In the Shadow of the Shaheed: Beant and Satwant’s Badla and the JAKARA Album
Co-blogged by JooKay Singh and Jodha
Our fellow langa(w)r-iter – Navdeep Singh highlighted the dominant pop genre of Punjabi music that celebrates nihilism and suicide through political complicity and destitution. Today, we highlight another form of music that has reached new heights in the shadow...
Sikholars Canada 2012 – Call for Papers
Following the success of the third Sikholars conference in February, the Jakara Movement is allying with the Canadian Sikh Coalition to bring the conference to British Columbia.
This unique forum brings together researchers, budding scholars, and community members in conversations about some of the most...
UPDATED: Echoes of New Phases and some Updates
UPDATED: All of a sudden I remembered a video from KPS Gill. Readers on this site are aware of this murderous sadist, but maybe it is still worthwhile to juxtapose his lies with the findings announced this week.
All of our attention shifted towards Punjab last week. There was some interesting developments...
SSP Suspended in Gurdaspur due to Sikh Sangat Pressure and Other Updates
News has started to trickle on this day that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana was initially scheduled to be hung. Due to the stay ordered by President Patil of India, there is an indefinite delay.
On Gurdaspur
News media are reporting the Punjab Police has suspended SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police)...
Ranjeet Singh – CORRECTION and Other Updates
Posted by Jodha in Punjab on 03 30th, 2012 | 6 Comments
It has now been confirmed by Navkiran Singh, well-known human rights advocate and a lawyer for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, that Ranjeet Singh is in critical condition, but is alive. Our apologies for the incorrect information, but one can understand that with information from Punjab being limited,...
Fallen Singh – Jaspal Singh, Update, and Shiv Sena
Posted by Jodha in Punjab on 03 29th, 2012 | 9 Comments
Details are murky, so to do a full analysis at this point is difficult. Right now, we stand to document the events. According to numerous reports, Shiv Sena from mainly Gujarat and Maharastra are entering Punjab. Gurdaspur has been a long-time stronghold of the Shiv Sena as well. Those that are...
Why We Salute Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana
Posted by Jodha in Punjab on 03 28th, 2012 | 6 Comments
News of the Punjab bandh have overwhelmingly described it as a success. The community is in a wait-and-see mode. Unfortunately I feel that the political machine is already manipulating the system to create disenchantment and disillusion.
Some are claiming that the “stay” against execution...
UPDATED: “Stay” of Execution Announced – Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana
Posted by Jodha in Punjab on 03 28th, 2012 | 3 Comments
UPDATE: In accordance to Badal’s great game, he allowed for the bandh, but won’t let this moment fall from his bony and corrupt grasp. He has already imprisoned all those that may possibly post a challenge to him. Daljit Singh Bittu and others are being imprisoned throughout Punjab as...
Worldwide Events in Honor of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana
Posted by Jodha in Activism on 03 26th, 2012 | 3 Comments
This post is a community work-in-progress. Facebook events are popping up by the hour. I am hoping we supplement the fine effort’s of Berkeley SSF’s Facebook page – Global Movement for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. Send links, suggestions, and details in the comment-section and...
The Wonder of the Shaheed – Shaheed da Gazab – Bhai Sahib Balwant Singh Rajoana
Posted by Jodha in Activism on 03 22nd, 2012 | 18 Comments
Kaum shaheed Guru dey buhey
Kar suthee Ardasaan
Nation at the Guru’s door
I was asleep after Ardas
These lines penned by the Panth’s last poet – Harinder Singh Mehboob. These lines ring true today, as they did nearly three decades ago.
It is the blood of the martyr that stirs a slumbering nation;...
Plutocratic Politics of the Punjab 2012 and An NRP’s Guide to Understanding Punjab Politics
WARNING: This is long!
Last week, the Punjab election results surprised many. Most pundits had believed the cycle of anti-incumbency would continue and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) would fall to the Congress Party, under Captain Amrinder Singh’s leadership. The results were stunning and after...
Circuit Bhangra, Colombia and the Power of YouTube
Posted by Jodha in Bhangra on 03 6th, 2012 | No Comments
A friend recently forwarded me the following video.
A few notes may suffice. What is unusual is not the ‘performative’ style that has become modern (post-1947) bhangra, nor even the type of stage (we saw Signature earlier on Britain’s Got Talent that achieve the highest level of...
Another Sikholarly Success in 2012
This past weekend, CSU East Bay’s Ethnic Studies Department and Sikh Studies Chair along with the Jakara Movement held its third annual Sikholars Conference. Along with the 11 graduate students from all over North America, nearly 100 community members came together to share and engage in their research...
A Tool in the War on Terror
Posted by Jodha in USA on 02 6th, 2012 | 7 Comments
It isn’t new in our community. A colonial official promises us money, land, and riches. Hundreds of thousands of Sikh javaans found themselves in the deserts of Iraq, the jungles of Burma, or even in the mountainous regions of France during WWI and WII seeking greater opportunities. One need...
The Face of Human Rights in India
Communities on the periphery of the Indian State, be they Sikhs, Kashmiris, Christians in Nagaland, or even Bengalis and Bangladeshis have long seen the brutality of the “world’s largest hypocrisy.” Despite claims of democracy, progress, and growth, the facade is held together by...
J.Korps 2011 – SUJH and Border Angels
First off, my sincere apologies to all in delaying the posting of this entry for far too long. Over winter break, nearly 20 students participated in the Jakara j.Korps initiative that seeks to explore the issue of immigration. Here is a photo-essay composed by Josh Singh.
During winter break 2011...
Sikholars 2012 Abstracts Announced
Since the inception of Sikholars: Graduate Sikh Conference, we have featured it here on The Langar Hall. The past two years have been huge successes and the third year will prove no different. A terrific agenda of evidence and research-based topics, as well as current thinking and new ideas will...
Sikhs doing Seva
For many of us school is out and the holidays are upon us. Throughout the season, many Sikhs throughout the world engage in seva to support members of the community in which they live. We expect this year to be no different.
We hope that commenters will use this section to highlight events or drives...
Help UNITED SIKHS Win!
Seems to be a rather slow week for me and the fellow langa(w)riters. Maybe we’re at #occupywallstreet, or preparing for Fauja Singh’s appearance at SikhLens this weekend in Los Angeles, or who knows what else we’re doing. Still one thing we all made sure to do is vote for United...
Slavery in Punjab
While most focus on Al-Jazeera’s coverage of the Middle East for its importance in today’s media landscape, slowly their incisive programs and documentaries have gained an audience amongst those serious about global issues throughout the world. I am a huge fan of their English service and...
