Exactly 15 years ago, he was abducted by the Punjab Police, tortured for a month while in illegal police custody and on October 24th he was cut into pieces and thrown into the River Sutlej….Why?

Well.. because..

Jaswant Singh Khalra, was a man of courage, a man who stood face to face with an entire system beginning with the government, stretching into the courts and finally its gang of police officers that was intent on eliminating Sikh youth.

As a concerned citizen and activist, like you the reader, he propelled himself to seek justice. Priding himself on his identity as both a Punjabi and a Khalsa he asked, if the Khalsa does not defend itself, then how will it be the beacon of hope and universal defenders of human rights that it is intent on being. It was this deep rooted philosophy that motivated him to begin an investigation into the disappearances of Punjabi/Sikh youth. Jaswant Singh Khalra was a Punjabi who cared about Punjab and his fellow Punjabis and a Khalsa who took his duty as a defender of human rights not just as expression, but a duty.

In January 1995, Jaswant Singh Khalra issued a Press Release as the head of The Akali Dal Human Rights Wing, claiming he had accumulated evidence proving that the Punjab Police had illegally cremated upwards of 6000 Sikh youth as unidentified bodies in only one of seventeen districts of Punjab.

Jaswant Singh Khalra had essentially exposed a glitch, a track that the government had forgotten to cover in their ongoing genocide by the Punjab Police to execute, disappear and murder Punjabi Sikh youth.

Unfortunately, when bringing forth his evidence, the High courts of Punjab and Haryana denied his case stating that the cases he spoke of him did not concern him, thus he had no right to bring it forth on the behalf of others. However, instead of succumbing to a corrupt judicial system, Jaswant Singh Khalra used this as his motivation to launch an international movement to bring attention to the genocidal acts occurring in the state of Punjab. (more…)

As a continuation of their work to seek justice for the victims of the November 1984 Genocide, Sikhs for Justice has not whimpered away from bringing the Badal Regime to accountability.  In a recently issued Press Release SFJ has issued a demand to the Badal Government to not only honor election promises dating as far back as 1994, but to also adhere to the order of the Akal Takht to recognize November 1984 as a Genocide.

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In addition to highlighting the November 1984 Delhi Genocide, Sikhs for Justice has also highlighted the importance of the 1984 Punjab Genocide as well, demanding that the Badal Regime  amongst other demands, “Issue a notice to the Punjab Education Department to include a special chapter in the school curriculam to educate public about the Sikh Genocide (1984-1998)”.

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For more please view the Press Release below.

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SIKHS FOR JUSTICE: PRESS RELEASE

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August 18, 2010

To

Parkash Singh Badal

Chief Minister,

State of Punjab

Subject:  DEMAND OF NEW REHABLITATION AND REPRESENTATION PACKAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB FOR THE VICTIMS OF NOVEMBER 1984 SIKH GENOCIDE

Dear Sardar Sahib:

OUR, human rights advocacy organization “SIKHS FOR JUSTICE” (SFJ) has been directed by Shri Akal Takht Sahib on July 14, 2010 to pursue the cause of justice for victims of November 1984 Sikh Genocide. In this cause of securing justice for victims of November 1984, SFJ is associated with “All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF)”President Karnail Singh Peermohammad and “November 1984 Sikh Genocide Welfare Society” both of which represents the voice and sentiments of victims.

NOW, that (SAD-Badal) and your government is reaping the benefits of public momentum built in the support of the victims of November 1984 by “Justice Campaign”organized by “Sikhs For Justice” (SFJ) and All India Sikh Students Federation (President Karnail Singh Peermohammad), WE, feel compelled to bring to your attention the true economic and social plight of victims and their families members living in Punjab. The victims and their families not only have been disenfranchised during the past more than 25 years but they have also been denied adequate compensation, despite promises made during election campaigns by (SAD-Badal) since 1994.

WE, demand that Punjab Government under your leadership announce a fresh REHABLITATION AND REPRESENTATION Package for the victims and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide, which should comprise minimum of the following:

ECONOMIC PACKAGE

1. Grant of Rs.15, 00,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Lakhs) in each case of death during November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
2. Grant of Rs.5, 00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs) in each case of injury suffered during November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
3. Grant of Rs. 7, 50,000/- (Rupees Seven Lakhs Fifty Thousands) to each family for rehabilitation, other than any grant for death or injury.
4. Grant compensation at the rate of 30 times, for residential and commercial property lost or damaged during November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
5. Award a pension of Rs.25, 000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand) per month to every living widow or widower, including those who lost their spouses even after November 1984 and family members who are incapable of earning their livelihood.
6. Write off all loans (Agricultural, Commercial or Any Property) of the victims and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
7. Grant 25% rebate on income tax to individuals and businesses owned by victims and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
8. 15% quota in employment for children and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide victims in all recruitments done by the Government of Punjab.
9. 15% seats for children and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide victims in all educational and vocational institutions under the Government of Punjab.

REPRESENTATION PACKAGE

1. As directed by Shri Akal Takht Sahib, recognize November 1984 as Sikh Genocide in the legislative assembly of the State of Punjab.

2. As directed by Shri Akal Takht Sahib, issue an official notification by the Government (published in the official gazette) directing that all Punjab Government documents should refer November 1984 anti-riots as “Sikh Genocide”.
3. As directed by Shri Akal Takht Sahib, issue a notification to the Punjab Education Department to include a special chapter in the school curriculum to educate public about Sikh Genocide (1984-98).
4. Issue notification recognizing “November 1984 Sikh Genocide Welfare Society (Regd.)” as the representative body of the victims and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.
5. Reserve 20% seats in Shiromani Gurdawara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) for the family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide victims.
6. Create a separate Ministry in the Government of Punjab for the affairs of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.

THE, above demands of the victims and family members of November 1984 Sikh Genocide are completely within your powers as Chief Minister of Punjab.

IN FACT, since 1994 SAD-Badal had won every election using the sentiments and sympathies for the victims of November 1984 Sikh Genocide. This places a religious, moral and political responsibility on your shoulders, as head of the Government of Punjab, to come true on your promises to victims and families of November 1984 Sikh Genocide.

Truly Yours,

Gurpatwant S Pannun

Legal Advisor, Sikhs For Justice

T     718-938-7801

Email: gurpatwant.pannun@gmail.com

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Karnail Singh Peermohammad

President, AISSF

M: 98144-99503

Email: aissf_news@yahoo.com

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Bibi Jagdish Kaur

Jagmohan Singh

NOVEMBER 1984 SIKH GENOCIDE WELFARE SOCIETY (Regd.)

We’ve been posting about the issue a lot lately, and it’s simply because it’s news that has  hit us all pretty hard.  It was first reported to us by MC G-Singh who let us know;

“The ONLY Sikh Gurudwara in Austin, TX was taken to court by a couple because they thought it was an eye sore and thought it would lower their property value. I can’t believe they got their way in court, and the Austin Gurudwara will now be torn down! PLEASE help save the Gurudwara! Please Donate whatever you can and spread the word!!”

He, then led the awareness campaign with the release of conscious hip hop track, which has since been remixed by  numerous other artists after being inspired by his original.

On our end we’ve being doing our part, trying to join the fight by sharing any relevant tracks as they come out and releasing any new information we get.

With that in mind, below we have the following.

• A compiled a list of three tracks that have been released including a solidarity track from Young Fateh, one of the organizers in Toronto with Sikh Activist Network.
• Legal documents outlining what exactly is going on
• Ways you can help spread awareness and donate.

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MP3′s

MC G Singh – Tear Me Down (Seven20Twenty10)

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Young Fateh – Can’t Tear It Down (SAN.TDOT REMIX)

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Tha SuspeKT – Tear Me Down (REMIX)

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LEGAL DOCUMENTS

• Original Court Ruling – April 2009
• Appeal Ruling – July 2010

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AWARENESS AND DONATIONS

• Join the  Facebook Group
• Join the SAN Fanpage for continuous updates.
• Change Your Display Picture to the Image Above
• Donate Here

Shout Outs to Young Fateh, for taking the time to do something so positive for his community and representing Toronto, SAN and the community from up North in Solidarity.

In case you missed our earlier post with the Original track from MC G-Singh (click here to view), we’ll brief you again.

The Inspiration

A Texas Appeals Court has ruled that the new structure of the Austin Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) that has been in operation since 2003 be torn down!

A couple who lived near by argued against the construction of the Sikh Temple on the grounds that it would be an eye-sore and a traffic magnate, and would lower their property’s value.

Chorus and Song inspired by MC G Singh.

MP3 and Lyrics

Mp3 Dowload: http://www.mediafire.com/?r5eecrdtda2…

They can tear down a building/ but cant knock down our spirits/
they was scared before – but now its time to fear it
Austin Texas / We cant just let them Reck This
Gurujis HOme/ It up to us to protect it

Everybody talking Change/ land of the free
but Its a Damn Shame/ no one doin a damn thang
where da A.K’s Lets Jus Reign on they Parade/
They trynna make us fade/ lets go on a crusade/

Christopher Columbus ———- robbed all the natives/
Declared it his own/ then brought over slave ships/
history repeats/ this is kinda like the same shit
the Couple didnt like it/ tomorrow its the nation/

“Sikhs need get out”… forced assimilation/
we need to fight back/ for our temples salvation/
government racist/ This is discrimination/
i put my hand out/ For your collaboration/

Sikh Activist, we in affliation
shaheed baba deep singh is my inspiration/
need come together for our generation
They already tried to knock out our popultion

the 50 stars, Blue star operations
they didnt think twice/ no hesitation
skip the starbucks, give that as a donation
before my holy temple comes to termination

Hook:
They Cant tear it down
Its the only one left standing in that town
they cant tear it down
they trynna bulldoze the shrine
We need ta fight back, its about time..

(more…)

It has come to our attention that the sole Gurudwara in Austin, Texas has received orders from US courts to be torn down.  The decision comes after a couple from the area argued that the Gurudwara adversely impacted their property value.  In a country that prides itself on freedom, The USA has failed the Sikh community and illustrated the value of money over the fundamental right to assemble and practice one’s faith.

The decision will be appealed shortly, in the meantime MC G-Singh an artist from the impacted region has released the following track as a community call out for monetary, artistic and moral support.

A Toronto Solidarity Track will be released shortly.

To learn more please visit www.savegurudwara.com and read the following statement from the aforemention website below.

(more…)

After convening on Wednesday the Jathedars (servants) of Akal Takht (the eternal throne) of Sikhs declared November 1984 a “Genocide”.  The decision came 26 years after the Genocide took place in Delhi, during which systematic killings took place of Sikhs at the behest of the Government, Congress Party politicians and the police.

The Akal Takht issued a Hukamnamma stating that every Sikhs should now refer to this period as a “Genocide” and that the media should follow suit as well.

It is believed that the meeting took place after Sikh Canadians including SAN, under the guidance of Sikhs For Justice and MP Sukh Dhaliwal introduced a Petition to have the Canadian Government declare 1984 a Genocide.

It is worth noting that the Conservative Government has yet to share its decision regarding the acceptance or denial of the petition. Now that the Sikh community has spoken, the question is… will anyone listen.

Copies of the original Hukamnamma and English Translations (courtesy of Sikhs for Justice) are available below.

Discretion is advised, this video contains profanity.

During When Lions Roar II, the Network had the privilege of spending time with Mandeep Sethi.  An activist, ally and community organizers from the Bay area. This brother had tons of insight to share with us and for that we’re thankful.

After building with him in the studio, there was no doubt that Mandeep Sethi was easily one of and if not THE most talented Sikh MC’s out there. He’s performed alongside some crazy talent, including Dead Prez and has toured India, Barcelona and much more.  With that said, yesterday he surprised us with a cameo of the SAN-T in his most recent video on a track produced by Sikh Knowledge (another talented brother).  So, as a shout out to him, we return all positivity back to his vicinity.

As for the track, we’ll let it speak for itself.  Keep a look out for the Graff Marker that also makes a cameo in the video.  Support the arts and artists, they are the orators and storytellers of our history and our ambassadors to the masses.

(more…)

The following videos are from the World Sikh Organization’s (WSO) Annual Parliamentary Dinner of 1995.  Jaswant Singh Khalra was abducted and murdered shortly after by the Punjab Police, upon his return to Punjab later that year.

Jaswant Singh Khalra

Taken from SikhiWiki

Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra (1952-1995) was a human rights defender who was born in Khalra village of Amritsar district. He was a bank employee in Amritsar during the 1980′s. After Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Indira Gandhi, and the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots in which thousands of innocent Sikhs died at the hands of crazed (some apparently organized) Hindu mobs, after the Prime Minister was assasinated by her trusted Sikh bodyguards. In the Punjab police were empowered to detain Sikhs for any reason, ostensibly as suspected terrorists. Seeing that many of his friends and colleagues had gone missing, he researched information which eventually led him to find files from the municipal corporation of Amritsar which had information containing the names, age and addresses of thousands of Sikhs who had been killed and illegally cremated by the Punjab Police.

In 1995, Jaswant Singh was last seen washing his car in front of his house, when he disappeared. Witnesses gave statements implicating the police and implicated, ‘the butcher of Punjab’ - KPS Gill, but the Punjab Police denied that they arrested him, and claimed they knew nothing about his whereabouts. In 1996, the Central Bureau of Investigationfound evidence that he was held at a police station in Tarn Taran and recommended the prosecuting of nine Punjab police officials for his murder and kidnapping.^[1] On October 16, 2007 a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, chaired by Justices Mehtab Singh Gill and A N Jindal, extended the sentence to Life imprisonment for four accused Satnam Singh, Surinder Pal Singh, Jasbir Singh (all former Sub Inspectors) and Prithipal Singh (former Head Constable) [1] [2].

He is now referred to as Shaheed Jaswant Singh Khalra having become a Martyr for the Sikh religion. His widow Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra is currently carrying on her husband’s fighting for justice and now her name has been added to the thousands of Sikhs who do not have any word of what happened to their loved ones.

Khalra’s List

Jaswant Singh Khalra’s contribution to the Humanity and Human Rights is evident from his work. He collected the Data and information on thousands of Sikhs who disappeared and, according to the records brought to light by Jaswant Singh, were later eliminated by the State’s Armed Forces and cremated as unidentified persons secretly by the Punjab Police.

This list contains the information of Sikhs cremated in just two tehsils (An Administrative Division) of Punjab. The Supreme Court of India and the National Human Rights Commission of India has certified the validity of this Data.

Jaswant Singh Khalra’s assertion was that there would be more than 25000 Sikhs killed by the State and cremated by showing them as unidentified and unclaimed, while there are still many Sikh families waiting to hear news of what happened to their missing loved ones, many wondering if they might still be alive.

You can check this List Here

It has been a while since the Network and a thousand other Sikhs traveled to Ottawa with the hopes of witnessing the reading of a historical petition identifying November 1984 as a Genocide, following which much has happened.

The Sikh community yet again, has been cheated, manipulated and denied their basic human rights.  Let’s start from the beginning.

On June 9th, Sikhs gathered and traveled hundreds of kilometers to witness the power of Canadian democracy.  Headed by Sikhs for Justice, the House of Commons was preparing for the reading of a petition that identified November 1984 as a Genocide with a large emphasis on the word genocide, for two main reasons.  First, because that is precisely what it was and secondly because identifying it as such could lead to the UN investigating India’s systematic and planned murder of Sikhs in Delhi.

The plan was, as we the Sikh community arrived, to funnel into the house and witness this historic moment.  Little did we know, we were in for a surprise.

This is where it gets messy.  Although much of what is written below is based on our experience and perception, portions discussing what took place behind closed doors are an alleged account of what took place.  Truthfully we have no way of confirming the backroom deals, however the consequences of whatever took place were and have been very real.

On June 9th, moments before the petition was to be read, MP Sukh Dhaliwal and Andrew Kania came out onto the front lawn of Parliament where many Sikhs awaited the reading of the petition.  Sukh Dhaliwal announced that the balcony inside the House of Commons was jam-packed with Sikhs and as space freed up he would send his assistants out to get us. During his many visits outside, Sukh Dhaliwal was perhaps the only MP that took the time to meet and address Sikh youth, reminding us that we are the future of the Sikh Nation and fundamental to the future of the Canadian Nation as well; truthfully he was quite encouraging and true to his word.

After waiting some time, Sukh Dhaliwal sent his assistants to gather Sikhs to witness the historic moment.  We were amongst the first group to be taken in, most likely due to our youth representation.  So, as we were called in, we first ushered in all the women, then the youngest, followed by the rest of us.  As we made our way to the balcony, the journey was an interesting one.  One such instance included a run-in with Ruby Dhalla, who exposed her own immaturity amongst many other things, but we’ll leave that story for another day.

We seated ourselves and waited, and waited.  Finally, we realized the petition wasn’t being read and we were signaled to get up and leave, at once the entire balcony got up and began to head out.

What happened?  Well, here are the alleged back room deals that were made:

• It is believed that the Liberal leadership and Conservative Party made a back room deal to stop the petition from being read after being pressured and coerced by threats from the Indian consulate.
• The alleged agreement was that the Conservative Party would put forth a vote to skip the period during which the petition would be read, and the Liberal party would ensure a large enough portion of their party would not be present so that the Liberal, Bloc and NDP could not form a majority.
• During this period, the Liberals in fact had a large portion of the caucus missing.  Each party has a designated whip, whose job it is to immediately have every member of a party caucus to return for any urgent vote.  The whip never performed his/her job on this day.
• When the vote was put to the table the Liberal, NDP and Bloc lost to the Conservatives after being unable to form a majority due to the absence of Liberal Party MPs.
• After the Petition portion was skipped, the Liberals exploited the situation, rushed onto the front lawn of Parliament and accused the Conservatives of playing a dirty game.
• At this point, the Conservatives, including MP Tim Uppal realized that they had been exploited by the Liberal party as well and were now the subject of harsh criticism from the Sikh community.
• At approximately 7pm the Conservatives attempted to reintroduce the petition, but the NDP or Block (conflicting reports on this point) prevented this from happening to ensure the Conservatives felt the wrath of the Sikh community.

Fortunately, even after a saga of trickery on behalf of the Liberal and Conservative parties, the petition was not suppressed. The following day on June 10th, Liberal MP’s Andrew Kania and Sukh Dhaliwal prepared themselves for their second attempt.  Allegedly, they were again subjected to attempted acts of censorship from their own party, after all Liberal Members of Parliament were instructed NOT to use the word genocide.

Andrew Kania consequently stood in Parliament, highlighted what took place in 1984, yet fell victim to the censorship of his own party. Fortunately, he was followed by Sukh Dhaliwal who let the wheels of democracy take course and represented his constituents and read the statement in full.

Click Here to find out what you can do!

In a statement released earlier today,  Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff thrust a dagger into the hearts of Sikhs after slamming any possibility of his support for a motion to recognize November 1984 as a Genocide, adding that that the Liberal Party and its parliamentary caucus would never support the motion. (click here to read the full statement)

After leaving the Sikh community stunned by his comments, the community, traditionally a large basin for Liberal support, was then pounded by an arsenal of unprovoked low blows .

In his statement, Ignatieff characterized the genocide and organized killing of Sikhs as “a highly-charged atmosphere of religious tensions”  and that “describing these events as genocide is not accurate or appropriate.”  Ignatieff’s comments came as a signal of his ignorance of the numerous investigations and inquiries conducted in India, that have identified the killings as pre-planned and organized.

Given its international reputation as an upholder of human rights, Canada should be especially concerned regarding the violation of human rights which occurred in 1984, where estimates of Sikhs killed in New Delhi range from 5000 to 8000 in the city and upwards to 20 000 across India. During this time, widespread targeted killings of Sikhs took place within New Delhi against the Sikhs, not only causing a loss of life but also destroying homes and complete neighbourhoods. Methods of murder used included burning Sikhs alive with the use of tires and kerosene oil while Sikh women were subjected to days of sexual violence.

Further, Ignatieff’s attack on the Sikh community was not limited by these comments.  Rather, the leader of the official opposition went on to launch numerous unprovoked attacks on Sikh Canadians.  In the same statement, Ignatieff suggested that the petition being put forth was irrational and an attempt to cause divisions, citing that the party would  ”never stand with those who seek to polarize the community, or aggravate the tensions…”

The actions of the Liberal leader have left Sikh Canadians shocked and feeling puzzled after being blindsided by the attack initiated by the Liberal Party Leader.  The leader has firstly failed to recognize what many human rights commissions and investigations have identified as organized and pre-planned killings of Sikhs. Secondly, the liberal leader denied the citizens of Canada a process for healing and reconciliation by refusing to acknowledge their horrific experiences.  After witnessing and experiencing the annihilation and burning alive of entire families, victims have now been further ostracized and marginalized by Liberal Leader, Michael Ignatieff’s statements.

As Sikhs await the outcome of the June 9th, 2010 reading of the petition, a community that has traditionally voted for the Liberals are now being forced to re-evaluate their democratic vote in favour of a party and leaders that hold a high standard for human rights and justice.

Click Here to find out what you can do!