Sikhs – Congress Party – Sikh Communities

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sikhs – Congress Party – Sikh Communities Refugee Review Tribunal AUSTRALIA RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE Research Response Number: IND33034 Country: India Date: 13 March 2008 Keywords: India – Punjab – State politics – Sikhs – Congress Party – Sikh communities This response was prepared by the Research & Information Services Section of the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RRT within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. This research response may not, under any circumstance, be cited in a decision or any other document. Anyone wishing to use this information may only cite the primary source material contained herein. Questions 1. What is the current political situation in Punjab, and the situation since 2007? 2. What is the situation for (Sikh) Congress party supporters in Punjab? 3. Are there Sikh communities outside Punjab and are there difficulties in Sikhs living in other states? RESPONSE 1. What is the current political situation in Punjab, and the situation since 2007? The response to this question explores state politics in Punjab, political conflict since the 2007 state elections, and the situation beyond mainstream politics. State politics in Punjab The website of the Government of Punjab outlines the structures of government in place in the state: The government and administration in Punjab are organized on the same lines as in other states of India. The legislative wing of the State is the House of People or the Vidhan Sabha. Punjab has an unicameral legislature, having abolished the upper house, the Vidhan Parishad in the ‘60s. The chief minister and members of his cabinet are members of the legislature and they are at the top of the executive wing of the government and are accountable to the legislature. As elsewhere, the MLAs, or Members of the Legislative Assembly, wield considerable influence over policy-making and implementation, more so because they are members of District level Planning and Grievance Committees set up by the government in each district. Local government The system of local government consists of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and Notified Area Committees in urban areas. Their main source of revenue is octroi and their main administrative functions are conservancy, local health laws, and approving building plans in their local jurisdiction, In rural areas, there is the usual set up of village panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads though, in practice, they do not wield administrative or legal powers of any consequence. Unlike in states such as Karnataka or Maharashtra, local government cannot be said to be highly developed in Punjab. The judiciary The judiciary and the executive are separated in Punjab as in other states in the country. However, the state shares a common High Court with the state of Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh (‘Government – Overview’ (undated), Government of Punjab website http://punjabgovt.nic.in/GOVERNMENT/GOVERNMENT1.HTM – Accessed 4 March 2008 – Attachment 1). In recent years, victories in state elections (Legislative Assembly) have alternated between the Congress party (more formally known as the Indian National Congress or INC and also known as Congress I) on one side, and the combine of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on the other side. The UK Home Office Country of Information Report on India provides a brief background to these parties: Akali Dal also termed as Shiromani Akali Dal A Sikh party, formed in 1920 and demanding an independent Sikh state. This demand has been dropped since the Punjab peace accord of 1985. Formed an alliance with the BJP in 1997, but lost the Punjab state elections in 2002. Strong performance in the 2004 elections, winning 10 out of 13 seats in Punjab. It is a major player in the northern state of Punjab… …Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People’s Party) (BJP) ...The BJP was formed in 1980 from the former Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded in 1951 as the political wing of the extremist Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), responsible for outbreaks of communal violence in which a mosque was destroyed at Ayodhya. The BJP and its allies (NDA) were routed in a surprise defeat in the 2004 elections. The former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee is viewed as the leading moderate while former deputy PM and current BJP parliamentary leader L.K. Advani fronts the hardline faction. [5h] [66] …Indian National Congress (INC) Party of Indian independence, then of Government for 45 of the following 50 years under Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi (Congress I) and grandson Rajiv Gandhi. Had support throughout India, but suffered massive losses in the North and partially in the West in 1998 and lost the confidence of traditional voters such as Muslims and scheduled castes. Sonia Gandhi, widow of Rajiv Gandhi, took over as President of Congress (I) in April 1998. In December 2003, Congress began actively seeking alliance partners. The 2004 national elections ended governance by the BJP and brought in a new left-leaning coalition Government, the United Progressive Alliance, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after Sonia Gandhi declined the post. The INC with its allies won 217 seats (35.8% of the votes) in the parliamentary election. [66] (UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, 31 January, pp. 15-16 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/india- 310108.doc – Accessed 1 February 2008 – Attachment 7; for reports on past elections, and for a more detailed background on the political situation in Punjab in recent years see Luce, E. 2002, ‘Asia-Pacific – Regional polls in India set to weaken grip of BJP’, Financial Times, 15 February – Attachment 2; Election Commission of India 2002, Statistical Report on General Election, 2002, to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab, Election Commission of India website http://www.eci.gov.in/archive/se2002/Stat_rep_2002_PB.pdf – Accessed 29 May 2003 – Attachment 3; ‘Congress gets a simple majority in Punjab’ 2002, Rediff, 24 February http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/feb/24_pun_agen_rep_20.htm – Accessed 5 August 2004 – Attachment 4). Punjab last held state elections in February 2007, with the results showing victory for the Shiromani Akali Dal – Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) combine. In the aftermath of the election, SAD leader Parkash Singh Badal was sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister for the fourth time, after having served three previous terms in 1970–1971, 1977–1980, and 1997– 2002. Rediff reported: Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal was on Friday sworn in as Punjab Chief Minister for a record fourth time. Punjab Governor S F Rodrigues administered the oath of office and secrecy to Badal at a ceremony held at PCA stadium in Mohali. He will head the SAD-BJP alliance government, thus ending the five-year rule of Amarinder Singh-led Congress government (‘Badal sworn in as Punjab CM’ 2007, Rediff, http://in.rediff.com/news/2007/mar/02punpoll.htm – Accessed 9 July 2007 – Attachment 5; see also Anand, A. K. 2007, ‘Badal prepares for fourth term as CM’, Rediff, 28 February http://in.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/28punpoll6.htm – Accessed 9 July 2007 – Attachment 6; UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, 31 January, pp. 15-16 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/india-310108.doc – Accessed 1 February 2008 – Attachment 7). Municipal elections are also held in Punjab at various times, Zee News reported on elections in August 2007: The three main opposition parties in Punjab – Congress, CPI and CPM – demanded fresh elections in all the four municipal corporations in the state in view of what they described as large scale irregularities, including “mass booth capturing and rigging”. The opposition parties in a memorandum submitted to Governor S F Rodrigues here demanded that the MC poll in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala and Ludhiana be declared as “null and void.” “The government of Punjab be dismissed for its undemocratic and unconstitutional act and the police and civil officers involved be reprimanded for their conduct in these elections,” the joint memorandum signed by the leaders of the three parties said. The memorandum said, “the entire election process from day one has been conducted in a way to give impression to the general public that the election is being contested by the police. The Congress candidates in many cases, particularly in paTIala [sic] were made to withdraw with threats [of] implicating them in false cases” (‘Opposition demands fresh MC poll in Punjab’ 2007, Zee News, 10 August http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=388081&sid=REG&sname=&news=Opposi tion%20demands%20fresh%20MC%20poll%20in%20Punjab – Accessed 6 September 2007 – Attachment 8; for a report on municipal protests in previous years see ‘MC elections record heavy polling’ 2003, The Tribune, 2 March http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030303/punjab1.htm – Accessed 5 March 2008 – Attachment 9). For more information on the Indian Constitution, the national government, and the various governments throughout the states of India see the RRT Research & Information package titled The Republic & States of India at a Glance (RRT Country Research 2006, The Republic & States of India at a Glance, August – Attachment 10). Political conflict since 2007 state elections Several sources, such as the BBC News, the UK Home Office and the South Asia Terrorism Portal, state that in recent years the political situation in Punjab has been relatively peaceful compared with the past. Nonetheless, there have still been reports of conflict between the major parties (Biswas, S. 2005, ‘The fading of Sikh militancy’, 16 March http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3733271.stm – Accessed 10 March 2008 – Attachment 28; UK Home Office 2008, Country of Origin Information Report: India, 31 January, pp.
Recommended publications
  • Jingoism Will Not Be Able to Surmount the Deep Discontent, Says Manish Tewari
    Interview Jingoism will not be able to surmount the deep discontent, says Manish Tewari SMITA GUPTA Former Union Minister Manish Tewari. FIle photo: K. Murali Kumar The Balakot bombings that followed the terror strike in Pulwama have given an edge to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)’s election plank of muscular nationalism and has, for the moment, at least, taken the spotlight off the failures of the Narendra Modi government. In this interview, former Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari — who is also a Distinguished Senior Fellow at The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Centre — talks to Smita Gupta, Senior Fellow, The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy, New Delhi,about the impact of the BJP’s nationalism card in the upcoming general elections, the role of the media in amplifying the BJP’s message, why the Congress has been circumspect on the subject and whether it is appropriate to use national security as an election issue. He also points out that while the Balakot bombings appeased public opinion to some extent, it has also created a new strategic dynamic on the sub-continent that will make it tougher for future governments to deal with incidents of terror. Excerpts: ill the Pulwama attack, the opposition’s narrative of unemployment being at a 45-year high, rural distress, the negative impact of T demonetisation, etc appeared to be gaining ground in the public discourse. But after the Balakot air strikes, that narrative appears to have changed. Pakistan, war, terrorism appear to be the preferred subjects. Does this not give the advantage back to the BJP? There are two parallel discourses: there is a discourse in the ether which is about Pakistan, Kashmir and war hanging low over the subcontinent.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 1 of 22 To, Captain Amarinder Singh Hon'ble Chief Minister Govt
    To, Captain Amarinder Singh Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ravi Shankar Jha Hon’ble Chief Minister Chief Justice, Punjab & Haryana High Court Govt. of Punjab Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law Shri Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa Prof. (Dr.) Paramjit Singh Jaswal Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education Vice-Chancellor Govt. of Punjab Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Mr. Rahul Bhandari Prof. (Dr.) Naresh Kumar Vats Secretary Registrar Department of Higher Education, Punjab Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Subject: Request for Granting Relief in Semester Fees due to the Economic Crisis Respected Sirs, 1. With due respect, this is to bring to your kind attention the economic stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and extended lockdowns on the families of RGNUL students. The cataclysmic damage caused to the various sectors of Indian Economy are unprecedented. At the micro level, this has hit the financial condition of many households across the country. In this scenario, many parents/guardians find it difficult to pay the fees for the next semester. 2. Further, due to the premature closure of campus caused by the pandemic and subsequent declaration of Summer Vacations (thus causing a shutdown for 2 months), a major portion of fees paid for the summer semester (Feb-May) remain unutilised. The period of two months (14th March-14thMay) for the purpose of this application has been calculated on the basis of the notifications issued by the University [Annexure-A] viz. - i. Suspension of routine in-campus activities w.e.f. 14th March onwards followed by another Order declaring total closure of the University w.e.f.
    [Show full text]
  • India – Dera Sucha Sauda – Sikh – Congress
    Country Advice India Dera Sucha Sauda – Sikh – Congress – 2007 clashes 8 December 2009 1 Please provide background information on Sikhs and the Dera Sacha Sauda sect. Is this a Sikh organization? The Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) website provides information on the organisation stating that “Sacha Sauda is not a new religion, cult, sect or wave” instead is a “spiritual activity by which God is worshipped under the guidance of Satguru”: Sacha Sauda is not a new religion, cult, sect or wave. Sacha Sauda is that spiritual activity by which God is worshipped under the guidance of Satguru... Many saints and seers incarnated in this mortal world and inspired us to do this Sacha Sauda and became the guiding lights of spirtuality. These saints and seers were knowers of this supreme science and tried to make this mystical subject easy for the common man. One such torchbearer of spirituality was Beparwah Shah Mastana Ji Maharaj who did the most noble of services to mankind by establishing in1948 the spiritual college of Dera Sacha Sauda in order to save people from the complexities, malpractices and superficial rituals that had been afflicting religion and for the salvation of souls. 1 The website also outlines the organisation’s principles which indicate a progressive outlook respecting all religions equally and jettisoning certain orthodoxies and rituals. A former member of the sect is likely to have some knowledge of these principles: 1. In Dera Sacha Sauda all religions are equally honoured and welcomed. 2. Dera Sacha Sauda believes in humanity as the greatest religion and is involved in the true service of humanity.
    [Show full text]
  • Man with Many Faces, a Long Shadow
    HINDUSTAN TIMES, CHANDIGARH 4 ❘ punjab/haryana ❘ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2012 Man with many faces, a long shadow SELF-STYLED GODMAN Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda’s enigmatic chief attracts a lot of awe, but also a certain contempt Hitender Rao and prowess. He himself sings ■ [email protected] bhajans (religious songs) dur- ing the satsang (discourse and INTERVIEW SIRSA (HARYANA): For an onlooker, prayer). he remains an enigma. A huge In fact, a new video of the GURMEET RAM RAHIM SINGH following of admirers who dera chief donning the role of swear by his name, an array a western singer is about to be of philanthropic activities to released. We are keen to resolve his credit, a Z-plus security The music video, titled cover, flashy outfits, and also Insaan, features Gurmeet Ram a string of controversies sur- Rahim in a western outfit, wear- dera-Sikh row peacefully rounding him. The head of Dera ing fingerless gloves, tapping Sacha Sauda (DSS), 45-year-old to the tunes of a self-composed he November 24 clash A lot of Sikhs are dera fol- They were of the view that Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh song – ‘Thank you for that’. Dr between a group of lowers. However, there are since they live in a society, enjoys godly status among his Insaan says the composition also TSikhs and supporters some goons who, in the garb they needed representatives followers. carries “a message of goodness of the Dera Sacha Sauda in of religion, commit bad deeds who could help in getting their The self-styled godman comes and morality”.
    [Show full text]
  • (IAAP) 18Th-20Th February
    UPDATED DATES BROCHURE EXTENDED ABOUT PUNJABI UNIVERSITY dedicated and highly qualified staff comprising of 4 Professors, 5 Associate Professors, 2 Assistant Punjabi University, Patiala, the second University in Professors, 3 Senior Technical Assistants and other 56th NATIONAL & 25th the world to be named after a language, was established Supporting Staff. Currently, the Department is running by the Punjab Assembly under the Punjab Act No. 35 INTERNATIONAL a M.A. course in Psychology along with 2 Post- of 1961 in the erstwhile princely state of Patiala, with Graduate Diplomas (P.G. Diploma in Counselling CONFERENCE OF the main objective of furthering the cause of the Punjabi INDIAN ACADEMY OF Psychology & P.G. Diploma in Child Development and language. Housing over 70 teaching and research Counselling) and a Ph.D. programme. While the thrust APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY departments, spread over 600 acres of land, the area of the department is Counselling Psychology, (IAAP) beautiful campus boasts of 1500+ teachers imparting other specialization areas of the faculty include Clinical education to 14000+ students in a multi-faceted, multi- th th Psychology, Personality, Creativity, Organizational 18 - 20 February 2021 pronged and multi-faculty environment. Punjabi Behaviour, Experimental Psychology, Cognitive University has been untiringly fulfilling educational Psychology, Social Psychology, Sports Psychology, Theme: requirements all over Punjab through more than 270 Forensic Psychology, Cyber Psychology, etc. The ACTUALIZING HUMAN POTENTIAL affiliated colleges, 9 neighbourhood campuses, 14 Department consists of 3 laboratories, namely, the constituent colleges and 6 regional centres. NAAC has Experimental lab, Testing lab and Biofeedback lab, awarded the University a ‘Five Star’ grade in the first which are well-equipped with psychological tests and cycle (2002-07) and ‘A’ grade in the second (2008-13) instruments.
    [Show full text]
  • Why New Delhi and Islamabad Need to Get Stakeholders on Board
    India-Pakistan Relations Why New Delhi and Islamabad Need to Get Stakeholders on Board Tridivesh Singh Maini Jan 1, 2016 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, at a meeting in Lahore on December 25, 2015. Photo: PTI Interest in Pakistan cuts across party affiliations in the Indian Punjab. It is much the same story on the other side though the Pakistani Punjab is often hamstrung by political and military considerations. The border States in India and Pakistan have business, cultural and familial ties that must be harnessed by both governments to push the peace process, says Tridivesh Singh Maini. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s impromptu stopover at Lahore on December 25, 2015, on his way back from Moscow and Kabul, caught the media not just in India and Pakistan, but also outside, by surprise. (Though the halt was ostensibly to wish Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday, the real import was hardly lost on Indo-Pak watchers) 1 . Such stopovers are a done thing in other parts of the world, especially in Europe. Yet, if Modi’s unscheduled halt was seen as dramatic and as a possible game changer, it was in no small measure due to the protracted acrimony between the neighbours, made worse by mutual hardening of stands post the Mumbai attack. In the event, the European style hobnobbing seemed to find favour with both PMs and as much is suggested by this report in The Indian Express 2 . However, such spontaneity is not totally alien in the Indo-Pak context. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s invitation to his counterpart, Yousuf Raza Gilani, for the World Cup Semi-final 2011, which faced domestic criticism was one such gesture 3 .
    [Show full text]
  • Country Advice
    Country Advice India India – IND38924 – Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) – 2007 Riots – Police Protection – Punjab – Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) 11 July 2011 1. Please provide background information on Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim singh or any movement linked to him/it. Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is the current leader (or Guru Ji) of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) religious organisation, a Sikh breakaway sect.1 The DSS was founded in 1948 by a Sikh leader “with an eye to social reform and spiritual purification…among Sikhs in particular, but also others”.2 Sources indicate that DSS combines aspects of various religions and aims to free its followers from caste and religious identity. Most of its followers come from Sikh backgrounds, though the sect also includes former Muslims and Christians. Reports offer highly variant figures on the number of adherents, with estimates ranging from several hundred thousand to tens of millions; the higher numbers tend to come from DSS sources. The DSS is based in Sirsa, Haryana state in northern India.3 A Times of India article from 18 May 2007 notes that there are DSS followers in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, HP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Chandigarh.4 Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is a controversial figure. He has been charged with at least one count of rape and three separate counts of murder.5 The High Court of Punjab and Haryana website lists forty „case numbers‟ for Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh pending from 2007 to 1 „Huzoor Pita Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan‟ n.d, Dera Sacha Sauda website, http://derasachasauda.org/en/guru-ji/saint-gurmeet-ram-rahim-singh-ji-insan.html – Accessed 11 July 2011 – Attachment 1; Alig, Asif Anwar & Anwar, Abid 2007, „Embers of a Sikh fire‟, Himal South Asian, October http://www.himalmag.com/2007/october_november/embers_of_a_sikh_fire.html – Accessed 9 October 2007 [note: website could not be accessed on 5 July 2011] – Attachment 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Bihar Cong on Verge of Split, Rebels Plan to Bolt To
    THE TIMES OF INDIA, MUMBAI * SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2017 TIMES NATION | Politics & Policy 15 Symbol row Bihar Cong on verge of split, may keep Lookout notice for Dera rebels plan to bolt to JD(U) ADMK out of chief’s daughter, aide Team Modi Manvir.Saini @timesgroup.com 14 Of 27 MLAs Form Group; State Chief, CLP Summoned To Delhi Mohua.Chatterjee @timesgroup.com Panchkula: The special in- [email protected] age served as a hedge, disengaged him- vestigation team (SIT) of Ha- self from the party. New Delhi: While it was specu- ryana police issued lookout Patna/New Delhi: The Congress legis- Although the JD(U)-BJP coalition lated that the AIADMK could be notices against Honeypreet lative party in Bihar is on the verge of a enjoys majority support, the talk in po- invited to join Prime Minister Insan, the adopted daughter split as 14 party MLAs, just four short of litical circles was that a split in Con- Narendra Modi’s cabinet on of convicted Dera Sacha Sau- the required two-thirds of the total 27 to gress would give Nitish a cushion, while Sunday, this looks unlikely now da chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim formalise a division, have formed an in- dealing a blow to opponents. as the southern party is yet to Singh, and Dera spokesper- formal group and are planning to cross The Congress on Friday trained its formally join the National Dem- son Aditya Insan on Friday. over to the ruling JD(U). guns at Nitish for trying to split the par- ocratic Alliance (NDA).
    [Show full text]
  • Indian Federalism Under Modi: States No Longer Mute Foreign Policy Spectators
    December 2014 29 June 2017 Indian Federalism under Modi: States No Longer Mute Foreign Policy Spectators Tridivesh Singh Maini FDI Associate Key Points Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach towards Centre-State relations is driven by his personal experience and convictions. State government participation in foreign policy can no longer be restricted merely to the economic sphere. The State governments will need to have a clearer vision of the roles that they could (and should) play in economic and foreign policy. Summary In his three years in office, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly urged the states to emerge as drivers of the country’s growth story, and to play their part in strengthening ties with the outside world. The PM has often repeatedly invoked the concepts of “Co-operative Federalism” and “Competitive Federalism”. Co-operative Federalism is understood to be a purposeful relationship between the Central and State governments on issues pertaining to key economic and external policies. As Modi noted in a speech made to members of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands: ‘India is about co- operative federalism. The Centre and States working together for the development of India, this is our effort.’ Competitive Federalism, on the other hand, is perceived to be the “competitive spirit” between states whereby they compete with each other for Foreign Direct Investment. Modi’s emphasis on a more significant role for the States is largely driven by his personal experiences as the Chief Minister of Gujarat state when, in that office, he reached out to investors outside India, especially in East and South-East Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • Gurmeet-Ram-Rahim.Pdf
    IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 19086 of 2017 Ravinder Singh Dhull ...Petitioner Versus State of Haryana & Ors. …Respondents INDEX Sr. Particular Date Pages No. 1. Compliance report by way of 28.08.2017 1-37 affidavit of Nitin Kumar Yadav, Secretary to Government, Haryana, Home Department on behalf of State of Haryana, respondent No. 1. 2. Annexure R-1 (letter) 26.08.2017 38-41 3. Annexure R-2 (letter) 26.08.2017 42-43 4. Annexure R-3 (letter) 26.08.2017 44 Superintendent Home-IV Place: Chandigarh for Secretary to Government, Haryana, Date: 28.08.2017 Home Department. - 1 - IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 19086 of 2017 Ravinder Singh Dhull ...Petitioner Versus State of Haryana & Ors. …Respondents Compliance report by way of affidavit of Nitin Kumar Yadav, Secretary to Government, Haryana, Home Department, on behalf of State of Haryana, respondent No. 1. I, the above named deponent do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as under:- 1. That in compliance of the order dated 26.08.2017 passed by this Hon’ble Court, the requisite information has been sought from the concerned authorities and the same is given hereinafter for the kind perusal of this Hon’ble Court. 2. That Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh the Head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa, Haryana was an accused in CBI case No.RC-5(S)2002/SIU- XV/Chd. u/S-376/506/509 IPC and other murder cases. The above case was fixed for hearing for pronouncement of judgment and he was required to appear in person on 25th August 2017 in CBI Court at Panchkula.
    [Show full text]
  • Sajjan-Kumar-Judgment.Pdf
    $~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.A. 1099/2013 STATE THROUGH CBI ..... Appellant Through: Mr. R. S. Cheema, Sr. Advocate with Mr. D. P. Singh, Ms. Tarannum Cheema, Ms. Hiral Gupta, Mr. Manu Mishra & Ms. Smrithi Suresh, Advocates for CBI. Mr. H. S. Phoolka, Sr. Advocate with Ms. Kamna Vohra and Ms. Shilpa Dewan, Advocates for Complainant Jagdish Kaur. Mr. Gurbaksh Singh, Mr. Jarnail Singh and Ms. Jasleen Chahal, Advocates for Complainant Jagsher Singh. versus SAJJAN KUMAR & ORS ..... Respondents Through: Mr. Amit Sibal, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Anil K. Sharma, Mr. S. A. Hashmi, Mr. Vinay Tripathi, Mr. Anuj Kumar Sharma, Mr. Ambar Bhushan and Mr. C. M. Sangwan, Advocates for R-1. Mr. Sandeep Sethi, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Rakesh Vats, Advocate and Mr. Jeetin Jhala, Advocate for R-2. Mr. R. N. Sharma, Advocate for R-3. Mr. Aditya Vikram, Advocate (DHCLSC) with Mr. Avinash, Advocate for R-4. Mr. Vikram Panwar, Advocate with Mr. Vikas Walia and Mr. Suyash Sinha, Advocates for R-5 and R-6. Crl.A. 1099/2013 Page 1 of 4 CORAM: JUSTICE S. MURALIDHAR JUSTICE VINOD GOEL O R D E R 17.12.2018 1. By a common judgment passed today in this appeal (certified copy placed below) and the connected appeals, this Court has partly allowed this appeal and reversed the impugned judgment dated 30th April 2013 passed by the District & Sessions Judge, North-east District, Karkardooma Courts in SC No.26/2010 to the following extent. 2. As far as Respondent No.1 is concerned, he is convicted and sentenced as under: (i) For the offence of criminal conspiracy punishable under Section 120B read with (a) Section 302 IPC, to imprisonment for life, i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering the 1984 Anti-Sikh Violence
    208 Acta Academica • 2015 47(1): 208-227 © UV/UFS • ISSN 0587-2405 <http://www.ufs.ac.za/ActaAcademica> ‘Just another riot in India’: remembering the 1984 anti-Sikh violence Jasneet Aulakh J Aulakh, Faculty of History, Room G3, University of Oxford First submission: 21 October 2014 Acceptance: 22 February 2015 In this article,1 I aim to problematize the ‘riots’ label that defines the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Focused in, though not limited to Delhi, the pogrom included the death of approximately 3 000 Sikhs, the destruction of homes and gurdwaras, and mass rape. By remembering the attacks as ‘riot’, both the government and the public depict the violent acts as unorganised and spontaneous mob activity, trivialising the systematic nature of the pogrom and denying central government and police complicity. This effectively silences the victims who have yet to earn any recognition or rights as victims, including death certification and arrests of perpetrators. Using interviews, unpublished police reports and court affidavits, I explore the ways in which voices are silenced for the sake of preserving national integrity, and how national narratives can continue to oppress victims. 1 I was able to complete this research with funding from the University of Southern California and the direction of many scholars, especially Dr. Wolf Gruner. I would also like to thank all those whom I interviewed, some of whose names have been changed for anonymity. Jasneet Aulakh / ‘Just another riot in India’: remembering the 1984 anti-Sikh violence 209 n the morning of 31 October 1984, Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, was walking to her office when two of her bodyguards stopped to first salute and then shoot her.
    [Show full text]