Quarterly Newsletter Issue No.

20

April 2012

DEATH PENALTY VIOLENCE

IN

THE LAND

OF NON-

State's Raison d'eter. However plenty of other Indian legal cocktails violate human rights. In court Balwant Singh questioned India's commitment to its own constitution, human rights and the law citing the assassinated Chief Minister's actions. The Chief Minister, Beant Singh, won the election in Punjab in 1992 on a mandate of 9% of the potential electorate. Peaceful Sikh nationalists were detained and banned from standing. The rest of Punjab reacted by boycotting the elections. India spun this by asserting the boycott was due to threats from Sikh militants. Repeated evidence and subsequent elections show that Sikh populations don't get intimidated by such threats. Beant Singh's 9% electoral backing was hailed a return to democracy by many western countries and media. In Syria the west would call this overwhelming rejection of the regime! India obviously has a way with the west. Beant Singh immediately gave the police force free reign to continue a policy of extrajudicial executions, torture and illegal detentions even more aggressively. During his four years, it is estimated that over 10000 young people were killed by police death squads given rewards for 'eliminating suspects', despite India's repeated claims that there were only 300 armed Sikh Nationalists. Question, who were the other 9700 killed? Balwant Singh, the assassin, said that someone had to stop the Chief Minister. The west mitigated Beant's crimes with words such as 'democratic mandate'. The Indian State gave him constitutional cover. In India, not only religious texts, but even the constitution can have schismatic interpretations depending on who it is interpreted for. Meanwhile the Indian Supreme Court, priding itself with 'judicial activism for human rights', ostriched itself through this period despite daily press reports of 'encounter's, called 'fake encounters' by Amnesty and UN. India has even acquired a wikipedia page for this 'incredible' activity. In India everyone is equal before the law but the law is not equal before everyone. Following the Chief Minister's death by a human bomb, Dilawar Singh, Balwant's accomplice, the 'encounters' fell dramatically. Real democracy returned and the police was largely reigned in.

For a country that brands itself on Gandhi, non violence and cow protection, the death penalty in India and Balwant Singh Rajoana's imminent hanging on 31 March might appear to be an aberration. Not quite so when Balwant Singh's statement in the court is heard. He accepted being party to the assassination of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh, on 31st August 1995. In court he said he had no faith in Indian justice and refused legal representation. He refuses to plead for clemency. This puts many Sikhs and indeed Punjabis who don't want a hanging in Punjab in some quandary.

Figure 1. Pledge your support & sign the petition

The death penalty is a retrogressive step in Punjab. Before any European countries got around to abolishing the death penalty (Portugal 1867), the Punjab under the Sikh ruler, Maharajah Ranjit Singh (1801-1839), had removed capital punishment. British colonialism restored the death penalty. India has inherited a penal and judicial system from its colonial past. With the best it has also continued with the worst of laws. Laws and rules that were meant to prop up colonialism, such as prolonged detention without charge, laws against sedition (Scottish leader, Salmon, would have been incarcerated if not hung in India by now) and death penalty among others. But India went further by enacting laws that assumed guilt until proven otherwise (TADA) and a constitutional amendment (59th ) for 2 years which removed the primary responsibility of the State (Article 21 Indian constitution) to protect life and liberty. Until the UN reminded Indian legislators of the 1

Balwant Singh questioned the court about Indian justice. During the attack on the Golden Temple in 1984 over 3000 innocent pilgrims, mostly children, elderly and women were killed by the Indian armed forces. A 16,000 strong army using helicopters, tanks and heavy artillery called these 'collateral damage' fighting a mere 200 armed Sikhs. The Army Officers got promotions for 'gallantry'. The Indian Army has always been too willing to kill its own citizens. Another colonial habit hard to give up. When the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, who had ordered the attack on the Golden Temple, was assassinated in November 1984, about 4000 innocent Sikhs in Delhi were massacred by a mob fed with addresses of Sikhs, petrol, iron bars and tyres by the political establishment and the police. Burning people alive with tyres around their necks (necklacing) was started by 'Non-violent' India in November 1984 beating South Africa by a year. Balwant Singh asked the judge what was Indian justice doing about the politicians and police who had masterminded or been responsible during the four days of massacres. In fact they climbed the ladder. Tytler, directly implicated, became Union Minister while Narahsima Rao, then Home Minister, went on to become India's Prime Minister. Rao had failed to call in the army stationed only half an hour away. Underneath the veneer of Gandhi and cow protection is a State whose mindless cruelty against minorities is baffling to an innocent observer. Perhaps that is the ironic 'incredible' in 'Incredible India' the slogan India uses to promote tourism. Killer police squads and non violent sadhus, all in one country. India's crimes against its own citizens and the silence of the 'ethical west' do not mitigate Balwant Singh's actions. Like many Sikhs in history, he took full responsibility for what he did. He has refused anyone to plead on his behalf. But he has thrown a challenge to India and the world. 'Show the same commitment to constitutionality, law and human rights when the Indian State, its forces, its bureaucrats and its politicians commit heinous crimes against humanity'. The removal of death penalty from the penal code inherited from its colonial past could be the first step towards convincing ordinary people that non-violence is not merely rhetorical propaganda but really embedded in the culture of Indians. Or perhaps cows are more sacred than humans in India. 'Incredible India?', of course!
Reprinted with kind permission from the author Jasdev Singh Rai Medical Doctor, with MA in politics, human rights activist and community worker.

is subjective........but meditate on the word WAHE GURU.......repeatedly.....till your soul awakens and the mind recedes.....and one will surely receive GOD'S DARSHAN.............some call this subconciousness.......but i call this GOD........ but once your mind starts questioning GOD'S DARSHAN....and consciousness awakens than the SOUL recedes............mind must praise GOD'S DARSHAN....and never question........am talking from personal experience.........I don't read or write gurmukhi.....tho i do simran and romanised pat .....GOD IS SOUL IN US...........one has to awaken activate it through the sikh way....viz simran...........Bachan Kaur .....Malaysia. GIVING UP GREED RBS chief Stephen Hester decision to forgo his million pound bonus will be welcome to those facing the harsh realities of todays economic climate. When many are suffering a distinctly reduced standard of living, the thought of others earning rich rewards hurts all the more and questions of fairness come to the fore. Such concerns are not new. The question of a fair distribution of wealth has exercised religious leaders over the centuries with similar concerns over greed. In Christianity we have Christs words about it being easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, and in a similar criticism of those who accumulated wealth at the expense of others, Guru Nanak refused the hospitality of a rich man who neglected the wellbeing of those that worked for him. Today, it is Bank bosses that are the focus of anger and concern. Running a large banking group in a responsible way, that helps both investors and businesses, requires both financial insight and investment expertise. Although such skills are, in my view, not as rare as we are sometimes led to believe, the work is onerous and should be fairly rewarded. Unfortunately, in recent years, this important activity has become entwined with high risk financial gambling for potentially much greater returns for the gamblers, and, when projected profits do not materialise, vast losses for the rest of us. Capitalism can and has produced vast economic growth, but the lesson of the last few years is that this must be tempered by fairness to others To my mind, the one good thing about the current financial crisis is that it is forcing us to think afresh about the relationship between work and reward, and the differentials between the lower and higher paid, and our common responsibility to the more vulnerable in society. Sikhism teaches a three fold approach to life, that is, reflecting on our spiritual and social responsibilities and bearing these in mind to earn an honest living and look to the wellbeing of others. Balancing 2

WAHEGURU JAAP . is communicating with one's soul....to create a stillness in one's mind...........whether loudly or softly

responsibility with opportunity is not easy and requires both individual and corporate discipline. It is not easy to forgo a million pounds and Stephen Hester should be commended for his decision. My hope is that others will follow his lead to make for a fairer and more harmonious society.
Dr Indarjit Singh presents Thought For The Day on BBC Radio

NEED OF GURU Baba Amar Daas Sahib Ji was introduced to Path of Gurmat and Naam through Bibi Amro Ji, the daughter in-law of Baba Amar Daas Jis younger brother. Bibi Amro Ji was the daughter of the Second Nanak, Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji. Through HEARING the Divine SHABAD being sung by Bibi Amro Ji, Baba Amar Daas Ji was introduced to the House of Guru Nanak Sahib. Despite being THIRTY YEARS OLDER, Baba Amar Daas Ji bowed to Guru Angad Dev Ji Sahib. This illustrated that AGE or RELATIONSHIPS ( ) have NO RELEVANCE.

(the seat of Guruship), which he however could not ascend to. Deeply frustrated, Bhai Datu Ji KICKED Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji with his foot while Guru Ji was seated on the throne. With a rare display of SWEETNESS and HUMILITY, Guru Sahib kept seated and did not utter a word of anguish. Rather, he grabbed Bhai Datu Jis foot and said, Your foot must have been hurt by my hard bones. Guru Sahib did not respond with a REACTION rather through displaying his compassion. The Guru showed that each situation requires a UNIQUE RESPONSE depending on the circumstances. Rejection of Sati and Pardah The reality of India at the time of the Guru Sahibs was that the author of Ramayan (Hindu mythological epic) had written that The drum, Shudar (low caste) and woman are to beaten. Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji rejected the old age practice and tradition of women BURNING THEMSELVES in the funeral pyres of their husbands and women VEILING their faces. Guru Sahib taught that women are NOT a COMMODITY and implemented SOCIAL CHANGE. Furthermore, Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji promoted and propagated that WIDOW REMARRIAGE was acceptable. This was underlined by the principle that every single person is DIVINE (Man Too Jyot Saroop Hai, Apnaa Mool Pachhaan). However, we do not recognise this! Guru Sahib emphasised that why should we WASTE LIFE by committing Sati. EVENTS A request to ALL, which ever jathabandi please make an effort to make it the chaupai sahib jaap programme at Guru Nanak Parkash Gurdwara Guru Nanak Parkash Gurdwara (Hall 3) 71-81 Harnall Lane West, Coventry CV1 4FB

Figure 2. Guru Amar Dass served Guru Angad for many years

Guruship Baba Amar Daas Sahib Ji served Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji with utmost devotion and dedication. Besides fetching water from the river Beas for Guru Sahib's daily bath, he would serve in the Guru Ka Langar. Every year Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji acknowledged his services by conferring upon him a SIROPA (a robe of honour) which the Great Guru wrapped around his head. Baba Amar Daas Ji was honoured with a Siropa seven times. SEVA (selfless service) is one of the main tenets of the House of Guru Nanak Sahib Ji, exemplified through the lives of the Gurus. Guru Amar Daas Sahib Ji was the OLDEST aged Guru. This illustrated that EVEN THE OLD CAN MAKE CHANGE. Responding to Hostility with Humility Bhai Datu Ji, son of Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji, considered himself to be the claimant of 'Gurgaddi' 3

Figure 3. ***Ardas Benti for the Chardi kala of Bhai Balwant Singh 'Rajoana' and the Chardi kala of the singh's and singhnia in jail's in India.

SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE RAJOANA Although the execution has been delayed, it has not been cancelled. Please lets get to 100,000 signatories, to apply pressure on the Indian government. And also, at 100,000, this will get debated in the UK parliament. Please sign, and save someones life. Download:http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/315 19 5 AUDIO BOOKS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BHAI SAHIB RANDHIR SINGH JEE Audio books from the writings of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randhir Singh Jee. Five audio books are available to listen/download: - - Rangle_Sajjan - - Jot_Vigaas - - Charan_Kamal_Kee_Mouj - - Gurmat_Naam_Abhiyaas_Kamaayee - - Jail_Chittheeaa Direct Link: http://www.akj.org/skins/one/list.php?ba=1&b=6&p= misc AKHAND KIRTANI JATHA UKS ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SMAGAM , DERBY AMRIT SANCHAAR: Sunday 8th April at 2pm at Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Derby Can all ablakhyees contact Bhai Taranjeet Singh (07877 888874) to provide their names for the Amrit sanchaar. If any persons do not have full kakars, then AKJ UK will provide them as part of the seva.

Additional Programmes GATKA DISPLAY 1-2pm - 08/04/2012 (Martial Arts display from youth from all over the world) Special exhibition will be on display in National Sikh Museum on history of the Khalsa Panth Daily Gurbani Santhiya sessions with Giani Kulwinder Singh and other learned Gursikhs Daily seminars with elder Gursikhs on topics of Naam, Jeevan, Rehit and Panthic Seva. These will be from 2pm to 4pm, with contributions from Gursikhs including Jathedar Bhai Raghbir Singh, Bhai Jarnail Singh, Bhai Surjit Singh, Dr Daljit Singh, Giani Kulwinder Singh, Bhai Pyara Singh, amongst others. COACH PICK UP POINTS * Southall - Singh Sabha Havelock Rd at 5pm, Sevadaar Bhai Japsimran Singh 07400896809 * Slough - Khalsa School Wexham Rd at 5.30 pm, Sevadaar Bhai Onkar Singh 07737 749556 * Ilford - Singh Sabha High Rd , at 5pm. Sevadaar Bhai Upkar Singh 07747 770156 * Coventry - Singh Sabha Cross Rd at 6.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Kulwant Singh 07854136413 * Woolwich - Ramgharia Gurdwara, Mason Hill, at 5pm, Sevadaar Bibi Navrup Kaur / Bhai Gurpreet Singh 07747 534502 * Croydon - Singh Sabha at 5pm. Sevadaar Bhai Harvinder Singh 07979 515849 * Tooting - Khalsa Centre Upper Tooting Rd at 4.30pm. Sevadaar Bhai Harvinder Singh 07979515849 * Gravesend - New Guru Nanak Gurdwara at 5pm, Sevadaar Bhai Seva Singh 07831 712430 * Bradford - Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wakefield Road at 6pm, Bhagat Singh 07980 188549 * Glasgow - Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Berkley Street , at 2pm, Sevadaar Bhai Manjit Singh 07769 354507 * Manchester - Guru Harkrishan Gurdwara 6pm, Sevadaar Bhai Gurdip Singh / Bhai Jaskirat Singh 07723 921414 * Hitchin - Gurdwara, Wilbury Way at 5.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Harkamal Singh 07816361811 * Leamington - New Gurdwara at 6.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Joginder Singh 07723 367871 * West Bromwich - Edward Street at 6.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Joga Singh 07810 535242 * Smethwick - GNG High St at 6.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Joga Singh 07810 535242 * South Shields - Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Kaas, at 5pm, Sevadaar Bhai Karnail Singh 07801 431855 * Reading - Singh Sabha, Cumberland Rd at 5pm, Sevadaar Bhai Parminder Singh 07984451061 * Luton - Dallow Road Gurdwara at 5pm, Sevadaar Bhai Vijay Singh 07939 513092 * Leeds - Chapletown Gurdwara at 5.30pm, Sevadaar Bhai Bhagat Singh 07980 188549 ----------------------------------------------------------

Figure 4. Commemorate via the essence of Shabad Guru, Vaisakhi and the Shaheedi Saka of Amritsar 1978

If you have an event to tell us about or an article to submit then please do get in touch; Sikh Society, 111 Sutton Ln, Hounslow, TW3 4LE Email: sikhsociety@khalsa.com Join the online forum of Sikh Societies and stay in touch with all the events happening across the UK.