Sunday, November 25, 2012

Reality of Sexual Grooming by Groups in the UK

Grooming refers to racially motivated sexual exploitation. The UK Sikh community has been concerned about this issue since the early 1990s, however the issue has only recently been acknowledged by the mainstream media and some politicians. Recently the Sikh Awareness Society interviewed, Times newspaper journalist, Andrew Norfolf, on the issue of the heinous crime of sexual grooming of young girls by gangs, particularly from Pakistani origin, in the UK. From Mr. Norfolf's extensive ongoing investigations it appears that racially motivated grooming of girls stems from 1990s onwards and is being underplayed by the media and politicians fearing political correctness.



About Sikh Awareness Society:
The Sikh Awareness Society (SAS) was established in 1998 amongst growing concerns of the 'grooming' of our youth. In Britain today Sikh youth are still actively targeted on the basis of their religion and history. This historically linked hate-crime causes much emotional distress to the families involved with the majority of these cases ending up in abuse. Under common Punjabi mentality, these issues are still considered 'taboo' and are rarely addressed by the Gurdwara Sahibs, and Sikh community leaders. Therefore the victims of this hate-crime tend to suffer in silence. The SAS was set up to deal with these issues.

To get in touch with SAS or for more information:
Email: sas.helpline@googlemail.com


News articles in chronological order:

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Back to Sikhi: Inspiring Transformations... (Series 10)

Bhai Shamandeep Singh Jee emailed me photos from his past life and now. Amazing how Guru Jee transforms our lives and puts us on the Path of Gursikhi - The Ocean of Peace and Happiness. Vaheguroo.


Old life - Veer jee and his wife
New life - Veer Jee, his Singhni, and child



ਸਿਰੀਰਾਗੁ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥
Siree Raag, revealed through Guru Raam Daas Jee:

ਨਾਮੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਪਤੀਐ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਮੈ ਧ੍ਰਿਗੁ ਜੀਵਾਸੁ ॥
Receiving Naam, the mind is satisfied; without Naam, life is cursed.

ਕੋਈ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਸਜਣੁ ਜੇ ਮਿਲੈ ਮੈ ਦਸੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਣਤਾਸੁ ॥
If I meet the Gurmukh, my Spiritual Friend, he will show me God, the Treasure of Excellence.

ਹਉ ਤਿਸੁ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਚਉ ਖੰਨੀਐ ਮੈ ਨਾਮ ਕਰੇ ਪਰਗਾਸੁ ॥੧॥
I am every bit a sacrifice to one who reveals to me the Naam. ||1||

ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮਾ ਹਉ ਜੀਵਾ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇ ॥
O my Beloved, I live by meditating on Your Name.

ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਜੀਵਣੁ ਨਾ ਥੀਐ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
Without Your Name, my life does not even exist. My True Guru has implanted the Naam within me. ||1||Pause||

ਨਾਮੁ ਅਮੋਲਕੁ ਰਤਨੁ ਹੈ ਪੂਰੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪਾਸਿ ॥
Naam is a Priceless Jewel; it is with the Perfect True Guru.

ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸੇਵੈ ਲਗਿਆ ਕਢਿ ਰਤਨੁ ਦੇਵੈ ਪਰਗਾਸਿ ॥
When one is enjoined to serve the True Guru, He brings out this Jewel and bestows this enlightenment.

ਧੰਨੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਵਡ ਭਾਗੀਆ ਜੋ ਆਇ ਮਿਲੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਾਸਿ ॥੨॥
Blessed, and most fortunate of the very fortunate, are those who come to meet the Guru. ||2||

ਜਿਨਾ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਨ ਭੇਟਿਓ ਸੇ ਭਾਗਹੀਣ ਵਸਿ ਕਾਲ ॥
Those who have not met the Primal Being, the True Guru, are most unfortunate, and are subject to death.

ਓਇ ਫਿਰਿ ਫਿਰਿ ਜੋਨਿ ਭਵਾਈਅਹਿ ਵਿਚਿ ਵਿਸਟਾ ਕਰਿ ਵਿਕਰਾਲ ॥
They wander in reincarnation over and over again, as the most disgusting maggots in manure.

ਓਨਾ ਪਾਸਿ ਦੁਆਸਿ ਨ ਭਿਟੀਐ ਜਿਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਕ੍ਰੋਧੁ ਚੰਡਾਲ ॥੩॥
Do not meet with, or even approach those people, whose hearts are filled with horrible anger. ||3||

ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਰੁ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਨਾਵਹਿ ਆਇ ॥
The True Guru, the Primal Being, is the Pool of Amrit (elixir of life). The very fortunate ones come to bathe in it.

ਉਨ ਜਨਮ ਜਨਮ ਕੀ ਮੈਲੁ ਉਤਰੈ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਦ੍ਰਿੜਾਇ ॥
The filth of many incarnations is washed away, and the Immaculate Naam is implanted within.

ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਉਤਮ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਇ ॥੪॥੨॥੬੬॥
Servant Nanak has obtained the most exalted state, lovingly attuned to the True Guru. ||4||2||66||
(Ang 40)

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Gabru Panjab De - Tigerstyle (Official Video)



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The official music video for Gabru Panjab De.
Vocals: Tigerstyle Music: Tigerstyle
Lyrics: Ranbir Singh Jagatpuri
Album: Jago (Worldwide)
Album: Khalse De Jhandeh (India & Asia)
Artwork: Art of Punjab (Bhai Bachittar Singh & Mai Bhago)
Artwork: Sikhi Art (Hari Singh Nalwa, Baba Deep Singh Akali Phula Singh & Sahibzada Ajit Singh)
Immortal Productions

 From the album "Jago" and forthcoming album "Khalse De Jhandeh".
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Thursday, November 15, 2012

"How Gurbani Saved Me...."




Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!
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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Explaining the Sikh Festival of Diwali to Non-Sikhs...

I've made a poster on Bandi Chhor Divas which I forwarded on to non-Sikh colleagues. Below is the information from the poster in case anyone wishes to use for educating their friends and colleagues on the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas.



On 13th November 2012 Sikhs will be celebrating the Sikh festival of ‘Bandi Chhor Divas.’ The celebration of Bandi Chhor divas has been chosen to coincide with the Hindu festival of ‘Diwali’ (The Festival of Lights) which is celebrated on large scale throughout India. 


Background to the festival 
Gwalior Fort Prison
‘Bandi’ means prisoner, ‘Chhor’ means release and ‘Divas’ means day. The sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Hargobind, had been falsely imprisoned by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir – who had earlier in 1606 tortured and martyred Guru Arjan Dev, the Fifth Guru for refusing to give up his religious beliefs. 

Imprisoned in the same fort at the same were fifty-two other ‘rajas’ or princes who were innocent political prisoners from a scattering of kingdoms around the country. Guru Hargobind said if Emperor Jahangir was to show good faith, then all these prisoners were to be released, or none! 

The Guru being released with 52 prisoners
Jahangir relented but, in his feudal arrogance, set a condition: anyone who could hang on to the coat-tails of the Guru's robe could leave with him, he declared. The Guru ordered a special large robe with fifty-two tassels on its tails. Each of the fifty-two Hindu princes held on to one each, and was allowed to leave. 

When the Guru arrived in the holy city of Amritsar after being released, he was welcomed by the whole city being lit with oil lamps and lights. The 52 kings were saved by having faith in the Guru and holding on to him. 

For Sikhs, Bandi Chhor Divas should be time to reflect on whether one has held on to the Guru or not (i.e. followed the Guru’s teachings). It is time to break the shackles of bad habits and walk towards freeing the mind and body. 
 
Sri Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar on Bandi Chhor Divas
 

The Message of Bandi Chhor Divas 
 What Guru Hargobind stood up for and represented can be summarised in one word – ‘Justice’. The Guru could have left the prison when he was offered the chance. However, the Guru thought of others before himself. Others freedom and human rights were more important to him than his own. This is attitude and virtue of social justice and fighting for others freedom was filled within his followers through his own example. 

Bandi Chhor Divas should inspire us to light the lamp of Divine Knowledge within us through the Guru’s Wisdom and inspire us to campaign and fight for the human rights of those suffering oppression. 



SIKHS IN WORLD WARS  
Following the footsteps of Guru Hargobind, Sikhs did not just fight for their own freedom in India, but they also fought for the freedom of others who lived in foreign lands and were alien to them. During the World Wars, 200,000 Sikhs volunteered to fight and die to protect the freedom of Britain and Europe. This is an example of how Sikhs seek inspiration from the life and teachings of Guru Hargobind. During British Empire, the Sikhs living in India were fighting for independence from the British, but nevertheless, the Sikhs rose to give sacrifices for freedom, liberty and justice. This is the blessings of Guru Hargobind. 


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Friday, November 09, 2012

A Singhnee’s Plight: 1984 Delhi Carnage

From Amardeep Singh Amar's novel “Tay Deeva Jagda Rahaegaa”:



This tragic excerpt is based on a true story. It is taken mid-story. The Singhs are in a Babbar training camp in Pakistan. Some Singhs have arrived from India and along with them are two survivors of the 1984 carnage in Delhi. This is their story:

The atmosphere was silent like a city falls silent after a major storm. All the young men were staring with eyes wide. The Singh began, “First brothers, let us tell our story…” He was hanging his head, trying to hide the tears in his eyes from the other Singhs.

“We both were originally from village Kamaalpura in Ludhiana. My name is Hari Singh and his name is Bhaag Singh. We both had a Transport company in Delhi. From childhood we were both amritdhari. Because of the parchaar of Master Gurbakhsh Singh of our village, we all took amrit from Bhai Sahib’s Jatha. Master jee had a lot of kamaiee and had a very high jeevan. He was drenched in naam and his life story is written in Bhai Randheer Singh’s book Ranglae Sajjan. So with the influence of Master jee, we joined the Akhand Kirtani Jatha.

We were both married to dastaar-wearing bibis. In about 1970, due to circumstances, we went to live in Delhi’s Karol Bagh. Our business grew with Guru Sahib’s blessings and the unity between us two (brothers). We had about 250 trucks with National Permits. We were happy and had all our needs met.

My wife liked doing keertan in the Jatha and always went to Rainsabaaee Smaagams. Once, when my Singhnee and my niece, my brother’s ten-year-old daughter, were going to the Gurdwara in the evening, some Hindu boys began to make fun of the dastaar on her head and her Sikh baaNaa. My wife and my niece both began to beat those Hindu youths on the street. Maybe that youth was a worker with the Shiv Sena (Hindu militant group).


On October 31st when Indira was killed, that same youth brought a mob of 150 other young men and attacked our house. We both were in Transport Nagar at our office. Our home only had our wives and children. The mob tried to light the house on fire, but they fired from my licensed revolver and the crowd ran off. The goons had broken the phone lines so our family could not call and inform us.

After the mob had run off, the head of the local police station along with a police party came and took away my revolver from my Singhnee saying that he would control the situation and to maintain the peace she should hand over the revolver. My Singhnee believed him and gave him the revolver. Right away the waiting mob began to enter the house. My Singhnee asked the police to stop the thugs from coming in but they tore the keskee from her head and tied her arms behind her back. All the children and my brother’s Singhee were soaked with kerosene and lit on fire in front of my Singhnee. They all died, writhing in pain in front of her. Then, that same Hindu Brahmin boy from our neighbourhood, whom my wife had beat came forward. He stripped my Singhnee naked and then…” After this, the Singh from Delhi could not speak any further and began to sob.

Sitting nearby, a young Singh by the name of Babbar Ganga Singh was shaking his head violently and repeating “no…no…” and then he too began to sob loudly…”I’ll burn Delhi. I’ll drink the bastards’ blood…” Ganga Singh was hitting the ground with his fist like he was mad. Bhai Anokh Singh and another barely managed to control him. All the Singhs were suffering like a fish out of water.

Bhai Anokh Singh with his hand indicated for the Singh from the Delhi to continue his story. He again started,

“When we both arrived home that night, barely saving our own lives, it was like a cremation ground. In the courtyard, the bodies of our family were lying scattered. My four year old nephews hands were together, as if it was some plea for mercy…My Singhnee…still naked….was tied to a grill…Her mouth was stuffed shut with cloth. Her whole body was covered with scratches from nails and bite marks. I took off my dastaar and put it on top of her and then put her in a rickshaw so we could take her to the hospital. But on the way…she died…” Saying this, that Singh could not finish and again began to sob.

Hearing the story, all the Singhs’ eyes were glowing with pain and fury. The Singhs were clutching their weapons very tightly. Whatever little sympathy I had for the Indian state was smashed.


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Vaheguru!
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