Latest news with #Sikh
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Telangana Jagruthi will fight for minority rights: Kavitha
Hyderabad: BRS MLC K Kavitha inaugurated the new office of Telangana Jagruthi near her residence in Banjara Hills on Saturday. Having already started efforts to strengthen the organisation by appointing committees and coordinators, the MLC said the pink party was BRS supremo K Chandrashekhar Rao's one eye while Telangana Jagruthi was another. While announcing a maha dharna to be held on June 4 by Jagruthi at Indira Park against the notices served to KCR , she termed the notices as an insult to the entire state. Speaking at the inauguration, Kavitha noted that KCR had built the Kaleshwaram project to secure Telangana's rightful share of 200 TMC of Godavari water. She accused the investigating commission of acting on the behest of Congress, saying that the people of Telangana are hurt by the panel's action. She said that statehood was achieved because of KCR's leadership, and warned against disrespecting his contribution. She claimed it was only now that chief minsiter A Revanth Reddy honours the martyrs of Telangana. "Those who don't salute the martyrs have no right to occupy the CM chair," she said. Lashing out at BJP-led Centre for stalling BC Reservation Bills passed by the Telangana assembly and council, she said Telangana Jagruthi had been fighting for these bills for over a year and a half. She said Jagruthi will fight for minority rights, forming Muslim, Sikh and Christian wings, SC and ST wings, to carry forward the struggle for marginalised communities.
News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Delhi HC Upholds Dismissal Of Christian Indian Army Officer Who Shunned Religious Parades
Last Updated: Samuel Kamalesan had argued that he accompanied his troops to the mandir and gurdwara in weekly parades and festivals, seeking exemption only from entering the innermost sanctum The Delhi High Court has confirmed the dismissal of a commanding officer in the Indian Army, Samuel Kamalesan, who consistently refused to participate in regimental weekly religious parades due to his Christian faith, despite multiple counselling sessions and opportunities provided by his superiors. Kamalesan challenged his termination and the denial of pension and gratuity, arguing that he had accompanied his troops to the mandir and gurdwara during weekly parades and festivals. He sought exemption only from entering the innermost sanctum during rituals, citing respect for his monotheistic Christian beliefs and his troops' sentiments. His plea highlighted that the regiment maintained only a mandir and a gurdwara for its religious needs, not a 'Sarv Dharm Sthal" for all faiths. The court noted that the dismissal was based on his conduct and its negative impact on military discipline and unit cohesion, not solely on his Annual Confidential Report (ACR) ratings. The HC emphasised the dedication of armed forces personnel and their ethos of placing the nation before self and religion. It observed that the armed forces are united by their uniform, not divided by religion, caste, or region, and commanding officers have a higher responsibility to ensure their troops can observe their religious practices. Commissioned as a lieutenant in March 2017, Kamalesan served in the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, which includes Sikh, Jat, and Rajput personnel. He led a squadron primarily composed of Sikh soldiers and noted the absence of a Sarv Dharm Sthal, or church, on the premises. Kamalesan claimed regular attendance at the mandir and gurdwara but sought to avoid the inner temple sanctum during rituals. The respondent argued that his consistent non-attendance at regimental parades was despite efforts to explain their significance. The Chief of Army Staff reviewed the records and deemed his retention undesirable due to misconduct. The court dismissed the plea, underscoring the secular principles of the armed forces, despite regimental names and war cries that might appear religious to outsiders. It respected the religious beliefs of personnel but stressed the higher standard of discipline required in the armed forces. The HC ruled that Kamalesan's prioritisation of his religion over a lawful command constituted indiscipline. It underscored that the armed forces and military leadership, not the courts, determine necessary actions for effective command and troop motivation. The termination order highlighted Kamalesan's behaviour as contrary to the Indian Army's secular ethos and detrimental to officer-troop camaraderie essential in combat. The court concluded that a court-martial trial for Kamalesan's misconduct was impractical due to the sensitive nature involving religious beliefs and upheld the disciplinary action taken against him. First Published:
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
The man who brought gurbani to the masses
Padma Shri Dr Rattan Singh Jaggi, one of the most revered scholars of Sikhism and a towering figure in Punjabi and Hindi literature, passed away in Chandigarh on May 22. He was 98. Over a remarkable career spanning over six decades, Dr Jaggi authored over 150 books and became a widely respected authority on Gurmat, the Bhakti movement, and medieval Indian literature. His erudition, linguistic mastery and deep engagement with Sikh scripture earned him recognition as a literary colossus and a guiding force for generations of scholars. Born on July 27, 1927, Dr Jaggi obtained his PhD from Panjab University in 1962 for his thesis 'Dasam Granth Da Pauranik Addhyan'. He received a DLitt from Magadh University in 1973 for his work 'Sri Guru Nanak: Vyaktitva, Krititva aur Chintan'. He retired as professor and Head of the Department of Punjabi Literary Studies at Punjabi University, Patiala, in 1987. Equally at ease in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Persian and English, Dr Jaggi's scholarship was as prolific as it was profound. Among his most significant contributions was the eight-volume commentary 'Bhav Prabodhini Tika – Sri Guru Granth Sahib', followed by its Hindi adaptation in five volumes. His works also include 'Arthbodh Sri Guru Granth Sahib' published by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and 'Guru Nanak Bani: Paath ate Vyakhya', released in both Punjabi and Hindi during the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations. Dr Jaggi served as editor of several key reference texts published by Punjabi University, including 'Punjabi Sahit Sandarbh Kosh', 'Punjabi Sahit da Sarotmoolak Itihas', and 'Guru Granth Vishavkosh'. His books 'Guru Nanak: Jeevni ate Vyaktitva' and 'Guru Nanak di Vichardhara' were both honoured by the Languages Department, Punjab. His Punjabi transliteration and translation of Tulsi Ramayan earned him a national award from the Sahitya Akademi. In recognition of his lifelong contributions to literature and education, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2023. He was also the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1989 and the Punjab government's highest literary honour, the Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Award in 1996. The governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, the SGPC and several universities and literary bodies also conferred honours upon him. Dr Jaggi is survived by his wife Dr Gursharan Kaur Jaggi, retired principal of Government College for Women, Patiala, and son Malwinder Singh Jaggi, a retired IAS officer. His passing marks the end of an era in Sikh theological scholarship and Punjabi literary tradition. The last prayers will be held on Saturday.
BusinessToday
9 hours ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Malaysia Anchors ASEAN's Call For Rules In South China Sea
Malaysia is stepping up efforts to advance the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) and uphold the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. In a keynote speech delivered on his behalf by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia is also strengthening its engagements with strategic partners across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, and the United States. 'The recent ASEAN–GCC–China Summit has also positioned our region as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond,' he said. 'This trilateral partnership offers an opportunity to combine China's technology and infrastructure capacity, the GCC's energy and capital, and ASEAN's market and industrial dynamism into a new engine for growth and resilience.' He added that ASEAN's newly operational Geoeconomics Task Force — co-chaired by Malaysia and Indonesia — is already offering real-time economic analysis, scenario modelling, and coordinated policy advice to help the bloc manage risks and seize emerging opportunities. Tengku Zafrul also stressed that ASEAN ministers have 'reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core'. 'Our joint statements underscore a mature, forward-looking approach as ASEAN will respond to external shocks not with retaliation, but with deeper engagement, open dialogue, and collective solutions,' he said. Highlighting ASEAN's resilience, he concluded: 'As the world undergoes a profound realignment, ASEAN's unity and centrality matter more than ever. From the Asian Financial Crisis (in 1997) to the pandemic to the present day, ASEAN has shown the world that collective action, trust, and shared purpose are the bedrock of our success.' Related
Hans India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
The peaceful demonstration will also include Hindu, Christian and Sikh community leaders, showcasing solidarity across religions Hyderabad: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), along with the members of Telangana's Muslim organisations announced a unified protest at Dharna Chowk on Sunday. The protest will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm, under the slogan – 'Sunday is Waqf Day'. This announcement was made during a consultative meeting held recently, which included prominent scholars, board members, and representatives of various Muslim groups across Telangana. The meeting aimed to clarify doubts regarding different protest dates and to consolidate efforts for a single, united demonstration under the AIMPLB's leadership. Among the distinguished attendees are Maulana Mufti Khaleel Ahmed, Chief of Jamia Nizamia and am Islamic scholar, Maulana Dr Mateen Quadri, Member of AIMPLB, Ziauddin Nayyar, Dr Mohammad Mushtaq Ali, Maulana Hyder Nisar Agha and Maulana Masood Mushtahidi, and Hafsa Akhtar, representing women's voices in the board. Other key organisation leaders present included Mufti Mahmood Zubair from Jamiat Ulema; Dr. Ali Hussaini from Quadri Chaman; Maulana Syed Ahmed-ul-Hussaini Sayeed-ul-Quadri, President Quadria International; Muneeruddin Mukhtar, representing United Muslim Forum, and Mufti Rafiuddin Rashadi, head of several institutions for the protection of Shariat and Khatm-e-Nabuwwat. This peaceful demonstration will not only include Muslim scholars, intellectuals, and activists but also representatives from secular parties and other faiths, including Hindu, Christian, and Sikh community leaders, showcasing solidarity across religions. A strong participation of women and youth is also expected.
