurdwara Khalsa Prakash in Windsor had been limiting membership to maintain control of the Gurdwara, court documents say.
“It really made me feel bad because there was a time when I could not even come to the Gurdwara,” said Manjinder Kooner.
At times, he had a no trespassing order for the property on County Road 42. Kooner was a member until 2012. He said that’s when it was unfairly terminated.
Following a recent Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision, Kooner said he and hundreds of others will get their memberships back. And many applicants who were also turned away can re-apply.
For Kooner, the main reason he wanted to maintain his membership was to have a vote at the Gurdwara.
“If there’s any serious decisions that you [have to make], you were part of it,” Kooner said. “That privilege was taken away and for me that was the main reason.”
He was still able to attend religious functions, but even that became increasingly difficult during the divisive legal battle.
“When there’s a person standing there that is not being fair to the public then nothing goes into your brain. That was the biggest problem,” said Kooner.
Read full article, Legal battle resolves conflict in Sikh community, access to Gurdwara (CBC News, 3 July 2019), here.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
SNSM jathedar Jasbir Singh (right) in action at one of its functions. INSERT (from left): Gurcharan Singh, Suret Singh and Balvinder Singh
By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |
A Malaysian Sikh youth outfit has rejected an attempt to entangle the organisation with debate on the so-called Dasam Granth (DG), instead trying to keep its focus on what it deems as more pressing issues at hand.
At its annual general meeting on 29 June, a good majority of the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) members present were in no mood to drag the six-decade old organisation into what has been an acrimonious debate within some circles regarding Bachitar Natak Granth (BNG), commonly badged as DG.
After a calm and collected discussion, the house was persuaded to reject a BNG-related resolution package proposed by two senior members of the organisation.
In another major decision, the SNSM members gave the green light to a proposal to possibly selling its existing headquarters in Titiwangsa, estimated to be worth RM5 million, and move its operations to the 4-storey building it owns in Brickfields. Both are located in Kuala Lumpur.
The underlying idea is to utilise funds unlocked to develop the Khalsa Land, a 22-acre Sikh campsite in in Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) tucked at a lush jungle foothill just an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.
Also approved was the disposing of the Sabha House in Ipoh which has ‘fallen into disuse and is currently unutilised’, estimated to worth some RM1 million.
Termed as consolidation of current SNSM assets, the idea was proposed by Gurcharan Singh and second by Harnarinder Singh, both actively involved in the team developing the campsite located about 80km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
With the Khalsa Land International Sikh Centre project ‘gathering pace’, the resolution noted the imminent need to raise funds, as typical development orders are time bound.
“We need to make sure that timing is right. The property market may be a little soft at this juncture,” one member told Asia Samachar.
SNSM CHIEF
When contact, SNSM jathedar Dr Jasbir Singh said that the organisation would like to continue its focus towards Sikhi parchar, education, welfare and developing the youth.
“We want to stay away from controversies as it time consuming and does not benefit anyone. We have bigger responsibilities to shoulder such as to create awareness on substance abuse, alcoholism and sexual abuse,” he told Asia Samachar.
He added that the Sabha, as the organisation is commonly referred to in Malaysia, has a huge project at Khalsa Land.
“We need experts who can help us craft a strategy for funding. Not only for construction funding but also future maintenance of the buildings. We need all the help we can get. Khalsa Land is for everyone’s use. Let us come together to play a part,” he said.
Jasbir also urged the youth need to play a bigger role and stop accusing elders who are taking a lead.
“The elders are there to lead and provide directions and support. The elders are there because of the youth and the youth need to come forward to support and start taking responsibilities to be part and also to lead in activities,” he said.
SNSM elects a jathedar, who then appoints members to its executive committee, for a two-year term. Dr Jasbir is serving his second term which ends next year. This is his last term as per the constitution.
CONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION
The five resolutions connected to BNG, keenly discussed at the meeting, were proposed by former SNSM secretary Suret Singh and seconded by former SNSM jathedar Daljit Singh.
After vehement objection from the floor, Suret, a retired senior Malaysian civil servant, withdrew the resolutions.
Balvinder Singh, a lawyer and a long-serving SNSM volunteer who spoke out against the proposed resolutions, said he felt SNSM should stay away from the DG dispute as it does not serve any purpose in its main objective in serving the needs of the youth.
“The youth are not interested in these conflicts and have bigger and more pertinent challenges which Sabha needs to address. There appeared to be a push by the pro-DG side to steer Sabha into this conflict and onto their side. Sabha should reject this,” he told Asia Samachar when contacted.
Among others, the proposed resolution wanted the general assembly to adopt as ‘Sabha policy’ a controversial letter entitled ‘Sikh Naujawan Sabha Reaffirms Sri Akaal Takht’s Stand on Dasam Granth’, issued by the SNSM exco on 18 July 2018.
Balvinder said the letter was factually incorrect as per the Sikh Rehat Maryada (SRM) and an existing Gurmatta from the Akaal Takht.
“Sabha should now withdraw that letter and apologise for the factual errors and state that it simply follows SRM and will keep away from this controversy,” he said
SNSM was set up in early 1960s and officially registered in 1967. Amg others, it runs Sikh camps and other activities.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Instagram | Obituary announcements, click here |
Marietta, a city northwest of Atlanta, greets its first Sikh police officer with a turban and a beard.
The Marietta Police Department has announced that it will allow Sikhs in uniform to wear a turban and maintain the beard, according to the Sikh Officers Association (SOA). Prabjot Singh will be the first.
“Change in police will allow #Sikhs to serve your city and this country. Let’s all welcome Prabjot Singh to the blue family and wish him a safe and successful career. If you live in the surrounding areas, please visit the Marietta Police Department and thank them for change in policy,” SOA said in an entry at its Facebook.
Describing itself as a fraternal organization, SOA’s stated mission is to strengthen the relationship between Sikh Americans and law enforcement by promoting the Sikh values of justice, equality, and selfless service.
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond.Facebook | WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 | Email: editor@asiasamachar.com | Twitter | Insta
