Sikh Community

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sikh body supports Rahul Gandhi's remarks on community during US visit

A Sikh body on Wednesday came out in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks during his recent US visit about the community, saying its members have an inalienable right to adhere to and protect their religious and cultural rights. In a statement, Khushhal Singh, general secretary of Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said Gandhi's special mention of Sikhs' freedom to wear turban and worship in gurdwaras was an open recognition of their distinct religious and cultural identity. He said the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha rightly identified the decades-old distortions in Indian politics as caste hierarchy and religion-cultural conflicts which "invariably manifested as violence and misgovernance". According to Khushhal, political thinkers associated with the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a central body of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras, are of the opinion that Gandhi opted for the right direction which would put an end to the politics of hate, communalisation and targeting of ...

Kangana's Emergency to miss Sept 6 release; CBFC to not issue certificate

Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency' didn't get any relief on Wednesday from the Bombay High Court which refused to pass any order in the wake of a directive by the Madhya Pradesh HC directing CBFC to consider objections to the movie before certifying it. The film was scheduled to release on September 6 but will now be pushed back for two weeks as the HC directed the censor board to consider the objections raised against the film and then certify it by September 18. The film's producer Zee Entertainment Enterprises had moved the Bombay HC seeking a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to issue certificate for the biographical drama Emergency', helmed by actor-MP Kangana Ranaut. The plea claimed that the censor board was ready with the certificate but was not issuing it apprehending law and order unrest after the movie's release. A division bench of Justices B P Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla on Wednesday accepted the producer's contention that the certificate

Petition filed in Chandigarh court demanding criminal case against Kangana

Advocate Ravinder Singh, said that in the film 'Emergency' made by Kangana Ranaut, an attempt has been made to defame Sri Akal Takht Sahib

SAD sends legal notice to CBFC over Kangana's upcoming movie 'Emergency'

The notice addresses top officials of the CBFC, requesting an immediate revocation of the certification granted to the film Emergency

Kangana Ranaut in legal trouble for 'misrepresenting' Sikhs in 'Emergency'

SGPC has issued a legal notice to actress and producer Kangana Ranaut to remove the trailer of the film and for the filmmakers to issue a formal apology to the Sikh community

India, Canada meet as more arrests may point to another Sikh murder plot

Intelligence chiefs from India and Canada have recently met to share evidence, said people familiar with the matter

Sikh pilgrims head to Pak for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's death anniversary

The group departed for Pakistan from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office on Friday

Gurbani, messages of harmony at UK Parliament complex for Baisakhi

The devotional strains of Gurbani and messages of harmony rang out at the Houses of Parliament complex in London this week for a first-of-its-kind Baisakhi celebration. Organised by the British Indian think tank 1928 Institute and diaspora membership organisations City Sikhs and the British Punjabi Welfare Association (BPWA), the event brought together a cross-section of professionals, community leaders and philanthropists at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room on Monday evening to spotlight the UK-India relationship and contributions of the Sikh community to British life. City Sikhs Chair Jasvir Singh led the proceedings, which included speeches and Gurbani by the Anahad Kirtan Society. It's a real honour to celebrate Baisakhi, the birth of the Khalsa by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Baisakhi celebrates the beginning of the Khalsa and the teachings that accompany this, focussing on equality by proactively removing forms of hierarchy, ego and fear, said Kiran Kaur .

LS polls: Large number of Sikhs, including DSGMC members, join BJP

A large number of Sikhs, including members of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee, joined the BJP on Saturday. Citing a host of measures taken by the government to help the minority community, BJP president J P Nadda on the occasion said if anybody has really worked for the community, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda also cited central government decisions such as the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, the FCRA registration for donations to the Golden Temple and the action against accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases. He said the BJP highly regarded the contribution and sacrifices of the community for the country and will keep working for its welfare. The BJP has been in an overdrive to deepen its bond with Sikhs and is looking to put up a strong fight in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, where they are in a majority. A number of well known Sikh politicians from the state have joined the party recently.

Watch: Sikh community in the US holds mega rally in support of PM Modi

Ram temple: Sikhs in Ayodhya to hold Akhand Path ahead of Pran Pratishtha

'Sikhs from various parts of the country will participate in the Akhand Path,' said BJP national spokesperson R P Singh

Anand Marriage Act implemented in Jammu-Kashmir after long-standing demand

Detailed rules were framed by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for registration of marriages under Anand Marriage Act, which provides statutory recognition to marriage rituals of Sikhs, fulfilling their long-standing demand to not have to solemnise their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act. Jammu and Kashmir Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2023' has been framed for the registration of Anand marriages, under which tehsildars concerned shall be the registrar of such marriages within their respective territorial jurisdiction, as per a government notification issued. Sikh couples can apply for registration within a period of three months after solemnising their marriage but face late fee if formalities are completed after the expiry of the deadline, reads the notification issued by the department of law, justice and parliamentary affairs on November 30. This has been a long pending demand and we are thankful to the Lt Governor for keeping his promise, Vice President of Distric

Your turban does not mean terrorism: NYC Mayor Adams amid attacks on Sikhs

The Sikh turban does not mean terrorism but symbolises faith, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, as he described the recent attacks and hate crimes against the community as a stain on the country and vowed to protect its members. He also gave a clarion call for educating people about Sikhism. You are not about terror; you are about protector. That is what needs to be taught throughout this entire city. Our young people need to know that, our adults need to know that, Adams said while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in the Queens neighbourhood of South Richmond Hill. Describing the Sikh community as an anchor in the Richmond Hill neighbourhood, Adams said: Your turban does not mean terrorism. It means protecting, it means community, it means family, it means faith, it means city, it means us coming together. We will change the dialogue and narrative with you. We can do it together. Adams and New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer .

Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Trudeau's party criticises anti-Hindu threats

Amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada, an Indo-Canadian lawmaker from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's party has expressed dismay at the glorification of terrorism and hate crime targeting Hindus in this country in the name of freedom of expression. The sharp reaction from Chandra Arya, who represents the riding of Nepean in the House of Commons of Canada, came as extremist elements backed by a leader of the Khalistan movement openly asked Hindu Canadians to go back to India. "A few days back Khalistan movement leader in Canada and the president of Sikhs for Justice which organises the so-called referendum Gurpatwant Singh Pannun attacked Hindu Canadians asking us to leave Canada and go back to India," Arya, a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, said. "I have heard from many Hindu-Canadians who are fearful after this targeted attack. I urge Hindu-Canadians to stay calm but vigilant. Please report any incident of Hinduphobia to your local law enforcement agencies," the ...

Question mark over India-Canada economic ties amid diplomatic standoff

Canada identifies expelled Indian diplomat as RAW station chief in Ottawa, sources say Canadian diplomat expelled from Delhi is intelligence officer