Desecration of the Guru by Our Own Institutions

From The Panthic Weekly Desecration of the Guru by Our Own Institutions Thursday 17th April, 2008 Panthic Weekly News Bureau Holy Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked in a filthy corner of the complex Click to View Photograph Galllery of Desecration Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi (KP) - Thirty years ago, thirteen GurSikhs laid down their lives in the city of Amritsar Sahib when the psuedo-Nirankari heretics began desecrating and insulting Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Sikh Nation considers Guru Granth Sahib Ji the living embodiment of the ten Gurus. Utmost respect and reverence is given to the sacred Saroops that contain the Holy Bani of our Gurus and Bhagats (saints). Three decades later, our very own institutions, are now the ones who are desecrating the Holy Saroops. "Interestingly, the Prof. Darshan Singh & Missionary lobby is totally silent about the ongoing disrespect by Sarna and Company. Instead, they are busy criticising the Bani of Dasam Patshah, and internally promoting the likes of Chaman Lal and Hari Ratan Yukta." Panthic Weekly was given photographic and video evidence by Sewadars of Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee (India) and the Shahbaaz Khalsa organization on the reckless beadbi that is occurring at the premises of "Gur Updesh Printers", the official printing establishment of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) under Paramjit Sarna and company. When the DSGMC found out this evidence was being collected, they quickly confiscated the equipment of the sevadars—but fortunately, other equipment was still in their possession with which they collected this evidence of violations. Uncovered Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks on the ground Ironically, the DSGMC has a budget of over 1 Billion (100 crore) rupees to manage Delhi based Gurdwaras, Sikh schools, and colleges. The massive complex at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, besides the historic Gurdwara Sahib, contains the well known Lakhi Shah Vanjara Hall, DSGMC offices, and the publishing center known as Gur Updesh Printers. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib is the sacred site where Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Ji's body was cremated by Bhai Lakhi Shah Vanjara in 1675. As Guru Ji's Saroops are being desecrated, the Siyaasi-masands of the DSGMC enjoy thier luxurious air-conditioned offices in the Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex Due to mis-management and carelessness, this once serene and sparkling complex is now under the virtual control of the "siyaasi-masands' of the DSGMC. For the last several years, the committee has been outsourcing Gurdwara seva to non-Sikhs and migrant Biharis. Their presence is known from the never ending line of discarded tobacco-bettle nut packs littering the complex. Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex littered with discarded tobacco pouches [GVID#]-3855856829121965984[/GVID#] Click to video of littered tobacco pouches at Gurdwara Complex In 2005, PW published an article "Bihari migrants desecrate premises of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib" http://www.panthic.org/news/125/ARTICLE/2097/2005-12-18.html which was an expose done by Shahbaaz Khalsa that illustrated how the Gurdwara Sahib premises was being misused and desecrated by these Bihari migrants (often referred to as 'Bhaeeyas'). These migrants continue to carry and chew tobacco on the premises of the sacred complex. Per Sikh Maryada (Code of Conduct), alcohol, tobacco, and similar paraphernalia are not to be brought in or consumed on any Gurdwara premises. These same migrants are also in charge of the Langar Halls and other key duties throughout the complex. Disrespect of Saroops When visitors at the complex come to get Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji, they are taken to a well kept hall with dozens and dozens of Saroops placed on Sukhasan platforms. Yet undercover footage of the same complex revealed that Bhayeeays strolled through the Sukhasan room without covering their heads. This is a major violation of Sikh Maryada. Employees walk around with their heads uncovered in the Sukhasan Room for Guru Granth Sahib Ji Visitors are further shocked to know that on one side, luxurious offices with marble floors, and expensive furniture are provided to Paramjit Sarna and his DSGMC staff, but behind the Sukhasan room, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Saroops are being printed in sub-standard unkempt areas littered with rubbish and scrap. When the sewadars of the Satkar Committee visited the printing areas, they were shocked to see so many uncovered Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks. Many of these Saroops were literally touching the ground, with just a thin rumala between them. "How can this go on in an organization whose budget is in the crores of rupees? " Although, there was the separate Sukhasan room in the complex, it was not being utilized for these Saroops, nor was it big enough to store all of these Saroops. The Satkar Committee sewadars spent several hours relocating some of the Saroops to the Sukhasam room, so they can be given proper respect, but only so many could be moved. Stacks of Saroops Everywhere As the sewadars moved throughout the complex, they saw more and more stacks everywhere, many left uncovered, and others carelessly covered by a single white bed sheet. The sewadars estimated over 300 Saroops in many of these giant stacks. There were dozens of these stacks throughout the hall. Bhai Balbir Singh of the Satkar Committee estimated that all in all there were several thousand Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji being stored in that shabby complex, all without proper maryada and respect. One of the Satkar Committee sevadars exclaimed, "How can this go on in an organization whose budget is in the crores of rupees? If they can afford, luxurious offices for themselves, why can't [they afford] the same for our King of Kings? Why is Guru Maharaj being kept in this condition? This is totally unexcusable!" Hundereds of Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji stacked like bricks, dozens of such stacks were in the comple Angs of Guru Granth Sahib tossed in Trash Another shocking scene the sewadars encountered was that damaged or misprinted angs of Guru Granth Sahib were thrown into rubbish bins, along with normal paper waste. These Angs contained the sacred verses of Gurbani, yet they were being treated like trash. The sewadars also saw one saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that had been parkash on a dirty desk, there were no rumallas or chaur sahib for that open saroop. It was left unattended, with a paper inserted in it as a place holder. Again, another huge violation of Sikh Maryada. Discarded Angs of Guru Granth Sahib Ji thrown into rubbish bins. Another violations the sewadars noted was that complete single volume Saroops were being printer in Hindi and Urdu. Sri Akal Takht directive does not allow single volumes of Guru Granth Sahib to be printed in any langauge other than Gurmukhi - only Senchees are allowed. Sewadars of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee and the Shahbaaz Khalsa recently held a press conference in which this photographic evidence was handed to the press and then submitted to Sri Akal Takht Sahib so that this beadbi (extreme disrespect) could be stopped as soon as possible. Sadly, neither the appointed Jathedar Vedanti nor the press has taken notice of these violations. Both organizations have appealed to the Panth at large, that pressure should be put on appointed Jathedar Vedanti to take stern action against the DSGMC executives so that this beadbi in their complex can be stopped. To the Sikh Nation there is nothing more sacred than our sacred Gurbani, it is the very form of our Guru. That is why even the paper and the ink it is written with is called blessed. ਧੰਨੁ ਸੁ ਕਾਗਦੁ ਕਲਮ ਧੰਨੁ ਧਨੁ ਭਾਂਡਾ ਧਨੁ ਮਸੁ ॥ Blessed is the paper, blessed is the pen, blessed is the inkwell, and blessed is the ink. ਧਨੁ ਲੇਖਾਰੀ ਨਾਨਕਾ ਜਿਨਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਲਿਖਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ॥1॥ Blessed is the writer, O Nanak, who writes the True Name. 1 While there are those who will sacrifice everything for the respect and honor of this Sacred Holy Bani, there are many who will look the other way since it is much easier and fashionable in this day and age. Historically, it was well known that Sikhs gained their power from the sacred Gurbani. It was so revered that Sikh kings such as Raja Ranjit Singh would always have Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth Sahib on thrones higher than them, generals would take both saroops on elephants into battle as commander-in-chief. These very detractors of the Panth have attacked not only Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, but are also undermining the reverance and respect accorded to Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The 13 Shaheeds of '78 and others throughout history gave their lives to stop this very type of beadbi happening today. In the future, will there be any Sikhs left that stand up for their Guru's respect? Click to View Photograph Galllery of Desecration [edmail] EVIDENCE - Panthic organizations appalled at the level of disrespect by Delhi Gurdwara Publishers. I was up late last night looking at these pictures, my heart breaking. I am tempted to post all 33 from this gallery of shame, but it would take too long with my slow connexion and I want to get this up. Pictures come to mind. My Dad, at 97, still gracefully anf reverently bowing to Guru Ji. Suni, clutching Guru Ji to her pregnant body as the fighting and carnage went on around her. The shaheeds bowing with love and reverence before they left. Myself, sitting cross-legged, tears on my face, coming home after an absence of 20 years. Sitting here, typing, my eyes catch the little wooden box that holds the hairs from my combs. I can't help but think how the shed hairs from my head are treated with more respect than our dear Guru Ji. Please send this link to the article to every Sikh you know. http://www.panthic.org/news/126/ARTICLE/4039/2008-04-17.html And if they don't have access to the Internet, print it out and give them a copy. This obscenity must end at once! I first read this article in the blog, The Confused Khalsa Rambles.

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

Would You Bring Hitler To Justice?

Going through my e-mail, I came upon this editorial from The Panthic Weekly. It contains ideas I have often thought about, so I present it to you.

I noticed that their reference to the [person] generally known as 'KPS Gill' left out the 'S.' At first I thought it was a mistake or a misprint - until I considered that the 'S' stands for 'Singh,' a name Gill has forfeited all rights to. Very good, Panthic Weekly, and thank you!

Wouldn't You Bring Hitler to Justice ? (Editorial) Thursday 17th April, 2008 Niranjan Singh, Panthic Weekly Commentator Scene of the recent BC Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan where the Government attempted to censor the photos of Great Sikh Heroes and Shaheeds If you could go back and Bring Hitler to Justice—before the Holocaust, before Kristallnacht, before any of it—Would you do it? Would it be wrong? Well, Kim Bolan of the Vancouver Sun seems to think it's wrong. In recent articles by the "reporter" in the Vancouver Sun, she has slated Sikhs, as a community, for respecting those that died to prevent horrific genocide—to stop those that would kill every man, woman and child out of hate for their beliefs or origins. In the past few years, the Surrey and British Columbia governments have decided that free speech doesn't apply to the Sikhs. They have asked us to stop respecting our heroes, those that died for what they believed in, equality. They have asked us to forget our rich history of sacrifices for righteousness. They have asked us to give up our core beliefs and values because they don't fit in with their politically correct, diplomatic visions. However, this policy of forgetting the past causes many Sikhs to believe that Canada and other Western Nations are more concerned with economic deals with countries like India and China regardless of their human rights records. India: a country where University students admire Adolph Hitler as one of their top three heroes while denying The Holocaust ever happened. It is well known in India and throughout immigrant communities that Indira Gandhi and her government had a clear cut plan to "unite" India at all costs, including sacrificing civil rights for Sikhs, Muslims, Christians and other minorities. One of the first objectionable actions by the government dates back 30 years when the government openly supported the creation of an anti-Sikh cult, that was guarded by a heavy para-military contingent that marched through the holy city of Amritsar. The march included derogatory words and actions by the cult leader as he openly defamed Sikh Gurus. When the Sikhs peacefully protested for them to stop, they were gunned down—mercilessly slaughtered. Sikhs tried to file police reports regarding the incident and they were turned away; justice denied. Yet Kim Bolan and various authorities seem to want to deny justice again by having us remove and denounce pictures that highlight their sacrifices. However, what followed has left deeper wounds in the hearts of Sikhs. Operation Blue Star—not just an attack on Amritsar, but a series of simultaneous attacks on DOZENS of historical temples across Punjab—was meant to strike at the very heart, physically and emotionally, of the Sikhs. After that, riots were planned in the streets of major cities, as mobs were given voter rolls to identify Sikh homes and businesses, then more attacks. In 1984, after witnessing the carnage of government run genocide across their state, targeting their people, "assassins" took it upon themselves to stop what they saw as wrong. Wouldn't any reasonable person when faced with untold numbers of innocent people facing torture and death at the hands of a hateful regime? The justification worked in World War II when The Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, it's the same justification Bush used for the Iraq war: Stop those that would mercilessly slaughter thousands of innocents on a whim, before they are allowed to carry out their heinous crimes. Israel was created to stop hate against the Jews, Tibet should be free to stop persecution of a people because of their beliefs. Tibet in China is no different than Punjab in India—a people persecuted and oppressed by their own government. Unfortunately, some of the plans still came to fruition. With the death of Indira as an excuse, the Sikhs faced their very own Kristallnacht. However the history of a people and a religion that has continually faced persecution for hundreds of years seems to be irrelevant to Kim Bolan. They are assassins because they killed someone she admires. Kim Bolan's allegiances suggest that she doesn't frown on genocide. In fact, one of her known associates in the "Sikh" community is K.P. Gill, the so-called "supercop." She respects him for putting down what she calls "terrorism." What she doesn't seem to care about, is how this so-called terrorism was put down—torture, genocide, murder, mass graves, Gestapo-like tactics. This mass murder is condoned, and even admired by a reporter who doesn't bother to investigate the facts and clearly injects her strong bias and opinions into her articles. Some may forget that at one time George Washington was a terrorist according to the British. So was Gandhi. In fact, Nelson Mandela famously quoted Gandhi in 2000 stating, "Where choice is set between cowardice and violence, I would advise violence…I prefer to use arms in defense of honor rather than remain the vile witness of dishonor." If standing up for what you believe in, if putting your life on the line to save others, and if asking for human dignity and the right to free speech and freedom of religion is terrorism. Then we are terrorists. Had the Americans lost the Revolutionary War they would've been known in history as assassins and terrorists, but instead they are looked up to across the world as symbols of freedom and liberty. What Kim Bolan doesn't seem to understand is that the majority of the Sikh community worldwide thinks she is a joke. The majority of the Sikh community, unlike the puppets she almost exclusively quotes, understands these issues and why we respect our martyrs. First it's Jathedars Talwinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh Babbar who fought for the right to exist, then Bhai Fauja Singh who peacefully protested and was shot down, then it's Guru Gobind Singh Jee, who taught us that laying down and allowing oppressors to step all over you is not right and freedom and justice are principles a person can never give up. Will you ban them all? Kim Bolan described Khalistan as "a mythical nation Sikh separatists want carved from Punjab." Perhaps Khalistan is a state of mind, perhaps it is a myth. Or perhaps it's the Empire built by our forefathers before the British came in and created the "mythical" state of India which later split our kingdom into the "mythical" states of India and Pakistan. Perhaps we just want to be left alone and have the right to self-determination—to exist—the right to free speech and the right to religion. Would you deny us that in your free democracy as well? Fortunately, in the democracy set up in Canada—our country too—even a minority's voice is heard, whether it be Kim Bolan or Sikhs calling for 'Sarbat da Bhalla," peace for the entire world and all who inhabit it. If you could go back and bring Hitler to Justice—before the Holocaust, before Kristallnacht —Would you do it? Would it be wrong? Kim Bolan of the Vancouver Sun seems to think so. In recent articles by the "reporter", she slated the Sikh Nation for standing up against evil and tyranny.

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

An Evocative Blog

I just did something I rarely do. I added a friend's personal blog to our link list. The blog is called evoking and its author is my friend Jasleen Kaur. I would like to invite you to read her blog and get to know her.

Jasleen is a very sweet, strong, devout lady whom Guru Ji called to be a Sikh. She has become a sister to me and I'd like to share her with our readers. Her story of how she came to Sikhi is told in her most recent post. Read it, you'll like it! And you might even learn something. I have become friendly with several bloggers on the list after adding them and , one way or another getting to know each. For some reason few of my friends blog and almost all of my blogging friends aren't Sikh and don't write on Sikh topics and hence don't belong here.

Perhaps I should let you know that Sitemeter, our statistical service lets us know about all the out-clicks from this blog, so we will know how many of you accept this invitation.

I need to write posts about the sentencing of Sukhvir Singh Ji's attacker and also this serious business about the disrespect shown our dhan dhan Guru Ji, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, in Delhi. By the DSGMC. Here is a link for you, if you'd like to read about it.: Desecration of the Guru by Our Own Institutions

But it's Saturday night and I'm tired. Those things will just have to wait.

By the way, I roached the picture here from evoking without Jasleen's permission. Hehehehehehe...

SEATTLE and PUGET SOUND SIKHS - LISTEN UP!!

THE DRUNKEN COWARD WHO ADMITS HE BRUTALLY BEAT OUR BROTHER SUKHVIR SINGH JI WILL BE SENTENCED THIS FRIDAY!! YOUR PRESENCE AT THE COURTHOUSE IS NEEDED TO SHOW THAT WE SIKHS CARE AND ARE ACTIVE AND UNAFRAID TO STAND UP FOR OURSELVES. PLEASE BE THERE IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN. I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO BE THERE MYSELF. SO...BE THERE, AS A VISIBLE SIKH!!!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR BROTHER SUHKVIR SINGH JI!! I AM POSTING THESE OLD PICTURES JUST TO REFRESH YOUR MEMORY.

And I am posting the picture of him recovered because I know I wouldn't - don't - want people to think of me as I looked after a severe beating. A while back, I heard him in a TV interview. I tried to find it to put it in this blog, but unfortunately, I couldn't. I was so impressed with his understanding, love and forgiveness and his statement of the basic Sikh belief - 'We are all one family - the family of God.'

From The Sikh Coalition

To our Sikh supporters in Washington -

Many of you have been following Sukhvir Singh's hate crime case since last December. You probably remember how he was brutally beaten while escorting a man home in his taxi. Tomorrow, his assailant will be sentenced.

We need to fill the courthouse with as many Sikhs as possible because our presence will send a clear message that Sikh community is active, engaged, and organized when we are attacked. We need the Judge to understand that our community expects justice.

We encourage you to email or call as many friends and family members as you can and encourage them to attend this sentencing with you.

What: Sentencing for Sukhvir Singh's Assailant
When: Friday, April 18th at 3:30 PM
Where: King County Courthouse, Room: West 355
Why: To support Sukhvir Singh during his ordeal and strengthen the law protecting us.

The Sikh Coalition Staff
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WHY TRY TO FIT IN?
YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!

Tales Of Vaisakhi Past

I have been thinking about the role Vaisakhi has played in my life. Today I want to right something easy and light. I am tired of being so serious, so today, just some light entertainment.

TALE THE FIRST: 1968 THE GIFT

In my family we always jumped at the chance to do two things: throw a party and give each other gifts. The parties tended to be rather large and wild. (Yes, you can have wild parties without booze, drugs, sex or other immorality.) Of Rock 'N' Roll, there was usually plenty. The gifts, tended to be just the opposite, small and personal. After all, we each basically had everything we wanted or could easily get it. Handmade items were highly appreciated, as were things that were personally chosen to the giftees interests. Dad was a great wood carver, among his many talents. Everyone treasured his lovingly carved, perfect in size and shape kanghas. His intricate boxes and bowls were also highly prized.

It seemed each of us had our special collections, too. Additions to those also made fine presents. My collection? A bit eccentric, maybe, but I had - in fact, still have, I suppose - quite an interesting collection of medieval French light weaponry, mostly from The Hundred Years War period. That started with the three swords and dagger of my ancestor, the Lady Helene-Therese, who described herself as 'the mother, the queen and the woman of war.' She did indeed have children and the story of her as a warrior woman will someday be told in sometimes 2. The queen part, as far as I can tell, is pure ego. She was queen in her own mind of something, but I'm not sure what.

However, the collection I am concerned with here belonged to my second brother, Bertram, the civil engineer. He had an unexpected passion for Regency Period (1800-1825) stuff. He had all sorts of trivialities, from clothing to jewelry to books. (Regency to me, mostly conjures up pictures of ladies in high-waisted dresses a la Jane Austen.)

To decide who each of us was to give a gift to, we drew names. I, of course, drew Bert. From a second bag, we drew a condition. This was some condition the gift had to meet. I drew 'completely frivolous, but useful.' Huh? That would take some thought. After wracking my poor 16-year old brain, I came up with an idea. It made me laugh. Finding it would take some luck...

Of all my brothers, I was closest to Bert. He and I were, in many ways, complete opposites, especially, physically. He was the tallest man in a family of tall men while I am too, too short. He was dark; I am fair. He was big and broad and looked hypermasculine; I was tiny and skinny (I really was - back then) and looked very feminine. He was intelligent and funny and very, very devout. His kesh, both his head hairs and beard, was not as long as some of the others, but it was very thick and luxurious. Truth to be told, he was a bit vain of his beard and I thought the style he curled his mustache was a little silly and old-fashioned. Maybe Regency? Lol.

I was lucky. I found exactly what I was looking for, although I had to make a trip to New York City to find it. I remember how he ripped off the wrapping of the box, opened it and looked inside. The box, itself, was a lovely silver with gold inlay Regency box and it was filled with - a complete man's barber set! Frivolous to Bert, useful to most any man not a Sikh. It had all the grooming supplies: scissors, razors, a sharpening strop - and a mirror for the dandy to gaze upon himself. Perhaps it wasn't totally frivolous, though, because there was a second layer neatly filled with combs (metal - can you imagine using metal on a kesh?!), several mustache brushes and a small can labeled 'wax.' I had filled it with mustache wax. After his initial shock of seeing scissors and razors, he laughed and laughed, that full-belly, fill-you-up laugh that I remember so well and miss so much?

And what was my gift? I really don't remember, but I'm sure it was very nice,

TALE THE SECOND: 1997: WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The year of my great breakdown. This one is short, but not sweet. Or maybe it is.

My health, both physical and mental, had been deteriorating since my first stroke in 1993. I had reached a low point and had decided I didn't want to bother with all that hair anymore. After all, I wasn't doing anything Sikh, it seemed silly to bother with the physical and social bother of keeping kesh. I was standing in front of a mirror, pulling my hair back to get some idea of how it would look short when the doorbell rang. I looked out the peep-hole and saw a young woman holding a black, leather-bound book; she had the unmistakable, earnest look of a Christian missionary. Well aware of the date, I decided it would be somehow ironically amusing to spend the day listening to a would-be converter, then cutting my hair. As I opened the door, she flashed a big, overly sincere smile at me and extended her hand. 'Hello, neighbour, my name is Mona!' I didn't hear another word she said. And my kesh remained intact.

TALE THE THIRD: 2007 MAI'S LAST FENCING MATCH

Last year, Maman, Suni, Mary and I spent Vaisakhi together. It was a special time for me. The year before, after my major stroke, I had been reunited with my family, after an absence of more than 20 years. This was my first Vaisakhi with family. My brothers were unable to be here, but we we women made our own occasion of it. And Maman, who you know as Vini, knows how to do it. I know she is old, but she is lively, imaginative and lots of fun. Also, she has a heart full of love and Sikhi. The perfect mother-in-law. Perhaps the perfect woman.

I had returned to Sikhi, and Mary was just learning it, making good her escape from a life of untruthfulness and hypocrisy with the Jehovah's Witnesses. Her enthusiasm and wonder at everything, actually seeing and participating in what she had only read about gave all of us a fresh perspective on everything. Maman has a unique sense of style to go with her sense of humour. She took it upon herself to dress us all. In what were blue, almost cholas, well, they would have been cholas, but they were a bit longer, as none of us, expect perhaps Mary, cared to show our legs. She decked us out with saffron sashes and gatras, and then tied turbans on all of us, including herself. She did a beautiful job of it. Suni and I hadn't been thus attired since November 1984, a fact of which Maman was well-aware. She saw this as part of our healing process.

For my part, I love wearing a dastaar. It makes me feel like a really Sikh Sikh. Not only does it serve the same purpose as a man's - to hide and protect the kesh - it is also the only real relief I get from this stubborn post-stroke headache. I have actually read there is a scientific basis for a turban giving headache relief. Whatever the reason, the sudden release from pain made me a bit giddy.

Mary, as might be expected, was caught between being very serious and giggling. We were not to carry our usual small kirpans, but full-length, metre-long ones that Maman had brought from Amritsar. In fact, all of our kakkars that day, except our kesh, of course, were from Amritsar. I was, at first, unwilling to quit wearing the kara I had worn since those days in 1984, but, in her gentle, compelling way, she convinced me.

One by one, I picked up each kirpan ans swung it around a bit until I found the one that best suited me. Oh, I was a bit off balance, but I had not held any sword-like item for many years and I enjoyed the feel of it in my hand. None of the other three had studied any sword fighting, a fact that assumed some importance a bit later.

She could convince me to switch the kara, but Maman had the good sense to know that I would flat refuse to go to the large gurdwara in Renton, so we headed to the small one we both like. On the way, we stopped at a convenience store being run by a good-looking keshdhari Singh wearing a red turban and a large kara, high up on his right arm. HE looked at us and couldn't help laughing. 'Ladies, where is your fifth?' Only then did it dawn on any of us that we did look a bit like a Panj Piyare minus one. Maman countered by chastising him for working on Vaisakhi.

'Are you really so poor that you can't close the store for one day?'

'Didi Ji, if I were closed, where would you get your 7-Ups?'

She harrumphed. She really did! "Didi Ji, indeed!' But she was laughing.

We had a sort of adventure in the afternoon. We walked a short distance and ran into a group of Sikh teen aged boys. Several were turbaned, but looked slightly thuggish, nonetheless. One approached us quite rudely. 'Aunties, do any of you know how to use those' - indicating our kirpans - 'or are they just decorations.' I know Maman was about to give them a tongue-lashing about showing respect for our articles of faith, but I forgot the stroke for a moment and remembered only that I had once been very good at fencing.

'Who has a long kirpan and the courage to take me on?'

My companions audibly gasped, as one of the young thugs stepped forward. He was tall and strong and wore a handsomely tied crimson dastaar. His long, sharp kirpan glistened in the afternoon sun, dazzling the eye.

'Sure, Aunty. Let's get it on!'

'Mai, for God's sake,' Suni started, but by that time, it was all over. My kirpan was right up against, actually touching through his clothes, that part of his anatomy that a man - especially, I suppose - a teen-aged boy - values most.

'Don't move a muscle.' I said in my most dangerous voice.

'I surrender. Please don't,' he squeaked.

I didn't move. 'Where's your chardi kala, Khalsa? A Khalsa isn't supposed to surrender, especially not to an "Aunty."'

Still squeaking, 'I'm not Khalsa.'

I lowered my kirpan. 'Oh. OK.'

He obviously knew nothing, absolutely nothing about fencing or sword fighting. A good thing, too, for me. My partially paralysed left side, my lack of balance and my lack of peripheral vision could have proved disastrous. Not to mention that I was taking blood thinners. But I bet he won't be challenging any more 'Aunties' any time soon.

Mary, though, was confused. 'Is this what usually happens on Vaisakhi?'

A loud chorus, all three in unison, 'No!'

I won't guarantee that this last story hasn't been embellished a bit, but just a bit. My challenger was a mousy little kid who really needed someone to teach him to tie a turban. His kirpan was very dull and not really shiny at all. And I doubt he had ever held a sword-length kirpan before in his life.

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Please check out this website: Khalsa Kirpans: The Handmade Knives & Swords of Jot Singh Khalsa. They are beautiful. A bit pricy (I noticed one going for $280,000.) But beautiful.

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Pictures are some more from the professional photographer, Charles Meacham's series, Being Sikh

Go to the Galleries link on the website and then click on Being Sikh. These are wonderful pictures!

URGENT - WEDNESDAY RALLY - TORONTO

Canadians - If you have family members abroad who may wish to immigrate to Canada, you must fight against this ugly, racist bill! Budget Bill C-50 sounds innocuous, but it is very dangerous and, if passed, could tear immigrant families apart!

If there is any way you can get there, go to Toronto on Wednesday and participate. Get involved. The family you save will be your own!

From: The Sikh Activist Network (SAN)


Subject: Direct Action- Emergency Rally!!!

Direct Actions- Emergency Rally

Emergency Rally Wednesday!!!

1. Direct Action --->>> EMERGENCY RALLY!

Please come out....we need numbers to make the message loud and clear....this is a direct threat and attack on the Sikh community as well as all other refugee and migrant communities.


IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES DEMAND THAT LIBERAL PARTY VOTE
AGAINST HARPER'S IMMIGRATION CHANGES

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16
12noon
365 Bloor Street East (Bloor and Sherbourne)
Liberal MP, Bob Rae's Constituency Office

No One Is Illegal-Toronto calls on all supporters, allies, students,
trade unions, community members, and organizations, to join us for
a rally and deputation to protest the proposed amendments to the
Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and to demand that
Liberals exercise their power to vote to stop these damaging amendments
imbedded in the Budget Bill C-50.

While the Liberal Party has widely declared their opposition to these
regressive immigration amendments they have so far refused to vote
against them. It's time that the Liberals put their vote where their
mouth is.

A new motion to split the budget bill into two bills has been tabled
by NDP Immigration Critic Olivia Chow (Trinity Spadina). This motion
would allow the House of Common's Standing Committee on Finance to
study, alter, or remove the immigration portion of this bill. This
motion is not a confidence motion, which could result in the fall of
the government, unless the Harper Conservatives chose to make it so.
It is scheduled to be voted on this week in Parliament unless the
government uses parliamentary maneuvers to prevent it from moving
forward.

Join community groups as we present MP Bob Rae a giant ballot to
demand that he and his fellow Liberal members exercise their power to
vote.

The changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that
Harper 's Conservative government tried to sneak through the House of
Commons via C-50 (the budget implementation act) will give enormous
powers to the Minister to decide which categories of immigration
applications will be processed, and which would be ignored or
discarded. It will also limit several kinds of applicants based on
humanitarian and compassionate grounds that Canadian sponsors can use
to bring their relatives into Canada. The Minister will also gain
extraordinary powers to deny visas to those who meet all the
immigration criteria.

For more info contact No One Is Illegal-Toronto
nooneisillegal@riseup.net
toronto.nooneisillegal.org