Organ Donation in South Asian Communities
December 8, 2011Sikh Genocide 1984
October 30, 2009Once again the first week of November is here with awakening of the horrible memories of Sikh riots in 1984. Approximately 3000 Sikh men, women and children were burnt alive or hacked to death. Sikh businesses, homes and transportation were looted and burnt to ashes and many Sikh women raped and molested. Riots were sparked after the assassination of that time Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
It is ironic to see such an inhuman and planned genocide happening in the Capital city of the Worlds largest democracy. This was the largest carnage in the history of independent India. From November 1st, 1984 to November 4th the roads of Delhi, Kanpur and other cities of India became the feasting place for looters and mobs while the police either looked the other way or helped the mob by unarming the Sikhs; who armed themselves and started gathering to better protect themselves.
Politicians and administration waited patiently until the unleashed mob completed the assigned task. The hatred toward Sikhs spilled all over the country and the masked face of Congress (I) came in light when Rajiv Gandhi, was quoted saying: “Some riots took place in the country following the murder of Indira Ji. We know the people were very angry and for a few days it seemed that India had been shaken. But, when a mighty tree falls, it is only natural that the earth around it does shake a little”.
The involvement of politician in 1984 riots came out in light when two human rights organizations, People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) and People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), published a joint report under the heading, who are guilty?
The joint report named some Congress (I) workers who were already been identified by victims and witnesses as leaders or organizers of the riots. No action was taken against identified people. Later the commission headed by Supreme Court judge, Ranganath Misra, implicated allegations that the administration collapsed while killings, looting and raping of Sikhs was taking place. The commission also suggested that the pattern of events indicate that the riots were organized and there was an unexplained delay in imposing curfew and calling in the army.
So far no justice have been served. Government was prompt and firm in ordering an inquiry into Indira Gandhi’s assassination but it took them six months to start an inquiry which was being demanded by public, Sikh bodies, and human right groups repeatedly.
After 25 years the few charged with the violence related charges were let go free on basis of “not enough evidence”.
CANADIAN SIKH ASSOCIATION RECEIVES OVERWHELMING RESPONSE AT SPINNING WHEEL FILM FESTIVAL
October 7, 2009The Canadian Sikh Association (CSA), a not-for-profit organization created in 2008 by like minded community members of the Greater Toronto Area, took part in the Spinning Wheel Film Festival where they showcased Ali Kazimi’s award winning documentary on the Komagata Maru, “Continuous Journey”, on Saturday, September 26th.
The CSA held the special viewing of the documentary at the Royal Ontario Museum in Downtown, Toronto. This special viewing of the documentary is another step towards creating public awareness around the Komagata Maru campaign launched successfully by CSA on Canada Day this year. During the three day film festival hundreds of guests signed a petition asking the Government of Canada to officially issue an apology for the Komagata Maru incident of 1914 into the public record of the House of Commons.
This year’s event included Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney who attended the opening night festivities on Friday evening. Both the Hon. Bob Rae, Member of Parliament and Foreign Affairs critic and Andrew Kania, Member of Parliament for Brampton West, attended the special viewing of the documentary held by the CSA on the second day of the festival. During his address, Andrew Kania stated that the official apology for the Komagata Maru incident should be put in public record of the House of Commons.
“It is due to the sacrifices made by Komagata Maru passengers that we enjoy the rights and freedoms in this beautiful country called Canada”, Baljit Singh Ghuman, Director of CSA said.
Sukhpaul Tut, the chair of the CSA, delivered a powerful speech captivating guests by reminding them of a Canadian dream – that includes hope, opportunity and a better life for their children. He also thanked guests for participating in the CSA’s Komagata Maru campaign and for attending this year’s special presentation. Ali Kazimi, the director of the documentary “Continuous Journey” took questions from the audience and talked about the film.
CSA in Punjabi News
October 2, 2009CSA Participating in Spinning Wheel Film Festival
September 9, 2009This year The Canadian Sikh Association (CSA), a not-for-profit organization, created in 2008 by likeminded community members of Greater Toronto Area is participating in the Spinning Wheel Film Festival for what will be one of the most electrifying years of the festival.
This year the CSA will be participating in the Gala reception on opening night at the Royal Ontario Museum and in addition will also be holding a special viewing of director Ali Kazimi’s “Continuous Journey” a documentary on the Komagata Maru incident. This special viewing of the documentary held by the CSA is another forward step to the public awareness campaign of the Komagata Maru incident, an important chapter of Canadian history, continuing on their successful petition campaign launched on Canada Day this year, where over a thousand people signed the petition that asked the Government of Canada to officially issue an apology into the public record of the House of Commons.
The CSA committed itself to address the widespread demands for advocating Canada’s political process, taking up issues related with human rights and social justice. The CSA have an open door policy to welcome other organizations with common goals to serve the community and are working towards fostering multiculturalism and providing a platform and resources to encourage social and political activities for a healthy change. This is the reason the CSA is pleased to be enthusiastic supporter of the Spinning Wheel Film Festival, the first and largest Sikh film festival, and will be contributing to the three day celebration of the art of film in Toronto.
The Spinning Wheel Film Festival (SWFF), now in its seventh year, is a celebration of films by, about and for the growing Sikh community.
The first and the largest festival of Sikh films anywhere, it presents each year a new crop of screenings. It not only draws several thousand attendees, but also worldwide attention through extensive international media coverage.
The SWFF Group creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. Through the art of cinema, SWFF fosters a community that is more informed, aware and alive.
The Spinning Wheel Film Festivals bring unique films from every corner of the globe to North American and international filmgoers in the diaspora. The Festival includes gala premieres, short films, sneak previews, documentaries, works-in-progress, feature films, seminars and workshops, musical concerts and art exhibits.
To Kill a Mockingbird !
August 12, 2009I am saddened by the news that a classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is being pulled from the Grade 10 English course at a Brampton high school. This action is being taken by the school upon a single complaint from a parent about the insulting racial language used in the book.
I have read this book in Grade 10 during my high school years in Brampton. I enjoyed this book very much and the movie, based on the novel. Gregory Peck played an ever lasting role in this movie.
I think the language used in the book is the language being used at the time when the story takes place. This book displays the example of courage and reflected upon the society and its issues faced by at the time. The Pulitzer Prize-winner novel written by Harper Lee tells the story of racial intolerance in deep South of America. The school board should review their decision before taking the historical and important piece of literature our of their education system.
Anti Sikh Writeups
August 9, 2009It is a sad state of affairs in Canada, especially in Toronto that few individuals are trying to taint the respectful image of Sikh’s. This is being done very cleverly via print and internet blog media. I have been noticing this as an ongoing trend for few months, and could not imagine that this is a work of just few individuals. I suspect there is a bigger hand behind the scenes.
Some articles in print media and blog’s are misleading and provoking. The negative aspects of Sikhi and Islam are being highlighted in a way that it seems that these religions are based on hate, fundamentalism, and are bully’s. Sikh’s are peaceful and hard working people. Every religion, culture and society has negative aspects and the group must not be stereotyped.
July 14, 2009
“Indian society is a gradation of castes forming an ascending scale of reverence and a descending scale of contempt—a system which gives no scope for the growth of that sentiment of equality and fraternity so essential for a democratic form of government.” — B.R. Ambedkar, in 1931
Surrinder Singh, 1984 anti Sikh riots key witness dead
July 13, 2009
Key Witness of 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
The key witness in the 1984 anti Sikh riots, Surrinder Singh, died of diabetes illness at AIIMS – New Delhi. This was revealed by President of the All India Sikh Students Federation Mr. Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad. Mr. Peer Mohammad has been supporting the anti Sikh riots victims in seeking justice.
Mr. Surrinder Sing lived in US but came to India to record his statement before CBI against Tytler. Tytler is accused by many witnesses of promoting anti Sikh sentiment and encouraged the mob to loot and kill Sikh people in New Delhi during 1984 riots.
It has been 25 years now since the anti Sikh riots took place in various places in Indian during the month of November in 1984 after the death of then Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indra Gandhi. So far no justice has been served and the accused enjoy the seats of being Member Parliaments and state protection. In recent Member Parliament elections Tytler was ripped of the Congress party ticket due to heavy demand by Sikh’s. The demand picked up momentum when a Hindi newspaper journalist, Mr. Jairnal Singh, threw a show at Home Minister P. Chidambaram.
Many riot victims have passed away waiting for justice but no justice is yet seen on the horizon of biggest democracy in the World.
