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Controversy over separate gurdwara panel in haryana
Secure shrines in Haryana: SAD to Rajnath
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Sikhs must unite for SGPC: Sukhbir
Akal Takht, SGPC furious over Kurukshetra clash
UP, U'khand, Rajasthan Sikhs too ‘want separate panels’
SC to hear PIL against HSGMC Act today
Insurance Bill: Cong objection on content, not raising FDI cap
TN Assembly introduces Bill to remove dhoti ban
Maratha Light Infantry turns 246
M’rashtra CM holds out olive branch to Rane
Chacha Chaudhury creator Pran dies
Uproar in Lok Sabha as Cong calls Speaker biased
Herald case: Delhi HC stays proceedings against Gandhis
Defer non-essential travel to Ebola-affected Africa: Govt UPSC row: Govt to call
all-party meet Flood threat to Bihar averted: Govt
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Controversy over separate gurdwara panel in haryana SGPC employees, task force members leave the shrine without putting up any resistance Parvesh Sharma Tribune News Service
Cheeka (Kaithal), August 6 When around 150 Haryana Sikhs led by Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) members reached the gurdwara to take over, few SGPC employees present on the premises left without putting up any resistance. Sources said around 1.30 pm the HSGMC supporters, led by its executive committee members Baljit singh Daduwal and Avtar singh Chakku, reached the gurdwara without any problem, as local policemen and intelligence officers did not expect any such attempt today due to ongoing tension at Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra. There were around 14 task force members and 13 employees of the SGPC at the gurdwara in Cheeka. Daudwal told them that HSGMC supporters had come to take over the gurdwara, they all left the premises without any argument, considering the strength of HSGMC supporters. “We have taken over the gurdwara without any clash. We do not have anything against the SGPC employees who were managing the gurdwara affairs. They can still work here under the HSGMC if they want” said Daduwal. But all SGPC employees at the time of filing of the report were camping at a local dera of Kar sewa near the gurdwara. As soon as the information of the takeover reached the police, they swung into action and barricaded all roads leading to gurdwara. A special force has been deployed to keep an eye on the vehicles entering from Punjab as Cheeka is the last town of Haryana on its border with the neighbouring state, fearing tension in border villages. “We have increased the security and will not allow anyone to create a law and order problem. We have deputed special teams to prevent the entry of trouble creators from Punjab,” Cheeka DSP Gurmale Saini said. Kaithal Deputy Commissioner NK Solanki, who also reached Cheeka, said he had directed his officers to take all steps to prevent any law and order problem in area. “Till now, the situation is under control and we hope that it would remain peaceful,” said Solanki.
Claims control over Yamunanagar shrine
Yamunanagar: HSGMC Radaur block president Gurbaz Singh on Wednesday claimed to have taken control of Gurdwara Thada Sahib at Jhiverhedi village here. HSGMC general secretary Joga Singh said they had informed the Superintendent of Police, Yamunanagar, about the development and he had deputed the police force there.
SAD, SGPC send more men to Ambala gurdwaras
Ambala: Following the takeover of the Kaithal gurdwara by HSGMC activists, SAD and SGPC members stationed at gurdwaras Manji Sahib and Panjokhra Sahib in Ambala on Wednesdy called in more activists to protect their shrines against any takeover bid. Senior Akali leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, who has been stationed at Manji Sahib Gurdwara for the last few days said they were fully prepare to thawt any takeover bid.
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Secure shrines in Haryana: SAD to Rajnath
New Delhi, August 6 The Centre’s intervention was sought by the SAD during a meeting of its MPs, including Harsimrat Kaur Badal, with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Akali leaders met the Home Minister in the backdrop of a clash between supporters of HSGMC and the Haryana police in Kurukshetra. The Home Minister would take up the issue with the Haryana Government, claimed senior Akali leader SS Dhindsa, who was part of the delegation. Before meeting Rajnath, Akalis called on Union Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley.
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Sikhs must unite for SGPC: Sukhbir
Natheha (Talwandi Sabo), Aug 6 This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal talking to this correspondent on the sidelines of a campaign for SAD candidate from Talwandi Sabo Jeet Mohinder Sidhu, here today. “Sikhs, by nature, are habitual of attaching themselves to groups as a part of their daily lives. They all need to come on a common platform and understand the delicate situation in which attempts were being made to finish the universally accepted parliament (Akal Takht) of the Sikhs under the SGPC’, he said. “We need to understand that sustained efforts have been made since Independence to weaken the Sikhs. Years of turbulence during terrorism followed by a poor resettlement package told the real story. Taking away the supremacy of the SGPC, exercised through the Akal Takht, was the last attempt by an already crumpled Congress. The way the once supreme Congress party has been washed out in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, it should not expect any magic in Haryana, now”, he added.
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Akal Takht, SGPC furious over Kurukshetra clash
Amritsar, August 6 The Jathedar said, “The self-styled leaders misguided the Sikhs in Haryana and tried to take over the control of gurdwaras by misbehaving with the employees on duty, which is an open defiance of the directives issued by the Akal Takht. I strongly criticise their move.” He said the Sikh clergy would soon meet to deliberate as to what action should be taken against them. He said those who boasted of being dedicated to the Akal Takht were today seen “acting at the behest of the Congress and resorting to fratricidal feud, which has pitted Sikhs against Sikhs”. He said he had directed both the warring sides to maintain status quo till the Akal Takht took a decision on the issue. “However, unfortunately, they pelted stones at Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi in Kurukshetra and dared to make an attempt to take over the control of the shrine. They have committed a grave mistake by disobeying the Akal Takht. Their act is highly condemnable,” he added. The Jathedar also asked the Haryana Government to step in and get the “gurdwaras released from the clutches of those who have forcibly taken over them”. He said the state government and the gurdwara panel will be responsible if any bloodshed took place over the controversy. The SGPC too flayed the Hooda government and its “stooges” for forcibly taking the possession of a gurdwara in Haryana. SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the control of a gurdwara at Gohla Cheeka was taken over at the behest of the Congress government “whose name would be written in black letters in history”. He said today’s incident has exposed the “real face” of the Haryana government and Jagdish Singh Jhinda. He said on one hand Jhinda and his supporters were talking peace and on the other they want to indulge in bloodbath with their Sikh brethren. Former Takht Shri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh also dubbed the incident as unfortunate and said it has hanged the heads of Sikhs in shame. He said both the sides should exercise restraint and resolve the matter through dialogue.
Amarinder appeals for restraint
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UP, U'khand, Rajasthan Sikhs too ‘want separate panels’
Hisar, August 6 Dibdiba said Sikhs in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh had already made efforts towards having their own committees to gurdwaras and other Sikh affairs in their respective states. He added that a delegation met UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on August 2 urging him to create a state body of Sikhs on the lines of Haryana. "The Chief Minister has reacted positively to the demand. UP has around 18 lakh Sikhs, besides many historic gurdwaras", he said, adding that while the Rajasthan Sikhs had already prepared a draft for formation of the RSGPC and would soon meet the Rajasthan chief minister soon, a similar demand was being raised in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. “The SGPC has become a political tool in the hands of Akali Dal and thus it has failed to serve the community, especially outside Punjab,” he said. He said violence in Kurukshetra was imminent. “We have backed the Haryana Sikhs on the HSGMC issue and will extend all support if they ask for it.”
UP Chief Minister responds positively
A Sikh delegation met UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on August 2 urging him to create a state body of Sikhs on the lines of Haryana. He has responded positively to the
demand.
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SC to hear PIL against HSGMC Act today
New Delhi, August 6 A Bench headed by Chief Justice RM Lodha in Court No. 1 was initially reluctant to grant urgent hearing, but accepted the plea for listing the case tomorrow. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Harish Salve said Haryana was facing a serious problem as two groups of Sikhs were in a tussle for taking over the administration of gurdwaras in the state. Salve also pleaded for a “status quo” order, pending hearing of the PIL, but the Bench remained silent. Nevertheless, it clarified that it was the duty of the state to maintain law and order. In fact, the PIL had been listed as the first case to be heard today in Court No. 2 presided over by Justice HL Dattu but the Bench refused to take it up as Justice RK Agrawal opted out the case without assigning any reason. Apparently, the fact that he was from Haryana was the reason for his recusal. Upon this, Salve rushed to the CJI court and sought an early hearing. Citing as many as 13 grounds for striking down Haryana Sikh Gurdwara (Management) Act, 2014, the PIL contends that the newly enacted law had “wide ranging ramifications” for Sikhs living all over the country.
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Insurance Bill: Cong objection on content, not raising FDI cap
New Delhi, August 6 Among the issues the Congress-led Opposition is seeking is clarification on altering the definition of FDI that would allow foreign institutional investors and not just companies. “This means the FDI in insurance could well end up like a stock market investment where money pours in when the going is good...flight of investment can also take place... how can such a situation be allowed in a sensitive sector”, a senior Congress leader said. The Bill envisaging raising of the cap was prepared by the Manmohan Singh Government in 2008 and sent for examination to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance. The panel made a number of suggestions. Of these, 86 were incorporated, former Union Minister and Congress Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said adding that the panel had in principle raised a red flag for a number of proposals, including raising the FDI cap. “There have been developments, 11 new amendments, two of which we feel are substantive. The other Opposition parties have raised some issues which need clarification to give them more comfort to proceed with the discussion and the passage”, the Congress leader said. He said the substantive change the government is bringing fundamentally changes the definition of the FDI. The FDI policy came in 1996 and it evolved with more sectors opening up and the route and sectoral cap changing. “Many of changes were done last year when I had the responsibility (as Minister of Commerce), Sharma said. “The” definition is there in the FDI policy document. Insurance is a sensitive sector. The FDI means that it is a tangible investment, solid investment coming in a particular sector for business purposes and when a sectoral cap is there, the issue of ownership and control comes in which means even if you go up to 49% the ownership and control of which is very clearly defined. “There were two definitions earlier and even now for that matter. One is of the companies and the second is the definition under the FDI so that there is clarity on what we mean by Indian ownership and control. The change that has happened is that the BJP has proposed portfolio investment as part of the FDI. This is a sensitive sector, we are going to deepen the access to insurance and enhance coverage for the benefit of the poor people, also farmers, and those who have been for historical reasons not part of the financial inclusion and need that coverage,” Sharma said.
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TN Assembly introduces Bill to remove dhoti ban
Chennai, August 6 Introduced by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the backdrop of recent controversy triggered by denial of entry to a dhoti-clad Madras High Court Judge into the TNCA Club here, the Bill provides for the cancellation of licence and punishment of one year imprisonment for any violation of the legislation. The Tamil Nadu Entry into Public Places (Removal of restriction of dress) Act, 2014, was introduced after the House gave its nod by a voice vote. The Bill states that no recreation club, association, trust, company or society shall make any rule, regulation or bye-law imposing restriction on the entry to any person wearing a ‘veshti’ reflecting Indian culture or any other Indian traditional dress into any public place under its control or management. Any violation of the act would lead to the cancellation of the licence, one-year imprisonment and an additional penalty of Rs 25,000. Jayalalithaa had earlier assured the House that an act to remove the dhoti ban would be brought in the current session itself after Opposition parties raised the issue of the dhoti-clad judge being denied entry into the club on July 11. — PTI
Safeguarding Indian culture
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Maratha Light Infantry turns 246
British-era officer & former JAG turns 100
Brig (Justice) DM Sen, the first Indian Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Army celebrated his 100th birthday on August 6 and he had surprise visitor. The Army Chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag walked into his house to wish him. Brig Sen graduated with Honours Degree in Law from Kings College, London, in 1939 and thereafter completed his Bar at Law from Middletown Temple College, United Kingdom. At the outbreak of World War II, he was enrolled in the British Army and was enlisted as a Private in the Royal Scots. Two months later he was selected for a commission in the Indian Army. After the required training as an officer cadet, he got commissioned in the First Punjab Regiment in 1942. He was appointed as the JAG of the Indian Army from in April 1948 — the first Indian to hold charge. Vijay Mohan and Ajay Banerjee
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M’rashtra CM holds out olive branch to Rane
Mumbai, August 6 “Whatever was said may have been an emotional outburst... I have forgotten about it,” Chavan said. He hoped that Congress workers too put behind the episode and work for the party during the forthcoming Assembly polls. Rane, who had quit the Cabinet, quietly withdrew his resignation and promised to work for the party, after the party did not acquiesce to his demands. — TNS
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Chacha Chaudhury creator Pran dies
New Delhi, August 6 Chacha Chaudhury, the neighbourhood genius who rapidly became a household name endeared himself to both children and grownups alike, giving a homegrown comic character to Indians who uptill then had to make do with reproductions of foreign titles like ‘Phantom’ and ‘Superman’. Creator of the iconic character, Pran Kumar Sharma, popularly known as Pran, breathed his last at the age of 75 leaving behind a unmatched legacy and a void in the cartooning landscape that comic aficionados believe will be hard to fill. He succumbed to cancer at a hospital in Gurgaon. Born in Kasur, near Lahore in undivided India in 1938, Pran began his career in 1960 as a cartoonist for the Delhi-based newspaper ‘Milap’ with comic strip ‘Daabu’. In 1969, Pran sketched Chacha Chaudhary for the Hindi magazine ‘Lotpot’, which made him famous. Pran was approached by Gulshan Rai of Diamond Comics in 1981 and thus began an association that continued for the next 35 years. Most people recall with nostalgia their growing up years reading the exploits of Chacha and his inseparable companion Sabu who is from Jupiter, the villainous Raka, the stout Chachi, the mischievous Billoo and playful Pinki, Raman and Shrimatiji among other memorable characters. In his career spanning over five decades, Pran employed a simple style of art and sense of humour to create a body of unforgettable characters. Under the leading comics banner, Pran published over 500 titles and more than 25,000 comic features in 10 languages. — PTI
Walt Disney of Indian comics
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Uproar in Lok Sabha as Cong calls Speaker biased
New Delhi, August 6 Leading the charge in the Well of the Lok Sabha, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his party members demanded a discussion under Rule 193 (special discussion) and submitted an adjournment motion on rising incidents of communal riots in the country. Gandhi, a three-time MP, who usually occupies the fifth row in the Opposition benches, stormed the Well around noon after Question Hour. His party’s young brigade raised slogans questioning the government and the Prime Minister. Members of the RJD, SP, RSP and AAP joined them and raised slogans such as “We want justice” and where is the Prime Minister? Has run away, run away.” Rahul Gandhi said: “There is a mood in Parliament that only one man’s voice counts for anything in this country.” The Speaker said, “If somebody has to level an allegation, then I cannot do anything. I am trying to do my work with integrity... will you (the media) go merely by the allegation? You can analyse records and see how many members of which parties were allowed to raise supplementary questions.”
We are not being allowed to speak in Parliament. We are asking for discussion. It is completely one-sided,
partiality.
If somebody has to level an allegation, then I cannot do anything. I am trying to do my work with integrity... will you (the media) go merely by the allegation? You can analyse records and see how many members of which parties were allowed to raise supplementary
questions.
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Herald case: Delhi HC stays proceedings against Gandhis
New Delhi, August 6 Appearing for Sonia Gandhi, senior advocate Kapil Sibal sought quashing of the trial court proceedings, contending that the magistrate had taken wrong decisions at every state of the case. “These are unfortunate proceedings against the Congress that is seeking to revive a newspaper associated with the party for 80 years. Courts must be extremely careful in scrutinising the matter,” Sibal pleaded. Appearing for Rahul, senior advocate Abhishekh Singhvi pointed out that no way the two leaders could have benefitted from Young Indian acquiring majority shareholdings of Associated Journals.
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Defer non-essential travel to Ebola-affected Africa: Govt New Delhi, August 6 This recommendation came from Health Minister Harsh Vardhan who said in Parliament today that while the risk of Ebola virus cases in India was low, the country was “All precautions have been taken. Preparedness measures are in place,” Vardhan said in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today. The Health Ministry has held discussions with the MEA and Defence Ministries to draft a strategy to prevent Ebola import into India. There are 4,700 Indians in the three affected West African countries — 500 in Guinea, 3,000 in Liberia and 1,200 in Sierra Leone — reporting maximum Ebola cases. “In Nigeria, there are 40,000 Indians. The Ministry of Defence has said around 7,000 Indian troops are deployed in the African continent but not in the affected countries. As of now, the risk of transmission from the affected regions is low. In Liberia, 300 Indians are on UN peace-keeping missions. For precaution, we will obtain details of travelers originating or transiting from Ebola virus-affected countries to India from the airlines and missions concerned. Our missions will track these people after their arrival to India up to their final destination in the country,” Vardhan said. He said that the Health Ministry had issued advisories to state disease surveillance units for early detection and management of travel-related cases reported from the community. All states have been told to identify nodal officers and designate hospitals with isolation wards for responding to any possible cases. “At airports, too, there would be designated facilities to manage travelers manifesting with Ebola symptoms,” said Vardhan, adding that in flight announcements to self-report any sickness upon arrival to India would also be ensured. The deadly virus Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal, disease that affects people, chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys and forest antelopes. Origin Ebola virus has been named after a river in Congo, where disease was first recognised in 1976 How it spreads
Symptoms
Treatment No standard treatment; sick person is isolated, given fluids, oxygen; treatment for secondary infections The death toll has risen to 932 after 45 patients died between August 2 and August 4. The number of suspected, probable or confirmed cases rose by 108 over the same period to 1,711: WHO Source: US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
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UPSC row: Govt to call all-party meet New Delhi, August 6 The matter, which has disrupted parliamentary proceedings during the past week, today rocked the Rajya Sabha again with members of the CPM, CPI, SP and BSP walked out expressing dissatisfaction over Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar’s statement on the issue. Maintaining that it was a sensitive issue with several aspects, the minister said a discussion was needed to determine whether a major reform of the examination pattern of the UPSC is required. “An all-party meeting will definitely take place. If there is need, more such meetings can take place,” he said. The government also indicated its unwillingness to postpone the civil services preliminary examination scheduled for August 24. Noting that 9 lakh students are appearing for the August 24 preliminary test of the UPSC, the minister urged the members, “Let us give our best wishes to all those, who are taking the August 24 exam.” Reacting sharply to the suggestion by the minister, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said the views of all parties had already come in the House and asked why the government did not take a decision on that basis rather than calling an all-party meeting. Members from the CPI-M, including P. Rajeev, wanted to know the “status quo” asking whether the statement given by Minister of DoPT Jitendra Singh earlier on the issue now remains valid after Javadekar’s remarks. — TNS & PTI
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Flood threat to Bihar averted: Govt New Delhi, August 6 She said this to a query whether the issue was raised during the PM’s Nepal visit. "Nepalese authorities have drained out water from the artificial lake on Kosi. The PM’s presence helped," she said. — PTI
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New Delhi, August 6
New Delhi, August 6
All Sikhs need to come on a common platform and understand the delicate situation in which attempts are being made to finish the universally accepted parliament (Akal Takht) of the Sikhs under the
SGPC.
CHANDIGARH: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday called for restraint by all concerned. He said he was feeling pained and disappointed over the confrontation between Haryana SGPC and the SGPC task force. He held Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal responsible for it, saying “Badal is behaving like a modern day mahant who did not want to let go his control over Haryana gurdwaras.”
August 1 marks the birth of the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI), one of the regiments of the Army. A potent land and naval force in 16th-18th century, the Marathas had performed well in campaigns against the Mughals and the British. The 1st Battalion of the Regiment, known as Jangi Paltan, was raised in August 1768 as the 2nd Battalion, Bombay Sepoys, to protect the British East India Company's assets on the islands of Bombay, with a second battalion being raised the next year. The MLI is a highly decorated regiment with two Victoria Cross, four Ashok Chakra and four Maha Vir Chakra among numerous other awards and battle honours.
Perhaps no cartoon character in the country holds greater endurance than an avuncular short-statured man sporting a thick bristling moustache and a blazing red turban.
We're not allowed to speak
I am trying to do my work with integrity