Latest news with #SikhCommunity
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Religious items defaced at Nuneaton Sikh Mission Centre
A teenager has been arrested after religious items were defaced at a Sikh community Police said it appeared he broke into the Sikh Mission Centre on Marlborough Road, Nuneaton, at about 17:00 BST on said it was called at 19:00 and found food had been tampered with, plus other force said it realised this was a "concerning incident" and it was looking to provide reassurance to those affected. The teenager was interviewed by officers on Wednesday evening, the force said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleges British involvement in Op Bluestar
Amritsar: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey from Jharkhand has claimed that Britain assisted India in executing the 1984 Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, stoking a new controversy. In a post on X on Monday, Dubey alleged that then PM Indira Gandhi "launched an attack on the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain", with British Army officers present in Amritsar. He uploaded a classified British document, "Sikh Community", claiming that on Feb 23, 1984, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office mentioned in a letter that the Indian govt had sought British advice over a plan to remove Sikh extremists from the Golden Temple. The letter mentioned that "an operation by the Indian authorities at the Golden Temple could, in the first instance, exacerbate communal tension in Punjab. It might also, therefore, increase tension in the Indian community here, particularly if knowledge of the SAS involvement were to become public." It further stated, "The foreign secretary decided to respond favourably to the Indian request and, with the Prime Minister's agreement, an SAS officer visited India and drew up a plan which was approved by Gandhi. The foreign secretary believes that the Indian govt may put the plan into operation shortly." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Show Off Your Talent: Enter the Ultimate Creator Contest! Tocsin Media & Marketing LLC Undo Various UK-based Sikh bodies have been demanding an investigation into the role of the alleged British govt in Operation Bluestar, even as the Centre has denied the claims. Not a secret: Pb BJP spokesperson Punjab BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh has supported the claims made by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey regarding the alleged involvement of British forces during the military action at Golden Temple in June 1984. Reacting to Dubey's X post, Sarchand said that this fact is well known and not hidden. There is nothing secret about the matter, and the involvement of foreign assistance is already in the public domain, he added. Sarchand further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the Lok Sabha on Aug 10, 2023, had already referred to the 1984 operation at Golden Temple as an "attack", acknowledging its grave and controversial nature.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
How the events of 1984 affected Indian Sikhs
Visitors at Golden Temple in Punjab, India, in 1984. Photo: Fire Fire RNZ unveiled a new documentary series titled 1984 on Monday that takes a closer look at the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. The series comprises a one-hour main featurette and six individual episodes, tracing the journey of six members of the Indian Sikh community who immigrated to New Zealand to rebuild their lives after facing enormous tragedy. The series is made by Fire Fire, a film production company based in Whangamata, with support from NZ On Air. Tensions between the Indian government and the Sikh community existed before 1984, with the Sikhs demanding promised rights for the state of Punjab. After a 21-month state of emergency was lifted in India in 1977, unrest in Punjab continued due to political rivalries, religious violence and ongoing demands for the rights of Sikhs and the state. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 14th leader of orthodox Sikh religious institution Damdami Taksal, rose to become a powerful, polarising figure in the state during this time. On one hand, Bhindranwale became an inspiration for those who wanted greater rights for Punjab. But others, including the Indian government, considered Bhindranwale to be a militant Sikh separatist. A man bathes near the Golden Temple in India. Photo: Fire Fire In June 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi devised a plan to flush out Bhindranwale and his supporters from the Golden Temple, where they had been living inside its compound for some time. Under the codename Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army stormed the holiest site of the Sikh religion. There was no separation between visitors at the temple and Bhindranwale's supporters. No one was permitted to leave. Many were killed. The temple suffered extensive damage as well. In October the same year, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards. The aftermath became what was known as the 1984 Sikh massacre, also called the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Government records show nearly 3000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi and beyond within days. Non-government sources put the figure closer to 4000. Tens of thousands more were displaced and housed in temporary shelters. After the 1984 incidents, Punjab witnessed a militant insurgency that saw a whole generation impacted for nearly a decade. Seeking a safe and peaceful life, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points over the last 40 years. The documentary series details six such stories. Each episode engages with individuals who were directly affected, offering a first-hand portrayal of their experiences and discussing the repercussions the event has had on the Sikh community in India. After the 1984 incidents, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points in the last 40 years. Photo: Supplied Megan Whelan, chief content officer of RNZ, said 1984 was the latest history series to be added to the state broadcaster's new video hub, following Farewell Guangdong that was released earlier this year . "1984 collects deeply personal stories from Sikh migrants who came to Aotearoa following the disturbing events in India that completely changed their lives," she said. Alex Bradshaw of production company Fire Fire said initial footage for the series was shot in Auckland in the second half of 2021, with the crew travelling to India the following year. "The principal photography was done in India - mainly in Delhi and Ludhiana in Punjab during April 2022. Then post-production went for almost three years before we were able to release the series on 30 June," said Bradshaw, producer of the series. "My interactions with New Zealand Sikhs started when we were making the series Giants , where we featured the community in one of the episodes. That's when I got to know about what happened in 1984 and its aftermath. "I am grateful the community opened up to us. Some of the stories individuals shared - they hadn't even with their families after so many years. "Like one [individual] decided to cut his hair to escape a mob . I remember [him] telling us he had started wearing his turban again and reclaiming his Sikh identity only recently." Growing hair and wearing a turban are among various articles of faith for male members of the Sikh religion. Karpal Singh, director of 1984 Photo: Supplied Karpal Singh, director of the series, highlights the story of an infant girl who was left in a bus station with her young brother . "The person who killed the elders in the family didn't have the heart to kill two children," Singh said. "He left them there at the mercy of our gurus. How she survived and made her life is a miracle." Acknowledging the events surrounding Operation Blue Star in 1984 and its aftermath are "super-sensitive", Singh said the production team made sure to cover every perspective. "This is the basic requirement of honest filmmaking," he said. "It was important for us to build a rapport with the victims and go deep down in the reasons for their views. "I am proud to say we have managed to navigate well such a complex and polarising issue." Singh, who is now based in Melbourne, said the series might be the last major project on the events of 1984 and its aftermath anywhere. "These events are an obvious black mark in Indian history, which needed documentation," he said. "But the series is also about hope: How people - even after suffering such tragedy - can still rebuild their lives." Bradshaw was pleased to have achieved the main goal of the project. "[At Fire Fire] we aim to bring minority voices in New Zealand to the mainstream," he said. "I think we were able to achieve that goal with RNZ's help." Singh was looking forward to the reaction from the community and the New Zealand public in general. "My only hope is for people who have suffered so much pain and suffering find some closure and peace in life - if that's even possible," Singh said. "It was a privilege and immense responsibility on us when the victims showed us their scars, metaphorically speaking. I hope these heal over time."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Leicester's Diwali party to stay in Golden Mile
Leicester's Diwali celebrations are to remain in the Golden Mile after the city council had considered relocating them due to crowd safety the authority has said the event will undergo "major changes", with the stage entertainment and firework display no longer idea of moving the festivities had prompted local businesses to say they wanted the celebrations to stay in the following several meetings, the council has said the Golden Mile will "continue to be the focus for Diwali Day celebrations". The city council said about 50,000 people were believed to have attended last year's Diwali celebrations, with record numbers coming over the past two said a number of meetings had been held by a Diwali safety advisory group, featuring representatives from the police, fire service and the NHS, to consider alternative included relocating to Abbey Park or the city centre, extending it onto Belgrave Circle or moving it to Melton Road. 'Format change needed' Changes were agreed at a meeting on Wednesday with City Mayor Peter Soulsby, councillors, representatives from the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, members of the Jain and Sikh communities, and Belgrave Business Diwali Day will continue to be celebrated on Belgrave Road, which has been the centre of festivities for more than 40 years, it will be closed to all traffic for the than 6,000 lights will be installed along Belgrave Road, and the Wheel of Light will also return, but there will be no stage entertainment or firework display, while Cossington Street Recreation Ground will no longer feature as part of the Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said they had been "strongly advised" to change the format "due to the unrestricted and growing crowd numbers that it attracts"."Unfortunately, Leicester's annual Diwali festival has become a victim of its own success," she said."We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city's festive calendar."We also understand the depth of feeling to see it continue on the Golden Mile where it began over 40 years ago, [and] to do that, we must ensure that it can take place safely."
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Renewed Indo-Canada ties concern protesters on anniversary of Nijjar killing
Protesters gathered outside the Indian consulate in downtown Vancouver on Wednesday June 18, 2025, marking two years since the assassination of Sikh community leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Greer
