‘ My Diary ’
Farewell Mohali…
At last, the day came when I said ‘Vida’ (farewell) to the city of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, generally known as ‘Mohali’. I was more or less two years old, when my father late Bhai Avtar Singh Ji was appointed the head priest in Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Phase first of the city of Mohali. So, he moved to this city with our family.
The God Almighty gave me so much throughout my stay in this city. I am forever grateful to Him for his blessings.
The God Almighty, at the same time, took away from me all the family members and other close relatives, one by one. After 35 years of my stay in this city, I became ‘the one member family’. We have got to accept the Will of the God.
After staying for 35 years in the city of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), I decided to say Good Bye to it.
I am very thankful to the God Almighty, Who gave me the opportunity to live in this city for so long. I am very thankful to the city of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), which is indeed a beautiful and lovely city to live in. I am very thankful to residents of the city, who are kindhearted and caring. I am very thankful to all my neighbors who were always ready to lend a hand to me. I am very thankful to all of my friends and well-wishers living in this city, who sided with me in my difficult times.
May the God Almighty bless the city of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) and all of its residents!
Politicians Under Shoe-Attack
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
Mukesh immortalized the song ‘Mera Joota Hai Jaapaani’ when he sang it for Raj Kapoor’s movie ‘Shri 420’.
It starts with these lines:
Mera Joota hai Japani
Yeh Patloon Inglistani
Sar pe lal topi rusi
Phir bhi dil hai hindustani(My shoes are Japanese
These pants are from England
The red hat on my head is Russian
But even then, my heart is Indian)
The song was considered a representation of newly sovereign nation of India. The bitter experience of slavery was left behind. We, Indians, were determined to rise up to new heights. Though we have to achieve our big goals yet, but it seems that it will not take too much time when we will come into sight as factual ‘Vishv Guru’.
The song earned fame even on international level. Especially in then the USSR, people were seen singing this song.
During my childhood, I liked this song very much. Simple and melodious tune, with impressive and meaningful words. Years have passed and I had almost forgotten the song.
A few days ago, in a video clip I saw a shoe flying in the air. As I was watching the video clip, the song ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ again came into my mind.
One may ask, “What was special there in the shoe?”
So far as I know, there is only one pair of shoes in the world, which were considered ‘special’. Many people were ready to buy these shoes at an unbelievable high price. These shoes belonged to Muntadhar al-Zaidi, an Iraqi journalist. Yes, the same shoes which were thrown on the then US president George Bush.
I do not know what happened to Zaidi’s shoes which he hurled at Bush. I do not think Bush had taken them with him as a trophy. Perhaps the historic shoes are kept as a ‘case property’. Whatsoever, the shoe I saw in a video clip did not belong to Muntadhar al-Zaidi.
One may again ask, “Was the shoe in the video clip was made in Japan?”
Actually, I do not know, nor do I care about it. The name of Japan is mentioned in the song only, which I have quoted above. That is all. Otherwise there is no Japanese link in this story. What I want to emphasize is that Japan did not provide the shoe in question. I am making it clear here, so that no one start blaming Japan for this episode. We blame only Pakistan for our problems.
Neither Japan, nor Zaidi Sahib does make this shoe a ‘special’ one. Actually, the shoe belonged to an Indian journalist, named Jarnail Singh. And, in the video clip, I saw the shoe being hurled towards our Home Minister P Chidambaram Sahib.
According to newspapers,
Chidambaram was addressing mediapersons at the AICC headquarters when Jarnail Singh, a journalist with Dainik Jagran, flung the shoe, in protest against the clean chit to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler in the 1984 riots case.
The Home Minister was speaking on terror and the measures taken by the government to deal with it. It all began with Jarnail questioning Chidambaram if the CBI clean chit to Tytler was under pressure from the government? Before posing the question, Jarnail also attempted to make a statement regarding the riots. But the Minister asked him to come to the point.
In reply to Jarnail’s query, Chidambaram said: “Firstly, CBI is not under the Home Ministry. And neither the Home Ministry nor any other ministry of the government had put any pressure on the CBI. The agency has only submitted its report and now it’s for the court to accept or reject it. Let’s be patient and wait for the court decision.”
As the journalist persisted with his questions, Chidambaram said: “No arguments, you are using this forum…” At this, Jarnail got up and hurled the shoe, shouting: “I protest.” An alert Home Minister, however, instantly ducked aside to see the shoe pass by him. His only reaction was: “Please take him away… gently, gently.” http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090408/main1.htm
To err is human, to forgive divine. Chidambaram Sahib forgave Jarnail Singh immediately. Jarnail singh was let off after spending close to an hour at the police station following the intervention of the Home Minister.
And why not? When we almost have forgiven those killers of thousands of innocents who were responsible for 1984’s riots in Delhi, Kanpur and other places in India, why should we not forgive Jarnail Singh? Well done, the government of India!
Many politicians were scared because of this ‘shoe attack’ on Chidambaram Sahib. Generally, people here in India were happy over this ‘shoe attack’. In fact, many persons in India are inspired by Jarnail Singh’s action. Throwing shoes at politicians have now become the easiest language of protest in our country.
Within a few days, another Congress leader Naveen Jindal faced the ire of Rambal, a retired school teacher. Jindal was addressing a meeting at his constituency in Kurukshetra when a school teacher in the audience hurled a shoe at him.
And then, it was Advani Ji’s turn. Pawas Agarwal, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office-bearer threw a ‘khadaun’ or wooden slipper at LK Advani when the latter was going up on stage to address a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh.
Pawas Agarwal said that Advani was “a fake iron man” and did not deserve to be the BJP’s prime ministerial aspirant.
The slipper missed Advani, but he became the latest victim of a series of ’shoe-throwing’ incidents in the country. A former Katni district president of the BJP, Agarwal was taken into custody by police. (News)
Then, actor of Hindi movies Jitendra Sahib came under shoe attack during an election rally in Maharashtra.
Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had to come under shoe attack during the election campaign when Hitesh Chauhan, a computer engineering student hurled a sneaker towards him while he was addressing a poll rally in Gujarat but it fell way short of the target. Manmohan Singh forgave Hitesh Chauhan and did not want the police to register any case against him.
Controversial politicians in India are now very frightened. They are taking precautionary measures to avoid shoe attacks. If Jarnail Singh was angry over 1984’s riots, there are others who are angry over anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat in 2002. Many people often blame Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat for that anti-Muslim massacre. So, Modi Bhai could be a target of a shoe-missile. And, Modi Sahib understands this. In an effort to save Narendra Modi from a probable shoe attack, about two feet plastic net was put up in front of the stage from where Modi addressed an election rally in Gujarat. (News).
While I am writing this page, another shoe-attack is reported here in India. Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa became the latest target of the ‘footwear missile’, when a slipper was hurled at him while he was addressing an election meeting. (News)
If we examine all such incidents of shoe-attacks on politicians, we get a clearer message. The message says, “Everyone guilty of killings and misery of people should always be prepared for shoe attack”.
The people of India have come open on roads. They will now not stop. If they decide, they sit even on throne. They are singing the song:
Mera Joota Hai Japani
Yeh Patloon Englishtani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi
Phir Bhi Dil Hai HindustaniNikal Pade Hai Khulli Sadak Par Apna Seena Taane
Manzil Kahan, Kahan Rukna Hai,Uparwala Jaane
Badte Jaayen Hum Sailani, Jaise Ek Dariya Toofani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…Upar-Neeche Neeche-Upar Leher Chale Jeevan Ki
Nadaan Hai Jo Baith Kinare, Pooche Raah Watan Ki
Chalna Jeevan Ki Kahaani, Rukna Maut Ki Nishaani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…Honge Raaje Rajkanwar Hum Bigde Dil Shehzade
Hum Singhasan Par Ja Baithen Jab Jab Karen Iraade
Surat Hai Jaani Pehchani Duniya Walon Ko Hairani
Sar Pe Laal Topi Roosi Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Mera Joota Hai Japani…
April 28, 2009
Painting of Bhai Mati Das Ji
Bhai Mati Das Ji attained martyrdom at ‘Chandni Chowk’ in Delhi in 1675.
Paintings of Bhai Mati Das Ji being sawn across from head to loins are available on Internet. In most of such paintings, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is not shown. Historically, Bhai Mati Das Ji attained martyrdom in the holy presence of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
In ‘Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Library and Museum’, Gurdwara Sri Paunta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India, a painting by Kirpal Singh has been displayed, in which Bhai Mati Das Ji has been shown attaining martyrdom in the presence of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.
I am sharing the picture here with my readers.
(Click on the image for larger view).
Wooden Sandals (Kharanv) of Guru Hargobind Sahib
A pair of ‘Kharanv’ (a kind of wooden sandals) of the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji Maharaj is seen in these pictures. These ‘Kharanv’ were possessed by descendants of Rai Bular Ji, local ruler and a devotee of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Presently, these holy ‘Kharanv’ are displayed in ‘Sahibzada Baba Ajit Singh Library and Museum’, Gurdwara Sri Paunta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India.
I shot these pictures on December 02, 2008.
(Click on images for larger view).
INS Tabar Sank Pirate Ship
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
In recent times, there has been a flow in piracy incidents off the shore of Somalia. No strict action was taken against them, although the pirates till now have managed to attack 91 vessels, with a few of them still being held captive, since January. It is said that Somali pirates have been paid more than $150m (£101m) in ransoms (Opens in a new window) this year.
The naval forces of the US, UK, Canada, France, Turkey, Germany, Russia and India are present in the Gulf of Aden. This shows how the world’s trading powers observe the piracy as a common danger. However, a strict action was needed.
And the Indian Navy did it.
On November 18, 2008, the Indian navy’s warship, ‘the Tabar’, spotted the pirate vessel while patrolling 285 nautical miles (528km) south-west of Salalah in Oman in evening. The pirates on board were armed with guns and rocket propelled grenade launchers. When Indians commanded the vessel stop for investigation, the pirate ship opened fire on the Tabar. The Indians retaliated and sank the pirate mother ship. A few of the pirates escaped on two speedboats.
Earlier, helicopter-borne Indian marine commandos stopped pirates from boarding and hijacking an Indian merchant vessel.
Now, the government of Somalia has permitted India to enter its territorial waters as part of an effort to check piracy. Indian Navy is expected to dispatch a powerful warship to drive pirates out of the Gulf of Aden. Navies of US and France have already been permitted hot pursuit in Somalian territorial waters which extends upto 12 nautical miles from the coastline.
The action by the Indian Navy is being praised (Opens in a new window).
The Word ‘Hindustan’ and Guru Nanak Ji
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)It is a well-known fact that Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ in his holy hymns. These hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
These are two lines of two different hymns of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, where the word ‘Hindustan’ has been used: -
Kaaeaa Kaparh Tuk Tuk Hosee Hindustaan Samaalsee Bola.
(The body-fabric will be torn apart into shreds, and then India will remember these words). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 723).
And,
Khuraasaan Khasmaana Keeaa Hindustaan Daraaeaa.
(Having acquired Khuraasaan, Baabar terrified Hindustan). (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 360).
Guru Nanak Dev Ji used the word ‘Hindustan’ for his own country Bharat, generally known as India amongst English readers. Now, Bharat, Hindustan and India, all of these three names are official names of our country.
Now, the question is who for the first time used the word ‘Hindustan’ for India?
A claim has been made that a book Baarhaspatyua Samhita used the term ‘Hindusthanam’: -
Himalyam Samarabhya
Yavadindusarovaram
Tam Deonirmitam Desham
Hindusthanam Prachakshate ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustan {Opens in new window}).
However, the book Baarhaspatyua Samhita is considered a controversial one, as it is very hard to prove it an ancient book.
It is a fact that the word ‘Hindustan’ is not found in four vedas, 18 Puranas and main Upnishandas.
My father (late Bhai Avtar Singh Ji) once told me there was an opinion that the word ‘Hindustan’ for the first time was used by Guru Nanak Dev Ji himself, or at least he was the person who popularised the word.
Now, an article has appeared on a Hindi website made similar statement. The headline itself says that Bharat was called Hindustan first by (Guru) Nanak. ( http://khabar.ndtv.com/2008/11/12130721/guru-nanak-hindustan.html {Opens in a new window}).
I hope that someone will investigate the issue and provide us more details about the word ‘Hindustan’.
They Were Innocent…
(Amrit Pal Singh ‘Amrit’)
At last, the Andhra Pradesh government has admitted that 21 Muslim youth were wrongly detained and tortured for the blast investigates at Mecca Masjid, Gokul Chat shop and Lumbini Park in Hyderabad in May and August 2007.
The government admitted this only after the State Minorities Commission released a report in this regard
As per news papers, on 18 May, 2007, 14 persons were killed and over 50 others injured in a bomb explosion in the historic Mecca Masjid and in the subsequent police firings in the nearby areas in Hyderabad. Nine persons lost their lives in the bomb blast and other five were killed in Police firing. (Related News {Opens in a new window})
On August 25, 2007, 42 persons were killed and about 50 injured in two powerful near-simultaneous blasts at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat shop in Hyderabad. (Related News {Opens in a new window})
The Police acted in its well-known style and took many Muslims into custody.
Ms. Nirmala Deshpande, Member of Parliament, and Ms. Nandita Rao, advocate in New Delhi had made complaints in this regard to the National Commission for Minorities. They submitted detailed reports filed by the Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee and by a fact-finding commission set up the AP State Minorities Commission (Read a report by indianMuslims.info {Opens in a new window}) after which the Commission sent its four-member team to Hyderabad on 4-5 February, 2008.
Many allegations were made against the Police. For example: -
- disregarding established procedures, the police fired indiscriminately into the crowd fleeing the Mecca Masjid after the blasts which resulted in the death of at least six persons
- after the twin blasts on August 25, 2007, the police picked up Muslim youth randomly as suspects. In one instance, a group of young men was apprehended in a grave-yard watching CDs of Jehadi propaganda on a television set with a proper electricity connection!
- the suspects were not allowed to inform relatives of their arrest
- the suspects were bundled into cars without number-plates, blindfolded and illegally detained in farm houses and private lodges for several days where they were subjected to physical and mental torture. They were stripped naked, severely beaten, administered electric shocks on various parts of their body, including the genitals, and deprived of food and water. The police used abusive language about their women folk and their faith and forced them to hail Hindu deities.
- No lawyer was present during interrogation of the suspects.
- Detainees were not produced before a magistrate for remand within 24 hours of their detention. Instead, the time of arrest was shown as later than it actually took place merely to comply with the requirement of remand within 24 hours of arrest.
- The suspects were produced before a magistrate after court hours at his residence. The magistrates never asked them if they had been tortured despite tell-tale marks of recent injuries.
- Some of the suspects had to undergo narco tests whose results have little evidentiary value but which resulted in physical and psychological damage to them. Incidentally, the AP High Court has banned narco tests.
According to the report of National Commission for Minorities’ team: -
First, the police have yet to identify the perpetrators of the three bomb blasts in Hyderabad in 2007. Second, the Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City, has himself admitted in a letter addressed to the AP State Minorities Commission that during the process of the examination of suspects, the police were unable to gather evidence establishing their complicity in the blasts. The Commissioner did add that the suspects were found to be involved in certain criminal acts and that they were also part of a Jehadi network in Hyderabad.
However, even in this latter comment the Police Commissioner had made no mention of the ISI. On further questioning the police officials agreed to delete this reference. A similar undertaking was given by the Charlapalli jail authorities and Minister Md. Ali Shabbir.
The report recommends:
In view of the seriousness of the allegations against the police, and the less-than satisfactory responses given by them, the NCM team urges the union government to direct the CBI to enquire into all the three incidents of bomb blasts in the city in 2007. As of now, only the Mecca Masjid blast case is being investigated by the CBI.
Now, when those, who were arrested by the Police, are proved innocent, the Andra Pradesh government has announced a compensation worth of Rs 30,000 to each of those youth. This compensation will be paid in the form of an auto-rickshaw.
These Muslims are victimized by the Police, a government department. These Muslim youth along with their families underwent a great physical as well as mental torture. A compensation of Rs 30,000 (and that too will not be given in cash) for all this pain they suffered is but a joke. The government must publicly apologize to these Muslims and immediately give at least Rs 10, 00,000 in cash as compensation. This is the least this government can do for all those who have suffered in the hands of the police. Giving back their lost dignity is another point which needs our attention.
And, this will not be enough. Police officers responsible for these misdeeds should be prosecuted for religious discrimination and physical as well as mental torture.
Only an accountable and independent police force can fight against terror. Otherwise, the police force in present shape is incapable. Under pressure to produce results, it arrests and tortures innocent citizens. This is absolutely unacceptable in a democratic country.
Honesty and trustworthiness of the Police has taken a severe beating. Everything done by police will be suspected by an average citizen and it will open up scope for even real terrorists to get benefit of doubt.
Bajrang Dal runs the risk of being branded terrorist group
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/06raman.htm?zcc=rl
Bajrang Dal runs the risk of being branded terrorist group
B RamanOctober 06, 2008
There is no other way to describe the wave of jihadi terrorist strikes spreading death and destruction across India since July 2006, and the wave of anti-Christian violence being seen in Orissa and Karnataka since August 2008, except as Indians killing Indians.The wave of jihadi strikes has affected many states — ruled by the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist and others.
Anger against certain aggressive groups of evangelists indulging in a scurrilous campaign against the Hindu religion and converting the impoverished tribals of central India to Christianity through the allurement of money has been widespread in many states of India, but this anger has been expressed in a civilised manner in most states. Only in the BJP ruled Karnataka and in Orissa ruled by an electoral ally of the BJP has this anger taken an ugly, uncivilised turn in the form of orchestrated attacks on Christians and their places of worship and even the alleged rape of a helpless nun.
Continue Reading: – http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/06raman.htm?zcc=rl
Nanded blast accused spill all in narco test
http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/07nanded-blast-accused-spill-the-truth.htm
Nanded blast accused spill all in narco test
Vicky Nanjappa in Bengaluru November 07, 2008 12:15 IST
Hindu terror is here, if investigating agencies are to be believed. The arrest and subsequent interrogation of Sadhvi Pragya Singh, an Army officer and others for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts of 2008 indicate the growing involvement of rightwing Hindu activists in terror acts.
While ‘Hindu terror acts’ are made out to be a relatively new concept, the fact remains that the first signs of Hindu terror came to the fore as way back as 2006, when a bomb went off while bding assembled in a Hindu activist’s house in Nanded, Maharashtra.
Confessions by those arrested in that incident, during a narco-analysis test, throw light on how some Hindus decided to execute terror strikes, their modus operandi and the source of funding.
Continue Reading: – http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/07nanded-blast-accused-spill-the-truth.htm
Blasts: Sadhvi, 2 others charged with murder
http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24sadhvi.htm
October 24, 2008 18:27 IST
Last Updated: October 24, 2008 19:30 IST
A young sadhvi suspected to have links with a Hindu right wing group and two other men were slapped with murder charges on Friday after they were arrested for their alleged involvement in the Malegaon blasts in which the police said the deadly RDX was used. Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur along with Shamlal Sahu and Shivnarayan Singh, all hailing from Madhya Pradesh [Images], were produced before a chief judicial magistrate K D Boche in Nashik in Maharashtra which remanded them to police custody till November 3.Public prosecutor Ajay Miisar said the crime committed by the three was a “serious offence” and they were booked under charges of murder, attempt to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt under IPC Sections 302, 307 and 326 respectively.
Continue Reading: http://in.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/24sadhvi.htm
