Suhkvir Singh's Attacker Pleads Guilty To Hate Crime

Here is Luis Arturo Vasquez, the sleazebag wuss who attacked Sukhvir Singh Ji on Thanksgiving. Stay tuned; he gets sentenced in April and the prosecutors are asking for the maximum sentence of two years, plus a demand that he pay for all of his victim's medical expenses.

KENT MAN FACES PRISON FOR HATE CRIME

P-I STAFF

A Kent man who attacked a taxi driver and called him an "Iraqi terrorist" last fall could now face two years in prison.

Luis Arturo Vazquez, 21, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree assault and malicious harassment -- a hate crime -- for the November attack, which left cabbie Sukhvir Singh with a concussion, cuts on his face, bite marks on his scalp and other injuries.

King County prosecutors will ask for the two-year term when Vazquez is sentenced April 18.

Vazquez was drunk and had been kicked out of the Apple Cup football game at Husky Stadium when officers spotted Singh's cab and asked him to give the man a ride home on Nov. 24, according to court documents.

Vazquez attacked Singh as they headed south on Interstate 5, prompting Singh to pull over in the car pool lane. Police say Vazquez punched and bit Singh, pulling out tufts of his hair as he threatened him and called him a terrorist.

In case you don't remember this story - it was on Thanksgiving(!) last year, here is an interesting account from The Stranger, which bills itself as 'Seattle's Only Newspaper.'

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27 The week continues with a galling saga from the streets of Seattle. The instigator: Luis Arturo Vazquez, the 20-year-old Kent man who first attracted the attention of law enforcement on Saturday night, after he was ejected from Husky Stadium during the Apple Cup. Following his ejection, Vazquez reportedly tried to force his way onto a Metro bus, at which point state troopers arrived and were nearly driven to subdue the aggressively belligerent Vazquez with Taser stun guns. Instead, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports, cops opted to place Vazquez in the taxicab driven by Sukhvir Singh, a 48-year-old Seattle man and observant Sikh. As the P-I reports, "Sikhism is the fifth-largest world religion, with about 10,000 followers in Seattle. As part of their faith, Sikhs do not trim their body hair and wrap hair on their heads under a turban." Perhaps the turban is what set off Vazquez. According to police reports, as Singh was driving Vazquez home, the latter launched into a tirade of epithets and allegedly began punching, choking, and biting Singh, whom Vazquez reportedly called an "Iraqi terrorist" before knocking off his turban and tearing out clumps of his hair. When Singh tried to flee, the beating continued in the road, with numerous eyewitnesses on a nearby Metro bus calling 911 to report the attack. Today, Vazquez was charged with third-degree assault and malicious harassment—the state's hate-crime charge—for which he faces up to a year in jail. As for Singh: He was briefly hospitalized for injuries including a concussion and bite marks on his head; according to friends, he has not been able to stop vomiting since the assault. He's not alone.


WHY TRY TO FIT IN?
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!

Again 1984 - Back To The Future Yet Again *sigh*

I really don't have much to say here. Next year, 2005, it will be a quarter century. As of yet, nothing, absolutely nothing has been done to show us that anything like justice will ever be done. Jagdish, Sajjan, et. al. are still out there enjoying themselves while we survivors are told to 'get over it.' I'll write no more right now. Anger is to be overcome, not nursed.

For Your Information, from IBN Live. (The Title Is Missing The Story: Where Was The Media In 1984? I'm leaving it below as a jumbled mess because I think it is appropriate.):

Missing the story: where was the media in 1984?

Nidhi Bhardwaj / CNN-IBN

Published on Sat, Mar 22, 2008 at 22:18, Updated at Sat, Mar 22, 2008 in Nation » India section

Tags: Sikhs, 1984 Riots

WHO STARTED THE FIRE? The media followed the official line on riots in 1984.

People who read this also read:

1984 witnesses stand up & speak up for justice

One man is willing to testify, Sikh groups he will inspire others.

• 1984! No date with justice for riot victims

Babu Singh Dukhiya is the president of a 1984 riots victims' society and he is getting cynical.

"A thousand years will pass but we still won't get justice. It took months and years in filing cases, recording statements and other such court work. Now it is almost 24 years since the riots," says Dukhiya. This veteran of countless protest marches says he never got attention to his demands.

Mohan Singh, a riot victim, the media didn't pay attention during the 1984 riots. "In those days it was just Doordarshan for TV but now there are so many news channels. It is because of the media that there is hope of justice in the post-Godhra riots," says Mohan Singh.

Senior journalist Manoj Mitta, who along with lawyer H S Phoolka has written a book called When a Tree Shook Delhi on the riots, feels that the media in 1984 focused on Indira Gandhi's assassination and not the riots that followed

"The media by and large went by the official line on the carnage. It focused on the happenings at Teen Murti Bhawan, where Indira Gandhi's body lay in state and where from people around the world had come to pay respect. So photographers were flocking to that place and the killings that were simultaneously going on in the capital did not get recorded at all. It's bizarre but true," he says.

The 2002 Gujarat riots in contrast got extensive media coverage, which helped human rights activists to prod both the judiciary as well as public conscience.

"At the time of Gujarat riots all these TV channels played a very important role in bringing out the magnitude of the violence that was going on and the dubious role played by state authorities. As a result, the National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court had to take cognizance of high profile cases," says Mitta.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2005 stood in Parliament to issue an apology on behalf of the Congress, admitting that the anti-Sikh riots were a shameful episode in India's history.

"On behalf of our government, on behalf of the entire people of our country, I bow my head in shame that such a thing took place," he said.

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler did resign from the Union Cabinet hours after the PM's apology, but no prominent politician or government official has been ever found guilty of involvement in the 1984 riots.

"In all big cases involving major political leaders and involving large-scale killings, there have been absolutely no convictions at all. So, that contrast is there to see between what happened in 1984 and what happened in 2002," says Mitta.

Lawyer H S Phoolka, who has represented 1984 riot victims for almost 24 years, admits he has not achieved much for his clients. The reason he alleges is sustained political pressure.

"Some the judges were doing their duty very diligently and were giving orders of conviction, but the government manipulated in such a way that those judges were transferred. The cases then went to judges who looked pliable. Like we have mentioned one particular judge who was acquitting everybody. He decided 123 cases, out of which he acquitted 121," says Phoolka.

India didn't pay attention to the riots in 1984 and now the danger is that it may forget them, say victims.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/missing-the-story-where-was-the-media-in-1984/61753-3-1.html

__._,_.___

--
WHY TRY TO FIT IN?
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!

UPDATE - More About BIBI PARVEEN KAUR - Still Innocent, Still Captive

UPDATE: I received the following reply from Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa:
Kanwarpal Singh wrote:

Harinder Kaur ji, Guru Fateh. She has been sent to judicial custody (jail) yesterday. We have been pursuing her case through media, organizing public functions and protests but unfortunately our efforts have not yielded any positive result so far. Some of us have talked to Haryana CM for his personal intervention but he has only assured nothing more.....

This isn't very cheerful, I'm afraid. I have e-mailed back, asking if there is anything we can do or anyone we can e-mail. I hate this feeling of helpless impotence. I'm not very good, I'm afraid, of doing nothing and waiting...

***************************************


I have been asked, 'What can we do?' I have contacted Dal Khalsa and am awaiting a reply from them. I have also written in IHRO, but it has not been sent out to the membership yet. You know, moderators.


Here is an article I read today from The Panthic Weekly:




Police Take Revenge on Relative of Ex-Cop Turned Freedom Fighter
Thursday 20th of March 2008
Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Karnal, Haryana (KP) – It has been over a week and Bibi Parveen Kaur is still lodged behind the bars. Several Panthic and Human Rights Organizations have come out to support her, but when and how she will be released remains a mystery to be solved. Ever since her arrest, the Bibi has had to face severe torture and access to her lawyer and family has also been somewhat limited.

Who Bibi Parveen Kaur is and on what grounds was she arrested? She is an innocent Sikh woman in her youth and comes from a middle class family. Quite oddly, while many perceive this simply as the cause of her harassment, it is not entirely true. The story of Parveen Kaur is not merely few weeks old, it is a legacy.

Two decades ago, her parents and relatives were targeted by the most ruthless and corrupt police force in the world, and now she and the rest of her family are under the authorities’ crosshairs. The police forces of Punjab and Haryana Police are notoriously known on record for eliminating thousands of innocent Sikh youths using conjured up charges and staged encounters. Now, these dishonest forces are targeting the next generation of Sikhs, and using similar age-old Indian police tactics.

Falsified Charges

Bibi Parveen Kaur was arrested on falsified charges of taking part in the supposed assassination attempt on Gurmeet Ram Rahim last month. Shortly after the blasts took place, the police named several suspects. Despite failing to provide credible evidence to support the arrests, the Haryana and Punjab Police have continued to use this as an opportunity to harass innocent Sikhs.

According to revelations made by police officials, Bibi Parveen Kaur was supposed to be used as a human bomb and she allegedly kept the 'explosives' in her custody for at least two weeks. While Parveen had refused to partake in the actual implementation of the action, the Police alleged that she remained faithful to the cause.

Sikh organizations, however, rejected such allegations against Parveen Kaur, and demanded her release from police custody. The Shiromani Akali Dal (A), Mata Gujri Sahara Trust, and Dal Khalsa leadership have shown particular interest in the case and have organized rallies in large scale to express their dissent with the Police. They state Parveen Kaur is completely innocent, and is being unfairly targeted by the Police due to her family’s background.

Family, friends, and neighbors have also totally rejected claims by the Police and state that Parveen has been falsely implicated in this case by the police to fulfill their self-interests. Parveen Kaur, who comes from a Muslim family, had converted to the Sikh religion years ago during the turbulent 1980s.

History of Police Persecution

As details of her family’s background emerge, the actual motives of the Haryana and Punjab Police behind her arrest become clearer. Parveen’s family has long suffered under the persecution of the Police forces of both states. Parveen’s father, Mohammed Sadiqque, was killed by the Punjab Police during the freedom uprising of the last two decades. His only fault was that he was married to the sister of Bashir Mohammed, an ex-Police officer who quit his Government job after observing human rights abuses at the hands of the Punjab Police.

Bashir Mohammed was set up as a spy against the Babbar Khalsa organization by DSP Sukhdevn Chahal and was sent to provide confidential news from the training camps. There, not only did he realize the reality of the Indian Government and Punjab Police, the jeevan of Babbar Khalsa Singhs deeply influenced Bashir Mohammed that he took up the Sikh baptism and became Lachman Singh.

Bhai Lachman Singh soon stopped proving reports to DSP Chahal which hurt many of his projects badly. In addition, he provided valuable information that helped safeguard many Sikh families. Eventually he crossed the border and settled in Calcutta with his pregnant wife Bibi Rani Kaur. The DSP was stunned by the conversion of Bashir Mohammed and saught revenge at all costs.

Massacre by Police

It was during 1993, when operatives of the Punjab Police led by DSP Sukhdev Chahal found out the whereabouts of Bhai Lachman Singh and came to Calcutta to assassinate them. Late at night on May 17th, the cowardice police officers entered the house of Bhai Lachman Singh and gunned him and his wife down while they were asleep. The unborn child of Bhai Lachman Singh also became the target of police brutality. There was huge uproar in the State of West Bengal and surrounding areas after the murder of Lachman Singh and his wife.
Supreme Court charged Punjab Police Officers

A case was filed by Bhai Lachman Singh’s mother-in-law (mother of Bibi Parveen Kaur) against the Punjab Police. The Supreme Court of India found very credible evidence against five Punjab Police Officers, all of them who were later sentenced. SP Operations SK Sinh (Bathinda), Sukhdev Chahal (Bathinda), Hawaldar Ramdayal, Sukhjiwan and Darshan Sipahi were found guilty of murder, abduction and forgery of evidence.

After collecting evidence from the State of West Bengal, the Supreme Court issued orders to summon the accused immediately so that they could not forge evidence any further. The evidence collected by the Court suggested that the Police officers involved in this case were wearing Police uniforms, were armed with Sten assault rifles, held walkie talkies, and spoke the Punjabi language. After killing the couple, they took the bodies in two blue Maruti cars. No report of the incident was filed with the local Police.

Retaliation and Torture

This past week, Bibi Parveen Kaur was presented to a local court after being arrested and a remand was issued to the Police. Ever since being in police custody, Bibi Parveen has been brutally tortured for her one and only crime of being related to Bhai Lachman Singh.

The Police officials who hold personal rivalry against Bhai Lachman Singh are using Parveen’s arrest as revenge against her family. The Sikh organzations are demanding a higher level inquiry into this case by national and international human rights organizations as well as by an independent CBI counsel directly under the supervision of the honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.

Statement by Bibi Sohanjeet Kaur

Bibi Sohanjeet Kaur alleged that the arrest of Parveen Kaur is no different from hundreds of arrests that were made of innocent Sikhs during the 80’s and 90’s. Bibi Sohanjeet Kaur, who was widowed during the years of State organized oppression, is a key witness to many such arrests. She now runs the Mata Gujri Charitable Trust which provides housing to wards of Shaheeds and Bibi Parveen Kaur is one of them.

Bibi Sohanjeet Kaur held that she was arrested by the Haryana Police without any warrant. According to her statements to the press, the policemen first took away Bibi Parveen Kaur for some investigations at the Patiala Sadar Police Station. Later it was found that the police presented her in the court and received her remand.

Support by Human Rights Activists

Surprisingly not only the Sikh organizations have come up to support Bibi Parveen Kaur, she has won support of many non-Sikh organizations as well. The CPI ML Liberation also lashed out on the Haryana and the Punjab Police for arresting Bibi Parveen Kaur under false allegations. Rajvinder Singh Rana held that the arguments presented by the police were baseless and that it was clear that the police was preplanned her arrest. On behalf of his organization, he demanded the release of the Bibi and held that the Government should punish the police officials who arrested her without first registering the case.

SGPC President Alleges His Support

The SGPC President Avtar Makkar has also alleged his support for Bibi Parveen Kaur. At a meeting held at Fatehgarh Sahib, Avtar Makkar and several other SGPC members announced to provide support to the Bibi. He has however not raised this concern with the State Government, for which he remains most loyal to.

The type of support Bibi Parveen Kaur needs cannot be provided merely by using fancy words, if Avtar Makkar really wishes her well, he should use the resources of the SGPC and his self influence to provide her with good lawyers and proper media coverage. However, it will be interesting to note if Avtar Makkar does decide to take any part in the current issue as the counterpart of Makkar’s title-holder – Parkash Badal, Rajinder Bhandri has already released statements critical to the release of Bibi Parveen Kaur.



WHY TRY TO FIT IN?
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!

Free PARVEEN KAUR, Our Young, Captive Bhenji!

Note: This picture, of course is not of Bibi Parveen Kaur. I have been unable to find a picture that I can identify as the correct Parveen Kaur, so I am using this lovely watercolour as the representation of an Amritdhari Kaur. I do not know who the artist is, although there is a signature that seems to end in 'Singh.' If anyone knows the artist, please let me know and I'll be happy to credit him. I have now found a picture of her, and it is posted below and I will try to post it in the right sidebar, as well. I am leaving this picture here, though, as a reminder that it could be any of us Kaurs that the Indian government decided to harass.



Yesterday, I received an e-mail from a reader asking



Why are you wasting time on that useless Laibar Singh? You need to champion the cause of Parveen Kaur instead!






Leaving aside that slur on Brother Laibar, for the moment, you, Dear Reader, are entirely correct about the young lady First we need to know about this young lady. Let us start with this story from The Panthic Weekly:


Police Take Revenge on Relative of Ex-Cop Turned Freedom
Fighter


Tuesday 18th of March 2008
Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Karnal, Haryana (KP) - Two decades ago, it was the parents and relatives
who were targets of the most ruthless and corrupt police force in the
world, now the children themselves are under the authorities'
crosshairs. The police forces of Punjab and Haryana Police are
notoriously known on record for eliminating thousands of innocent Sikh
youths using conjured up charges and staged encounters. Now, these
dishonest forces are targeting the next generation of Sikhs, and using
similar age-old police tactics.

Frustrated with their failed attempts to blame innocent Sikhs in the
supposed assassination attempt on Gurmeet Ram Rahim last month, the
Haryana and Punjab Police have now concocted up another story involving
a 21 year old Sikh girl named Parveen Kaur and alleged her involvement
to the assassination attempt.

According to revelations made by police officials, Bibi Parveen Kaur was
supposed to be used as a human bomb and she allegedly kept the
'explosives' in her custody for at least two weeks. While Parveen had
refused to partake in the actual implementation of the action, the
Police allege that she remained faithful to the cause.

Sikh organizations, however, rejected such allegations against Parveen
Kaur, and demanded her release from police custody. In particular, the
Shiromani Akali Dal (A), Mata Gujri Sahara Trust, and Dal Khalsa
leadership have shown particular interest in the case and have organized
rallies in large scale to express their dissent with the Police. They
state Parveen Kaur is completely innocent, and is being unfairly
targeted by the Police due to her family's background.

Family, friends, and neighbors have also totally rejected claims by the
Police and state that Parveen has been falsely implicated in this case
by the police to fulfill their self-interests. Parveen Kaur, who comes
from a Muslim family, had converted to the Sikh religion years ago
during the turbulent 1980s.

History of Police Persecution

As details of her family's background emerge, the actual motives of the
Haryana and Punjab Police behind her arrest become clearer. Parveen's
family has long suffered under the persecution of the Police forces of
both states. Parveen's father, Mohammed Sadiqque, was killed by the
Punjab Police during the freedom uprising of the last two decades. His
only fault was that he was married to the sister of Bashir Mohammed, an
ex-Police officer who quit his Government job after observing human
rights abuses at the hands of the Punjab Police.

Upon resigning from his post, Bashir Mohammed settled in Calcutta with
his pregnant wife to escape police retaliation and persecution. By that
time, Bashir, along with his wife, had converted to Sikhi and had fully
devoted their life to the cause of the Sikh religion - he became known
as Lachman Singh amongst the community.

Massacre by Police

It was during 1993, when operatives of the Punjab Police found out the
whereabouts of the Sikh couple and came to Calcutta to assassinate them.
On the night of May 17th, Police Officers entered the house of Lachman
Singh, Bashir's new name, and gunned him and his wife down while they
were asleep. The unborn child of Lachman Singh also became the target
of police brutality. There was huge uproar in the State of West Bengal
and surrounding areas after the murder of Lachman Singh and his wife.

Supreme Court charged Punjab Police Officers

A case was filed by Lachman Singh's mother-in-law (mother of Bibi
Parveen Kaur) against the Punjab Police. The Supreme Court of India
found very credible evidence against five Punjab Police Officers, all of
them who were later sentenced. SK Sinh (Bathinda), Sukhdev Chahal
(Bathinda), Hawaldar Ramdayal, Sukhjiwan and Darshan Sipahi were found
guilty of murder, abduction and forgery of evidence.

After collecting evidence from the State of West Bengal, the Supreme
Court issued orders to summon the accused immediately so that they could
not forge evidence any further. The evidence collected by the Court
suggested that the Police officers involved in this case were wearing
Police uniforms, were armed with Sten assault rifles, held walkie
talkies, and spoke the Punjabi language. After killing the couple, they
took the bodies in two blue Maruti cars. No report of the incident was
filed with the local Police.


Retaliation and Torture

This past week, Bibi Parveen Kaur was presented to a local court after
being arrested and a remand was issued to the Police. Ever since being
in police custody, Bibi Parveen has been brutally tortured for her one
and only crime of being related to Bhai Lachman Singh.

The Police officials who hold personal rivalry against Bhai Lachman
Singh are using Parveen's arrest as revenge against her family. The
Sikh organzations are demanding a higher level inquiry into this case by
national and international human rights organizations as well as by an
independent CBI counsel directly under the supervision of the honorable
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.


Source: http://www.panthic.org/news/126/ARTICLE/3961/2008-03-18.html

Last night, this letter showed up in IHRO. It says it much better than I could, so I reprint it here in its entirety.

Dear Sangat Ji

When will the the Sikhs- The Sikhs of Guru Gobind Singh rise up to free themselves from the shackles of occupation and slavery?? When will the they remember the Guru's clear dictum that Sikhs have to live with honor, self respect and be always sovereign.

There were times when Khalsa rescued the Hindu women from the clutches of the invaders and restored them to their homes. Today Sikhs have been disarmed and they are helpless to take care of their own women . We have seen that in 1984 and we see it almost every day when Sikh women are the target
.
As usual last week again the fascist Hindu invaders and occupiers have abducted a Gursikh Amridhari 19 years old girl PARVEEN KAUR and she is being tortured and humiliated in the enemy dungeons. But the ENTIRE Sikh nation is unable to do anything. We are saddled by a cunning enemy in New Delhi with corrupt and cowardly Masand/Pujari leadership who are symbolic and soulless look a like Sikhs.

We the Sikhs in diaspora must do every thing possible to unite and raise our voice. Our all Sikh organization including Sikh Coalition, Saldef and United Sikhs must have one focus FREEDOM so that this daily humiliation can end for ever.

Gurteg Singh

So, my fellow Sikhs, what are we going to do to help our sister? Whether she is 19 or 21 is immaterial. That fact that she is innocent and being held by these raping, torturing butchers is what is important. She is your sister, your daughter, your wife, even your mother. SHE IS OUR SISTER AND SHE NEEDS OUR HELP!

By the way, this is nor Parveen Kaur INSTEAD OF Laibar Singh; this is Parveen Kaur IN ADDITION TO Laibar Singh. I have room in my heart and in this blog for both!


Over the weekend, I got accused of hate-mongering for speaking against India. I responded that I was not hate-mongering, I was simply telling the truth. Here is yet another example of how and why we cannot trust the government of India. It is 1984 again, on an individual scale.



I can see only one real solution.

Is It Time To Sell Out Laibar Singh Ji?

Is this a matter of Laibar Singh for sale for $50,000? Or is this a matter of obeying Canada law? I wonder. It seems that now we are willing to give up on Brother Laibar. I still wonder what his wishes in the matter are, as I have heard nothing from him and it is his life, after all? I don't know how well he can talk, but I think it is time that we hear from him directly. What does he have to say? An interview, please, Laibar Singh Ji!

Assuming he could get proper medical care, would he be safe from the gentle attentions of RAW, etc.? I don't feel very happy about his case right now, although it is possible that the time bought has been well used and he has recovered enough to at least be able to survive.

Laibar Singh's supporters finally seem relenting,
he may be deported
WSN Bureau

TORONTO: Laibar Singh may finally have to return home. The failed refugee claimant who had beaten many attempts by the Canadian authorities to be deported back to India may soon have to declare defeat as his supporters seemed to be agreeing that he will have to return.

It seems he has already fired his lawyer but lawyer Zoolfikar Suleman said he was still acting on behalf of the 48-year-old paralysed man who had taken sanctuary in the gurdwara at Surrey, B.C. and wanted to stay in Canada at least till his pending application on humanitarian grounds is heard.

Reports however said his supporters have already sounded the Canada Border Services Agency that they are prepared to give up the fight to keep Laibar Singh from being deported. The committee backing Laibar Singh so far, and claiming to represent 21 groups in the South Asian community, said it's time for him to return to India.

The community has put up a valiant fight but does not want to be seen blatantly on the wrong side of the law, particularly when the Canadian authorities have displayed a certain degree of sensitivity in handling the case. There are strong voices within the community that it must show respect to the laws of Canada.

Harbans Singh Kandola, a member of the committee, said all legal options have been exercised and the community will avoid any situation in which its name is tarnished.

Laibar Singh is now known to have arrived in Canada in 2003 on a forged passport and initially sought refugee status that year on the grounds that he would be persecuted by police in Punjab, where officials have accused him of links to separatist militants. At that time, he was not disabled.

His refugee claim was denied in late 2003.

His appeals to stay in Canada were turned down by immigration officials who ruled that Laibar Singh couldn't remain because he doesn't have adequate community ties. As luck would it, he suffered a stroke in 2006 that left him a quadriplegic and unable to care for himself, and has since argued that he will die if he is deported to India because he won't be able to get proper medical treatment.

The committee, which had put up $50,000 bond for Laibar Singh is now requesting the Canadian authorities to return the money so that it goes to Laibar Singh

--
WHY TRY TO FIT IN?
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!

Alice in Wonderland - India-Style

There is a powerful man in India who is responsible for the death and destruction of the lives of tens of thousands - maybe hundreds of thousands - of Sikhs in Punjab. And he is about to be fired from his job, at long last!

The MPs are rising to oust him from his position of power.

But this is Alice In Salvador DaliLand, the Absolute Epitome of the Surreal. This is so bizarre, I would not have expected it even of India. He is not being fired for being a murderer or a torturer or a rapist. And he is certainly not going to prison. Murder, rape, torture. Those actions are all in a day's work for the Punjabi Police.

'So what crime did this [gentleman] commit?' You ask.

Horrors. HE LOST A HOCKEY GAME! INDIA WILL NOT BE PLAYING FIELD HOCKEY IN THE BEIJING OLYMPICS. (Of course, to me, being Canadian, hockey is played on ice and tends to be a violent bloody sport played in the WINTER Olympics. Violent? Bloody? KPS Gill?)

Here is the story, which I came across quite by accident (if there really are any accidents) from India eNews:

Aslam rallies MPs in bid to oust Gill

Former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan's campaign to remove hockey federation chief K.P.S. Gill has gathered momentum and the parliamentarian says that politicians cutting across party lines are supporting the move.

By Avishek Roy. Delhi, India, 17 Mar 2008 12:31 PM - (www.indiaenews.com)

Former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan's campaign to remove hockey federation chief K.P.S. Gill has gathered momentum and the parliamentarian says that politicians cutting across party lines are supporting the move.

Aslam, who has collected more than 100 signatures from fellow MPs in a memorandum to remove Gill, will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before the present session of parliament with a request to dissolve the Indian Hockey Federation.

'Hockey is almost dead after we failed to qualify for Olympics and the man at the helm is not budging. Gill has held the post for 14 years now and hockey has gone from bad to worse during his tenure. The government will have to step in and help the sport,' he said.

Aslam said the former players and Olympians will have to stand together in this hour of crisis and cannot allow Gill to continue.

'That alone can save Indian hockey. MPs are feeling very sad about the fate of hockey and, in fact, it was they who asked me to start the campaign to drive out Gill. They have assured me every support in this issue.'

'I am waiting to get the signatures of around 200 MPs and then I will hand over the memorandum to the prime minister before the end of this session of parliament,' said the former player who was a member of the Indian team that won gold in the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

Aslam said that Gill should have left the post in a dignified manner, taking responsibility for the defeat in Chile, but that has not happened.

'The crisis we are seeing today happened when Ashwini Kumar, who was also from the police force, was the hockey chief in 1975 and the government had to dissolve the body. It is high time that the same rule is applied for the incumbent.

'The government gives money for the training of the athletes and the federation says that their autonomy should be respected. The government is above all and it has every right to scrap this federation'

(© IANS)

Read more at: http://www.indiaenews.com/sports/20080317/104667.htm