It's time Punjab gave up paddy cultivation

18 Jun 2008 IndianExpress Pg 12

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"IT IS time Punjab gave up the cultivation of paddy as over-exploitation of groundwater in the state has reached 145 percent, second only to Delhi," said National Rainfed Area Authority CEO Dr J S Samra. The over-exploitation is highest in Jalandhar (254 per cent) and lowest in Muktsar (62 per cent), he added.

He was speaking at a workshop on 'Combating land degradation for sustainable agriculture' on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification at the CII today.

Dr Barry Shapiro of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) said, "When we compare the support given by the government to rain-fed areas as compared to irrigated areas, we see that subsidy and policy support for irrigated agriculture is much more. This is causing farmers in Punjab and Haryana to use more water and other inputs like fertilisers than they should."

"The growing incidence of submersible pumps against centrifugal pumps is leading to the further exploitation of its energy and groundwater resources," Dr Samra said, adding that eastern India has the potential of meeting the demands of growing paddy on a sustainable basis while crops like soyabean and legumes will result in both high returns and better resource management.

The workshop was attended by experts on environment and agriculture besides officials of the government, research scholars, academicians and other stakeholders.

Sikh schoolgirl goes to UK court over kara

18 Jun 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 03

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LAWYERS FOR a Sikh teenager banned from school for wearing a religious bracelet in UK went to court today claiming unlawful discrimination.

Sarika Singh, 14, was barred from Aberdare Girls School in South Wales after refusing to remove the kara, on the basis that it did not allow jewellery other than wristwatches and plain ear studs.

After she was excluded in November, she moved to another school in the area which does allow her to wear the kara — but her family claims she suffered academically because of the move.

The family including her , mother Sinita, handed a petition at PM Gordon Brown's residence last week, urging him to intervene to show that "discrimination is totally unacceptable". The petition was backed by 150 gurdwaras as well as more than 200 Sikh organisations and 70 non-Sikh bodies.

Human rights group Liberty said the school breached race, equality and human rights laws by not allowing Sarika to wear the kara.

Giani Iqbal can't summon Makkar, says Vedanti

Giani Iqbal can't summon Makkar, says Vedanti
02 Jun 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 06

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AKAL TAKHT Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti today said that Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh had no right to summon Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar.

Talking to mediapersons at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Vedanti said Giani Iqbal could not summon former Akal Takht jathedar Prof Darshan Singh Ragi either.

Giani Iqbal Singh had recently summoned Makkar over the publication of a controversial book by the SGPC. Prof Ragi was summoned for his stand on the ‘Dasam Granth' and ‘Raag Mala'.

Jathedar Vedanti said decisions on Panthic issues fell in the domain of the Akal Takht as they concerned the Sikh community He said Jathedars of . various Takhts could decide issues related to their areas only, but Panthic issues could be taken up by Jathedars of the Takhts jointly at the Akal Takht Sahib.

He said Giani Iqbal had taken certain decisions on his own, which were not valid as they did not fall in his domain. Declining comment on any controversy, Vedanti said a meeting of the Sikh clergy would be held at the Akal Takht on June 6 to discuss important issues

Indian Education Minister brands Sikhs as murderers

Times of India Nagpur Pg 10

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Arjun heaps praise on Sonia, Rahul

LUCKNOW: In the backdrop of controversy over his remarks on democracy and definition of loyalty in Congress, senior party leader and HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Wednesday heaped praise on Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi saying they have filled the void created by Rajiv Gandhi's death.

"After the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, a vacuum was natural... We, however, are fortunate that this vacuum was filled by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," Singh said.

The Minister was speaking at a function, organised here by the Backwards Cell of Uttar Pradesh Congress, to observe the 17th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The veteran Congress leader chose the occasion to pay rich tributes to Rajiv Gandhi, saying for him patriotism and the country's interests were supreme.

"Only a person who is totally committed to the nation can make an attempt like Rajiv Gandhi did to bring murderers of his mother into the mainstream", the HRD minister said.

Singh said Rajiv Gandhi always took up the cause of weaker sections of society and this resulted in increased representation of women in the Panchayti Raj system.

Referring to 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher education, Singh said several parties tried to make an issue out of it.

But, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Congress chief ensured that these sections should not remain deprived of this facility, he said.

Making light of reports that Congress lacked support within the UPA on the quota issue for the backwards, Singh said the legislation received Cabinet's full support and was passed unanimously in Parliament.

Accusing some parties of indulging in caste-based politics, the Minister said creating conflicts could help them temporarily but it was not in country's interests.

The Congress never believed in pitting one caste against the other and was of the view that all sections of the society should work together for country's progress and development, he said.

Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikh creates history Elected Deputy Mayor

Amritdhari (Baptised) Sikh creates history Elected Deputy Mayor
20 May 2008 Rozanaspokesman Pg 03

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Differences among Sikhs on Tankhaiya

Differences among Sikhs on Tankhaiya
19 May 2008 HindustanDainik Delhi Pg 04

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14 years on, justice eludes Punjab family

14 years on, justice eludes Punjab family

19 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 11

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Victim's 91-yr-old mother awaits turn to depose against cops who abducted her son BLAME IT on our criminal justice system, here is a 91-year-old woman waiting to depose against senior Punjab police of- ficers who allegedly abducted his son and son-in-law 14 years ago. The two victims - Ashok Kumar and Vinod Kumar - nev- er returned home.
"With the pace at which the trial is going I don't hope to see the verdict in my life. At least the court should expedite in recording of my testimony as a prosecution witness," said Amar Kaur, mother of Vinod Kumar, a Ludhiana-based business, who was allegedly picked up at the be hest of then Senior Superinten- dent of Police Sumedh Singh Saini to settle a personal dis- pute. Saini is now Director Vigi- lance (Punjab).

Kaur has moved an applica- tion before the court of Additional Session Judge Vinod Goyal, who has issued notices to the CBI for May 20. "My mother became a bit impatient ever since she suf- fered a stroke of paralysis last year. Her health has become un- stable since then," said Ashish Kumar, victim Vinod's younger brother. She has also written let- ters to Chief Justice seeking an early disposal of the case, which did not see any movement for 10 years until it was transferred to Delhi from a Punjab court on apex court's order.

On December 6, 2006, a the court had framed charges of criminal conspiracy and wrongful confinement, among others, against Punjab Inspector General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini, and police officers Sukhmohinder Singh Sandhu, Paramjit Singh and Balbir Chand Tiwari in the case of the 1994 abduction, illegal detention and disappearance of two Ludhiana-based businessmen and their driver. Within a few days on December 15, Saini filed a petition seeking the quash ing of the charges.

According to the prosecution, in March 1994 Vinod Kumar disappeared from the cus tody of the Ludhiana Kotwali station, along with his brother-inlaw Ashok Kumar and driver Mukhtiyar Singh, after being detained between February 23, 1994 and March 3, 1994.

The court notes that evidence gathered from the CBI's investigation suggests then-SSP Saini wanted Vinod and Ashok Kumar to implicate their family business, Saini Motors, in illegal activities. Saini was in a feud with his relatives Narender and Meenakshi Saini, owners of Saini Motors. The CBI registered the case on April 18, 1994 and filed the chargesheet in May 2000. naziya.alvi@hindustantimes.com
Hindustan Times Special

1984 riots case 5 witnesses examined: CBI

1984 riots case 5 witnesses examined: CBI

15 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 06

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THE CBI today claimed before a Delhi court that it had examined five witnesses and a few documents in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case allegedly involving former Union minister Jagdish Tytler.

Filing a status report in a sealed cover before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjiv Jain, the probe agency claimed that it had examined five witnesses and four documents, besides some video cassettes and CDs.

It, however, refused to reveal the names of the witnesses, apprehending threat to them.

Meanwhile, an application seeking a copy of the status report by senior counsel H.S. Phoolka on behalf of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and November '84 Carnage Justice Committee was rejected by the court.

"Since the matter is under investigation and the issue of witness Jasbir Singh is pending before the High Court, I do not deem it fit to supply the copy of status report," the court said, posting the matter for September 3.

Counsel for the probe agency opposed the plea seeking copy of the status report, saying that it would not like to reveal the names of the witnesses due to threat perception.

Earlier, making an interjection, Sattu Singh, father of Jasbir Singh, sought the court's intervention by directing the CBI to record his son's statement through video conferencing.

The court, however, refused to pass any order, reminding him of an application by his counsel in this regard before the Delhi High Court, which has been posted for hearing on August 26.

The CBI had on September 29 last year sought to close the case against former Union minister Tytler, declaring Jasbir Singh, an alleged key witness who is settled in California, as untraced.

The CBI had been asked on December 19 to file its report under Section 173 of the CrPC after Jasbir Singh surfaced, expressing his willingness to depose against Tytler.

Jasbir had, however, expressed his inability to come to the country citing threat to his life.

The case relates to an incident on November 1, 1984, when a mob had set afire Gurdwara Pulbangash killing three persons.

Jasbir had told the Nanavati Commission on August 31, 2000, that "he had overheard Tytler rebuking his men on the night of November 3, 1984...for nominal killing of Sikhs in his constituency ."

A matter related to his testimony is pending before the Delhi High Court. Jasbir had earlier expressed his inability to come to the country for recording his testimony and had expressed his willingness to record his testimony through video-conferencing.

Students patka burnt in US

Students patka burnt in US

14 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 06

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THE SIKH community in New Jersey has demanded an inquiry into an incident in which a high school student allegedly set afire the "patka" worn by a fellow Sikh student, in an unprovoked attack.

The student suffered minor burns but it has raised outrage in the Sikh community, which has also asked the school to do more to combat discrimination.

The culprit, identified as 18-year-old Hightstown senior Garrett Green, was arrested hours later and charged with arson and criminal mischief. He has also been suspended from the school.

Police are investigating the incident which occurred on May 5 in Hightstown High School at Mercer County in New Jersey during a fire drill. The Sikh student, who is a teenager and would not like to be identified, was chatting with a fellow student when Green, whom he did not know, came up from behind and set the "patka" on fire using a lighter.

A teacher helped him to put out the fire. The "patka", shown by his relatives, had at least two big burn holes.

"No mother should have to worry that her child could be hurt at school because of the way he looks," said Sukhjot Kaur, the teenager's mother.

Sikh Coalition, a community organisation, urged the school to take immediate steps to address the concerns of the community .

It recommended that Hightstown School conduct an assembly to explain what had happened and why the attacker's behaviour was atrocious, publish an article about the incident in the newsletter, mandate teacherled discussions and do its utmost to ensure the attacker was held accountable.

SC: Won't interfere in French turban ban

SC: Won't interfere in French turban ban

14 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 06

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FRANCE'S DECISION to ban the Sikh turban and other conspicuous religious symbols in schools today came up before the Supreme Court, which refused to enter into the controversy, saying it had no jurisdiction to interfere in the law of a foreign land.

"We can only protect the fundamental rights of citizens within the boundary of India. Fundamental rights cannot be protected in a foreign land," a Bench headed by Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said. The court was hearing a petition filed by a Sikh body, Singh Legal Foundation, seeking the Centre's interven tion to protect the fundamental rights of citizens of India within the country and abroad.

The Foundation contended that since the French law banning the wearing of turban violated the fundamental rights of Indian Sikhs living in that country it was the duty of the government here to , defend the rights in the foreign land. However, the Bench said any grievance against the French law However, the Bench said the Government had taken up the issue with the French authorities and that it could not give any direction.

The Foundation had gone to the apex court in an appeal against judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ad dismissed its peti tion on June 30, 2007 on the ground of territorial ju risdiction.

can be raised in the court in that country The Foundation can also . take up the matter with the International Court of Justice or European Court, it said.

To this, the counsel appearing for the Sikh body said the right of ethnic minorities to practice and preserve their traditions and customs in terms of the constitutional provisions of India had to be read with the International Conventions, which guarantee a right of a religious group to maintain a separate and distinct identity .

The Centre should take up the issue in right earnest to safeguard the religious and cultural interests of its citizens who have migrated to other countries, the counsel said.

The Other Sikhs

The Other Sikhs

13 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 12

Review curbs but be on your guard

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The dark days of militancy are long over in Punjab, but the Union government is yet to review the blacklist of the Sikhs abroad who joined the separatist movement following Operation Bluestar. Security concerns apart, the issue of a separate homeland is still an emotive one among an influential section of the Sikh diaspora. Under these circumstances, will it be advisable to abolish the blacklist and let bygones be bygones? While readers feel these misguided people should get a chance to join the national mainstream on humanitarian grounds provided they have made amends, they advocate caution at the same time. Intelligence agencies should minutely scrutinise the antecedents of the blacklisted Sikhs and keep them under the scanner for a stipulated period. Punjab cannot afford another brush with militancy.

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Intolerable delay

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THE SIKHS have always been in the forefront when it comes to safeguarding the honour of the country. They have played a leading role in the freedom struggle through the Ghaddar and Kuka movements. Despite their contributions, successive governments at the Centre have been treating them shabbily. Thousands of them have been killed in fake encounters and brutally tortured. It is deplorable that the Centre is sticking to the blacklist even several years after militancy came to an end.

GURPREET KAUR Ludhiana

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Arent they our own

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LET'S THINK positive, for the dark days of militancy in Punjab are over since long. Besides Pakistan, much of the militancy was fuelled and funded from Canada and UK.
If we keep our house in order and continue to build an atmosphere of amity and goodwill between Hindus and Sikhs, who have much in common, we can restore the lost glory of Punjab.

The state government should demand the scrapping of the blacklist more forcefully because the possibility of revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab is remote. All those who had gone astray are our own countrymen and should be welcomed back. Haven't we been following the same approach in J&K with good results?

SUDERSHAN WALIA Amritsar

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Treat Punjab like Kashmir

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SIKHISM CAME into being to fight against the grave injustice perpetrated by foreign rulers and for the welfare of the downtrodden. The role of the Sikhs in the freedom movement is unmatched. At the time of Partition, turning down Jinnah's lucrative offers, the Sikhs decided to side with India, thus saving a vast territory from going into Pakistan's hands. Instead of rewarding them for this, the government spared no efforts in treating them shabbily. Clandestine efforts were made to wipe out their culture, history, language and prosperity by a powerful communal lobby. The media also played a biased role by influencing people against the community. The Sikhs were forced to agitate over their rightful demands and when all Constitutional means to redress their grouses failed, it culminated in bloody terrorism in Punjab, leading to the death of thousands of innocent people.
It is preposterous to think that Sikhs don't want a separate state. Rather, the demand has now assumed an international dimension. More important than scrapping the so-called blacklist is to make sincere and bold efforts to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikhs by bringing safeguards in the Constitution for Punjab on the same pattern as Kashmir and punishing the people who indulged in gross human rights violations during militancy.

J.S. SODHI S.A.S. Nagar

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Annul List End Distrust

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AFTER OPERATION Bluestar and the antiSikh riots, many disgruntled elements (extremists) responsible for heinous crimes and treason were ruthlessly eliminated by the Army and the police in encounters, fake or otherwise. TADA laws were also draconian. Others managed to seek asylum in foreign countries by posing as harassed groups in their own country.
There is a perpetual threat to India's unity and integrity. Moreover, external powers are still aiding and abetting acts of terrorism in India in order to create instability in sensitive regions. Thus, the security at airports, railway stations, defence installations, government buildings and national monuments is in constant peril. It is in this context that the Centre continues to blacklist Sikhs facing charges relating to their terrorist activities in the past.

The assertions made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in this regard merit consideration. It is never too late to make amends. Time has a great redemptive power. The Centre should annul the blacklist and bring an end to this period of distrust and prejudice. It is an opportune time to show magnanimity and allow "the other Sikhs" to visit India and become part of the national mainstream. Simultaneously, the government should single out the real culprits and get them extradited with the help of Interpol. India must enter into extradition treaties with countries which are still harbouring wrong-doers.

JARNAIL SINGH BRAR Bathinda

84 riots Status Report Filed

84 riots Status Report Filed
15 May 2008 Hindustandainik Pg 05

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Notice to Punjab govt for fake encounter

Notice to Punjab govt for fake encounter

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ACCUSING the Punjab Police of eliminating their only son and showing his murder as fake encounter, the parents of Baljit Singh have approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The parents, Harbans Kaur and Krishan Singh, residents of Fatehgarh Sahib, have alleged that their son was murdered by the Punjab Police on the June 14, 1990, when he was returning home along with his friend. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to the police officers of Ludhiana and the State of Punjab directing them to file their replies.

It has been alleged that the police killed their son calling him a terrorist. The two have alleged that the murder of their son has been shown as a fake encounter. The two kept on knocking the doors of several higher police officers and politicians, but to no avail. An inquiry was marked by the Punjab Police, the reply of which was allegedly not given to the parents of the deceased. The two had demanded information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act as to whether their son was a terrorist. The police in its reply gave the reply in the negative. Demanding stern action against the police officers who murdered their son and demanding compensation for his death, the two have moved the HC

Turban Ban - Sikh council slams school management

Turban Ban - Sikh council slams school management

10 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 07

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THE SHIROMANI Sikh Council International today criticised the management of St Anthony Convent High School, Adampur, for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by banning the turban.

Talking to mediapersons, Narayan Singh, along with other council leaders, alleged that school Director Fr Mannual Sunny and Principal Sudeepa had not only banned turban and salwarkameez in the school but also threatened to deduct internal assessment marks of defaulters.

"It is a direct attack on the Sikh community. We will not allow it on any condition," warned Narayan Singh. He alleged that Fr Mannual, a scholar in Sikhism from Italy, was misguiding students about the teachings of the religion and punishing those who raised their voic es against him.

Arguments start in rape case involving Dera chief

Arguments start in rape case involving Dera chief

11 May 2008 IndianExpress Chandigarh Newsline Pg 04

Arguments start in rape case involving Dera chief T HE CBI today started arguments on the exploitation of women followers allegedly by Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. CBI counsel H K S Verma in his arguments contented that the probe agency had evidence of sexual harassment of the sadhvis by the Dera Chief who used to call them the underground den (gufa) and rape them.

He read out the statements of the sadhvis in the court.

Verma highlighted FIR No. RC 5 in which statements of Dera sadhvis Sarjeevan and Sapna were recorded levelling allegations of rape against the Dera chief. The CBI had submitted chargesheet on July 30, 2007.

Verma argued that Sarjeevan and Sapna, the women followers had then moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court with a complaint alleging that they were subjected to sexual harassment by the Dera chief during their stay at Sirsa.

They had alleged that their religious sentiments were exploited and had to submit to the ill will of the Dera chief who repeatedly raped them. They were threatened with dire consequences if they divulged of the "misdeeds" of the Dera chief.

The sadhvis had alleged that they were compelled to work in the gufa where they were forced to have sexual intercourse with the Dera chief. Sarjeevan had complained to her brother Ranjit Singh and when he raised his voice he was eliminated.

Ranjit was gunned down near Kurukshetra by a group of the chief's followers. Dera chief is facing charges on account of two cases of murders - of Ranjit Singh and Sirsa-based journalist Ram Chander Chhatarpati besides, a rape.

Winding up his arguments, the CBI counsel pleaded that a case of rape under Section 376 of the IPC should be registered against the Dera chief who is already facing murder charges.

Dera chief was present in the special CBI court set up in the office of Additional Superintendent of Police in Police Lines, Ambala City under strict security arrangements. The counsel for Dera chief would reply to the arguments made by the CBI counsel on May 24, the next date for hearing.

Later, on completion of court proceedings, the Dera chief escorted by a fleet of vehicles including commando and Police gipsys, reached Gandhi Grounds Ambala Cantonment to address thousands of his followers.

Dharna demanding arrest of people insulting Guru Granth Sahib

Dharna demanding arrest of people insulting Guru Granth Sahib
02 May 2008 Hindustan Delhi Pg 05

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01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 07 - When Head Granthis of Takhat showered praises on Badals.JPG

When Head Granthis of Takhat showered praises on Badals
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 07

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Violent clashes between Dera Premis and Sikhs from Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj

Violent clashes between Dera Premis and Sikhs from Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 07

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Todar Mal was from Jain religion (Badal)

Todar Mal was from Jain religion (Badal)
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 07

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Nov 1984 killings were not riots but Racial Extermination of Sikhs - Vedanti

Nov 1984 killings were not riots but Racial Extermination of Sikhs - Vedanti
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 07

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I do not agree to Vedantis statement on Khalistan (Badal)

I do not agree to Vedantis statement on Khalistan (Badal)
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 01
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 02

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Government School in Bhantinda organises Jaam-e-Insaan ceremony

Government School in Bhantinda organises Jaam-e-Insaan ceremony
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 01

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CM rejects separate state demand

CM rejects separate state demand
Says Vedanti should think before uttering such remarks
01 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 02

CHIEF MINISTER Parkash Singh Badal today rejected the demand for a separate Sikh state.

He was reacting to a statement given by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti at a function in New York recently in which he had said that the demand for Khalistan as an "independent Sikh homeland" stayed.

Asked to comment, Badal said it was not the right thing to talk about at this stage when the priorities for the country were different. "He (Vedanti) should think before giving such remarks," he added.

Sikhs and Punjab are a part of India, the Chief Minister said.

Badal was in Patiala today in connection with the opening function of the two-day Sarab Hind Punjabi Conference.

Earlier, in his address, he assured full support for the development of Punjabi language. The government, he said, was coming up with an ordinance by which Punjabi would be made compulsory in all schools up to Class 10th. "The resolution has already been approved in the Assembly and would become a law soon," he said.

Talking about Punjab's contribution of wheat in the Central pool, Badal said the Union Agriculture Minister had demanded 80 lakh tonne from Punjab. "I know farmers are not going to get additional procurement price for the extra contribution but it is our duty to support the national interest. Punjab would always remain the food bowl and sword arm of the country."

He also formally launched the official website of Punjabi University in Punjabi and a Punjabi search engine

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Barapind released from Nabha jail

Barapind released from Nabha jail
01 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 03

KULBIR SINGH Barapind, a former militant who was extradited from the United States of America in 2006, was released from the maximum-security jail late on Tuesday .

Barapind, of the Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar), was wanted by Punjab Police in 32 criminal cases but on the direction of a US court was tried in only three cases.

Yesterday, Jalandhar Additional Sessions Judge B.K. Mehta had acquitted him of the murder of four members of a family of Tarkhan Majra village for lack of evidence.

He was earlier acquitted in the murder case of an Akali MLA and two others.

Daljit Singh Bittu, chairman of Panch Pardhani Akali Dal, Harpal Singh Cheema, Surinder Pal Singh Thrua and Paramjit Singh Gazzi of Sikh Students Federation received Barapind after his release.

Bittu said that they will sit together to chalk out the future strategy. He said services of "die-hard soldiers" like Barapind were more vital now.


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Turban ban: school apologises

01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 01
01 May 2008 Rozana Spokesman Pg 02

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Turban ban: school apologises

01 May 2008 Indianexpress Chandigarh Newsline Pg 01

LAWRENCE school authorities today apologised for hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community and the students who were barred from attending classes for wearing turbans to school.

The three students of Class X were asked to leave the classroom yesterday because they had worn turbans instead of patka.

In a written apology to the parents of the three students, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other religious bodies, Principal Veena Malhotra said she herself belonged to a Sikh family and by no means could think of hurting the religious sentiments of the community.

"I just wanted to implement a dress code in the school. If my decision has hurt anybody, I take it back and apologise for that," she said.

In the morning, various Sikh religious organisations took out a protest march from Gurd wara Singh Sabha to the school.

They were protesting against the "highhandedness" of the school authorities and their interference in the religious matters of the community. "It had certainly hurt our religious feelings. How you can ask a Sikh not to wear a turban?" asked J P Singh, General Secretary of Gurdwara Singh Sabha Committee.

Hardeep Singh, member of SGPC from Mohali said they will not tolerate any interference from the school in religious matters. "We are living in Punjab, the homeland to Sikhs. If any school asks the students not to wear turbans as part of the dress code, the students can approach us without any fear. The particulars of the students and their parents will not be disclosed," he said.

Singh praised the students for raising their voice against the anti-religious dictum. "At the age of 15, the three have refused to succumb to the school authorities' anti-Sikh actions.

They also raised their voice against the misdeed of the school," he said.

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School apologises to SGPC, parents for ban on turban
01 May 2008 Indianexpress Pg 08

THE Lawrence School authorities on Wednesday apologised to the Sikh community and students, who were debarred from attending classes because they wore turbans to school, for hurting their religious sentiments. Three students of Class X were asked to leave the classroom on Tuesday because they had worn turbans instead of patka.

In a written apology to the parents of the three students, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and other religious bodies, Principal Veena Malhotra said she herself belonged to a Sikh family and by no means could even think of hurting the religious sentiments of the community.

Earlier in the day, various Sikh organisations took out a protest march from Gurdwara Singh Sabha to the school against the "highhandedness" of the school authorities. "It had certainly hurt the religious feelings.

How can you ask a Sikh not to wear a turban," said JP Singh, general secretary of Gurdwara Singh Sabha Committee.

Hardeep Singh, member of the SGPC from Mohali, said they would not tolerate any interference from the school in religious matters.

"We are living in Punjab, the homeland to Sikhs. If any school asks the students not to wear turban in the school, the students can approach us. The identity of the students will not be disclosed,"he said.

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Harmandar Sahib to dazzle under laser beams

Harmandar Sahib to dazzle under laser beams
01 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 03

WITH THE Bose sound system costing Rs 1 crore set to be installed within two weeks at Harmandar Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is contemplating the installation of laser lights at the world-famous place of worship.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who held deliberations on the matter with the SGPC management, told Hindustan Times that it was decided in principle to involve a world-class company to illuminate Harmandar Sahib with laser lights.

Sukhbir said the opinion of experts would be taken to ensure that the laser lights did not affect the structure and the frescos inside and outside the sanctum sanctorum.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the decision to invite tenders for the laser lights and the installation of closedcircuit cameras inside the Harmandar Sahib complex would be taken at the religious body's executive committee's meeting shortly.

As of now, the SGPC is using an ordinary lighting system to illuminate Harmandar Sahib on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Ram Das and other occasions of religious importance.

Makkar said it would also be ensured that only pollution-free fireworks were used inside the complex.

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HC notice to SGPC over Gurbani telecast contract

HC notice to SGPC over Gurbani telecast contract
29 Apr 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 06

THE GURU Nanak Dev Universal Brotherhood Society (GNDUBS) has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for entering into an exclusive contract with a television channel for telecasting Gurbani from Harmandir Sahib.
Pleading for setting aside the contract between the SGPC and ETC Punjabi channel, the Society said the SGPC's decision amounted to commercialisation of the Gurbani and was against the basic tenets of Sikhism.

After the preliminary hearing, the Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Jaswant Singh, issued notice to the SGPC, the Union Home Ministry and ETC channel for May 2.

In its PIL, the Society submitted that this exclusive contract was also against the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.

As per the petition, the SGPC charged Rs 2 crore while signing the contract that granted worldwide, absolute rights for 11 years at Rs 50 lakh per year. Besides, the SGPC would get 10 per cent of the gross revenue generated from the advertisements immediately before and after the Gurbani programme.

The petitioner submitted, "The Gurbani being a fountainhead of Sikhs' spirituality that motivates members of the community to cherish higher values of life, is not the property of the SGPC alone as the same belongs to the whole humanity as defined by the Gurus in their Bani enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib." Therefore, the petitioner stated, Gurbani could not be made a tool of earning profit for the SGPC and other channels telecasting it against the basic principles of Sikhism.

The Bench fixed May 2 as the next date of hearing. The main writ petition of Tata Sky seeking directions to the Zee group-owned ETC to provide the facility of telecasting Gurbani to its DTH subscribers at a reasonable price, will also come up for further hearing on that day.

Notice of motion on DTOs THE DIVISION Bench of Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Jaswant Singh on Monday issued a notice of motion to the Punjab government and others on a petition challenging the move of the Punjab government to withdraw the trafficticket-sorting charge from courts and pass it to the district transport officers.

In their petition, lawyers H. C. Arora and A. P. S. Shergill had submitted that the state government had not shown even elementary courtesy to consult the High Court before tinkering with its powers. This decision of the state government was against the principles of natural justice, they further alleged.

The Bench issued notices for May 16 and asked the state government counsel to seek instructions from the government for withdrawing the impugned circulars. Family gets relief THE PUNJAB and Haryana High Court has ordered that Rs 4 lakh as compensation be granted to the family of a Rothak-based housewife killed in an accident resulting from the negligence of the railway authorities.

Santosh, 42, had died after the gates at a railway crossing on the Kucca Beri road in Rohtak had fallen on her head on May 21, 2004. Stay issued THE DIVISION Bench of Justice K.S. Garewal and Justice Daya Chaudhary on Monday stayed the April 11 orders of the Haryana Government, wherein it had removed Gurdev Singh as president of the Municipal Council at Sohna in Gurgaon. The Bench issued notices to the Haryana Urban Development and Local Bodies Secretary among others for May 14. The petitioner has ascribed political motive to the government's action and referred to a land dispute in the municipal area and his refusal to be party to it.

THE GURU Nanak Dev Universal Brotherhood Society (GNDUBS) has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for entering into an exclusive con- tract with a television channel for telecasting Gurbani from Har- mandir Sahib. Pleading for setting aside the contract between the SGPC and ETC Punjabi channel, the Society said the SGPC's decision amount- ed to commercialisation of the Gurbani and was against the basic tenets of Sikhism. After the preliminary hearing, the Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Jaswant Singh, issued no- tice to the SGPC, the Union Home Ministry and ETC channel for May 2. In its PIL, the Society submitted that this exclusive contract was also against the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. As per the petition, the SGPC charged Rs 2 crore while signing the contract that granted world- wide, absolute rights for 11 years at Rs 50 lakh per year. Besides, the SGPC would get 10 per cent of the gross revenue generated from the advertisements immediately be- fore and after the Gurbani pro- gramme. The petitioner submitted, "The Gurbani being a fountainhead of Sikhs' spirituality that motivates members of the community to cherish higher values of life, is not the property of the SGPC alone as the same belongs to the whole hu- manity as defined by the Gurus in their Bani enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib." Therefore, the peti- tioner stated, Gurbani could not be made a tool of earning profit for the SGPC and other channels tele- casting it against the basic princi- ples of Sikhism. The Bench fixed May 2 as the next date of hearing. The main writ petition of Tata Sky seeking directions to the Zee group-owned ETC to provide the facility of tele- casting Gurbani to its DTH sub- scribers at a reasonable price, will also come up for further hearing on that day. Notice of motion on DTOs THE DIVISION Bench of Chief Jus- tice Vijender Jain and Justice Jaswant Singh on Monday issued a notice of motion to the Punjab gov- ernment and others on a petition challenging the move of the Punjab government to withdraw the traffic- ticket-sorting charge from courts and pass it to the district transport officers. In their petition, lawyers H. C. Arora and A. P. S. Shergill had sub- mitted that the state government had not shown even elementary courtesy to consult the High Court before tinkering with its powers. This decision of the state govern- ment was against the principles of natural justice, they further alleged. The Bench issued notices for May 16 and asked the state government counsel to seek instructions from the government for withdrawing the impugned circulars. Family gets relief THE PUNJAB and Haryana High Court has ordered that Rs 4 lakh as compensation be granted to the fam- ily of a Rothak-based housewife killed in an accident resulting from the negligence of the railway au- thorities. Santosh, 42, had died after the gates at a railway crossing on the Kucca Beri road in Rohtak had fall- en on her head on May 21, 2004. Stay issued THE DIVISION Bench of Justice K.S. Garewal and Justice Daya Chaudhary on Monday stayed the April 11 orders of the Haryana Gov- ernment, wherein it had removed Gurdev Singh as president of the Municipal Council at Sohna in Gur- gaon. The Bench issued notices to the Haryana Urban Development and Local Bodies Secretary among others for May 14. The petitioner has ascribed political motive to the government's action and referred to a land dispute in the municipal area and his refusal to be party to it.

Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=29_04_2008_006_005&typ=0&pub=722

Only 2 pc riot relief cases approved

Only 2 pc riot relief cases approved
29 Apr 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 02

Bureaucracy creating hurdles, alleges Danga Peerat Welfare Association

THE BUREAUCRACY has approved only 2 per cent of the total applications of the riot-affected victims in Punjab, said the Danga Peerat Welfare Association today, a day after Patiala Divisional Commissioner suspended three Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner office employees for largescale irregularities in files pertaining to release of compensation.
Association president Surjit Singh told Hindustan Times that though the commissioner's action was in the right direction, the bureaucracy was creating hurdles all over the state.

Citing figures, he said in Jalandhar, around 1,100 people applied for red cards, but only 13 cases were approved. In Amritsar, out of the total applications of 850, approvals were given to only 45 cases. Similarly, only 65 cases were approved in Patiala against 1,000 applications, he added.

Blaming the apathetic attitude of bureaucracy for the low approvals, Surjit Singh said applications were rejected even after victim families provided rent receipts of houses they stayed in after the riots broke out in Delhi.

"Astonishingly, officers ask for proof like bank passbooks," he said, asking how could one have accounts in banks after losing everything in riots. "It's ironical that when the state government had received a grant of Rs 200 crore for the riot victims, the bureaucracy was creating hurdles," he added.

Surjit Singh said he would meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a day or two to apprise him of the situation.

On the other hand, Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Sumer Singh Gurjar denied the allegations. He said Surjit Singh had been mounting pressure on the government unnecessarily. He said the cases were rejected as they were not genuine.

"Even the Divisional Commissioner in his inspection found fake addresses of four out of the six applications," he said. He said they could reject an approved application until forwarded to the higher authorities. "Sometime, after approving, you get to know that things were not genuine," he said, claiming they had fully complied with the law. Genuine claimants will get compensation: Govt All genuine victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, whose claims were rejected by the authorities, will receive a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each within a month, a senior Punjab government official said on Monday. But they will have to establish that they are genuine claimants, Divisional Commissioner (Patiala) S.K. Ahluwalia, who is inquiring into rejection of 1,200 cases of compensation for the victims, said.

Tracking the case AROUND 12,000 people had applied for the grant meant for the riot affected families after the SAD-BJP government asked for fresh applications on the demand that a large number of the victims never got any support. The Patiala Divisional Commissioner on Sunday had ended three employees of the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner office, alleging they had rejected over 100 applications after approving them on file. The Commissioner had said even a single line of reason was not given for changing the decision, raising suspicions

Khalistan tableau thrown out of Toronto Baisakhi

Khalistan tableau thrown out of Toronto Baisakhi
29 Apr 2008 Pg02 Hindustantimes Chandigarh

PRO-KHALISTAN activists were not allowed to lead the annual Baisakhi parade here with a float glorifying anti-India Sikh militants.
They were forced to pull the tableau out of Sunday's parade. However, they still managed to have their way by walking with a huge pro-‘Khalistan' banner at the head of the parade, which was attended by more than 50,000 people.

Before the parade started, its organisers - Ontario Sikh and Gurdwara Council - told the Khalistani activists that the float glorifying the slain separatist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and other militants would not be allowed to be part of the procession.

The organisers feared top Canadian political leaders would not attend the celebrations because of the float, which glorified violence.

Having faced flak for attending a Baisakhi parade last year in Surrey near Vancouver in which Air India plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar was glorified, Canadian politicians now avoid attending such functions - as in Vancouver three weeks ago.

The pro-Khalistan float, which was ordered out of the parade Sunday, depicted the destruction of the Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs - after the Army action at Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar in 1984.

Apart from Bhindranwale, it also glorified Sukha and Jinda, who killed former Indian Army chief General A.S. Vaidya, whom they blamed for Operation Bluestar, as part of which the assault on Harmandar Sahib was launched.

The militants had parked their float-carrying vehicle at the head of the parade, but the police quietly took them away before the start of the pro cession. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as a police car escorted them away from the scene.

Having lost their float, the pro-Khalistan activists tried to lead the parade with a banner that read: "Sikh Homeland Khalistan". Again, they were pushed back to the second position by the organisers.

When the parade reached Nathan Phillips Square at the heart of Toronto, the radicals waved the Khalistan banner and raised pro-Khalistan slogans in the presence of top national leaders, including two Canadian opposition leaders Stephane Dion and Jack Layton, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and many MPs.

In their speeches, the organisers described the 1984 riots as one of the many "injustices" done to the Sikhs in India. Then they listed their grievances before the Canadian leaders present at the parade.

Urging the opposition parties not to let the government to enact immigration changes, they said these were aimed at visible immigrant communities. Since most immigrants, including Sikhs, traditionally vote for the Liberal party (now in Opposition), the ruling Conservative party sent no representative to the celebrations.

Politically correct ? Police step in to remove float glorifying Bhindranwale, Sukha, Jinda ? Banner-carrying participants also pushed to second line from lead ? Liberal party leaders attend annual parade ? In speeches, organisers cite 1984 riots among ‘injustices' done to Sikhs in India

HC issues notice to SGPC

HC issues notice to SGPC
COMMERCIALIZATION OF GURBANI

30 Apr 2008 Times of India Chandigarh - Page 4

Chandigarh: The decision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) to enter into an exclusive contract with a television channel for telecasting 'gurbani' from Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, amounted to its commercialization, which was against the basic Sikh tenets, according to the city-based Gurunanak Dev Universal Brotherhood Society. The group has moved the Punjab & Haryana High Court to set aside the contract between the SGPC and ETC Punjabi channel.
The petition, filed through the society's secretary, advocate Hridey Pal Singh, said the exclusive contract was also against the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925 and deserved to be set aside, being void ab initio, as a contract against the public policy contravening the provisions of the Contract Act, 1872 could not be sustained. The SGPC charged Rs 2,01,00,000 at the time of signing the contract that grants its absolute rights worldwide for 11 years at Rs 50 lakh per year. In addition the SGPC gets 10% of the gross revenue generated from the advertisements immediate before and after a 'gurbani' programme , the petitioner said, adding "it is not known to which account this money has been deposited which accrued in pursuance of the contract."
The petitioner further submitted "the gurbani, being the fountainhead of Sikh spirituality that motivates Sikhs to cherish higher values of life, is not the property of the SGPC alone". Therefore, he argued, the 'gurbani' could not be "made a tool of earning profit for the SGPC and other telecasting channels against the basic Sikh principles". Apart from this commercial nature of the contract, there is no mention of the income of over Rs 5 crore accrued from ETC channel in the SGPC budgets from 2002-2009, though an
expenditure of Rs 12,80,000 has been shown for these years nor is there any reference to the amount received by way of 10% of gross revenue generated by advertisements shown before and after a 'gurbani' telecast.
A division bench issued notice to SGPC, union home ministry and ETC channel for May 2, when the main writ petition of Tata Sky seeking directions to the Zee groupowned ETC to provide the facility of telecasting 'gurbani' to its DTH subscribers at a reasonable price, is due to come up for further consideration.

15 year old sacrificed at dera - Body exhumed

29 Apr 2008
15 year old sacrificed at dera - Body exhumed

Corpse has gashes, claim witnesses

Gurpreet Singh Mehak

Fatehgarh Sahib

IT SHOCKED everyone when Kuldeep Singh, father of a 15-year-old, today approached the Amloh police to report that a dera priest had sacrificed his son.

The body of 15-year-old Amandeep Singh of Mandi Ahmedgarh in district Sangrur was then exhumed in the presence of his parents, the police and other people at Dera Bharion Nath in village Paheri near Amloh in district Fatehgarh Sahib.

Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Kaustabh Sharma and Amloh's Naib Tehsildar Jaswinder Singh supervised the task. The team took the body to the civil hospital at Amloh for autopsy.

Briefing newsmen at the hospital, the SSP said the child had been putting up at the dera for at least a month-and-a-half and the managers claimed he had died of snakebite.

The dera management claim having put the child in grave after performing his last rites as per their rituals, say the police.

Child's father Kuldip refuted the claim of the dera managers.

After receiving the complaint, the police quickly moved into action and dug up the grave.

People claimed witnessing chopping marks on the body. The SSP said the autopsy report would lay the course for further action.

Amandeep's maternal uncle Preetpal Singh also said the child had been sacrificed, as occult arts were practiced in the dera.

"When the relatives received the news of Amandeep's death yesterday, they reached the dera to claim his body, but the dera managers began threatening them instead," said Preetpal.

Amandeep was a student at Gandhi School in Mandi Ahmedgarh and had not returned there after passing Class VI examinations, the results of which were declared on March 31.

Since that day, he had become a sworn disciple of the dera

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Barapind acquitted in all cases

Barapind acquitted in all cases

30 Apr 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh

Former KCF (Panjwar) ultra may be freed today from Nabha jail

FORMER KHALISTAN Commando Force (Panjwar) militant Kulbir Singh Barapind is set to be a free man.

With a local court today acquitting him in a case pertaining to killing of four members of a family, Kulbir has now been acquitted in all the three criminal cases he was being prosecuted under as per the terms of the Indo-US extradition treaty .

Kulbir, who was extradited from United States of America in 2006, is likely to be released from Nabha jail tomorrow.

Kulbir was actually booked in 32 criminal cases, including the killing of nine BSP men in Nakodar, during the days of terrorism.

Punjab Police, along with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had fought a long legal battle to get him extradited from the US. Later, a US court allowed his extradition and instructed Punjab Police to try him only in three cases under general law and not under any special law.

Today, the court of Additional Sessions Judge B.K. Mehta announced his acquittal for failure of the prosecution to provide adequate evidence against the accused.

Kulbir was accused of murdering four members of a family, including three brothers and wife of the eldest one, at their Tarkhan Majara village residence on the night of September 9, 1992 before fleeing to the US.

Eyewitnesses Sohan Singh and his wife Gurmail Kaur, father and mother of the deceased brothers, did not identify Kulbir during the trial.

Sohan Singh said police officials themselves dictated the FIR and he only signed it. The former KCF terrorist was earlier acquitted in the murder case of the former Akali MLA from Banga constituency, Balwant Singh Sarhal, a Kanungo and his two gunmen. Kulbir was accused of killing the trio at Cheema Kalan village at Goraya in 1992.

He was also proved not guilty in the Sahib Singh murder case of Dhakka Colony in Phillaur.

Terror trial Extradited from US in 2006, Kulbir was actually booked in 32 criminal cases A US court, however, instructed Punjab Police to try him only in three cases under general law Former KCF ultra was earlier acquitted in murder case of former Akali MLA from Banga Balwant Singh Sarhal

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