The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/citizenship-amendment-bill-secularism-unfinished-business-in-india-266260">Citizenship (Amendment) Bill</a>, 2019, which was passed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-citizenship-amendment-bill-tabled-in-lok-sabha-267132">Lok Sabha</a> yesterday, will be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, sources said.

The Bill, which seeks to give citizenship to refugees from the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zorastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh was passed in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Lok Sabha passed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/muslims-from-afghanistan-pakistan-bangladesh-wont-get-benefits-of-citizenship-amendment-bill-amit-shah-267201">Citizenship Bill </a>with a majority of 311 votes against 80 votes in the Lower House where 391 members were present and voted.

The cut-off date for the citizenship bill is December 31, 2014.

In Rajya Sabha, the Modi government requires the support of at least 123 MPs in the 245-member house.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was passed by Lok Sabha yesterday, will be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, sources said. The Bill, which seeks to give citizenship to refugees from the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zorastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh was passed in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which was passed by Lok Sabha yesterday, will be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, sources said. The Bill, which seeks to give citizenship to refugees from the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zorastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh was passed in Lok Sabha on Monday. Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship Bill with a majority of 311 votes against 80 votes in the Lower House where 391 members were present and voted. The cut-off date for the citizenship bill is December 31, 2014. In Rajya Sabha, the Modi government requires the support of at least 123 MPs in the 245-member house.

Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha tomorrow

Tens of thousands of people across Texas on Sunday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/americas-first-sikh-deputy-sheriff-fatally-shot-in-houston-252561">honoured a widely respected Sikh sheriff's</a> deputy who was murdered on duty in a killing that triggered an outpouring of public grief.

Sandeep Dhaliwal, one of the first sheriff's deputies in the United States to wear a traditional Sikh turban&nbsp;on duty, was shot from behind Friday while conducting a traffic stop near Houston.

A moment of silence was held at the Houston Texans football game against the Carolina Panthers, while mourners gathered outside churches across Harris County, where he served.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez&nbsp;told reporters that Dhaliwal, 41, was returning to his patrol car when a man shot him multiple times with a pistol.

Gonzalez paid tribute to Dhaliwal, a father of three, saying that "he wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/deeply-grieved-over-shooting-of-americas-first-sikh-police-officer-minister-of-external-affairs-jaishankar-252562">Dhaliwal had been in law enforcement for 10 years</a> after selling his lucrative trucking business to take up a job that he hoped would improve community relations for Sikhs, who often face prejudice, the Washington Post reported.

"He was just a gem of a person. He was a beautiful soul," said Simran Jeet Singh, a senior religion fellow at the New York-based Sikh Coalition, according to the USA Today newspaper.

"Everyone who knew him admired him greatly", he said.

A suspect has been arrested for the murder.

The sheriff's office will hold a candlelight vigil for Dhaliwal on Monday evening, two days before his funeral.

Tens of thousands of people across Texas on Sunday honoured a widely respected Sikh sheriff's deputy who was murdered on duty in a killing that triggered an outpouring of public grief.

Tens of thousands of people across Texas on Sunday honoured a widely respected Sikh sheriff's deputy who was murdered on duty in a killing that triggered an outpouring of public grief. Sandeep Dhaliwal, one of the first sheriff's deputies in the United States to wear a traditional Sikh turban on duty, was shot from behind Friday while conducting a traffic stop near Houston. A moment of silence was held at the Houston Texans football game against the Carolina Panthers, while mourners gathered outside churches across Harris County, where he served. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters that Dhaliwal, 41, was returning to his patrol car when a man shot him multiple times with a pistol. Gonzalez paid tribute to Dhaliwal, a father of three, saying that "he wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride." Dhaliwal had been in law enforcement for 10 years after selling his lucrative trucking business to take up a job that he hoped would improve community relations for Sikhs, who often face prejudice, the Washington Post reported. "He was just a gem of a person. He was a beautiful soul," said Simran Jeet Singh, a senior religion fellow at the New York-based Sikh Coalition, according to the USA Today newspaper. "Everyone who knew him admired him greatly", he said. A suspect has been arrested for the murder. The sheriff's office will hold a candlelight vigil for Dhaliwal on Monday evening, two days before his funeral.

Texas honours murdered Sikh sheriff's deputy

On the occasion of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-central-bank-issues-three-coins-to-commemorate-guru-nanak-devs-birth-anniversary-252579">550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev</a>, the Central government has decided to grant a special exemption to nine Sikh prisoners, who were convicted by various courts during militancy in Punjab, according to sources in the Home Ministry. 
 
In one case, the government has decided to change&nbsp;the death sentence to life imprisonment, and in another eight cases, a decision has been taken for premature release of prisoners serving life sentences and other sentences, through special remission, sources said. 
 
The source added that the above decision was taken by the Government of India as a token of goodwill in response to the long-pending demands of the release of Sikh prisoners by various sections of the Sikh community. 
 
The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-issue-rs-550-coin-to-mark-550th-birth-anniversary-of-guru-nanak-dev-224643">Central government</a> is believed to have sent communication to the governments of States and Union Territories for the release of the prisoners. 
 
Under the scheme for special remission to prisoners to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, so far 1424 prisoners have been released by States/UTs in two phases (2nd Oct 2018 and 6th April 2019). The third phase of release is due on 2nd Oct 2019. Action in this regard is underway by States and UTs, sources revealed.

On the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Central government has decided to grant a special exemption to nine Sikh prisoners, who were convicted by various courts during militancy in Punjab, according to sources in the Home Ministry.

On the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Central government has decided to grant a special exemption to nine Sikh prisoners, who were convicted by various courts during militancy in Punjab, according to sources in the Home Ministry. In one case, the government has decided to change the death sentence to life imprisonment, and in another eight cases, a decision has been taken for premature release of prisoners serving life sentences and other sentences, through special remission, sources said. The source added that the above decision was taken by the Government of India as a token of goodwill in response to the long-pending demands of the release of Sikh prisoners by various sections of the Sikh community. The Central government is believed to have sent communication to the governments of States and Union Territories for the release of the prisoners. Under the scheme for special remission to prisoners to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, so far 1424 prisoners have been released by States/UTs in two phases (2nd Oct 2018 and 6th April 2019). The third phase of release is due on 2nd Oct 2019. Action in this regard is underway by States and UTs, sources revealed.

Nine Sikh prisoners to get special exemption on Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the Indian Mission in Italy have been alerted to extend all help in the case of four Sikh men from Punjab who died after drowning in a slurry tank on a dairy farm near the northern Italian town of Pavia.

"We have alerted our Embassy @IndiainItaly to extend all help," the EAM wrote on Twitter while retweeting a post of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on the same issue.

"Saddened to hear about the death of 4 Punjabi men drown in a farm manure tank near Pavia, Italy. Request @DrSJaishankar to instruct the Indian Mission in Italy to help get the mortal remains back to India," Singh had tweeted on Friday.

According to British media reports, investigators suspect that the four were chocked to death by carbon dioxide fumes from cow manure.

They believe that three died after jumping in the tank to rescue a worker who had been emptying it.

The victims were identified as Prem Singh (48), Tarsem Singh (45), Arminder Singh (29) and Majinder Singh (28).

While brothers Prem and Tarsem Singh owned the farm, the other two were employees.

Prem and Tarsem had registered their farm in 2017.

The victims'&nbsp;wives raised the alarm when the men failed to turn up for lunch on Thursday.

They rushed to the scene and spotted one body in the sewage.

The wives then called in firefighters who donned masks and emptied the tank to recover all the bodies.

Pavia is located about 45 kilometres from Milan.Meanwhile, the Italian media reported that the Singhs` farm at Arena Po, producing milk and veal cattle, is one of the biggest in the Pavia region.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the Indian Mission in Italy have been alerted to extend all help in the case of four Sikh men from Punjab who died after drowning in a slurry tank on a dairy farm near the northern Italian town of Pavia.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the Indian Mission in Italy have been alerted to extend all help in the case of four Sikh men from Punjab who died after drowning in a slurry tank on a dairy farm near the northern Italian town of Pavia. "We have alerted our Embassy @IndiainItaly to extend all help," the EAM wrote on Twitter while retweeting a post of Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on the same issue. "Saddened to hear about the death of 4 Punjabi men drown in a farm manure tank near Pavia, Italy. Request @DrSJaishankar to instruct the Indian Mission in Italy to help get the mortal remains back to India," Singh had tweeted on Friday. According to British media reports, investigators suspect that the four were chocked to death by carbon dioxide fumes from cow manure. They believe that three died after jumping in the tank to rescue a worker who had been emptying it. The victims were identified as Prem Singh (48), Tarsem Singh (45), Arminder Singh (29) and Majinder Singh (28). While brothers Prem and Tarsem Singh owned the farm, the other two were employees. Prem and Tarsem had registered their farm in 2017. The victims' wives raised the alarm when the men failed to turn up for lunch on Thursday. They rushed to the scene and spotted one body in the sewage. The wives then called in firefighters who donned masks and emptied the tank to recover all the bodies. Pavia is located about 45 kilometres from Milan.Meanwhile, the Italian media reported that the Singhs` farm at Arena Po, producing milk and veal cattle, is one of the biggest in the Pavia region.

Jaishankar says Indian Mission in Italy alerted on Sikh men drowning case

A former MLA from Imran Khan's PTI, who is seeking political asylum in India over atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, on Tuesday asserted that Hindus and Sikhs are being "tortured" in the neighbouring country.

Baldev Kumar also stated that even Muslims in Pakistan are not as safe as life in the country is full of difficulties.

"Not only minorities but even Muslims are not safe there (Pakistan). We are surviving in Pakistan with a lot of difficulties. I request the Indian government to give me asylum here. I will not go back," Baldev Kumar told ANI.

Baldev's admission once again exposed Pakistan's record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities.

A former PTI MLA from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) assembly, Baldev is in India along with his family to seek political asylum.

Baldev, 43, no longer wants to return to Pakistan and has alleged that minorities, including Hindus and Sikhs, are being prosecuted in Pakistan.

"The Indian government should announce a package so that the Hindu and Sikh families staying in Pakistan can come here. I want Modi Sahab to do something for them. They are tortured there," he requested.

In 2016, a sitting MLA from his constituency was assassinated.

Baldev was charged with a false murder case and acquitted in 2018, adding to a number of false cases that minority members are framed in by cash-strapped Islamabad.

In Pakistan, incidents, where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men, are reported regularly.

The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example.

A former MLA from Imran Khan's PTI, who is seeking political asylum in India over atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, on Tuesday asserted that Hindus and Sikhs are being "tortured" in the neighbouring country.

A former MLA from Imran Khan's PTI, who is seeking political asylum in India over atrocities on minorities in Pakistan, on Tuesday asserted that Hindus and Sikhs are being "tortured" in the neighbouring country. Baldev Kumar also stated that even Muslims in Pakistan are not as safe as life in the country is full of difficulties. "Not only minorities but even Muslims are not safe there (Pakistan). We are surviving in Pakistan with a lot of difficulties. I request the Indian government to give me asylum here. I will not go back," Baldev Kumar told ANI. Baldev's admission once again exposed Pakistan's record of using unfair means of treatment against the minority communities. A former PTI MLA from Barikot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) assembly, Baldev is in India along with his family to seek political asylum. Baldev, 43, no longer wants to return to Pakistan and has alleged that minorities, including Hindus and Sikhs, are being prosecuted in Pakistan. "The Indian government should announce a package so that the Hindu and Sikh families staying in Pakistan can come here. I want Modi Sahab to do something for them. They are tortured there," he requested. In 2016, a sitting MLA from his constituency was assassinated. Baldev was charged with a false murder case and acquitted in 2018, adding to a number of false cases that minority members are framed in by cash-strapped Islamabad. In Pakistan, incidents, where Hindu, Sikh and Christian girls are forcibly converted to Islam and married to Muslim men, are reported regularly. The recent incident of abduction, forcible marriage and religious conversion of a Sikh girl of Nankana Sahib is a telling example.

Hindus, Sikhs tortured in Pakistan, says ex-PTI MLA; seeks asylum in India

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan urged the Sikhs and Muslims communities to work together in unison to defeat extremism and intolerance in the world.

Addressing the International Sikh Convention in Islamabad at the Governor`s House on Saturday, she said the Sikh religion had many ideals in common with Islam, The News International reported.

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, was influenced by Islam`s philosophy of ``Tauheed`` (Oneness of God), she added.

The Convention is being held from August 31 to Sept 2 on the initiative of Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar to invite suggestions regarding preparations for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev in November this year.

Indian Sikh pilgrims along with thousand others from across the world will visit the gurdwara in Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan`s Punjab province, where the Sikh Guru spent his final days, as part of the celebrations.

"Let`s eliminate forces of hatred and intolerance from the world, may they be genocide of Sikhs in Golden Temple, persecution of Muslims in Kashmir, brutality in Palestine or other parts of the world," Awan stated during the Convention attended by hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from across the world.

Firdous termed Kartarpur Corridor a historic project, saying it would prove to be a long-lasting bond between Pakistan and Sikh community.

She said the Prime Minister`s decision to build Kartarpur Corridor was indicative of his enlightened vision regarding minorities`` rights and religious freedom in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan urged the Sikhs and Muslims communities to work together in unison to defeat extremism and intolerance in the world.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan urged the Sikhs and Muslims communities to work together in unison to defeat extremism and intolerance in the world. Addressing the International Sikh Convention in Islamabad at the Governor`s House on Saturday, she said the Sikh religion had many ideals in common with Islam, The News International reported. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, was influenced by Islam`s philosophy of ``Tauheed`` (Oneness of God), she added. The Convention is being held from August 31 to Sept 2 on the initiative of Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar to invite suggestions regarding preparations for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev in November this year. Indian Sikh pilgrims along with thousand others from across the world will visit the gurdwara in Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan`s Punjab province, where the Sikh Guru spent his final days, as part of the celebrations. "Let`s eliminate forces of hatred and intolerance from the world, may they be genocide of Sikhs in Golden Temple, persecution of Muslims in Kashmir, brutality in Palestine or other parts of the world," Awan stated during the Convention attended by hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from across the world. Firdous termed Kartarpur Corridor a historic project, saying it would prove to be a long-lasting bond between Pakistan and Sikh community. She said the Prime Minister`s decision to build Kartarpur Corridor was indicative of his enlightened vision regarding minorities`` rights and religious freedom in Pakistan.

Pakistan official asks Sikhs, Muslims to work together

A Sikh girl who was allegedly<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sikh-priests-daughter-abducted-in-pakistan-forcibly-converted-into-islam-as-parents-file-fir-246414"> abducted and forcibly converted to Islam</a> in Pakistan has returned home to her parents, Nankana Sahib police said on Friday.

Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the incident.

The girl, identified as 19-year old Jagjit Kaur, was allegedly abducted and forced to marry a Muslim man in Pakistan.&nbsp;

The incident came to light on Thursday after a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared a video of the girl`s family alleging that the girl was abducted and forcefully converted.

The incident had drawn the attention of Sikhs worldwide and sparked anger in the community.

The girl`s father, identified as Bhagwan Singh, is a `granthi` (priest) at Gurudwara Tambu Sahib.

The matter had raised a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/shared-our-concern-over-abduction-and-forced-conversion-of-sikh-girl-with-pakistan-government-india-246714">furore in India</a>, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.&nbsp;

A Sikh girl who was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan has returned home to her parents, Nankana Sahib police said on Friday. Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the incident.

A Sikh girl who was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to Islam in Pakistan has returned home to her parents, Nankana Sahib police said on Friday. Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the incident. The girl, identified as 19-year old Jagjit Kaur, was allegedly abducted and forced to marry a Muslim man in Pakistan. The incident came to light on Thursday after a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA, Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared a video of the girl`s family alleging that the girl was abducted and forcefully converted. The incident had drawn the attention of Sikhs worldwide and sparked anger in the community. The girl`s father, identified as Bhagwan Singh, is a `granthi` (priest) at Gurudwara Tambu Sahib. The matter had raised a furore in India, with several political leaders across parties asking for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

Pakistan: Abducted Sikh girl returns to her parents; 8 arrested

Sikhs devotees in India's northern Amritsar city left on Thursday (June 27) on pilgrimage to Pakistan. The week-long programme marking the 180th anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, leader of the Sikh empire, begins in Lahore.

Indian Sikh devotees leave for Pakistan on pilgrimage

To commemorate the 180th Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a batch of 224 Sikh devotees from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) left for Pakistan in a special train from Attari Railway Station on Thursday morning.

Amidst chants of 'Jo Bole So Nihal', the batch left for 'darshan'&nbsp;of Gurudwara Shri Panja Sahib, Shri Nankana Sahib, and Shri Kartarpur Sahib among other Gurudwaras in Lahore.

They will return to India on July 6.SGPC had sent 282 applications for visas this year of which only 224 visas were granted, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-refuses-visa-to-58-sikhs-for-pilgrimage-230560">while 58 were denied on Wednesday</a>.

"We are going for the `darshan` on the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. We pray for our visa clearances every year because not everybody who applies gets clearance. We are not smugglers, we are devotees, we are going there for 'darshan'," said one of the devotees.

"We urge our government as well as their government to end visa systems for people who travel for religious purposes. Our government should ask Pakistan government the reason for denial of visas," said another devotee whose relatives did not get a visa to travel to Pakistan.

&nbsp;Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year. 
&nbsp;

To commemorate the 180th Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a batch of 224 Sikh devotees from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) left for Pakistan in a special train from Attari Railway Station on Thursday morning.

To commemorate the 180th Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a batch of 224 Sikh devotees from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) left for Pakistan in a special train from Attari Railway Station on Thursday morning. Amidst chants of 'Jo Bole So Nihal', the batch left for 'darshan' of Gurudwara Shri Panja Sahib, Shri Nankana Sahib, and Shri Kartarpur Sahib among other Gurudwaras in Lahore. They will return to India on July 6.SGPC had sent 282 applications for visas this year of which only 224 visas were granted, while 58 were denied on Wednesday. "We are going for the `darshan` on the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. We pray for our visa clearances every year because not everybody who applies gets clearance. We are not smugglers, we are devotees, we are going there for 'darshan'," said one of the devotees. "We urge our government as well as their government to end visa systems for people who travel for religious purposes. Our government should ask Pakistan government the reason for denial of visas," said another devotee whose relatives did not get a visa to travel to Pakistan. Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year.

224 Sikh devotees leave for Pakistan on death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Sikhs tie turbans over the heads of others during 'Turban Day' celebrations in Amritsar, India in an event organized by a local Sikh organization which aims to inspire pride and maintain the distinct identity of their culture throughout the world.

India: Sikhs celebrate Turban Day

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report.

The man, identified as John Crain, threw the hot coffee at the clerk then punched him in the face before fleeing just before 2 am on Wednesday in Marysville, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The Sikh clerk told officers that John Crain had prepared himself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, according to a Marysville Police Department press release.

He is seen in the CCTV footage confronting John Crain at the front door before being attacked. The victim suffered injuries from the hot coffee, as well as a contusion on his face, police said.

Police said officers were dispatched to the same store later that afternoon for another reported assault and spotted John Crain walking away from the area.

Later that day, officers responded to another assault in the area and found a suspect walking away matching the description of the man from the earlier incident. The suspect was arrested.

John Crain admitted to the officers that he had assaulted the clerk during the previous night's incident.

He told police he "hated Muslims" and attacked the Sikh clerk because he believed he's Muslim. He was later booked into Yuba County Jail for theft, assault and hate crimes charges.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its allies from the Sikh community condemned the attack.

"We condemn this attack on an individual because of his faith. This hate crime represents yet another attack on our Sikh brothers and sisters fuelled by Islamophobia and those emboldened by this administration's xenophobic policies and sentiments," CAIR-SV's Civil Rights Attorney Saad Sweilem said in a statement.

"We welcome the hate crime charges and encourage law enforcement to continue to take these clear incidents of bias seriously."

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report.

A man was arrested on charges of hate crime in the state of California, US after he punched a Sikh clerk and threw hot coffee on him as he believed the victim was a Muslim, according to a media report. The man, identified as John Crain, threw the hot coffee at the clerk then punched him in the face before fleeing just before 2 am on Wednesday in Marysville, the Sacramento Bee reported. The Sikh clerk told officers that John Crain had prepared himself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, according to a Marysville Police Department press release. He is seen in the CCTV footage confronting John Crain at the front door before being attacked. The victim suffered injuries from the hot coffee, as well as a contusion on his face, police said. Police said officers were dispatched to the same store later that afternoon for another reported assault and spotted John Crain walking away from the area. Later that day, officers responded to another assault in the area and found a suspect walking away matching the description of the man from the earlier incident. The suspect was arrested. John Crain admitted to the officers that he had assaulted the clerk during the previous night's incident. He told police he "hated Muslims" and attacked the Sikh clerk because he believed he's Muslim. He was later booked into Yuba County Jail for theft, assault and hate crimes charges. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its allies from the Sikh community condemned the attack. "We condemn this attack on an individual because of his faith. This hate crime represents yet another attack on our Sikh brothers and sisters fuelled by Islamophobia and those emboldened by this administration's xenophobic policies and sentiments," CAIR-SV's Civil Rights Attorney Saad Sweilem said in a statement. "We welcome the hate crime charges and encourage law enforcement to continue to take these clear incidents of bias seriously."

US man punches Sikh thinking he's Muslim, arrested

The traffic police authorities in this city of Pakistan Thursday apologised to the Sikh community after a Sikh motorcyclist was "mistakenly" issued a challan for not wearing a helmet.

A traffic warden had on Tuesday issued the challan to the Sikh youth riding the motorcycle for non-use of the helmet.

A spokesman of the traffic police said the youth was "mistakenly" challaned by the warden.&nbsp;

He said the authorities have tendered an apology to a delegation of the Sikh community, who brought the issue to their notice.

Sikhs are exempted from use of helmet while riding motorcycles, the spokesman said.

The provincial legislature in northwest Pakistan is likely to debate the issue.&nbsp;

The traffic police authorities in this city of Pakistan Thursday apologised to the Sikh community after a Sikh motorcyclist was "mistakenly" issued a challan for not wearing a helmet.

The traffic police authorities in this city of Pakistan Thursday apologised to the Sikh community after a Sikh motorcyclist was "mistakenly" issued a challan for not wearing a helmet. A traffic warden had on Tuesday issued the challan to the Sikh youth riding the motorcycle for non-use of the helmet. A spokesman of the traffic police said the youth was "mistakenly" challaned by the warden. He said the authorities have tendered an apology to a delegation of the Sikh community, who brought the issue to their notice. Sikhs are exempted from use of helmet while riding motorcycles, the spokesman said. The provincial legislature in northwest Pakistan is likely to debate the issue.

Authorities apologise after Sikh motorcyclist issued challan for not wearing helmet in Pak's Peshawar

Pakistan has offered all amenities and facilities to the Sikh community settled across the globe to invest in Kartarpur Corridor and make the area between Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib unprecedented and historic.

The offer was made by visiting Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, while talking to the Sikh community at Guru Gobind Singh Sabha in Southall, West London on Thursday.

"The opening of (Kartarpur) Corridor after 70 years is splendid and we feel the heart-touching sentiments and pleasing moments of Sikh community at this affectionate occasion", Sarwar emphasised. "Sikhs are our brothers and sisters, Pakistan is already supporting and helping them and taking extra care to look after the Gurdawaras in all over the country, especially the Nankana Saheb," he added.

The Punjab Governor also appreciated the gesture of the Indian government and said that this would not have had happened if New Delhi would not have expressed reciprocal response.

Both the countries have set the foundation of goodwill and friendship and the opening of the Corridor is, in fact, the fulfilling the wishes of 120 million Sikh community, he noted.

Sarwar also said the Pakistan government will meet all expenses of development of both religious places and connecting corridor.

"The opening of the corridor is a triumph of Baba Guru Nanak, who is the leader not only of Sikh community but also of Muslims and Hindus as he is the leader of international repute. We would like to develop Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur on the same level and pattern so that the younger and future generation should not feel any difference between the two holy places. There is no shortage of land in Nakana Saheb, so I personally, and on behalf of the Pakistan government, invite the Sikh community-based in Britain and other countries to invest in educational, hotel and business industries. Thus they can serve their own community and simultaneously can also avail huge profit out of their investments," the Governor Punjab offered.

Sarwar also expressed a wish to establish Guru Nanak University in Nankana Saheb to spread the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak.

"We shall celebrate his 550th anniversary in a befitting manner and I shall spend the whole day there as it would be a memorable and remarkable day," Sarwar added, while promising to meet all suggestions and genuine demands of Sikh community, including the visa extension from two to four weeks and increase in quota of pilgrims on emergency basis.

Meanwhile, President of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sabha, Southall, Gurmail Singh Malhi and Vice President Sohan Sigh Samra, along with other Sikh leaders expressed gratitude to Sarwar for his offer and promised that the Sikh community as a whole will support every project aimed to serve these two places.

"This corridor will bring Sikh nation and Pakistan more closely", they commented.

In November last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur Corridor along the India-Pakistan border, allowing Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev died in 1539.

The construction of the corridor will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of river Ravi in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev ji spent 18 years of his life.&nbsp;

Pakistan has offered all amenities and facilities to the Sikh community settled across the globe to invest in Kartarpur Corridor and make the area between Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib unprecedented and historic.

Pakistan has offered all amenities and facilities to the Sikh community settled across the globe to invest in Kartarpur Corridor and make the area between Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib unprecedented and historic. The offer was made by visiting Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, while talking to the Sikh community at Guru Gobind Singh Sabha in Southall, West London on Thursday. "The opening of (Kartarpur) Corridor after 70 years is splendid and we feel the heart-touching sentiments and pleasing moments of Sikh community at this affectionate occasion", Sarwar emphasised. "Sikhs are our brothers and sisters, Pakistan is already supporting and helping them and taking extra care to look after the Gurdawaras in all over the country, especially the Nankana Saheb," he added. The Punjab Governor also appreciated the gesture of the Indian government and said that this would not have had happened if New Delhi would not have expressed reciprocal response. Both the countries have set the foundation of goodwill and friendship and the opening of the Corridor is, in fact, the fulfilling the wishes of 120 million Sikh community, he noted. Sarwar also said the Pakistan government will meet all expenses of development of both religious places and connecting corridor. "The opening of the corridor is a triumph of Baba Guru Nanak, who is the leader not only of Sikh community but also of Muslims and Hindus as he is the leader of international repute. We would like to develop Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur on the same level and pattern so that the younger and future generation should not feel any difference between the two holy places. There is no shortage of land in Nakana Saheb, so I personally, and on behalf of the Pakistan government, invite the Sikh community-based in Britain and other countries to invest in educational, hotel and business industries. Thus they can serve their own community and simultaneously can also avail huge profit out of their investments," the Governor Punjab offered. Sarwar also expressed a wish to establish Guru Nanak University in Nankana Saheb to spread the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak. "We shall celebrate his 550th anniversary in a befitting manner and I shall spend the whole day there as it would be a memorable and remarkable day," Sarwar added, while promising to meet all suggestions and genuine demands of Sikh community, including the visa extension from two to four weeks and increase in quota of pilgrims on emergency basis. Meanwhile, President of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sabha, Southall, Gurmail Singh Malhi and Vice President Sohan Sigh Samra, along with other Sikh leaders expressed gratitude to Sarwar for his offer and promised that the Sikh community as a whole will support every project aimed to serve these two places. "This corridor will bring Sikh nation and Pakistan more closely", they commented. In November last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur Corridor along the India-Pakistan border, allowing Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev died in 1539. The construction of the corridor will facilitate lakhs of pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of river Ravi in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev ji spent 18 years of his life.

Pakistan invites Sikh community to invest in commercial projects along Nankana-Kartarpur Corridor

Thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan, who were eagerly awaiting the passage of a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bandh-in-northeast-states-against-police-firing-on-people-protesting-against-citizenship-bill-in-tripura-189902">bill by Parliament that would grant them Indian citizenship</a>, are disappointed that it could not fructify in the just-concluded Winter session but have not given up hope.

These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India.

Most of them, hailing from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of Pakistan, are staying in places like Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab.

Living here on the basis of a temporary visa, which is extended from time to time, these migrants are in a condition of statelessness, because of which they are unable to educate their children.

In 2017, 431 Pakistani Hindus were given Long Term Visa in line with the Modi government's policy to help rehabilitate minorities who fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Without any provision for getting long-term visas, Hindu and Sikh migrant families from Pakistan are trying relentlessly to get their visas renewed. Another problem for these families is to find suitable guarantors for their visas. The movement of Pakistani passport holders are also restricted.

While talking to ANI, some of the migrants narrated their problems, recounting the stories of harassment and torture experienced back home in Pakistan.

They were keenly tracking <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/citizenship-bill-ex-assam-cm-tarun-gogoi-says-he-will-violate-prohibitory-order-189616">the fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill</a> in Parliament during the just-concluded Winter Session in the hope that it would be passed into law.

The bill, which is aimed at amending the Act of 1955, was passed by the Lok Sabha but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the Opposition parties insisted on sending the legislation to a Select Committee for thorough scrutiny.

"We have been staying in Amritsar for last 22 years. My grandfather, father and aunt died here seeking the nationality. I request the government and the Opposition to grant us citizenship. I want to fulfill my mother`s last wish of dying as an Indian citizen," said Parminder, who refused to reveal his full identity fearing a backlash to his relatives in Pakistan.

"My sister is being threatened with divorce because her husband's family no longer wants to bear the problem of visa renewal. Most of us struggle to get our daughter and sister married because of our Pakistani nationality. I pray to the government to pass the bill as soon as possible. I do not want her marriage to break just of this," said Shyam, another refugee.

"We are thankful to the government which thought about us and initiated the Citizenship bill," said Balwinder (again name changed).

He said the family hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. "We tried to stay there as long as possible but then the situation became worse. We were threatened by the Taliban to either change our religion or face prosecution. We thought it would be better to die one day rather than dying very moment," Balwinder added.

His wife Harpreet said, "In Pakistan, we had to obey several compulsions. We had no freedom to live our life. Men were allowed to go outside for work and women were mostly confined to homes. In India, we have got freedom. The only problem is the citizenship. Hope the government grants us citizenship so that we can at least get rid of visa requirement."

"I was only three-years-old when my parents along with other family members fled from Pakistan. I went there in 2008 but I find striking similarity between what my parents told and what I saw after visiting Pakistan after so many years. Nothing has changed. Even today, many Hindus and minorities staying in Pakistan face rampant discrimination and threats on religious grounds. All they want is to return to India for a safer life," said Visah Tiwari.

He went to Pakistan in 2008 for renewing his passport as mandated by the Pakistan government.

Rajinder, originally hailing from Peshawar, came to India in 2012 but he sent his family ahead of him in 2005 after the Taliban came to their area and demanded extortion of Rs 6 crore.

"We were asked to pay the amount then and there or face execution. I somehow managed to send my wife and children to India," he said. His extended family is still in Peshawar.

Ram Charan (name changed), another Hindu migrant from Peshawar, said, "I escaped to India in 1994 at the age of 14. In Peshawar, I saw how people were being bombed. When my father used to go out to earn, I would quietly pray inside our home that I should not hear about his demise. I also have a sister, I used to live in fear because young women were being kidnapped on broad daylight and nobody dares to resist."

As per the existing Citizenship Act, 1955 a migrant is declared 'illegal migrant' if they entered India or overstayed without any travel document. The present amended bill says that citizenship will be provided to people who were forced to flee from their country after being subjected to religious persecution or fear of persecution in their homeland, primarily Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India.

Thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan, who were eagerly awaiting the passage of a bill by Parliament that would grant them Indian citizenship, are disappointed that it could not fructify in the just-concluded Winter session but have not given up hope. These people trickled into India over the last two decades, escaping religious persecution back in Pakistan and found a new home in India. Most of them, hailing from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions of Pakistan, are staying in places like Amritsar and Ludhiana in Punjab. Living here on the basis of a temporary visa, which is extended from time to time, these migrants are in a condition of statelessness, because of which they are unable to educate their children. In 2017, 431 Pakistani Hindus were given Long Term Visa in line with the Modi government's policy to help rehabilitate minorities who fled from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Without any provision for getting long-term visas, Hindu and Sikh migrant families from Pakistan are trying relentlessly to get their visas renewed. Another problem for these families is to find suitable guarantors for their visas. The movement of Pakistani passport holders are also restricted. While talking to ANI, some of the migrants narrated their problems, recounting the stories of harassment and torture experienced back home in Pakistan. They were keenly tracking the fate of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament during the just-concluded Winter Session in the hope that it would be passed into law. The bill, which is aimed at amending the Act of 1955, was passed by the Lok Sabha but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the Opposition parties insisted on sending the legislation to a Select Committee for thorough scrutiny. "We have been staying in Amritsar for last 22 years. My grandfather, father and aunt died here seeking the nationality. I request the government and the Opposition to grant us citizenship. I want to fulfill my mother`s last wish of dying as an Indian citizen," said Parminder, who refused to reveal his full identity fearing a backlash to his relatives in Pakistan. "My sister is being threatened with divorce because her husband's family no longer wants to bear the problem of visa renewal. Most of us struggle to get our daughter and sister married because of our Pakistani nationality. I pray to the government to pass the bill as soon as possible. I do not want her marriage to break just of this," said Shyam, another refugee. "We are thankful to the government which thought about us and initiated the Citizenship bill," said Balwinder (again name changed). He said the family hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. "We tried to stay there as long as possible but then the situation became worse. We were threatened by the Taliban to either change our religion or face prosecution. We thought it would be better to die one day rather than dying very moment," Balwinder added. His wife Harpreet said, "In Pakistan, we had to obey several compulsions. We had no freedom to live our life. Men were allowed to go outside for work and women were mostly confined to homes. In India, we have got freedom. The only problem is the citizenship. Hope the government grants us citizenship so that we can at least get rid of visa requirement." "I was only three-years-old when my parents along with other family members fled from Pakistan. I went there in 2008 but I find striking similarity between what my parents told and what I saw after visiting Pakistan after so many years. Nothing has changed. Even today, many Hindus and minorities staying in Pakistan face rampant discrimination and threats on religious grounds. All they want is to return to India for a safer life," said Visah Tiwari. He went to Pakistan in 2008 for renewing his passport as mandated by the Pakistan government. Rajinder, originally hailing from Peshawar, came to India in 2012 but he sent his family ahead of him in 2005 after the Taliban came to their area and demanded extortion of Rs 6 crore. "We were asked to pay the amount then and there or face execution. I somehow managed to send my wife and children to India," he said. His extended family is still in Peshawar. Ram Charan (name changed), another Hindu migrant from Peshawar, said, "I escaped to India in 1994 at the age of 14. In Peshawar, I saw how people were being bombed. When my father used to go out to earn, I would quietly pray inside our home that I should not hear about his demise. I also have a sister, I used to live in fear because young women were being kidnapped on broad daylight and nobody dares to resist." As per the existing Citizenship Act, 1955 a migrant is declared 'illegal migrant' if they entered India or overstayed without any travel document. The present amended bill says that citizenship will be provided to people who were forced to flee from their country after being subjected to religious persecution or fear of persecution in their homeland, primarily Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Hindu, Sikh refugees from Pakistan hopeful for passage of Citizenship Bill

Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal: How people welcome harvest season across India

In a first, a Sikh has been appointed as the public relations officer (PRO) to the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, it was announced on Friday.

The announcement of the appointment of Pawan Singh Arora was made by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar.

"For the first in history of Governor House, Lahore, first Sikh Public Relations Officer, Pawan Singh Arora, has assumed charge as PRO to Governor, Punjab," Sarwar tweeted.

He also said that Arora was previously working as District Information Officer of Nankana Sahab district.

Sikhs are a small minority in Pakistan and most of them live in Punjab province.&nbsp;

Sikhs are a small minority in Pakistan and most of them live in Punjab province.

In a first, a Sikh has been appointed as the public relations officer (PRO) to the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, it was announced on Friday. The announcement of the appointment of Pawan Singh Arora was made by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar. "For the first in history of Governor House, Lahore, first Sikh Public Relations Officer, Pawan Singh Arora, has assumed charge as PRO to Governor, Punjab," Sarwar tweeted. He also said that Arora was previously working as District Information Officer of Nankana Sahab district. Sikhs are a small minority in Pakistan and most of them live in Punjab province.

Sikh appointed as public relations officer to Pakistan Punjab governor

Sikh inmates will be kept away from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-case-ex-congress-leader-sajjan-kumar-surrenders-before-delhis-karkardooma-court-187501">former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar</a>'s ward in the Mandoli Jail complex in Delhi as a precautionary measure, jail sources said.

Kumar, sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was brought to the Mandoli jail after he surrendered before the Karkardooma court here on Monday.

The former Congress leader, who was brought to the jail by the police following his medical examination at a Delhi government hospital, would be lodged in prison number 14, the sources said.

They added that Kumar's medical examination by a jail doctor was also carried out.

He underwent a detailed medical examination owing to his age.He told the doctor that he was asthmatic and was suffering from body pain, they said, adding Kumar has also brought several medicines with him.

The sources said after the medical examination, he was led to ward number 1 and Sikh prisoners near that ward were shifted to other wards as a precautionary measure.

Security had been increased in jail number 14 and the personnel asked to ensure that the two-three Sikh prisoners lodged in the prison should be kept away from Kumar as a precautionary measure, they said.

On the first day of his jail stay, Kumar went without food, the sources said, adding he will not be given special treatment and treated like other prisoners.&nbsp; 
He was brought to the jail complex in a separate prison bus with two escort vehicles, following the court's directions.

Kumar, 73, surrendered before Metropolitan Magistrate Aditi Garg, who directed that he be lodged in the Mandoli jail in northeast Delhi. The Delhi High Court had set a deadline of December 31 for the former Congress leader to surrender and on December 21, declined his plea to extend the time by a month.

The high court had, on December 17, convicted Kumar and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the "remainder of his natural life". Subsequently, Kumar resigned from the Congress party.

The case in which he was convicted relates to the killing of five Sikhs in the Raj Nagar Part-I area in the Palam Colony of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and the burning down of a Gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part-II.

Kumar is the first big politician to be convicted in the riots. In its judgment on December 17, the high court noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital, holding that the riots was indeed a "carnage of unbelievable proportions".&nbsp;

The riots broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards.

Sikh inmates will be kept away from former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's ward in the Mandoli Jail complex in Delhi as a precautionary measure, jail sources said.

Sikh inmates will be kept away from former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar's ward in the Mandoli Jail complex in Delhi as a precautionary measure, jail sources said. Kumar, sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, was brought to the Mandoli jail after he surrendered before the Karkardooma court here on Monday. The former Congress leader, who was brought to the jail by the police following his medical examination at a Delhi government hospital, would be lodged in prison number 14, the sources said. They added that Kumar's medical examination by a jail doctor was also carried out. He underwent a detailed medical examination owing to his age.He told the doctor that he was asthmatic and was suffering from body pain, they said, adding Kumar has also brought several medicines with him. The sources said after the medical examination, he was led to ward number 1 and Sikh prisoners near that ward were shifted to other wards as a precautionary measure. Security had been increased in jail number 14 and the personnel asked to ensure that the two-three Sikh prisoners lodged in the prison should be kept away from Kumar as a precautionary measure, they said. On the first day of his jail stay, Kumar went without food, the sources said, adding he will not be given special treatment and treated like other prisoners. He was brought to the jail complex in a separate prison bus with two escort vehicles, following the court's directions. Kumar, 73, surrendered before Metropolitan Magistrate Aditi Garg, who directed that he be lodged in the Mandoli jail in northeast Delhi. The Delhi High Court had set a deadline of December 31 for the former Congress leader to surrender and on December 21, declined his plea to extend the time by a month. The high court had, on December 17, convicted Kumar and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the "remainder of his natural life". Subsequently, Kumar resigned from the Congress party. The case in which he was convicted relates to the killing of five Sikhs in the Raj Nagar Part-I area in the Palam Colony of southwest Delhi on November 1-2, 1984 and the burning down of a Gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part-II. Kumar is the first big politician to be convicted in the riots. In its judgment on December 17, the high court noted that over 2,700 Sikhs were killed in the national capital, holding that the riots was indeed a "carnage of unbelievable proportions". The riots broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by her two Sikh bodyguards.

Sikh inmates to be kept away from Sajjan Kumar's ward in Delhi's Mandoli jail: Report

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-claim-to-bust-isi-backed-terror-module-in-punjab-174957">pro-Khalistan outfit,</a> seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

The chief minister made the remarks after a section of media reported that US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist outfit, had allegedly sought support from the Pakistan government for 'Referendum 2020', a campaign to "separate Punjab from India".

Attacking SFJ's legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief minister said, "The cat is now well and truly out of the bag, and the truth of the deep-rooted connection between the SJF and the Pakistani Army is out in the open."&nbsp;

Amarinder Singh has also taken strong exception to SFJ's reported plans to hold a 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019', coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

The whole affair is a "bigger conspiracy" by the Pakistan Army, which is persistently trying to revive militancy in Punjab, the CM said, reiterating his stand on the issue.&nbsp;

Amarinder Singh also said that Punjab and the Indian Army were well prepared to counter any such plans of the neighbouring country. 
"Punjab is today much better equipped than it was in the 80s and 90s when Pak-backed terrorism had swept the state," he said, warning Islamabad against extending any further support to SFJ or other such outfits that are bent on disturbing the state's hard-earned peace.

The Pakistan Army would do well to remember the ignominious defeats it had suffered at the hands of the Indian Army on every occasion it had tried to take on the might of the latter, right from the 1965 and 1971 wars to the more recent Kargil battle, warned Amarinder Singh.

Asserting that he was all in favour of the Kartarpur Corridor to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the Sikh community in India, the chief minister said it was the "misuse" of the initiative that he was opposed to.&nbsp;

'If Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly in favour of opening the doors for long-lasting peace with India through this corridor, he should not only unequivocally condemn the SFJ statement but should also ensure that Pakistan soil is not used by the anti-India outfit to further its campaign,' he said, urging the Pak leader to put a stop to the plan of 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019'.

'Let the two countries build a corridor of peace in the true sense of the word, without the auspicious occasion of the 550th 'Prakash Purb' being allowed by Islamabad to be abused by anti-Indian forces,' the CM said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a pro-Khalistan outfit, seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Tuesday a purported statement by a pro-Khalistan outfit, seeking support from Pakistan to "liberate" Punjab from India, has exposed its "nefarious designs" and nexus with the Pakistani Army and the ISI. The chief minister made the remarks after a section of media reported that US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist outfit, had allegedly sought support from the Pakistan government for 'Referendum 2020', a campaign to "separate Punjab from India". Attacking SFJ's legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief minister said, "The cat is now well and truly out of the bag, and the truth of the deep-rooted connection between the SJF and the Pakistani Army is out in the open." Amarinder Singh has also taken strong exception to SFJ's reported plans to hold a 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019', coinciding with the auspicious occasion of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The whole affair is a "bigger conspiracy" by the Pakistan Army, which is persistently trying to revive militancy in Punjab, the CM said, reiterating his stand on the issue. Amarinder Singh also said that Punjab and the Indian Army were well prepared to counter any such plans of the neighbouring country. "Punjab is today much better equipped than it was in the 80s and 90s when Pak-backed terrorism had swept the state," he said, warning Islamabad against extending any further support to SFJ or other such outfits that are bent on disturbing the state's hard-earned peace. The Pakistan Army would do well to remember the ignominious defeats it had suffered at the hands of the Indian Army on every occasion it had tried to take on the might of the latter, right from the 1965 and 1971 wars to the more recent Kargil battle, warned Amarinder Singh. Asserting that he was all in favour of the Kartarpur Corridor to fulfil the long-pending aspirations of the Sikh community in India, the chief minister said it was the "misuse" of the initiative that he was opposed to. 'If Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was truly in favour of opening the doors for long-lasting peace with India through this corridor, he should not only unequivocally condemn the SFJ statement but should also ensure that Pakistan soil is not used by the anti-India outfit to further its campaign,' he said, urging the Pak leader to put a stop to the plan of 'Kartarpur Sahib Convention 2019'. 'Let the two countries build a corridor of peace in the true sense of the word, without the auspicious occasion of the 550th 'Prakash Purb' being allowed by Islamabad to be abused by anti-Indian forces,' the CM said.

SFJ seeking help to ‘liberate’ Punjab exposes its nexus with Pak army: Amarinder Singh

A group of British MPs have launched a year-long campaign to lobby for Sikhism to be added as a separate ethnicity tick-box in the next UK census in 2021 after the country's statistical authority concluded it was not required.

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs accused the Office of National Statistics (ONS) of ignoring "overwhelming" Sikh community support for such an additional category in order to ensure fair treatment of British Sikhs and address racial discrimination.&nbsp;

"The ONS with its latest proposals in the White Paper has now opened itself up to legal action and a claim of institutionalising discrimination against Sikhs," said Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, Chair of the APPG for British Sikhs.

"MPs, with the support of gurdwaras, Sikh organisations and the community, are starting a year-long nationwide campaign to put this right and a Sikh ethnic tick box to be added when the Census Order 2019 is presented in the House of Commons," she said.

In a recently released White Paper, titled 'Help Shape Our Future: The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales', the ONS said the estimates of the Sikh population can be met through data from the specific response option in the Sikh religion question.

"The ONS does not propose adding an additional specific response option to the 2021 Census ethnic group question because of the evidence that this would not be acceptable to a proportion of the Sikh population," the White Paper states.

"There are differing views within the Sikh population as to whether a specific response option should be added to the 2021 Census, and views on each side are passionately held. All respondents who stated they were ethnically Sikh (in question versions with or without a specific Sikh response option) also stated their religious affiliation was Sikh, it notes.

Sikhs are already recognised as a separate religion in the optional religious question introduced in the 2001 Census. The UK's Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 placed an obligatory and specific duty on the country's public authorities to monitor and positively promote race equality in the provision of public services.&nbsp;

According to some British Sikh groups such as Sikh Federation UK, public bodies tend to only reference the ethnic groups used in the census and demand a separate Sikh ethnic tick-box to ensure Sikhs have fair access to all public services.

"The recommendations fully recognise the need for good data on the Sikh community, both in terms of the need for high-quality data from the census and also wider across all public services. Everyone who wishes to identify as Sikh will be able to do so," said John Pullinger, UK's National Statistician, who has also written to the APPG for British Sikhs with assurances.&nbsp;

The Network of Sikh Organisation (NSO), which had campaigned against such a separate ethnicity tick-box, welcomed the conclusions of the White Paper as "common sense".

"The ONS has conducted significant research and consultation on this matter across the British Sikh community over a long period of time. They revealed focus groups conducted showed, 'younger second-generation participants wanted to express their Sikh background through the religion question as this is how they expected Sikh identity to be recorded'," the NSO said in a statement.

"In any case, from a doctrinal perspective, Guru Nanak was the founder of a great world religion, not an ethnic' group. Sikh teachings reject division of society on grounds of caste, creed, colour and, by the extension of this debate, ethnicity," it adds.

The ONS has also stressed that its "Digital First" census in 2021 will have a new "search-as-you-type" facility on the online form, which will allow anyone to identify as being of any particular ethnic identity, including Sikh.

"The ONS will also utilise the Digital Economy Act 2017 to help ensure data on the Sikh population is available across public services not just census collected data," it said.

The date for the next UK census has been confirmed as March 21, 2021, subject to parliamentary approval.&nbsp;

A group of British MPs have launched a year-long campaign to lobby for Sikhism to be added as a separate ethnicity tick-box in the next UK census in 2021 after the country's statistical authority concluded it was not required.

A group of British MPs have launched a year-long campaign to lobby for Sikhism to be added as a separate ethnicity tick-box in the next UK census in 2021 after the country's statistical authority concluded it was not required. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs accused the Office of National Statistics (ONS) of ignoring "overwhelming" Sikh community support for such an additional category in order to ensure fair treatment of British Sikhs and address racial discrimination. "The ONS with its latest proposals in the White Paper has now opened itself up to legal action and a claim of institutionalising discrimination against Sikhs," said Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, Chair of the APPG for British Sikhs. "MPs, with the support of gurdwaras, Sikh organisations and the community, are starting a year-long nationwide campaign to put this right and a Sikh ethnic tick box to be added when the Census Order 2019 is presented in the House of Commons," she said. In a recently released White Paper, titled 'Help Shape Our Future: The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales', the ONS said the estimates of the Sikh population can be met through data from the specific response option in the Sikh religion question. "The ONS does not propose adding an additional specific response option to the 2021 Census ethnic group question because of the evidence that this would not be acceptable to a proportion of the Sikh population," the White Paper states. "There are differing views within the Sikh population as to whether a specific response option should be added to the 2021 Census, and views on each side are passionately held. All respondents who stated they were ethnically Sikh (in question versions with or without a specific Sikh response option) also stated their religious affiliation was Sikh, it notes. Sikhs are already recognised as a separate religion in the optional religious question introduced in the 2001 Census. The UK's Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 placed an obligatory and specific duty on the country's public authorities to monitor and positively promote race equality in the provision of public services. According to some British Sikh groups such as Sikh Federation UK, public bodies tend to only reference the ethnic groups used in the census and demand a separate Sikh ethnic tick-box to ensure Sikhs have fair access to all public services. "The recommendations fully recognise the need for good data on the Sikh community, both in terms of the need for high-quality data from the census and also wider across all public services. Everyone who wishes to identify as Sikh will be able to do so," said John Pullinger, UK's National Statistician, who has also written to the APPG for British Sikhs with assurances. The Network of Sikh Organisation (NSO), which had campaigned against such a separate ethnicity tick-box, welcomed the conclusions of the White Paper as "common sense". "The ONS has conducted significant research and consultation on this matter across the British Sikh community over a long period of time. They revealed focus groups conducted showed, 'younger second-generation participants wanted to express their Sikh background through the religion question as this is how they expected Sikh identity to be recorded'," the NSO said in a statement. "In any case, from a doctrinal perspective, Guru Nanak was the founder of a great world religion, not an ethnic' group. Sikh teachings reject division of society on grounds of caste, creed, colour and, by the extension of this debate, ethnicity," it adds. The ONS has also stressed that its "Digital First" census in 2021 will have a new "search-as-you-type" facility on the online form, which will allow anyone to identify as being of any particular ethnic identity, including Sikh. "The ONS will also utilise the Digital Economy Act 2017 to help ensure data on the Sikh population is available across public services not just census collected data," it said. The date for the next UK census has been confirmed as March 21, 2021, subject to parliamentary approval.

British MPs campaign for separate Sikh ethnicity in UK census

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California.&nbsp;

Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City.

“It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city. “I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City. “It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Indian-American Sikh elected mayor of Anaheim city in California

The Centre has rushed 10 additional companies of paramilitary personnel to Shillong after fresh violence broke out there Sunday night. A top officer said police had to use tear gas to quell a mob.

Shillong has been on edge since Thursday following clashes between residents of the city's Punjabi Line area and Khasi drivers of state-run buses.

A four-member delegation sent by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to the state met Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma in Shillong. ANI reported Sangma as assuring the safety and security of the city's Punjabi Line residents.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Top Union home ministry officials have also been in touch with Meghalaya government officials.&nbsp;

Sangma had earlier said the clashes are <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/shillong-clash-not-communal-says-cm-curfew-relaxed-for-7-hours-141984">not communal</a>.&nbsp;

"The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma said on Sunday.

The clashes in Shillong, he added, were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state.

News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night.

Normal life continues to be affected in the town. Authorities have imposed curfew in the capital city to curtail any fresh violence.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Meghalaya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Meghalaya</a>: Army conducted flag march in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shillong?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shillong</a> in the wake of violence after clashes broke out between two groups following escalation of an argument between a woman & a bus conductor. <a href="https://t.co/MGqCjtbSL6">pic.twitter.com/MGqCjtbSL6</a>
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Violence broke out last Thursday after two groups of people in the city's Punjabi Line area clashed after a bus handyman was allegedly beaten up by a group of residents. The clash&nbsp;had been sparked by a fight between the handyman and a woman.&nbsp;

More than 10 people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the incident.

Late on Friday night, the Army carried out a flag march in various areas of the town.&nbsp;

News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night. Normal life continues to be affected in the town

The Centre has rushed 10 additional companies of paramilitary personnel to Shillong after fresh violence broke out there Sunday night. A top officer said police had to use tear gas to quell a mob. Shillong has been on edge since Thursday following clashes between residents of the city's Punjabi Line area and Khasi drivers of state-run buses. A four-member delegation sent by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to the state met Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma in Shillong. ANI reported Sangma as assuring the safety and security of the city's Punjabi Line residents. Top Union home ministry officials have also been in touch with Meghalaya government officials. Sangma had earlier said the clashes are not communal. "The problem is very much in a particular locality, on a particular issue. It just happened that two particular communities were involved, but it's not a communal thing," Sangma said on Sunday. The clashes in Shillong, he added, were given a communal colour by vested groups and a section of the media outside the state. News reports said some 400 protesters targeted a CRPF camp in Shillong on Sunday night. Normal life continues to be affected in the town. Authorities have imposed curfew in the capital city to curtail any fresh violence. #Meghalaya: Army conducted flag march in #Shillong in the wake of violence after clashes broke out between two groups following escalation of an argument between a woman & a bus conductor. pic.twitter.com/MGqCjtbSL6 — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2018 × Violence broke out last Thursday after two groups of people in the city's Punjabi Line area clashed after a bus handyman was allegedly beaten up by a group of residents. The clash had been sparked by a fight between the handyman and a woman. More than 10 people, including policemen, were injured in the violence. One person has been arrested so far in connection with the incident. Late on Friday night, the Army carried out a flag march in various areas of the town.

After fresh violence, Centre rushes 1,000 paramilitary personnel to Shillong

Gunmen shot a Sikh peace activist on Tuesday in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The gunman fired shots at Scheme Chowk, Budhbir area.&nbsp;

Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning. Singh had been living in Peshawar with his family for more than 20 years and was a respected&nbsp;leader in the region.&nbsp;

As per reports, Singh, at the time, was sitting in his shop when the attackers came on a bike and opened fire on him and fled.&nbsp;

Although the exact motive behind the incident is still unknown, community and local political leaders suspect the hand of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) hand in the attack.

In the run-up to the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for July 25, the political atmosphere of the country is getting increasingly turbulent. While the Pakistan Army and the ISI have been covertly supporting the extremism, a few players are contesting to bring a more liberal government in Islamabad.

The police have launched an investigation after lodging a case at Inqalab Police Station.&nbsp;

About 60,000 Sikhs live&nbsp;in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including 15,000 in&nbsp;Peshawar&nbsp;alone, who have time and again raised the issue of discrimination.&nbsp;

Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning

Gunmen shot a Sikh peace activist on Tuesday in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing him on the spot. The gunman fired shots at Scheme Chowk, Budhbir area. Charanjeet Singh, a human rights activists, and Sikh community leader was shot by bike-borne assailants on Tuesday morning. Singh had been living in Peshawar with his family for more than 20 years and was a respected leader in the region. As per reports, Singh, at the time, was sitting in his shop when the attackers came on a bike and opened fire on him and fled. Although the exact motive behind the incident is still unknown, community and local political leaders suspect the hand of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) hand in the attack. In the run-up to the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for July 25, the political atmosphere of the country is getting increasingly turbulent. While the Pakistan Army and the ISI have been covertly supporting the extremism, a few players are contesting to bring a more liberal government in Islamabad. The police have launched an investigation after lodging a case at Inqalab Police Station. About 60,000 Sikhs live in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including 15,000 in Peshawar alone, who have time and again raised the issue of discrimination.

Sikh human rights activist shot dead in Pakistan

A 24-year-old man from a village near Amritsar went missing&nbsp;from Panja Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan, reports said on Saturday.&nbsp;

According to reports, Amarjit, a Sikh pilgrimage, went to Pakistan along with other pilgrims for Baisakhi celebration at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara.

This comes on the same day when Indian High Commission officials were prevented from meeting the pilgrims. As per reports, around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims who were visiting Pakistan under a bilateral agreement facilitating visits to religious shrines were stopped from meeting Indian diplomats.&nbsp;

Representatives of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) have confirmed that Amarjit’s passport – along with that of other Sikh pilgrims – was in the board’s custody but he did not return to receive it upon departure.

The Pakistan foreign ministry is conducting an investigating into the matter.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Amarjit, a Sikh pilgrim, went to Pakistan along with other pilgrims for Baisakhi celebration at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara

A 24-year-old man from a village near Amritsar went missing from Panja Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan, reports said on Saturday. According to reports, Amarjit, a Sikh pilgrimage, went to Pakistan along with other pilgrims for Baisakhi celebration at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara. This comes on the same day when Indian High Commission officials were prevented from meeting the pilgrims. As per reports, around 1,800 Sikh pilgrims who were visiting Pakistan under a bilateral agreement facilitating visits to religious shrines were stopped from meeting Indian diplomats. Representatives of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) have confirmed that Amarjit’s passport – along with that of other Sikh pilgrims – was in the board’s custody but he did not return to receive it upon departure. The Pakistan foreign ministry is conducting an investigating into the matter.

24-year-old Indian on a pilgrimage to Pakistan goes missing

Days after reports of gurudwaras banning entry of Indian officials&nbsp;emerged, the Ministry of External Affairs&nbsp;has negated the issue saying that they take no cognizance of &quot;fringe elements that spread hate and disharmony&quot;.

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said &quot; Majority of Sikhs in Canada and other parts of world share warm relations with India and want better relations with India and their country of residence. We take no cognizance of fringe elements that spread hate and disharmony. &quot;

Earlier a report highlighted on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikh-community-bans-entry-of-indian-officials-into-us-canada-gurudwaras-29006" target="_blank">restriction imposed on Indian officials from the Gurudwaras in US and Canada</a>.&nbsp;

Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (APGC) who claim&nbsp;to be the largest umbrella organisations of Sikh gurudwaras in the US have banned entry of Indian officials from 96 gurudwaras in the country. Before this 14 gurudwaras in Ontario, Canada banned the entry of Indian diplomatic officials.

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Majority of Sikhs in Canada &amp; other parts of world share warm relations w/India &amp; they want better relations w/India &amp; their country of residence. We take no cognizance of fringe elements that spread hate&amp;disharmony: MEA on reports of Gurudwara&#39;s banning entry of Indian officials <a href="https://t.co/iyj0L4dwAa">pic.twitter.com/iyj0L4dwAa</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951424825280544768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Referring to relations with Pakistan, Raveesh Kumar said terror and talks cannot go together. He added that talks on terror can definitely&nbsp;go ahead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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&#39;We have said terror &amp;talks cannot go together but talks on terror can definitely go ahead,&#39; MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/EyTLEDfZUo">pic.twitter.com/EyTLEDfZUo</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951427871087742976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Speaking on NSA level talks, he said that the External Affairs Ministry raised the issue of cross-border&nbsp;terrorism in the NSA level talks with Pakistan.

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I am agreeing that talks took place &amp; our issue was eliminating terrorism from the region, we of course raised the issue of cross-border terrorism in those talks: MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on NSA level talks b/w India &amp; Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/DE26LaOyrL">pic.twitter.com/DE26LaOyrL</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951428122926227456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

'Majority of Sikhs in Canada and other parts of world share warm relations with India,' MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said

Days after reports of gurudwaras banning entry of Indian officials emerged, the Ministry of External Affairs has negated the issue saying that they take no cognizance of "fringe elements that spread hate and disharmony". MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said " Majority of Sikhs in Canada and other parts of world share warm relations with India and want better relations with India and their country of residence. We take no cognizance of fringe elements that spread hate and disharmony. " Earlier a report highlighted on the restriction imposed on Indian officials from the Gurudwaras in US and Canada. Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (APGC) who claim to be the largest umbrella organisations of Sikh gurudwaras in the US have banned entry of Indian officials from 96 gurudwaras in the country. Before this 14 gurudwaras in Ontario, Canada banned the entry of Indian diplomatic officials. Majority of Sikhs in Canada & other parts of world share warm relations w/India & they want better relations w/India & their country of residence. We take no cognizance of fringe elements that spread hate&disharmony: MEA on reports of Gurudwara's banning entry of Indian officials pic.twitter.com/iyj0L4dwAa — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × Referring to relations with Pakistan, Raveesh Kumar said terror and talks cannot go together. He added that talks on terror can definitely go ahead. 'We have said terror &talks cannot go together but talks on terror can definitely go ahead,' MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Pakistan pic.twitter.com/EyTLEDfZUo — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 × Speaking on NSA level talks, he said that the External Affairs Ministry raised the issue of cross-border terrorism in the NSA level talks with Pakistan. I am agreeing that talks took place & our issue was eliminating terrorism from the region, we of course raised the issue of cross-border terrorism in those talks: MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on NSA level talks b/w India & Pakistan pic.twitter.com/DE26LaOyrL — ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2018 ×

We take no cognizance of fringe elements that spread hate and disharmony: MEA on US, Canada gurudwaras banning entry of Indian officials

The UK&#39;s general election has seen the rise of that country&#39;s first ever female Sikh MP--Preet Gill has claimed a large victory in the peripheral seat of Birmingham Edgbaston. 
&nbsp; 
Indian-origin Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has become the first Turban wearing to be elected to the British Parliament&rsquo;s House of Commons in the UK General Elections.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Both the Sikh candidates, Gill and Dhesi &ndash; are from Jeremy Corbyn&rsquo;s Labour Party. 
&nbsp; 
Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives&#39; Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes. 
&nbsp; 
Ms Gill, who has been a Labour councillor in Sandwell, said after being selected: &quot;I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to become next MP for Edgbaston, where I was born and raised. 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I want to engage with the people of Edgbaston and with hard work, passion and determination I think we can achieve great things together.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation, was quoted by the BBC as saying: &quot;We are delighted to have the first Sikh woman MP in Preet Kaur Gill in Birmingham, Edgbaston.

&quot;She will be a fantastic MP, a credit to the Sikh community and an excellent role model.&quot;

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On a good note...Well done to Preet Kaur Shergill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi 
????? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sikh?src=hash">#sikh</a> <a href="https://t.co/MJBjw69u48">pic.twitter.com/MJBjw69u48</a>
&mdash; Dings Singh (@Dingssingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dingssingh/status/873112776754946048">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Big up Preet Kaur Gill (first Female Sikh MP) &amp; Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (first turban wearing Sikh MP).Huge for the British Sikh community??
&mdash; Joel???????????? (@joelbruv) <a href="https://twitter.com/joelbruv/status/873165542881984512">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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History Made! UK elects its first Sikh female MP (Preet singh) &amp; its first turbaned Sikh MP (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UKElection2017?src=hash">#UKElection2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/OfoWbu9Rdo">pic.twitter.com/OfoWbu9Rdo</a>
&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/873077707222859777">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives' Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes

The UK's general election has seen the rise of that country's first ever female Sikh MP--Preet Gill has claimed a large victory in the peripheral seat of Birmingham Edgbaston. Indian-origin Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has become the first Turban wearing to be elected to the British Parliament’s House of Commons in the UK General Elections. Both the Sikh candidates, Gill and Dhesi – are from Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party. Gill won a total of 24,124 votes, nearly 7,000 more votes than the Conservatives' Caroline Squire, while Singh won the seat by polling 34,170 votes and defeated Conservative Party candidate by nearly 17,000 votes. Ms Gill, who has been a Labour councillor in Sandwell, said after being selected: "I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to become next MP for Edgbaston, where I was born and raised. "I want to engage with the people of Edgbaston and with hard work, passion and determination I think we can achieve great things together." Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation, was quoted by the BBC as saying: "We are delighted to have the first Sikh woman MP in Preet Kaur Gill in Birmingham, Edgbaston. "She will be a fantastic MP, a credit to the Sikh community and an excellent role model." On a good note...Well done to Preet Kaur Shergill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi ????? #sikh pic.twitter.com/MJBjw69u48 — Dings Singh (@Dingssingh) June 9, 2017 × Big up Preet Kaur Gill (first Female Sikh MP) & Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (first turban wearing Sikh MP).Huge for the British Sikh community?? — Joel???????????? (@joelbruv) June 9, 2017 × History Made! UK elects its first Sikh female MP (Preet singh) & its first turbaned Sikh MP (Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi) #UKElection2017 pic.twitter.com/OfoWbu9Rdo — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) June 9, 2017 ×

UK election: Preet Gill first female Sikh MP, Tanmanjeet Singh first turbaned lawmaker

Canada&#39;s Indian-origin Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan today paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here where he was presented with a robe of honour, PTI reports.

He reached the holy Sikh shrine shortly after 6 am&nbsp;and spent around 15 minutes inside its sanctum sanctorum. Wearing a grey turban and a white shirt, Sajjan took a round of the Harmandir Sahib&#39;s complex and spent over an hour in its premises.

Sajjan also explained his intended visit to Punjab to Reuters: &quot;I am not going to get into petty politics of one chief minister of any other province. My reason for going to Punjab is to pay respects to Harmandir Sahib (golden temple) because as you know I am Sikh. I want to pay respects to the village that I was born. We are very very proud of my roots.&quot;

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee&nbsp;president Kripal Singh was also present when the minister reached the shrine.

Sajjan is a Sikh whose native village, Bambeli, falls in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. The Canadian defence minister reached the holy city of Amritsar from New Delhi last evening.

Earlier in his trip, Reuters reported that Canada&#39;s Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan said that&nbsp;India and Canada discussed enhancing defence and security cooperation between the nations.

The minister will be in Chandigarh tomorrow where he will inaugurate the new office of the Consulate-General of Canada.

(Agencies)

Sajjan is a Sikh and a native of Punjab, from the village of Bambeli

Canada's Indian-origin Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan today paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here where he was presented with a robe of honour, PTI reports. He reached the holy Sikh shrine shortly after 6 am and spent around 15 minutes inside its sanctum sanctorum. Wearing a grey turban and a white shirt, Sajjan took a round of the Harmandir Sahib's complex and spent over an hour in its premises. Sajjan also explained his intended visit to Punjab to Reuters: "I am not going to get into petty politics of one chief minister of any other province. My reason for going to Punjab is to pay respects to Harmandir Sahib (golden temple) because as you know I am Sikh. I want to pay respects to the village that I was born. We are very very proud of my roots." The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Kripal Singh was also present when the minister reached the shrine. Sajjan is a Sikh whose native village, Bambeli, falls in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. The Canadian defence minister reached the holy city of Amritsar from New Delhi last evening. Earlier in his trip, Reuters reported that Canada's Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan said that India and Canada discussed enhancing defence and security cooperation between the nations. The minister will be in Chandigarh tomorrow where he will inaugurate the new office of the Consulate-General of Canada. (Agencies)

Canadian Def Minister Sajjan pays obeisance at Golden Temple

The head of the Sikh community, Lala Del Souz, was shot dead on&nbsp;Thursday morning by an unidentified person in Afghanistan&#39;s conflict-ridden Kunduz city.

This is the second such incident within three months, triggering fear&nbsp;among the minority group members in the country.

Souz was reportedly on his way to his shop when the shooting occurred.

He died from his injuries while being taken to the&nbsp;hospital.

According to relatives of the deceased, he had been shot five years ago but survived the attack, reports PTI.

Masoum Stanikzai, Kunduz security chief, confirmed the incident and said that the police has arrested three suspects.

&ldquo;Investigations will however continue,&rdquo; he said, according to a report on PTI.

Meanwhile, the social media saw an outcry with hundreds of people condemning the incident and sending condolences to his family.

Prem, Souz&#39;s uncle, called on to the government to thoroughly investigate the incident until&nbsp;those responsible are brought to justice.

He said if this does not happen, the few remaining Sikhs will also leave the province, reports PTI.

Many Sikhs left the province after the Kunduz province fell to Taliban.&nbsp;

Close to 99 per cent of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan have left the country over the past three decades.&nbsp;Tolo News said the Sikh and Hindu population numbered 220,000 in the 1980s but was now estimated to be only 1,350.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

This is the second such incident within three months, triggering fear among the minority group members in the country

The head of the Sikh community, Lala Del Souz, was shot dead on Thursday morning by an unidentified person in Afghanistan's conflict-ridden Kunduz city. This is the second such incident within three months, triggering fear among the minority group members in the country. Souz was reportedly on his way to his shop when the shooting occurred. He died from his injuries while being taken to the hospital. According to relatives of the deceased, he had been shot five years ago but survived the attack, reports PTI. Masoum Stanikzai, Kunduz security chief, confirmed the incident and said that the police has arrested three suspects. “Investigations will however continue,” he said, according to a report on PTI. Meanwhile, the social media saw an outcry with hundreds of people condemning the incident and sending condolences to his family. Prem, Souz's uncle, called on to the government to thoroughly investigate the incident until those responsible are brought to justice. He said if this does not happen, the few remaining Sikhs will also leave the province, reports PTI. Many Sikhs left the province after the Kunduz province fell to Taliban. Close to 99 per cent of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan have left the country over the past three decades. Tolo News said the Sikh and Hindu population numbered 220,000 in the 1980s but was now estimated to be only 1,350. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Sikh community head gunned down in Afghanistan

On a bright day in downtown Kabul, Jagtar Singh Laghmani was in his traditional herb shop when a man turned up, drew a knife and told him to convert to Islam or he would cut his throat. Only bystanders and other shopkeepers saved his life. 
 
The incident earlier this month was the latest attack on a dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, a deeply conservative Muslim country struggling with growing insecurity caused by an Islamist insurgency and economic challenges. 
 
Once a thriving minority, only a handful of Sikh and Hindu families remain. Many have chosen to flee the country of their birth, blaming growing discrimination and intolerance. 
 
&quot;This is how we begin our day - with fear and isolation. If you are not a Muslim, you are not a human in their eyes,&quot; said Jagtar Singh, speaking in his tiny shop in the bustling centre of Kabul. &quot;I don&#39;t know what to do or where to go.&quot; 
 
For centuries, Hindu and Sikh communities played a prominent role in merchant trade and money lending in Afghanistan, although today they are known more for medicinal herb shops. 
 
According to Avtar Singh, chairman of the national council of Hindus and Sikhs, the community now numbers fewer than 220 families, compared with around 220,000 members before the collapse of the Kabul government in 1992. 
 
Once spread across the country, the community is now mainly concentrated in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Ghazni, and the capital Kabul. 
 
Although Afghanistan is almost entirely Muslim, its constitution, drawn up after US-led forces drove out the Taliban government in 2001, theoretically guarantees the right of minority religions to worship freely. 
 
But as the conflict drags on, Avtar Singh said conditions were worse than under the Taliban, which imposed strict Islamic laws, staged public executions and banned girls from schools. 
 
Hindus and Sikhs had to wear yellow patches that identified them in public, but were otherwise seldom bothered. 
 
&quot;The good old days have long gone when we were treated as Afghans, not as outsiders,&quot; Avtar Singh said from a temple in Kabul, all the while keeping an eye on visitors using monitors linked to security cameras. 
 
&quot;Our lands have been taken by powerful figures in the government, especially by the warlords. We are facing threats, and this small community is getting smaller and smaller every day,&quot; he added. 
 
Last week, dozens of Hindu and Sikh families left Helmand, where Taliban insurgents, who have a presence in much of the southern province, sent a letter demanding 200,000 Afghani ($2,800) a month from the community. 
 
HOSTILITY 
 
Tensions have surfaced in Qalacha, an area on the outskirts of Kabul where the Sikh and Hindu community owns a high-walled crematorium. 
 
As the capital has expanded in recent years, the neighbourhood has become densely populated and some newer residents oppose Hindu and Sikh cremations, a practice foreign to Muslims, who bury their dead. 
 
&quot;When they burn the body the smell makes our family sick and we don&#39;t want this to happen here,&quot; said Ahmad Timor, a Muslim resident in Qalacha. 
 
The Sikhs say local Muslim hardliners have stirred up hostility against them, and the community now requires police protection for their funeral rituals. 
 
&quot;They throw stones and bricks at us, at the bodies of the dead, whenever there is a funeral,&quot; said Avtar Singh, pointing to a newly built house next to the crematorium. 
 
Dahi-ul Haq Abid, deputy minister for Haj and religious affairs, said the government had done what it could to improve the livelihood of Hindus and Sikhs. 
 
&quot;We agree that conflicts pushed them out of the country, but their condition is not as bad as they claim,&quot; Abid added. 
 
&quot;We have allocated them a place to burn their bodies because inside the city people complained about the smell, but they did not agree,&quot; he told Reuters. 
 
Harassment is also common 
 
Jasmeet Singh, eight, stopped going to school because of what he said was daily harassment. He and other children from the community now either go to private schools or study inside the temple. 
 
&quot;While I was at school, other students were making fun of me. They were removing my turban, hitting me and calling me Hindu and kaffir (infidel),&quot; said Jasmeet Singh, as other boys nodded their heads in agreement. 
 
Increasing numbers of Sikhs and Hindus have moved to India, their spiritual homeland, but some say they remain foreigners wherever they go. 
 
&quot;When we go to India, we are known as Afghans, but when we are here, we are seen as outsiders even if we are native Afghan,&quot; said Baljit Singh, a shopkeeper in Kabul. &quot;We are lost between both worlds.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Under the Taliban there are public executions, girls can't attend school, and Hindus and Sikhs wear yellow patches in public

On a bright day in downtown Kabul, Jagtar Singh Laghmani was in his traditional herb shop when a man turned up, drew a knife and told him to convert to Islam or he would cut his throat. Only bystanders and other shopkeepers saved his life. The incident earlier this month was the latest attack on a dwindling community of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, a deeply conservative Muslim country struggling with growing insecurity caused by an Islamist insurgency and economic challenges. Once a thriving minority, only a handful of Sikh and Hindu families remain. Many have chosen to flee the country of their birth, blaming growing discrimination and intolerance. "This is how we begin our day - with fear and isolation. If you are not a Muslim, you are not a human in their eyes," said Jagtar Singh, speaking in his tiny shop in the bustling centre of Kabul. "I don't know what to do or where to go." For centuries, Hindu and Sikh communities played a prominent role in merchant trade and money lending in Afghanistan, although today they are known more for medicinal herb shops. According to Avtar Singh, chairman of the national council of Hindus and Sikhs, the community now numbers fewer than 220 families, compared with around 220,000 members before the collapse of the Kabul government in 1992. Once spread across the country, the community is now mainly concentrated in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Ghazni, and the capital Kabul. Although Afghanistan is almost entirely Muslim, its constitution, drawn up after US-led forces drove out the Taliban government in 2001, theoretically guarantees the right of minority religions to worship freely. But as the conflict drags on, Avtar Singh said conditions were worse than under the Taliban, which imposed strict Islamic laws, staged public executions and banned girls from schools. Hindus and Sikhs had to wear yellow patches that identified them in public, but were otherwise seldom bothered. "The good old days have long gone when we were treated as Afghans, not as outsiders," Avtar Singh said from a temple in Kabul, all the while keeping an eye on visitors using monitors linked to security cameras. "Our lands have been taken by powerful figures in the government, especially by the warlords. We are facing threats, and this small community is getting smaller and smaller every day," he added. Last week, dozens of Hindu and Sikh families left Helmand, where Taliban insurgents, who have a presence in much of the southern province, sent a letter demanding 200,000 Afghani ($2,800) a month from the community. HOSTILITY Tensions have surfaced in Qalacha, an area on the outskirts of Kabul where the Sikh and Hindu community owns a high-walled crematorium. As the capital has expanded in recent years, the neighbourhood has become densely populated and some newer residents oppose Hindu and Sikh cremations, a practice foreign to Muslims, who bury their dead. "When they burn the body the smell makes our family sick and we don't want this to happen here," said Ahmad Timor, a Muslim resident in Qalacha. The Sikhs say local Muslim hardliners have stirred up hostility against them, and the community now requires police protection for their funeral rituals. "They throw stones and bricks at us, at the bodies of the dead, whenever there is a funeral," said Avtar Singh, pointing to a newly built house next to the crematorium. Dahi-ul Haq Abid, deputy minister for Haj and religious affairs, said the government had done what it could to improve the livelihood of Hindus and Sikhs. "We agree that conflicts pushed them out of the country, but their condition is not as bad as they claim," Abid added. "We have allocated them a place to burn their bodies because inside the city people complained about the smell, but they did not agree," he told Reuters. Harassment is also common Jasmeet Singh, eight, stopped going to school because of what he said was daily harassment. He and other children from the community now either go to private schools or study inside the temple. "While I was at school, other students were making fun of me. They were removing my turban, hitting me and calling me Hindu and kaffir (infidel)," said Jasmeet Singh, as other boys nodded their heads in agreement. Increasing numbers of Sikhs and Hindus have moved to India, their spiritual homeland, but some say they remain foreigners wherever they go. "When we go to India, we are known as Afghans, but when we are here, we are seen as outsiders even if we are native Afghan," said Baljit Singh, a shopkeeper in Kabul. "We are lost between both worlds." (Reuters)

Afghanistan's dwindling Sikh, Hindu communities flee new abuses

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