Agitated Sikhs burn effigy of Taliban in Amritsar

Amritsar, May 1 (ANI): Activists of various Sikh organizations burnt an effigy of the Taliban here on Friday to express their anguish and protest against the barbarism being meted out to Sikhs in Pakistan’s North West Front Povince (NWFP).

Holding placards, the protestors shouted slogans against Taliban and the Pakistan Government.

They demanded that Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government should intervene in the matter and ensure the security and safety of the monitories living in Pakistan.

While condemning the Taliban, Jaswinder Singh Advocate, a member Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), said that the SGPC has always taken care of the interests of the Sikh community.

We have already conveyed our concern to the authorities in India, he added.

Harnam Singh Dhooma, the head of the Damdami Taksal warned the Taliban that the Sikh community is a peace loving community and always respects all communities and religions, but if anyone hurt their sentiments, they could expect a befitting reply.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) has appealed to Manmohan Singh to ask the Government of Pakistan to protect its Sikh minorities against the fiendishness of Talibans.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makar, in a letter to Dr. Manmohan Singh, requested that the Government of India to ask the Government of Pakistan to protect the Sikhs from the Taliban.

Dr. Pritpal Singh, the convener of the American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC), said over phone that they have conveyed their concern to the US State Department and urged them to get an assurance from the Pakistan for the safety of the Sikhs. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)

Badal woos Tohra loyalists

On the fifth death anniversary of former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra today, the SAD leadership tried to woo his loyalists.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called upon Akalis to strengthen the panth for Tohra’s sake. He said Jathedar Tohra, who had remained the SGPC chief for 27 years and was at the centrestage of Akali politics for five decades, could never think of joining hands with the Congress. He said a few followers of Tohra had joined the Congress recently.

He added the victory of the SAD in Lok Sabha polls would be a true tribute to the late leader.

“Jathedar Tohra had once said that he could never support the Congress, even in his death,” asserted Badal. “They have been killers of Sikhs and now by granting tickets to Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, the Congress has confirmed its anti-Sikh stand,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also exhorted the public to trounce the Congress in the polls.

Others who addressed the gathering included SAD’s Lok Sabha candidates Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Sangrur), Charanjit Singh Atwal (Fatehgarh Sahib) and Prem Singh Chandumajra (Patiala). Tohra’s widow Joginder Kaur, daughter Kuldeep Kaur and son-in-law Harmail Tohra were present on the occasion.

Badal woos Tohra loyalists

On the fifth death anniversary of former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra today, the SAD leadership tried to woo his loyalists.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called upon Akalis to strengthen the panth for Tohra’s sake. He said Jathedar Tohra, who had remained the SGPC chief for 27 years and was at the centrestage of Akali politics for five decades, could never think of joining hands with the Congress. He said a few followers of Tohra had joined the Congress recently.

He added the victory of the SAD in Lok Sabha polls would be a true tribute to the late leader.

“Jathedar Tohra had once said that he could never support the Congress, even in his death,” asserted Badal. “They have been killers of Sikhs and now by granting tickets to Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler, the Congress has confirmed its anti-Sikh stand,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also exhorted the public to trounce the Congress in the polls.

Others who addressed the gathering included SAD’s Lok Sabha candidates Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Sangrur), Charanjit Singh Atwal (Fatehgarh Sahib) and Prem Singh Chandumajra (Patiala). Tohra’s widow Joginder Kaur, daughter Kuldeep Kaur and son-in-law Harmail Tohra were present on the occasion.