Monthly Archives: August 2018

HT Correspondent

letterschd@hindustantimes.com

AMRITSAR : Lawyer and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader HS Phoolka on Thursday objected to the term “Sikh cult” used in the addendum of the Supreme Court’s judgment ordering the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

He wrote a letter to Akal Takht, highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, urging it to direct the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to take legal measures to ensure removal of the word “cult” which is not fit for the Sikh religion.

“Here is there is a sense of annoyance amongst many Sikh groups and sangat over this act (sic),” he said in the letter addressed to Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.

The letter reads, “In the judgment passed by the Constitution Bench there is absolutely no reference to the objectionable term ‘Sikh Cult’. This Addendum is of 116 pages and is not signed by any of the Judges who were members of the Constitution Bench. It is to be noted that this Addendum is not the judgment of the Constitution Bench, but yet, attaching it with the Supreme Court Judgment, accords it importance and it can be relied upon and quoted by historians and media and even by the Courts”.

“The term Sikh cult has appeared in this addendum while quoting the extracts from the examination-in-chief of Mr. Rajinder Singh, who had appeared as a witness in the suit. His statement was recorded by the Trial court more than 25 years ago”, it reads further.

In the main judgement of the Constitution Bench in Para 154 and 155, the Supreme Court has clearly held that ‘the tenets of Sikhism are opposed to Idol worship’

“ It appears that the term may have been used unintentionally, without proper application of mind, and only repeating what the witness Rajinder Singh has said in his evidence”, Phooka writes, adding, “Be that as it may be, it is important to get this term expunged even from the Addendum of the Judgment. I am of the view that it would be appropriate for the SGPC to file an application before the Hon’ble Supreme Court to expunge these remarks (sic).”

The former AAP leader requested acting jathedar to form a team of the top most lawyers of the country to examine the matter in detail.

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Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh/Bikaner, November 13 

The closing ceremony of the joint military exercise  between the armies of India and France—‘Exercise Shakti-2019’ was held at the Mahajan Field firing range here on Wednesday.

Sikh-French bonhomie was witnessed when soldiers celebrated Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev on Wednesday.

Soldiers from both countries partook of ‘langar’ as Brigadier General Jean Christophe Bechon, Commandant 6th Light Armoured Brigade, French Army, greeted Sikh soldiers on Gurpurb.

An infantry platoon group of the Sikh Regiment part of South Western Command and a platoon group of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Armoured Brigade represented India and France, respectively, in the exercise, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.

An infantry platoon group of the Sikh Regiment part of south western Command and a platoon group of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Armoured Brigade represented India and France respectively in the exercise, defence spokesperson Col Sombit Ghosh said.

The exercise, which had two phases, began on October 31.

Both the armies shared valuable combat experience of counter terrorists operations in an international environment under the United Nations mandate.

The biennial exercise, which is conducted alternately in India and France, began in 2011. With PTI inputs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

After the uniform of the Rajya Sabha staff was changed to military-style outfit, it led to an outrage among retired officers.

The marshals, who stood on either side of Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu sported a different uniform. Customarily, two marshals flank the Rajya Sabha presiding officer and assist the Chair in organising the desk and bringing up order papers.

The new uniform has an elaborately-adorned cap replacing the traditional Indian attire paired with a turban. The peak-cap sported an aiguillette, an ornamental braided cord with decorative metal tips which is worn only by senior military officers and the Indian police service. The new uniform has shoulder epaulets with stripes like those used by the IAF and Navy to denote ranks of officers. There is even a ‘Laynard’ — an across the shoulder loop.

Ex-Army Chief Gen VP Malik (retd) tweeted, “Copying and wearing of military uniforms by non- military personnel is illegal and a security hazard”. He said he hoped the Vice-President, the Rajya Sabha and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will take early action.

Former Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (retd) questioned: “Why do organisations private and government, and now the respected Rajya Sabha want similarity in attire with armed forces without any consideration for the dignity of soldiers. Is it because the public holds them in highest esteem? Legal provisions needed to respect uniform”. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh objected to the uniform and asked if a ‘marshal law’ was imposed. Dismissing the objection, Naidu said, “Don’t raise insignificant queries.”

The Guru Nanak Asra building in Jalandhar. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 16

UK-based charitable organisation Midland Langar Sewa Society (MLSS) today opened its multi-purpose building for providing free accommodation to underprivileged sections.

The building at Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib, Subhana, under the project, Guru Nanak Asra 550, has a capacity of accommodating over 220 orphans and destitute belonging to all age groups. To mark the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, CEO of the society Randhir Singh said they had launched the project as a franchise of the MLSS in the state.

“The charitable society will rehabilitate orphans, elderly, homeless and people with physical disabilities. Baba Fauja Singh, Gurmail Singh, Vishal Singh and Jora Singh will manage the affairs of the project in the state,” said Randhir.

To ensure healthcare facilities for the beneficiaries, there would be appropriate arrangements of psychiatric assistance, physical help and holistic therapies, said Randhir.

Besides, poor and needy children would be provided education under the project.

For medical treatment of the beneficiaries residing in the building, retired medical experts would visit the country and hire teams for 24-hour medical assistance.