Country Advice

India – IND39080 – – – – Khalistan Action Committee – Action Committee 9 August 2011

1. Please advise whether there is any country information which refers to difficulties being faced by Sikhs in opposition to the DSS following the May 2007 protests in Haryana?

The following reports have been located which refer to clashes between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) followers in Haryana following the May 2007 protests:1

 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 24 July 2008, makes reference to DSS followers and Sikhs clashing in the town of Fatehabad.2

 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 19 July 2008, refers to “pitched battles” being fought between Sikhs and DSS followers in the town of Dabwali, Sirsa district, Haryana. These clashes reportedly broke out following an altercation between the two sides during morning prayers; one of the Sikhs was subsequently killed. It was also reported that the violence had spread to Gukanwali village, 25 kilometres from Dabwali, “where the Sikhs and Dera followers have been on a warpath since last year when the Dera head was prevented by Sikhs from holding a prayer meeting”.3

 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 24 July 2007, refers to six Sikhs being injured in Mallewalla village, in the Sirsa district of Haryana, after a DSS follower had shot at them. The perpetrator was subsequently arrested by the Haryana police.4

 A report from The Tribune, published on 14 June 2007, refers to DSS followers stoning a in Chanpura village, Fatehabad district, Haryana. The Sikh population had reportedly objected earlier in the day to the installation of a loudspeaker for their weekly prayers, which had resulted in a standoff between the two groups. Six DSS followers were subsequently arrested.5

1 „Sikh-Dera clash stops in its tracks‟ 2008, Hindustan Times, 24 July – Attachment 1; „Haryana: 1 killed in Sikh-Dera clashes, curfew imposed‟ 2008, Press Trust of India, 19 July – Attachment 2; „Dera follower fires at Sikh community members‟ 2007, The Times of India, Source: Press Trust of India, July 24 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-24/india/27958499_1_follower-dera-sacha-sauda-sikh- community – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 3; „Dera followers stone gurdwara, 6 held‟ 2007, The Tribune, 14 June – Attachment 4. 2 „Sikh-Dera clash stops Punjab in its tracks‟ 2008, Hindustan Times, 24 July – Attachment 1. 3 „Haryana: 1 killed in Sikh-Dera clashes, curfew imposed‟ 2008, Press Trust of India, 19 July – Attachment 2. 4 „Dera follower fires at Sikh community members‟ 2007, The Times of India, Source: Press Trust of India, July 24 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-07-24/india/27958499_1_follower-dera-sacha-sauda-sikh- community – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 3. 5 „Dera followers stone gurdwara, 6 held‟ 2007, The Tribune, 14 June – Attachment 4.

Page 1 of 22  There are also reports which refer to DSS followers going on the rampage in Punjab and Haryana in February 2010 after the registration of a murder case against the sect‟s leader, although these reports do not refer to Sikhs being specifically targeted in the course of this violence.6

It should be noted that information has also been located which refers to Sikhs attacking DSS followers in Haryana.7 A report from The Times of India, published on 27 March 2008, makes reference to a clash between Sikhs and DSS followers at Rori village on the Punjab-Haryana border. This clash occurred after Sikh organisations had sought to disrupt a religious discourse being held by the DSS.8 Another report from The Times of India, published on 16 March 2009, refers to a clash between Sikhs and DSS followers in Chular village on the Punjab-Haryana border, which was precipitated by “hordes of Sikhs” descending on a venue where DSS followers were holding a religious discourse.9

There is information available in a number of previous research responses which refers to tension and clashes between Sikhs and DSS followers in 2007 and the years following. In particular, see the responses to Q3 of RRT Country Advice IND38924 (completed on 11 July 2011);10 Q2 of RRT Country Advice IND38269 (completed on 8 March 2011);11 Q4, Q5 and Q11 of RRT Country Advice IND36088 (completed on 15 February 2010);12 Q3 and Q4 of RRT Research Response IND35751 (completed on 8 December 2009);13 Q1, Q2 and Q3 of RRT Research Response IND34918 (completed on 28 May 2009);14 Q2 of RRT Research Response IND34112 (completed on 22 December 2008);15 Q2 of RRT Research Response IND33077 (completed on 28 March 2008);16 and Q6 of RRT Research Response IND32740 (completed on 16 January 2008).17

2. Were there large protests in May 2007 by Sikhs in Haryana against the DSS? Did the police respond to these protests?

Information has been located which indicates that, while the largest protests by Sikhs against the DSS in May 2007 took place in Punjab, significant protests also took place in Haryana

6 „Mobs torch buses, trains‟ 2010, The Tribune, 27 February http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100228/main4.htm – Accessed 8 August 2010 – Attachment 5; „Armed mobs take to streets over Dera case‟ 2010, Hindustan Times, 27 February http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sacha-Sauda-followers-go-on-rampage-in-Punjab-Haryana/Article1- 513700.aspx – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 6. 7 „Sikhs, Dera followers clash‟ 2008, The Times of India, 27 Match http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008- 03-27/chandigarh/27742317_1_dera-follower-naam-charcha-dera-sacha-sauda – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 7; „10 policemen injured in Sikh-Dera clashes‟ 2009, The Times of India, 16 March http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-16/india/28041260_1_dera-followers-sikh-organizations-dera- sacha-sauda – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 8. 8 „Sikhs, Dera followers clash‟ 2008, The Times of India, 27 Match http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008- 03-27/chandigarh/27742317_1_dera-follower-naam-charcha-dera-sacha-sauda – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 7. 9 „10 policemen injured in Sikh-Dera clashes‟ 2009, The Times of India, 16 March http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-03-16/india/28041260_1_dera-followers-sikh-organizations-dera- sacha-sauda – Accessed 8 August 2011 – Attachment 8. 10 RRT Country Advice Service 2011, Country Advice IND38924, 11 July – Attachment 9. 11 RRT Country Advice Service 2011, Country Advice IND38269, 8 March – Attachment 10. 12 RRT Country Advice Service 2010, Country Advice IND36088, 15 February – Attachment 11. 13 RRT Research & Information 2009, Research Response IND35751, 8 December – Attachment 12. 14 RRT Research & Information 2009, Research Response IND34918, 28 May – Attachment 13. 15 RRT Research & Information 2008, Research Response IND34112, 22 December – Attachment 14. 16 RRT Research & Information 2008, Research Response IND33077, 28 March – Attachment 15. 17 RRT Research & Information 2008, Research Response IND32740, 16 January – Attachment 16.

Page 2 of 22 during that month.18 The Haryana state government made a demand for additional security forces from the Indian central government, which were subsequently deployed in that province.19 The state government issued prohibitory orders in eight districts to prevent large gatherings; there is information relating to one instance in Ambala where security forces responded to an attempted protest in defiance of one of these orders.20 The Haryana government also provided the DSS leader, Baba , with a security detail after one provided to him by the Punjab government was withdrawn.21

An account of the events that resulted in Sikh protests against the DSS in May 2007 is provided in an article published in the South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal in 2008.22 On 11 May 2007, DSS performed a ceremony called Jaam-e-Insa at the sect‟s main branch in Punjab, situated at Salabatpura village in Bathinda district.23 On 13 May 2007, “several major English and Punjabi newspapers” published pictures of the head of the DSS, Baba Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh, performing the ceremony along with a short description of the rituals conducted during it. Baba Gurmeet Singh, “largely inspired by the way (the tenth Sikh Guru) created the Khalsa, asked seven of his followers to drink an elixir called Jaam and to renounce their caste name for the term insa”. Baba Gurmeet Singh was also dressed in a pink dress (pink being the colour of DSS), “which looked very

18 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, pp. 3-4 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17; „Punjab on edge as Sikhs, Dera men clash‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 17 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-on-edge-as-Sikhs-Dera-men-clash/Article1-223290.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 18; Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19; Tiwari, M. 2007, „Dera relents; Punjab tense but calm‟, Hindustan Times, 18 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dera-relents-Punjab-tense-but-calm/Article1-223667.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 20. 19 „Punjab on edge as Sikhs, Dera men clash‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 17 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-on-edge-as-Sikhs-Dera-men-clash/Article1-223290.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 18; Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19; „Sectarian clashes flare up in India‟s Punjab‟ 2007, Reuters, 18 May http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/18/us-india-religion-clash-idUSDEL10478220070518 – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 21; „Central forces rushed to Punjab, Haryana‟ 2007, The Times of India, 18 May http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-18/india/27887973_1_dera-supporters-gurmeet-ram-rahim- singh-sikh-clergy – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 22; „Tension prevails in Punjab for fifth day‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 18 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tension-prevails-in- Punjab-for-fifth-day/Article1-223497.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 23; „Section 144 in 8 districts of Haryana‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 19 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Section-144-in-8-districts-of- Haryana/Article1-223708.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 24. 20 „Section 144 in 8 districts of Haryana‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 19 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Section- 144-in-8-districts-of-Haryana/Article1-223708.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 24; „Police, Sikhs clash in Ambala, over 10 hurt‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Press Trust of India, 22 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Police-Sikhs-clash-in-Ambala-over-10-hurt/Article1-224447.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 25. 21 „Dera chief expresses regret to Sikh community‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 20 May – Attachment 26; „Dera says sorry for ad‟ 2007, The Telegraph, 20 May http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070520/asp/nation/story_7803680.asp – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 27; Tiwari, M. & Rao, H. 2007, „Punjab takes away Dera chief security‟, Hindustan Times, 20 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-takes-away-Dera-chief-security/Article1- 223948.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 28. 22 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, pp. 2-4 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17. 23 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, p. 2 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17.

Page 3 of 22 similar to the one in which Guru Gobind Singh is usually depicted”.24 The following day, 14 May 2007, “hundreds of Sikhs” took to the streets, “hurling infuriated slogans” against Baba Gurmeet Singh. They considered that, by acting like Guru Gobind Singh, “the Baba was identifying himself with the tenth Guru of and, as such, was denigrating the superiority of the latter”.25 This article provides the following information of the spread of these protests, indicating that, while the epicentre of the protests was the region of Punjab, “some demonstrations” took place in Haryana:

The epicentre of this protest was the Malwa, especially Bathinda city, where the premis (literally „lovers‟, term used inside DSS to refer to its followers) are particularly numerous. Some demonstrations also took place, though to a lesser extent, in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and abroad among the .26

There are further reports available which refer to protests in May 2007 by Sikhs in Haryana against the DSS. A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 17 May 2007, provided the following information on protests in by Sikhs against the DSS in Haryana: “There have been protests in Karnal and Panchkula districts, and Sirsa and Fatehabad are being considered “sensitive” due to the concentration of Dera followers there”.27 A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report, also published on 17 May 2007, makes reference to “thousands of Sikhs, many armed” who had been staging protests against the DSS, prompting the Indian government to send security reinforcement to Punjab and Haryana.28 It was reported that “tens of thousands of Sikhs and DSS supporters have been gathering in various places in Punjab and Haryana”.29 It was also stated that “tens of thousands of DSS supporters” had gathered at the sect‟s headquarters in Sirsa in Haryana “to ward off any attack by Sikhs”.30 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 18 May 2007, stated that protestors had burnt an effigy of Baba Gurmeet Singh at Asand in Karnal district, Haryana.31

On 18 May 2007, the Haryana government issued prohibitory orders banning “the assembly of five or more persons and carrying of firearms” in eight districts in the state: Sirsa, Faridabad, Jind, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Ambala and Yamunanagar.32 The Hindustan Times report referred to a statement from the Haryana Additional Director of Police, Law

24 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, pp. 2-3 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17. 25 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, p. 3 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17. 26 Baixas, L & Simon, C. 2008, „From Protesters to Martyrs: How to Become a „True‟ Sikh‟, South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal, Special Issue – no.2, ‘Outraged Communities’: Comparative Perspectives on the Politicization of Emotions in South Asia’, pp. 3-4 http://samaj.revues.org/document1532.html – Accessed 12 February 2010 – Attachment 17. 27 „Punjab on edge as Sikhs, Dera men clash‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 17 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-on-edge-as-Sikhs-Dera-men-clash/Article1-223290.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 18. 28 Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19. 29 Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19. 30 Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19. 31 Tiwari, M. 2007, „Dera relents; Punjab tense but calm‟, Hindustan Times, 18 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dera-relents-Punjab-tense-but-calm/Article1-223667.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 20. 32 „Section 144 in 8 districts of Haryana‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 19 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Section- 144-in-8-districts-of-Haryana/Article1-223708.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 24.

Page 4 of 22 and Order, V.B. Singh, that “barring minor protests in Shahbad, Pundri and Pehowa, the situation was peaceful in the state”.33 However, there are subsequent reports that refer to violence occurring in Haryana during May 2007. A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 20 May 2007, states that “there was widespread violence across Punjab and parts of neighbouring Haryana after Sikhs protested against the sect chief portraying himself like their guru”.34 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 22 May 2007, refers to two clashes on that date between Sikh protestors and police in Ambala, Haryana. These clashes occurred after these protestors had attempted to march in protest against Baba Gurmeet Singh, in defiance of the prohibitory order referred to above.35

The Indian government sent central security forces to Haryana during the May 2007 protests in response to a demand from the state government. This demand was reportedly precipitated by tension between Sikhs and DSS followers spilling into Haryana from neighbouring Punjab. A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 17 May 2007, made reference to tension between Sikhs and DSS followers in Punjab “spilling over to neighbouring Haryana”, which had caused the Haryana state government to demand “Central police forces”.36 A report from the BBC, also published on 17 May 2007, stated that the Indian government was sending “security reinforcements” to Punjab and Haryana “amid signs of growing religious violence”.37 A report from Reuters, published on 18 May 2007, stated that “more than 10,000 armed federal police” had been sent to Punjab and Haryana.38 A report from The Times of India, published on 18 May 2007, refers to the Indian government sending “125 companies of RAF [Rapid Action Force], BSF [Border Security Force] and CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] to different cities in Punjab and Haryana in a bid to contain the violence”.39 A report from the Indo-Asian News Service, published on 18 May 2007, provides information which provides details on the split of the forces sent to Punjab and Haryana. This report states that the central government had sent “42 companies of paramilitary forces for security deployment in Punjab and 10 companies in Haryana”.40 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 19 May 2007, quoted the Additional Director of Police, Law and Order, V.B. Singh, as stating that four more companies of the Indo-Tibet Border Police had been deployed in Haryana, “taking the total to 10”. Eight of these had been deployed in Sirsa and two in the adjoining Fatehabad district. It was also reported that the Haryana

33 „Section 144 in 8 districts of Haryana‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 19 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Section- 144-in-8-districts-of-Haryana/Article1-223708.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 24. 34 „Dera chief expresses regret to Sikh community‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 20 May – Attachment 26. 35 „Police, Sikhs clash in Ambala, over 10 hurt‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Press Trust of India, 22 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Police-Sikhs-clash-in-Ambala-over-10-hurt/Article1-224447.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 25. 36 „Punjab on edge as Sikhs, Dera men clash‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 17 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-on-edge-as-Sikhs-Dera-men-clash/Article1-223290.aspx - Accessed 29 July 2011 - Attachment 18. 37 Raman, S. 2007, „India tensions over Sikh protests‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 17 May – Attachment 19. 38 „Sectarian clashes flare up in India‟s Punjab‟ 2007, Reuters, 18 May http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/18/us-india-religion-clash-idUSDEL10478220070518 – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 21. 39 „Central forces rushed to Punjab, Haryana‟ 2007, The Times of India, 18 May http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-18/india/27887973_1_dera-supporters-gurmeet-ram-rahim- singh-sikh-clergy – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 22. 40 „Tension prevails in Punjab for fifth day‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 18 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Tension-prevails-in-Punjab-for-fifth-day/Article1-223497.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 23.

Page 5 of 22 Home Secretary had requested ten additional companies of paramilitary forces from the Indian central government “for deployment in sensitive areas”.41

There is also information available indicating that the Haryana state government provided Baba Gurmeet Singh with a security detail at his headquarters at the time of the May 2007 protests. Three Indian news reports, all published on 20 May 2007, refers to the Punjab state police withdrawing their security cover for the DSS leader at his headquarters in Haryana.42 Two of these reports indicate that this withdrawn security cover had consisted of four officers and had been provided by the previous Punjab state government.43 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 20 May 2007, indicates that this cover was replaced by a security detail provided by the Haryana government.44 Security measures were continuing to be maintained at the DSS headquarters in Haryana towards the end of May 2007. A Press Trust of India report, published on 27 May 2007, referring to an approaching deadline set by the five Sikh High Priests for the closure of all DSS centres, stated that “security has also been tightened at Sirsa in Haryana where the Dera is holding its regular last Sunday of the month congregation”.45

3. Please provide information on the Khalistan Action Committee or Khalsa Action Committee in Haryana - their leader, policies, etc.

Limited information was located in relation to a group called the “Khalistan Action Committee”.46 A report from The Tribune, published on 25 March 2009, refers to a group by this name participating in a meeting of “radical Sikh leaders” at which it was decided to protest at the residence of the Chief Minister of Punjab.47 A report from DNA India, published on 3 June 2009, makes reference to members of a group by this name participating in a march

41 „Section 144 in 8 districts of Haryana‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 19 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Section- 144-in-8-districts-of-Haryana/Article1-223708.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 24. 42 „Dera chief expresses regret to Sikh community‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, 20 May – Attachment 26; „Dera says sorry for ad‟ 2007, The Telegraph, 20 May http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070520/asp/nation/story_7803680.asp – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 27; Tiwari, M. & Rao, H. 2007, „Punjab takes away Dera chief security‟, Hindustan Times, 20 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-takes-away-Dera-chief-security/Article1- 223948.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 28. 43 „Dera says sorry for ad‟ 2007, The Telegraph, 20 May http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070520/asp/nation/story_7803680.asp – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 27; Tiwari, M. & Rao, H. 2007, „Punjab takes away Dera chief security‟, Hindustan Times, 20 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-takes-away-Dera-chief-security/Article1-223948.aspx - Accessed 29 July 2011 - Attachment 28. The previous Punjab state government had been formed by the Congress party. Prior to the Punjab state election in February 2007, the DSS had issued a directive to its followers in Punjab to vote for the Congress party. Although the Congress party subsequently suffered an overall electoral defeat to the / alliance, DSS support resulted in the Congress party‟s victory in several constituencies of the Malwa region, a traditional bastion of the Akali Dal. According to the BBC, most Sikhs in Punjab support the Akali Dal: see RRT Research & Information 2008, Research Response IND34112, 22 December – Attachment 14; Singh, J. 2007, „What is behind Sikh protests?‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 18 May – Attachment 29. 44 Tiwari, M. & Rao, H. 2007, „Punjab takes away Dera chief security‟, Hindustan Times, 20 May http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab-takes-away-Dera-chief-security/Article1-223948.aspx - Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 28. 45 „Security tight in India‟s Punjab as Sikh priests‟ deadline nears‟ 2007, BBC Monitoring Online, source: Press Trust of India, 27 May – Attachment 30. 46 Sharma, S.P. 2009, „Radicals to gherao CM‟s house‟, The Tribune, 25 March http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090325/punjab.htm – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 31; Bharadwaj, A. 2009, „Sikhs demand Bluestar memorial‟, DNA India, 3 June http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_sikhs- demand-bluestar-memorial_1261758 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 32. 47 Sharma, S.P. 2009, „Radicals to gherao CM‟s house‟, The Tribune, 25 March http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090325/punjab.htm – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 31.

Page 6 of 22 in “to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Operation Bluestar”.48 No other information in relation to this group was located in addition to these two references.

A significant amount of information has been located in relation to a Sikh organisation called the Khalsa Action Committee. A report from the Indian Express, published on 18 October 2010, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee as “a socio-religious body”.49 Another report from the Indian Express, published on 30 July 2011, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee, alongside the Dal Khalsa, as “radical Sikh bodies”.50 A report from the Indo-Asian News Service, published on 25 June 2008, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee as one of a number of “radical Sikh organizations owing allegiance to the Samaj”.51 A report from Outlook India, published on 13 March 2006, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee as “a human rights organisation”.52 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 24 June 2007, states that the Committee comprises “leaders of various Sikh religious groups”.53

Information was located on the Khalsa Action Committee with specific reference to its activities in Haryana:

 A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 22 February 2011, makes reference to the group submitting a memorandum to the chief minister of Haryana, requesting a judicial probe into the massacre of Sikhs at the village of Hond Chillarh in 1984.54

 A report from the Indian Express, published on 19 July 2008, refers to “Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) member and Sikh religious figure Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal” travelling to the town of Dabwali in Haryana to offer his condolences to the family of a Sikh killed in clashes between Sikhs and DSS followers.55

 A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 24 June 2008, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee demanding the immediate arrest of Baba Gurmeet Singh and

48 Bharadwaj, A. 2009, „Sikhs demand Bluestar memorial‟, DNA India, 3 June http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_sikhs-demand-bluestar-memorial_1261758 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 32. 49 Rataul, D. 2010, „Amritsar Central Jail: All is not well on security front‟, Indian Express, 18 October http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amritsar-central-jail-all-is-not-well-on-security-front/698945/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 33. 50 Rataul, D. 2011, „Will SGPC polls unite at-war Akali factions?‟, Indian Express, 30 July http://www.indianexpress.com/news/will-sgpc-polls-unite-atwar-akali-factions/824467/0 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 34. 51 „Punjab on standstill during Dera row strike‟ 2008, India Today, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 25 June http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/Punjab+on+standstill+during+Dera+row+strike/1/10375.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 35. 52 Dogra, C. S. 2006, „Dead Or Alive?‟, Outlook India, 13 March http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?230550 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 36. 53 „Sikh groups begin march for Dera chief‟s arrest‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Press Trust of India, 24 June http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-groups-begin-march-for-Dera-chief-s-arrest/Article1-232413.aspx – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 37. 54 „Khalsa Action Committee seeks to probe Haryana Sikh carnage by sitting HC judge‟ 2011, Punjab Newsline, 22 February http://punjabnewsline.com/content/khalsa-action-committee-seeks-probe-haryana-sikh-carnage-sitting-hc- judge/28849 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 38. 55 Gopal, N. 2008, „One dead in Sikh-Dera clash, curfew imposed in Haryana town‟, Indian Express, 19 July http://www.indianexpress.com/news/one-dead-in-sikhdera-clash-curfew-imposed-in-haryana-town/337499/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 39.

Page 7 of 22 criticising the Haryana government for “encouraging and patronizing” the DSS leader.56

 An undated report has also been located on the pro-Sikh Panthic.org website, which refers to the efforts of the Khalsa Action Committee to counter the “anti-Sikh activities” of Baba Gurmeet Singh and “Ashutosh Jha‟s Noormehal cult”, and states that “Sikhs belonging to the Sirsa area of Haryana” had pledged their support to the Committee.57

No information was located which refers to a Khalsa Action Committee leader for Haryana.

There is information available which indicates that the leader of the Khalsa Action Committee is Bhai Mokham (or Mohkam) Singh.58 Singh also has links with the organisation.59 A report from the Indian Express, published on 4 November 2009, refers to “Chairman of Khalsa Action Committee and Damdami Taksal chief Bhai ”.60 A report from the United News of India, published on 24 June 2008, also refers to “Bhai Mohkam Singh of the Damdami Taksal, Kanwar Pal Singh of the Dal Khalsa and Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former SGPC secretary” issuing a statement on behalf of the Khalsa Action Committee.61 A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 24 June 2008, refers to Bhai Mohkam Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh and Manjit Singh Calcutta as “the office bearers of the Khalsa Action Committee”.62

A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 4 July 2007, refers to Bhai Mohkam Singh, “a spokesperson of Damdami Taksal”, taking over as head of the Khalsa Action Committee from

56 Bains, S. 2008, „Only Arrest of Dera head will pacify Sikhs: Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 24 June http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/only-arrest-dera-head-will-pacify-sikhs-khalsa-action-committee – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 40. 57 „The Khalsa Action Committee takes on Noormehlia Ashutosh‟ (undated), Panthic.org website http://panthic.org/articles/3499 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 41. 58 „Panthic bodies constitute 1984 memorial panel‟ 2011, Indian Express, 9 July http://www.indianexpress.com/news/panthic-bodies-constitute-1984-memorial-pane/814916/ – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 42; „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43; „Lukewarm response to Punjab bandh‟ 2010, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=706894 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 44; Rataul, D. 2009, „DGP completes probe in Amritsar; 1 student critical‟, Indian Express, 14 February http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dgp-completes-probe-in-amritsar;-1-student-critical/423482/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 45; „Sant Samaj protest march not allowed to enter city‟ 2009, Indian Express, 31 December http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sant-samaj-protest-march-not-allowed-to-ente/561798/ – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 46; Rataul, D. 2010, „Amritsar Central Jail: All is not well on security front‟, Indian Express, 18 October http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amritsar-central-jail-all-is-not-well-on-security- front/698945/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 33. 59 „Complete bandh brings Punjab to a halt‟ 2009, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=536898 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 47; „Khalsa Action Committee demand arrest of Sachcha Sauda chief‟ 2008, oneindianews, source: United News of India, 24 June http://news.oneindia.in/2008/06/24/khalsa-action-committee-demand-arrest-of-sachcha-sauda-chief- 1214311255.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 48. 60 „Complete bandh brings Punjab to a halt‟ 2009, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=536898 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 47. 61 „Khalsa Action Committee demand arrest of Sachcha Sauda chief‟ 2008, oneindianews, source: United News of India, 24 June http://news.oneindia.in/2008/06/24/khalsa-action-committee-demand-arrest-of-sachcha-sauda-chief- 1214311255.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 48. 62 Bains, S. 2008, „Only Arrest of Dera head will pacify Sikhs: Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 24 June http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/only-arrest-dera-head-will-pacify-sikhs-khalsa-action-committee – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 40.

Page 8 of 22 the previous head, Paramjit Singh Sarna.63 There are reports from 2009, 2010 and 2011 which refer to Singh as the leader of the Khalsa Action Committee.64 However, there is a report which contradicts the Punjab Newsline article‟s information that Singh became leader of the Khalsa Action Committee in early July 2007. A report from The Tribune, published on 6 August 2008, refers to Baljit Singh Dadu as “head of Gurdwara Granthsar and chief of the Khalsa Action Committee”.65A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 24 June 2007, had previously referred to Daljit Singh Bittu as the “co-convenor of the Committee”.66

Information was also located on the number of persons who comprise the Khalsa Action Committee. A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 4 July 2007, refers to there being 15 members of the committee at that time, but also reports that the committee was being expanded to 27 members. Reported new members included D.S. Gill, Charan Singh Lohra, Giani Harinder Singh Chandigarh and Swaran Singh Khalsa 67

The Khalsa Action Committee has played a prominent role in organising and participating in recent bandhs (general strikes), particularly in Punjab, to mark the anniversary of anti-Sikh riots in 1984.68 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 3 November 2009, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee having supported the Dal Khalsa political party in its call for a bandh (general strike) in Punjab and Chandigarh on that date. This bandh was reportedly called to protest the killings of thousands of Sikhs during the 1984 riots and the failure to bring the perpetrators to justice.69 According to a report from the Indian Express, published on 4 November 2009, during this bandh members of the Khalsa Action Committee, as well as members of other Sikh organisations, sat on railway tracks at Shivala Fatak, forcing the

63 Bains, S. 2007, „Damdami Taksal member to head Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 4 July http://punjabnewsline.com/content/damdami-taksal-member-head-khalsa-action-committee – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 49. 64 „Panthic bodies constitute 1984 memorial panel‟ 2011, Indian Express, 9 July http://www.indianexpress.com/news/panthic-bodies-constitute-1984-memorial-pane/814916/ – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 42; „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43; „Lukewarm response to Punjab bandh‟ 2010, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=706894 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 44; Rataul, D. 2009, „DGP completes probe in Amritsar; 1 student critical‟, Indian Express, 14 February http://www.indianexpress.com/news/dgp-completes-probe-in-amritsar;-1-student-critical/423482/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 45; „Sant Samaj protest march not allowed to enter city‟ 2009, Indian Express, 31 December http://www.indianexpress.com/news/sant-samaj-protest-march-not-allowed-to-ente/561798/ – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 46; Rataul, D. 2010, „Amritsar Central Jail: All is not well on security front‟, Indian Express, 18 October http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amritsar-central-jail-all-is-not-well-on-security- front/698945/2 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 33. 65 „Khalsa panel chief sees bias‟ 2008, The Tribune, 6 August http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080806/haryana.htm – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 50. 66 „Sikh groups begin march for Dera chief‟s arrest‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Press Trust of India, 24 June http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-groups-begin-march-for-Dera-chief-s-arrest/Article1-232413.aspx – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 37. 67 Bains, S. 2007, „Damdami Taksal member to head Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 4 July http://punjabnewsline.com/content/damdami-taksal-member-head-khalsa-action-committee – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 49. 68 „Train, road traffic disrupted due to Punjab bandh‟ 2009, The Hindu, source: Press Trust of India, 3 November http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article42473.ece?css=print – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 51; „Complete bandh brings Punjab to a halt‟ 2009, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=536898 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 47; „Sikh groups call bandh in Punjab‟ 2010, The Hindu, source: Press Trust of India, 24 October – http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article846385.ece?css=print – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 52. 69 „Train, road traffic disrupted due to Punjab bandh‟ 2009, The Hindu, source: Press Trust of India, 3 November http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article42473.ece?css=print – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 51.

Page 9 of 22 Shatabdi Express to stop. The same report also refers to members of the Khalsa Action Committee, including Bhai Mokham Singh, and members of other Sikh organisations, sitting on the railway track at Rajpura railway station and halting traffic “for a few hours”70 A report from The Hindu, published on 24 October 2010, refers to “Sikh organisations Dal Khalsa and the Khalsa Action Committee” again calling for a bandh in Punjab to take place on 3 November 2010 to mark the 26th anniversary of the 1984 riots.71

The Khalsa Action Committee has also been involved in other efforts to obtain justice in relation to the massacres of Sikhs in 1984.72 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 12 November 2009, makes reference to activists from the Khalsa Action Committee and the Dal Khalsa submitting a representation to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban- Ki-Moon through the UN Information Centre in New Delhi. In this representation, the activists requested “UN intervention for justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh carnage”.73 A report from the Indian Express, published on 24 February 2011, refers to “Sikh organisations under the aegis of the Khalsa Action Committee” calling for a judicial probe to be ordered by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court into the massacre of Sikhs at Hondh village in 1984.74

The Khalsa Action Committee is opposed to the DSS.75 A report from Punjab Newsline, published on 4 July 2007, states that it was specifically formed by “radical Sikh organisations” to fight against the DSS.76 A report from Outlook India, published on 27 March 2009, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee as having “been at loggerheads with the Dera followers since the Dera conflagration in 2007”.77 A report from the Indo-Asian News Service, published on 25 June 2008, makes reference to the Khalsa Action Committee as one of a number of Sikh organisations calling for protests to seek the arrest of Baba Gurmeet Singh.78 A report from the Indian Express, published on 23 June 2007, also refers to the

70 „Complete bandh brings Punjab to a halt‟ 2009, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=536898 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 47. 71 „Sikh groups call bandh in Punjab‟ 2010, The Hindu, source: Press Trust of India, 24 October – http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article846385.ece?css=print – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 52. 72 „Sikh bodies seek UN‟s intervention for justice to ‟84 victims‟ 2009, Hindustan Times, 12 November http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-bodies-seek-UN-s-intervention-for-justice-to-84-victims/Article1-475557.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 53; „Sikh bodies seek probe‟ 2011, Indian Express, 24 February - http://www.indianexpress.com/election-news/sikh-bodies-seek-probe/753921 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 54. 73 „Sikh bodies seek UN‟s intervention for justice to ‟84 victims‟ 2009, Hindustan Times, 12 November http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-bodies-seek-UN-s-intervention-for-justice-to-84-victims/Article1-475557.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 53. 74 „Sikh bodies seek probe‟ 2011, Indian Express, 24 February - http://www.indianexpress.com/election-news/sikh- bodies-seek-probe/753921 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 54. 75 Bains, S. 2007, „Damdami Taksal member to head Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 4 July http://punjabnewsline.com/content/damdami-taksal-member-head-khalsa-action-committee – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 49; „Sikh bodies flay political parties wooing sects in Punjab‟ 2009, Hindustan Times, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 14 April http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/400188.aspx – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 55; Dogra, C. S. 2009, „The Dera Vote Bank‟, Outlook India, 27 March http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?240054 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 56. 76 Bains, S. 2007, „Damdami Taksal member to head Khalsa Action Committee‟, Punjab Newsline, 4 July http://punjabnewsline.com/content/damdami-taksal-member-head-khalsa-action-committee –Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 49. 77 Dogra, C. S. 2009, „The Dera Vote Bank‟, Outlook India, 27 March http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?240054 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 56. 78 „Punjab on standstill during Dera row strike‟ 2008, India Today, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 25 June http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/Punjab+on+standstill+during+Dera+row+strike/1/10375.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 35.

Page 10 of 22 Khalsa Action Committee organising a march for the following day “to protest against the Dera chief‟s alleged blasphemous act of imitating Guru Gobind Singh”.79 A report from the Press Trust of India, published on 24 June 2007, refers to several Sikh organisations, “under the aegis of Khalsa Action Committee”, going on a protest march in Punjab to demand the arrest of Baba Gurmeet Singh for “hurting (the) religious sentiments of the community”.80 A report from the Indo-Asian News Service, published on 14 April 2009, refers to the Khalsa Action Committee as one of a group of “Sikh bodies” that was opposed to the DSS, as well as other sects such as Divya Jyoti Sangathan, , Radhasoamis “and other smaller sects”.81

A report from South Asia Intelligence Review, published on 25 June 2007, refers to a group called the Khalsa Action Committee, although the information provided indicates that this particular reference is to a Sikh militant group associated with the Khalistan movement:

Efforts at the revival of the Khalistani terrorist have been continuous, though the rate of 'success' remains poor, with little sympathy for the cause on the ground. Thus, just over the period 2006-07, several incidents reflecting Pakistan backed or based activities to revive the movement have come to light:

June 15, 2007: Punjab Police claimed to have foiled an attempt to reorganise the terrorist base in Punjab by killing some high profile religious and political leaders. The General Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal's youth wing in Rupnagar District, Swaranjeet Singh alias Bobby of Bahadarpur, and a Bhindranwale Tigers Force (BTF) militant Gurcharan Singh alias Kala of Bawani village were arrested. Bobby and Kala had planned to assassinate religious leader Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawale and had formed the Khalsa Action Committee, to recruit 'like-minded persons'.82

4. Do members of the KAC face difficulties in Haryana at the hands of the authorities, including the police, due to their membership of this group?

As noted in the response to Q3, there is limited information available on the Khalistan Action Committee. None of this information makes reference to their treatment by the authorities.

Information was located which refers to the detention and adverse treatment of Khalsa Action Committee protestors at the hands of the authorities. However, this information refers to incidents that took place in Punjab, rather than in Haryana.83

79 Gopal, N. 2007, „Police seek nod for Dera chief‟s arrest‟, Indian Express, 23 June http://www.indianexpress.com/news/police-seek-nod-for-dera-chiefs-arrest/160243/ – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 57. 80 „Sikh groups begin march for Dera chief‟s arrest‟ 2007, Hindustan Times, source: Press Trust of India, 24 June http://www.hindustantimes.com/Sikh-groups-begin-march-for-Dera-chief-s-arrest/Article1-232413.aspx - Accessed 29 July 2011 - Attachment 37. 81 „Sikh bodies flay political parties wooing sects in Punjab‟ 2009, Hindustan Times, source: Indo-Asian News Service, 14 April http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/400188.aspx – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 55. 82 Sahni, A. 2007, „Punjab: Terror in the Wings‟, South Asia Intelligence Review, 25 June – Attachment 58. 83 Singh, J. 2008, „Bittu held, ex-envoy Khalsa under house arrest‟, The Tribune, 8 February http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080208/punjab1.htm – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 59; Deep, R. 2008, „KAC march foiled; workers detained‟, The Tribune, 11 February http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080211/punjab1.htm – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 60; „Curfew imposed in Ludhiana‟ 2009, The Hindu, 6 December http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp- national/article89384.ece – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 61; „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html - Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43; „Lukewarm response to Punjab bandh‟ 2010, Indian Express, 4

Page 11 of 22  News reports published in November 2010 refer to Khalsa Action Committee leader Bhai Mokham Singh as one of a number of Sikh leaders taken into preventive custody by the Punjab police after they had called for a bandh to protest against the failure to provide justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Singh was one of a number of leaders who were arrested after they had sat on railway tracks to disrupt train traffic.84 One of these reports, from the Hindustan Times, had a quote from one of the Sikh leaders arrested with Singh, in which he made the following complaint against the Punjab police:

"We were peacefully protesting and sitting on the railway tracks. Punjab Police used force and dragged us from there. They arrested around 200 Sikh protesters from there and have kept them in detention in different police station," said Kanwarpal Singh.

"We had given this call on humanitarian grounds to pay homage to those who had lost their lives in 1984 riots. We were not disturbing the peace or law and order situation. This is a clear case of justice denial and violation of human rights," added Kanwarpal Singh said.85

 A report from The Hindu, published on 6 December 2009, makes reference to a “large group of protestors from the Sikh community” who were fired upon by police and security personnel seeking to disperse them in Ludhiana, Punjab. The Sikhs had been “opposing a congregation of Divya Jyoti Jagran Sansthan chief Ashutosh Maharaj” and had been led by “some radical leaders”, including the “convenor of the Khalsa Action Committee”. It was reported that “at least one person was killed and nearly dozen were injured”.86

 A report from The Tribune, published on 8 February 2008, refers to Daljit Singh Bittu, as well as “several other leaders and activists of the Khalsa Action Committee” being arrested and imprisoned by the Punjab police three days before a proposed march against the head of the DSS.87 Another report from The Tribune, published on 11 February 2008, refers to “hundreds of activists of the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC)” being subsequently detained “after they tried to take out a march near Salabatpura, the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda in Punjab”.88

November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=706894 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 44; „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43. 84 „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43; „Lukewarm response to Punjab bandh‟ 2010, Indian Express, 4 November http://www.indianexpress.com/story_mobile.php?storyid=706894 – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 44. 85 „Punjab bandh call: Radical Sikh leaders arrested‟ 2010, The Pioneer, 3 November http://www.dailypioneer.com/294227/BACKPACK/BACKPACK.html – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 43. 86 „Curfew imposed in Ludhiana‟ 2009, The Hindu, 6 December http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp- national/article89384.ece – Accessed 1 August 2011 – Attachment 61. 87 Singh, J. 2008, „Bittu held, ex-envoy Khalsa under house arrest‟, The Tribune, 8 February http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080208/punjab1.htm – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 59. 88 Deep, R. 2008, „KAC march foiled; workers detained‟, The Tribune, 11 February http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080211/punjab1.htm – Accessed 3 August 2011 – Attachment 60.

Page 12 of 22 5. Are and Guru Gobind Singh different people?

Yes. The Sikh religion has ten Gurus who are considered to be the founders of that religion.89 Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) was the first of the ten .90 Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) was the tenth Sikh Guru.91 However, there is information available indicating that the term “Nanak” is also used to refer to the nine Gurus that followed Guru Nanak Dev.92 A number of references were located where Guru Gobind Singh was referred to as “the tenth Nanak”.93

The Sikh religion has ten Gurus who are considered to be the founders of that religion, starting with Guru Nanak Dev in 1469 and ending with Guru Gobind Singh in 1708.94 In addition, the Sikh holy scriptures are referred to as the .95 Guru Nanak Dev, who lived between 1469 and 1539, was the first Sikh Guru.96 The Sikhism Guide website provides the following short biography for Guru Nanak Dev:

 First Guru of the Sikhs. Founder of Sikhism.  Preached the equality of all humans. Guru Nanak said that all people are the children of one God.

89 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikh.com.au website http://www.sikh.com.au/sikhgurus/index.html – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 63; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65. 90 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64. 91 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website – http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64. 92 „The Sikhs and Their Way of Life‟ (undated), Sikh Missionary Society UK website http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smspublications/thesikhsandtheirwayoflife/chapter3/ – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 66. 93 „Introduction to Sikhism: Fundamentals of Sikhism‟ (undated), Sarbat Da Bhala website http://www.sarbatdabhala.org/english/fundamentals.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 67; Singh Jee, B. J. (undated), „Fundamentals of Gursikhi‟, Akhand Keertanee Jathaa website http://www.akj.org/skins/one/articles.php?id=18 – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 68; Singh, I. J. (undated), „Sikh Theology – Sikhs and their religion‟, The Sikh Coalition website http://www.sikhcoalition.org/Sikhism1.asp – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 69; Singh Bagrian, B. A. (undated), „The Baisakhi – When the Movement reached the Apex‟, Institute of Sikh Studies http://sikhinstitute.org/april_2008/5-ardsi.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 70. 94 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikh.com.au website http://www.sikh.com.au/sikhgurus/index.html – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 63; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65. 95 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikh.com.au website – http://www.sikh.com.au/sikhgurus/index.html – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 63; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65. 96 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website - http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 53; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64.

Page 13 of 22  Guru Nanak spoke against tyranny, social injustice, religious hypocrisy, empty rituals and superstitions.  Traveled extensively throughout India and foreign lands to spread his message.  There are 947 hymns from Guru Nanak Dev included in Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book).  Born in Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib.97

A more comprehensive biography of the life of Guru Nanak Dev has been located on the website of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).98 The SGPC is a body “directly elected by an electorate of the Sikh nation” responsible for the “management of ”.99 A report from the South Asia Intelligence Review, published on 25 June 2007, further clarifies that the SGPC is “the administrative body that manages Sikh shrines”.100 There are also extended biographies available via the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Sikhs.org website.101 These can be accessed via the attachment links included in the relevant footnotes below.

Guru Gobind Singh, who lived between 1666 and 1708, was the tenth Sikh Guru.102 The Sikhism Guide website provides the following short biography in relation to Guru Gobind Singh:

 In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh baptized the Sikhs and created the Khalsa (the "Pure"). The Khalsa consists of Sikhs who have been baptized and dedicate themselves to living by the high standards of the Sikh Gurus at all times.  Instructed the Sikhs to keep the five K's.  Compiled the 1428 page Sahib.  Author of several banis (hymns) which Sikhs recite daily: and .  Wrote his autobiography, the Bichitra Natak.  Instructed Sikh males to use the last name of Singh (lion) and Sikh females to use the last name Kaur (princess).  All four of Guru Gobind Singh's sons were martyred by the Mughals.  He instructed the Sikhs to follow Granth Sahib as the Guru after him.103

The BBC also provides the following short biography of Guru Gobind Singh:

Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Gurus, the one who transformed the Sikh faith. In 1699 he created the Khalsa (Pure), a community of the faithful who wore visible symbols of their faith and trained as warriors. Today the Khalsa comprises all practising Sikhs.

97 „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65. 98 „Guru Nanak Sahib‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/gurunanak.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 71. 99 „Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/the-sgpc/index_eng.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 72. 100 Sahni, A. 2007, „Punjab: Terror in the Wings‟, South Asia Intelligence Review, 25 June – Attachment 58. 101 „Guru Nanak‟ 2009, British Broadcasting Corporation, 26 October http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/nanak.shtml – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 73; „The First Master Guru Nanak (1469-1539)‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/guru1.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 74. 102 „Ten Gurus‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website http://sgpc.net/gurus/index.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 62; „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65; „The Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhs.org website http://www.sikhs.org/10gurus.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 64. 103 „Sikh Gurus‟ (undated), Sikhism Guide website http://www.sikhismguide.org/gurus.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 65.

Page 14 of 22 … Guru Gobind Singh succeeded his father at the age of 9. His teachings were different from his predecessors' - he believed that no power could exploit the Sikhs.

He spent his childhood years studying Persian and Sanskrit, and was skilled in the art of war. His mission was to uphold right in every place and destroy sin and evil. In 1699 he chose the festival day of as the occasion to transform the Sikhs into the Khalsa, a family of soldier saints.

Guru Gobind Singh introduced many of the customs that Sikhs practise today.

Sikhs who have been through the Amrit ceremony of initiation become Amritdhari, initiated Sikhs. They take new names and wear the 5 Ks - five physical symbols that Sikhs must wear.

He declared the the [sic] Sikh holy book as his successor instead of a human being. The Guru Granth Sahib would thus be the Sikhs' guide forever. Sikhs give it the same status and respect as a human Guru.104

A more comprehensive biography of the life of Guru Gobind Singh has been located via the SGPC website.105 Another extended biography has also been located via a website entitled The History of the Sikhs.106

However, information has also been located which indicates that the term “Nanak” is also used to refer to the nine Gurus that followed Guru Nanak Dev. The website of the Sikh Missionary Society UK provides the following relevant information regarding this usage of this term, and even refers to Guru Gobind Singh as “the tenth Nanak”:

After the passing away of Guru Nanak his message and mission was carried forward by nine successive Gurus. Each one of them being ordained to the status of a Guru by the departing one.

As each one of the successive Gurus were believed to have been blessed with the „Spirit of Nanak‟, they are often referred to as Nanak II, Nanak III, Nanak IV and so on.

The tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, having completed the mission of the founder Nanak, ordained that after his death all Sikhs must regard the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy Sikh scriptures) as their Living Guru, thus ending any claim in the future to the Sikh Guru-ship by any living person.107

Numerous instances of Guru Gobind Singh being referred to as the tenth Nanak were located. The following examples are a sample of these references. The Sarbat Da Bhala website refers to “the tenth Nanak (Guru Gobind Singh)”.108 An article from the Akhand Keertanee Jathaa

104 „Guru Gobind Singh‟ 2009, British Broadcasting Corporation, 26 October http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/people/gobindsingh.shtml – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 75. 105 „Guru Gobind Singh Sahib‟ (undated), Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee website - http://sgpc.net/gurus/gurugobind.asp – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 76. 106 „Nanak X. Guru Gobind Singh ji (1666-1708)‟ (undated), The History of the Sikhs website http://www.sikh- history.com/sikhhist/gurus/nanak10.html – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 77. 107 „The Sikhs and Their Way of Life‟ (undated), Sikh Missionary Society UK website http://www.gurmat.info/sms/smspublications/thesikhsandtheirwayoflife/chapter3/ – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 66. 108 „Introduction to Sikhism: Fundamentals of Sikhism‟ (undated), Sarbat Da Bhala website http://www.sarbatdabhala.org/english/fundamentals.aspx – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 67.

Page 15 of 22 (AKJ) website also makes reference to “the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Ji”.109 An article on the website of The Sikh Coalition refers to “the tenth Nanak - Guru Gobind Singh”.110 An article from the Institute of Sikh Studies website makes reference to “the tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh”.111

6. What is the distribution of the DSS around India?

The DSS has 44 ashrams (spiritual centres) which are located in Haryana, , Punjab, Chhatisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Orissa and .112 Media sources also refer to the DSS having followers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Delhi and Chandigarh.113

The DSS website provides a list of the 44 DSS ashrams in India.114 A glossary provided on this same website defines an ashram as follows: “spiritual center or home; oftentimes the residence of a guru”.115 Of the 44 ashrams listed, 19 are located in Haryana; nine in Rajasthan; five in Punjab; two in Chhatisgarh; and one each in Delhi, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. Of the 19 ashrams in Haryana, 12 are located in Sirsa.116 Sirsa is the town in which the DSS has its headquarters.117

A report from the BBC, published on 16 December 2009, states that DSS members comprise “a huge following of predominantly lower caste Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs across the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan”.118 Another BBC report, published on 18 May 2007, states that DSS “has a strong presence in southern Punjab and its influence spreads across some 12,000 villages of Punjab as well as the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan”.119 A report from The Times of India, published on 18 May 2007, refers to the

109 Singh Jee, B. J. (undated), „Fundamentals of Gursikhi‟, Akhand Keertanee Jathaa website http://www.akj.org/skins/one/articles.php?id=18 – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 68. 110 Singh, I. J. (undated), „Sikh Theology – Sikhs and their religion‟, The Sikh Coalition website http://www.sikhcoalition.org/Sikhism1.asp – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 69. 111 Singh Bagrian, B. A. (undated), „The Baisakhi – When the Movement reached the Apex‟, Institute of Sikh Studies http://sikhinstitute.org/april_2008/5-ardsi.htm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 70. 112 „Dera Sacha Sauda Ashrams Across India‟ (undated), Dera Sacha Sauda website http://derasachasauda.org/en/ashrams-list.html – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 78. 113 „Indian sect members vow to marry sex workers‟ 2009, British Broadcasting Corporation, 16 December http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8416739.stm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 79; Singh, J. 2007, „What is behind Sikh protests?‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 18 May – Attachment 29; Garg, B. 2007 „Dera Sacha Sauda and Gurmeet Ram Rahim‟, The Times of India, 18 May http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chandigarh/Dera_Sacha_Sauda_and_Gurmeet_Ram_Rahim/articleshow/20 60431.cms – Accessed 25 November 2009 – Attachment 80; Rajalakshmi, T. K. 2002, „Godman under a cloud‟, Frontline, 21 December – Attachment 81. 114 „Dera Sacha Sauda Ashrams Across India‟ (undated), Dera Sacha Sauda website http://derasachasauda.org/en/ashrams-list.html – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 78. 115 „Glossary‟ (undated), Dera Sacha Sauda website http://derasachasauda.org/en/component/content/article/4-genral- cms/30-glossary.html – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 82. 116 „Dera Sacha Sauda Ashrams Across India‟ (undated), Dera Sacha Sauda website http://derasachasauda.org/en/ashrams-list.html – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 78. 117 „Dera Sacha Sauda‟ (undated), Dera Sacha Sauda website – Attachment 83; „Dera incident: High alert in Haryana, Punjab; chaos on highway‟ 2008, Press Trust of India, 2 February – Attachment 84; Swami, P. & Sethi. A. 2007, „Politics, religion and resistance‟, The Hindu, 4 June – Attachment 85; Khan, E. A. & Tripathi, A. 2007, „Operation Jhootha Sauda‟, Tehelka, 11 August – Attachment 86. 118 „Indian sect members vow to marry sex workers‟ 2009, British Broadcasting Corporation, 16 December http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8416739.stm – Accessed 27 July 2011 – Attachment 79. 119 Singh, J. 2007, „What is behind Sikh protests?‟, British Broadcasting Corporation, 18 May – Attachment 29.

Page 16 of 22 growth of DSS since Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh became president of the sect in 1990. The information provided also makes reference to the geographical spread of the DSS:

With him at the helm of affairs, the number of dera followers grew. Their ranks were not limited only to places in Punjab and Haryana, but even to the bordering areas of Rajasthan, including Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh. In fact, the dera built ashrams (Naam Ghar) in Gujarat, Maharashtra, HP, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Chandigarh. In the Malwa region, almost all towns, big or small, have a Naam Ghar.120

As noted earlier, the DSS website provides a list of 44 ashrams that the sect has across India. The DSS appears to have grown in the last ten years, as a Frontline report, published on 21 December 2002 refers to the sect having “36 branches in 11 States”. It is stated that the DSS had its headquarters at Sirsa in Haryana state, and that other states where it had a presence at that time included Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.121 A Himal Southasian article, published in October 2007, also refers to the DSS having “36 local and urban branches in eleven states across India”.122

There is information available indicating that the DSS has a large following in India. The aforementioned Himal Southasian report refers to DSS “claims to have 15 million followers”.123 This report also states that the “numerical strength” of the DSS has given the sect “significant political clout, particularly in Punjab and Haryana”.124 A report from The Economist, published on 5 July 2007, provides the following information in relation to DSS numbers:

A dera is a temple that carries out social and educational activities. There are thousands in Punjab. They often wield local political influence, but Mr Singh's has outgrown this. It is said to have some 400,000 followers, both Sikhs and members of the Hindu majority, mainly among the poor, illiterate, and lower castes.125

Another report from The Times of India, published on 18 May 2007, refers to DSS having “a large following in Punjab and Haryana”.126 A report from the Hindustan Times, published on 19 May 2007, refers to the number of DSS followers “from the nearby districts of Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan” having swelled “phenomenally” in the years immediately before that report.127 A report from the South Asia Intelligence Review, published on 25 June 2007, refers to the DSS having “hundreds of thousands of followers” in the Malwa belt in Punjab.128 Further information on the number of DSS followers can be found in Q1 of RRT Country Advice IND38269 (completed on 8 March 2011). This response refers to four reports which each give differing numbers between 400,000 and 30 million for the129

120 Garg, B. 2007 „Dera Sacha Sauda and Gurmeet Ram Rahim‟, The Times of India, 18 May http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chandigarh/Dera_Sacha_Sauda_and_Gurmeet_Ram_Rahim/articleshow/20 60431.cms – Accessed 25 November 2009 – Attachment 80. 121 Rajalakshmi, T. K. 2002, „Godman under a cloud‟, Frontline, 21 December – Attachment 81. 122 A. Anwar Alig & A. Anwar 2007, „Embers of a Sikh fire‟, Himal Southasian, October – Attachment 87. 123 A. Anwar Alig & A. Anwar 2007, „Embers of a Sikh fire‟, Himal Southasian, October – Attachment 87. 124 A. Anwar Alig & A. Anwar 2007, „Embers of a Sikh fire‟, Himal Southasian, October – Attachment 87. 125 „India‟s Sikhs: Heresy and History‟ 2007, The Economist, July 5 – Attachment 88. 126 „Central forces rushed to Punjab, Haryana‟ 2007, The Times of India, 18 May http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-05-18/india/27887973_1_dera-supporters-gurmeet-ram-rahim- singh-sikh-clergy – Accessed 28 July 2011 – Attachment 22. 127 Sandhu, K. 2007, „Striking parallels with row‟, Hindustan Times, May 19 http://www.hindustantimes.com/Striking-parallels-with-Nirankari-row/Article1-223712.aspx – Accessed 29 July 2011 – Attachment 89. 128 Sahni, A. 2007, „Punjab: Terror in the Wings‟, South Asia Intelligence Review, 25 June – Attachment 58. 129 RRT Country Advice Service 2011, Country Advice IND38269, 8 March – Attachment 10.

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