*SIKH PA 5 YEAR HIGHLIGHTS*
To mark
#5YearsOfSikhPA
we share with you this brief glimpse into some of the highlights of our work.
We wish to thank everyone that's been part of our journey, one with Maharaj's kirpa we will continue for a long time yet!
Just a week after a 68-year-old Sikh was beaten to death, an elderly Sikh man has been attacked again in a New York hate crime.
Last weekend three men assaulted Lakhvir Singh (50) whilst he was stopped in traffic in Manhattan in his
@Uber
, telling him "go back to your country".
* APPEAL CONTINUES - MAN AND WOMAN SOUGHT REGARDING MANCHESTER SIKH ATTACK *
@gmpolice
have issued new images of a man and a woman wanted for questioning regarding a broad daylight attack on 23rd June which left a 62-year-old Sikh man in a coma and with life-changing injuries.
Yesterday we shared an image of a huge operation of langar seva (communal kitchen selfless service) producing thousands of meals for the hungry.
Here we share this an image of a smaller community group playing their part too!
Great to see so many Sikhs doing what they can!
Activist and journalist Nodeep Kaur was abducted by Indian Police at the
#FarmersProtest
. She has been tortured and sexually assaulted in police custody, denied medical examination and bail.
India's treatment of women activists must be exposed.
#FreeNodeepKaur
#ReleaseNodeepKaur
Pictured draped in the Nishaan Sahib (Sikh flag) after his victories tonight, well done to Dylan "The Natural" Cheema for becoming the
@boxxer
@SkySportsBoxing
Lightweight Tournament champion!
With three wins on the night in how hometown of Coventry, Dylan is now 5-0 as a pro.
SINGH SETS NEW BRITISH DEADLIFT RECORD!
Congratulations to Inderraj Singh on breaking the British 120kg weight division deadlifting record with a mind-blowing 375kg lift at the recent All England Championships!
Follow him on Instagram-
Well done Singh!
The Sikhs For Justice have released a map of their vision of what Khalistan - a free Sikh homeland in India - would entail.
The group are holding a non-binding referendum to gauge support for Khalistan which begins next week (Oct 31st) in London, at the Queen Elizabeth Centre.
WOW!
Is this the best achievement through a year of any Sikh sports competitors ever!?
In just over a year (58 weeks) sisters Dheep Kaur (16) and Simran Kaur Sawan (13) of Solihull (Midlands, UK) won an astounding 64 (!) gold medals between them in kickboxing competitions!
After the murder of global music icon
#SidhuMoosewala
today, we request all media covering the story NOT to leave out the fact he was killed just days after speaking positively about Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement) and showing support for a pro-Khalistan political party.
Members of the Sikh community are shocked and disappointed to see the omission of a Sikh faith representative at today's Remembrance Sunday commemoration in Whitehall.
84,000 Sikhs sacrificed their lives for humanity during these wars, why were Sikhs excluded from this event?
* HAPPY SIKH NEW YEAR! *
Today (14th March) marks the first day of Chet (also spelt Chayt), which is the first month of the Nanakshahi calendar, which is mentioned in GurBani (Sikh scripture).
Countless Sikhs will mark this occasion globally through prayer and celebration.
A Sikh political prisoner has died in India, increasing worry for the safety of Scotsman
#JagtarSinghJohal
& similar figures.
Like "Jaggi", Malkit Singh, 20, was jailed on obscure allegations, reported torture, & was denied medical checks, leading to his death by Indian officers
@rihanna
For more information on this issue-
Follow
@savingpunjab
(on instagram too - )
Updates on the latest situation
1) Reaction to recent violence-
2) Regular updates can be found at-
*ISIS ATTACK AFGHAN SIKHS FOR THIRD DAY IN A ROW*
The same Gurdwara where 25 Sikhs were killed just 2 days ago has been attacked again.
Mines were planted around the complex in Kabul where Sikhs live this morning. No casualties have been reported.
We will provide updates ASAP.
Say hello to the new English bench press champion Karenjeet Kaur Bains!
Karenjeet is a powerlifter that has represented Great Britain in competition and advocates her Sikh faith as part of the reason for her success.
Well done Karenjeet!
Follow her at-
Congratulations to new British Powerlifting bench press champion Karenjeet Kaur Bains!
With a lift of 95kg, Bains, who advocates Sikhi as helping her athletic success, became the 69kg champ after winning the 63kg competition last year too.
Follow here at
Nobel Prize-nominated Sikh aid worker
@RaviSinghKA
was suspended from Facebook and journalist
#AmaanBali
has been suspended from Twitter as the Indian government continues to apply pressure on social media platforms to censor Sikh activists.
Read more:
Many Canadian Sikhs are questioning why news of the murder of an international student in Truro (Nova Scotia) is not getting more prominent coverage by national media.
Prabhjot Singh Katri, in his early 20s, died on Sunday after "a crazy group of guys stab knife in his throat".
PUNJAB FARMING DOCUMENTARY ON AMAZON
Acclaimed
@toxificationdoc
is now available on
@PrimeVideo
in the UK/USA. Created by respected filmmaker
@rehmatphotofilm
, the film looks into economic slavery, addiction, suicide & more, making it an important watch amid the
#FarmersProtest
.
The Sikh Press Association join countless within the community and beyond in honouring the late Jarnail Singh after news of his passing today.
Jarnail Singh was a courageous journalist and activist most known for his efforts exposing the perpetrators of the 1984 Sikh genocide.
Please join us in saying congratulations to...
THE FIRST-EVER SIKH MMA WORLD CHAMPION
ARJAN SINGH BHULLAR!
@TheOneASB
(Win via 2nd round TKO for the
@ONEChampionship
world heavyweight title).
VaheGuru!
A video of a Sikh man wearing bana whilst receiving the prestigious "call to the bar" law qualification has gone viral.
Bana is the term for traditional Sikh attire, worn usually by Khalsa (the collective of Amritdhari - initiated - Sikhs).
A Sikh girl has become a published author at the tender age of 10-years-old.
Jagdish Kaur of Birmingham (UK) wrote "The Mind of a Curious Soul", a collection of poems on "the environment, and thoughts and feelings" which is now available via Amazon-
Lakhvir Singh becomes at least the seventh Sikh man to be violently attacked in a hate crime in the New York areas since 2022. The ongoing anti-Sikh issue in the city was recently addressed by
@NYCMayor
in a public event.
Media inquiries- media
@Sikhpa
.com.
TYPICAL SIKHS!
Yesterday an accident on the
#M4
(UK motorway) put traffic at a standstill, leaving drivers stranded on one of the hottest days of the year.
In response, local Sikhs came to drop water to those stuck!
"My Sikhi is the main reason I am a fighter..."
Did you know this year a Sikh won FOUR titles in WKU combat?
In 2023 17-year-old Harvey Singh Sangha won not just TWO British titles but also TWO WORLD TITLES in both light-contact and full-contact categories in the combat...
We are delighted
@BritishVogue
via
@em_chan
covered the
#FarmersProtest
by centring women's crucial role in this movement with
@iamjassisangha
.
Kaurs (Sikh women) have historically always been involved in all spheres of Sikh activism & resistance.
Read-
This is massive. Actress Mahima Chaudhry caught charging for fake tweets to support BJP, reveals that other Indian celebs are doing this too.
#FarmersProtest
#BollywoodNowModiWood
Happy Vaisakhi!
Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi (which is NOT the Sikh New Year) as the birth of the Khalsa, the collective of initiated Sikhs.
This is a rare occasion when a King empowered Their followers with leadership, as Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the sovereign Khalsa Panth!
Today (14th April) Sikhs around the world are marking Vaisakhi, a celebration of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's creation of the Khalsa, the collective of initiated Sikhs.
The event is NOT the Sikh new year or Sikh harvest festival. Learn more- .
#Vaisakhi2023
* SIKH WOMAN "SEXUALLY ASSAULTED" DURING 18 DAY INDIAN POLICE DETAINMENT *
Nodeep Kaur was targeted during the
#FarmersProtest
and has been detained since Jan 12th in what some are suggesting is a state crackdown on workers rights activists.
Read more-
Why has Instagram blocked the hashtag
#Sikh
@instagram
@mosseri
?
In the same week that
#Neverforget1984
trends on Twitter, Instagram seemingly conspires to suppress the truth about the atrocities of the 1984 Sikh genocide by censoring the faith of 27 million people.
Today an estimated 1000+ Sikhs gathered outside London's India Consulate to protest against the ongoing
#PanjabUnderSiege
situation. Mass support for Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) was shown, as the movement remains the central target of India's anti-Sikh subjugation efforts.
Today is 25 years since Ricky Reel was last seen alive. The 20-year-old Sikh was part of a group attacked by racists targeting his friend's dastaar (Sikh turban). Days later he was found in the river Thames. Police racism then saw them fail to properly investigate the case.
One of the most shocking images of the
#PunjabUnderSiege
situation...
@PunjabPoliceInd
showcase "evidence" retrieved from a raid which reveals the "radicalism" of the target.
The image is of a historic Nishaan Sahib (Sikh flag).
This is the level of India's anti-Sikh fascism.
Two Sikh brothers will make English football history when they become the first pair of British South Asians to officiate a Championship league match.
Read more:
A video of a Sikh schoolboy being attacked by other pupils (UK) is currently going viral. See statements from the children's school
@charlton_school
& local police group
@WMerciaPolice
on the incident, which saw the attackers mock the Sikh boy's appearance during the assault.
The family of Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal have said that they have not heard from him since September 2019. Jaggi has been imprisoned in India for over 900 days without charge and his family have no idea of state of health during the COVID19 pandemic.
Hey
@MarcusRashford
, the UK Govt may not be willing to help you but the Sikhs are!
Dozens of Sikh orgs across Britain are regularly (many daily) providing langar (Sikh free communal kitchen service) to their local communities.
Get in touch to help them help more people.
Great to see
@GlobalBC
respond to concerns of the province's Sikhs and cover the
#PanjabUnderSiege
situation with insight from
@jindisinghka
.
We encourage all panth (Sikh community/path) orgs to reach out to media and offer interviews on the issue. Watch-
A Punjab family are calling for more buses to be used instead of tractors for travel to Delhi amid the
#FarmersProtest
.
The call comes after their relative, 16-year-old Gurjinder Singh, died en route to the protest after a tractor accident. Others have died in similar incidents.
Today as countless people around the world mark
#ArmisticeDay2023
, many are ensuring the standout Sikh contribution in the first World War is recognised too.
An estimated 130,000+ Sikhs fought in the war, an effort which is honoured at various remembrance events across the UK.
.
@SikhFedUK
are leading complaints to
@Conservatives
after Harrow East (which has a big Hindu populace) MP
@BobBlackman
today regurgitated Indian State propaganda about UK "Khalistani terrorists". In 2022
@BylineTimes
exposed Blackman takes payments from Indian nationalist groups
The Sikh community in Afghanistan is calling for Sikhs in the West to step up and help them reach safety. They have struggled for many years in the country but now the destabilisation of the Afghan government and insurrection of the Taliban has forced them to look for asylum.
HAPPY SIKH NEW YEAR!
Today, 14th March, is the first day of Chet, the first month of the Nanakshahi calendar, which is referenced in Gurbani (Guru's word; Sikh scripture).
Vaisakhi (13th April) is often mistakenly called the Sikh New Year but marks the creation of the Khalsa.
Congratulations to Ontario (Canada) native Tejpal Singh Nijjar who becomes possibly the first ever Punjabi Sikh to sign for a La Liga (Spain's top football league) team!
The 16-year-old goal keeper officially signed for
@RayoVallecano
earlier this month, and spoke to Sikh PA...
A Gurdwara in Warsaw (Poland) near the Ukrainian border has become a hub of support for people escaping the
#RussiaUkraine
war.
The Gurdwara has been providing shelter and langar (free communal kitchen service) for mainly Indian international students fleeing the conflict.
Slough Mp
@TanDhesi
says India is telling foreigners to keep their nose out of affairs but human rights are universal. Says people are distressed by images of water cannons and tear gas used against peaceful protesters.
We are extremely disappointed to learn twitter have "permanently suspended"
@freejagginow
, the official
#Freejagginow
account run in support of British Sikh political prisoner
#JagtarSinghJohal
, who now enters his sixth year imprisoned in India without being convicted of a crime.
UPDATE-
Local media sources have confirmed that criminal Gilbert Augustin (30-years-old) will now be charged under hate crime legislature for beating 68-year-old Jasmer Singh to death last week in Queens (New York, USA). During the attack, Augustin shouted about Singh's "turban".
WATCH: This video gives a great insight into the Sikh principles and values of the farmers from Punjab on protest in Delhi.
The scale of Langar (communal food) that they have put together, indiscriminately for all, is amazing and contrary to Indian propaganda.
#standwithfarmers
WASH YOUR KARA!
We are sharing this having been requested by medical professionals.
#Coronavirus
can last longer on metal surfaces, so all Sikhs must be sure to also wash their kara whilst washing hands.
Please share.
Learn why Sikhs wear a kara here-
Community sources have confirmed that Bhai Amritpal Singh has handed himself in to Indian authorities. The news comes a month since the respected Sikh leader evaded arrest after the Indian State conducted a mass operation targeting Sikh activists and community figures in Punjab.
Guru Maneyo Granth Gurdwara in Slough has opened up its 4 acre site to the NHS as a temporary hospital during the COVID19 epidemic, writes
@sloughobserver
"We're simply doing our duty to serve the community at its time of need," said trustee Savraj Singh.
Oh Na Na What's...the
#FarmersProtest
?
Today
@rihanna
asked about India's Farmers Protests.
But what are they about?
Don't be blinded by All Of The Lights, come under our Umbrella & we'll take you to Disturbia with everything you need to know.
Read-
This Sunday 10,000+ will gather in London for the
#SikhGenocide84
Remembrance March and Freedom Rally.
The gathering marks Indian state atrocities of 1984, whilst also showing support for Sikh resistance Shaheeds (martyrs) and Khalistan (free Sikh homeland). Event details below.
Today in ongoing civil disobedience to protest against exploitative agricultural laws, farmers across India are taking part in a
#RailRokoForFarmers
(stop the trains) demonstration.
Read daily updates of the last 24 hours of the
#FarmersProtest
at .
Hi Rupa.
We would like to invite you to join us for a public debate on your framing of this situation and Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar. You seem to be a victim of Indian State disinformation.
Please get in touch asap.
A hagiography of Nijjar, a man wanted on terrorism and serious criminal charges in India, who first entered Canada under a false name, denied immigration several times, and somehow became a Canadian citizen quotes Gurpatwant Singh Pannu with no mention of the fact that Pannu
*RAVI SINGH REJECTS 'INDIAN' AWARD*
This week
@Khalsa_Aid
CEO
@RaviSinghKA
declined an award nomination for 'Indian of the year', stating 'I don't identify myself as Indian'.
Learn more by reading our article-
Please share.
The Sikh Press Association are aware of news a Sikh Arsenal fan was attacked by his fellow supporters at the Emirates Stadium last night.
We have reached out to offer our support, including to facilitate contact with our
@FA
and
@kickitout
contacts. We also wish to highlight...
Today is the day of the Southall (London, UK) Nagar Kirtan!
These religious processions are how Sikhs mark the festival of Vaisakhi, a celebration of the creation of the Khalsa (collective of initiated Sikhs). NOTE- It is NOT the Sikh New Year! Learn more
Congratulations to UK based Sikh youth athletes the "Twin Stallions" Jarnail Singh and Jabarjang Singh, brothers who were recently declared official
@WBCMuaythai
champions in their respective divisions for ongoing achievements in the sport.
Follow them at
A video of a woman being rejected from entering a Gurdwara for wearing face-paint of India's flag has been found to be a Hindu nationalist stunt to stir up more anti-Sikh hatred in India. Subsequent videos show the woman was rejected for carrying tobacco and inappropriate attire.
We are extremely disturbed to see this criminalization of the Sikh faith at
@unccharlotte
.
We will be getting in touch to request an official statement on this act of anti-Sikh discrimination and we will also be contacting local media to provide info on the kirpan (Sikh sword).
The Sikh Press Association is extremely concerned about the impact of a
@GBNEWS
segment by
@Nigel_Farage
demonising Sikhs.
Just a week after a violent racist attack on asylum seekers in Knowsley, a focus on Sikhs in this way endangers the lives of all practicing Sikhs in the UK.
"The same Sikhs orgs that are now being widely lauded as heroes amidst one of the greatest humanitarian crisis ever to face India, were only recently labeled as anti-nationals & terrorists for providing aid at the
#FarmersProtest
..."
Read via
@BaazNewsOrg
Two Hindu men were arrested last month for faking a threat from pro-Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) org Sikhs For Justice to an event attended by the Prime Ministers of Australia and India. Such allegations are one way Hindu ultranationalists work to tarnish support for Khalistan.
In a major update on the
#PunjabUnderSiege
situation, Indian authorities have confirmed the arrest of respected Sikh journalist/historian turned activist Bhai Papalpreet Singh.
Papalpreet Singh is not connected to any crime and is not even a member of Waris Punjab De, the...
* BASICS OF SIKHI PAGE HACKED & REMOVED *
The
@everythings_13
Basics of Sikhi
@YouTubeCreators
channel on Sikhi(sm) has been hacked & suspended.
BOS, Sikh PA's sister org, helps millions everyday connect with Sikh philosophy, history & spirituality.
#YouTubeReturnBasicsofSikhi
Thousands came together in London (UK) today to mark it being 39-years since the week the 1984
#SikhGenocide
began. The gathering saw mass support for Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement) and the Shaheeds (martyrs) of the Sikh resistance against India's attack on the community
40 American Sikh organizations have cosigned an open statement condemning India's actions regarding the
#PanjabUnderSiege
situation.
The group of orgs represent thousands of American Sikhs from across the USA in a joint appeal to elected officials "to hold India accountable".🧵
Huge News: Pop star Rihanna brings the
#FarmersProtest
to the attention of her 100 million Twitter followers, making it the most significant acknowledgement of the protest by anyone in the western world.
Tomorrow millions of Sikhs will celebrate
#vaisakhi2021
!
Often mistakenly called "the Sikh new year",
#Vaisakhi
for Sikhs is a celebration of the creation of the Khalsa, the collective of initiated Sikhs.
For media friendly info on Vaisakhi, check out .
Tomorrow thousands of women from across India will gather in and around Delhi to show support for the
#FarmersProtest
on
#InternationalWomensDay
.
In solidarity Sikhs the world over are holding
#IWD2021
events of all kinds. Here we share just some of these events. Tag more below!
Did you know
@amnesty
have demanded India stop using drones to drop tear gas on the
#FarmersProtest2024
group headed to Delhi?
The humanitarian org say the bombardment exposes protestors to "excessive quantities of chemicals" as India attempts to prevent "freedom of expression".
Today is the LAST DAY where you can provide feedback to
@NSWEducation
on their proposals to change the kirpan as it is worn in schools. The changes are being proposed to end the ongoing ban imposed on Sikhs last month.
You can provide them feedback here-
Yesterday
#JagtarSinghJohal
reached 1500 days imprisoned in India, without being convicted of a crime. Jagtar Singh has faced torture and a lack of British govt support.
Read more on his plight from his brother
@GSJohal85
via
@BaazNewsOrg
-
#FreeJaggiNow
Congratulations to Khalsa Primary School in Slough, which has been nominated for the Primary School of the Year award 2021 in the upcoming Tes Schools Awards 2021.
The Tes Awards recognise schools that have achieved exceptional performance levels annually.
Did you know there are suspicions India killed a prominent Sikh activist in the USA in 2015?
Satwinder Singh Bhola, son-in-law of famed activist Bapu Surat Singh, was stabbed late at night outside his home in Chicago (Illinois). $2000 cash he had on him at the time was untouched
Many UK Sikhs are alarmed senior MPs
@SadiqKhan
and
@JamesCleverly
have run to condemn recent Indian High Commission protests but ignore attacks on Sikhs. This video proves India ultranationalists were pelting Sikhs at Wednesday's
#PanjabUnderSiege
protest. Will MPs condemn this?
Jaggi will reach FOUR YEARS imprisoned in India without being convicted of a crime next month.
Sikh orgs and activists across the world will be marking this period with support for the
#FreeJaggiNow
campaign.
*CRUCIAL PERIOD FOR
#FREEJAGGINOW
CASE*
India's judiciary have stated they will finally review six cases (of nine) currently put alleged against Jagtar Singh Johal, the Scottish Sikh that has been arbitrarily detained in India for nearly four years now, over the next three days.
* UK AGREE TO INDIA DEMANDS TO EXTRADITE SIKHS FOR "DEATH SENTENCE" *
Three British Sikhs were arrested & put up for extradition to India this week. Read for more including-
> Info on the alleged crime & Priti Patel's link
> A quote from the families
Whilst Indian media and ultranationalists claim figures like Bhai Amritpal Singh only have fringe Sikh community support, any insight into real grassroots Sikh groups shows otherwise. Here we share a graphic showing all UK Sikh University Societies stand in solidarity with him.
With Vaisakhi incoming (14th April) and celebrations for the festival taking place through the month around the world, we remind all to use our informational page to ensure accurate messaging on it- .
It is NOT the Sikh New Year or Sikh harvest festival!