Kirpan Banned at Gurdas Mann Concert (Again!)
For diasporic Sikhs, it seems routine and almost expected to wake up to news about an incident where a Sikh was banned access to an event because of his or her kirpan. Many times, we blame this on the ignorance of law enforcement, who often have never heard of a kirpan. We tell ourselves, “Don’t...
Spate of Shootings involving Sikhs?
With so few details, it may be premature to begin writing some thoughts, but that hasn’t really stopped me before. Although each incident has its own genesis, with the recent spate of shootings this week, a discussion forum is needed.  First I begin with an analysis of various Indian media coverage...
Sensitive Sikhs: Racial Profiling, Turban Effect, and Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Throughout the United States, the issue of race and racial profiling has taken center stage – all linked to a local event in Cambridge, MA.  It was there, near the Harvard University Campus, that well-known academic, scholar, and public intellectual, Henry Louis Gates Jr. had an altercation with a...
O When Will We Learn – Navigating Sikh Gurdwara Politics
Every other city we go…. The story repeats itself. There are 2 Sikhs. They decide to build a Gurdwara. First comes love, then they disparage, next comes litigation and community image damage. The most recent editions – Bakersfield and San Jose.
How Large is the Tent that is the Sikh Qaum?
Beyond brown or white Sikhs, beyond various caste Sikhs, when and how do we come together as Sikhs?  Is the ‘jahaaz’ that is Guru Nanak’s Naam large enough to carry us all, or with a narrow set of doxies and praxis do we restrict those that can enter. Despite the various attacks on the Singh Sabha...
Two New Sikh Scholarships for Excellence
The list of 1984-inspired Sikh propositions continue to grow.  In the past, I have mentioned more than my fair share and last week my fellow langa(w)r-iter added one more.  Here is another great proposal. This year marks the the creation of two great scholarships by the Jakara Movement.  One aimed...
Sikh Folk Hero Fired
In a previous blog, I wrote about Jarnail Singh Journalist – Sikh Folk Hero.  I also mentioned about his action as an act of rebellion that needs the support and institutions to become a revolution.  In this post, he, himself, needs support. Unfortunately this week, as he flung his shoe demanding...
On Sikhs, 1984, and Environmental Justice at Jakara
Last week, I wrote a wrap-up about the 10th Annual Jakara Movement Conference.  Sikh Knowledge, a previously featured artist, wrote his thoughts on his blog. However, an especially important post was written by Pashaura Singh Dhillon.  For those that are regular langa(r)-eaders, then you need no introduction. ...
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Sikh?
Two articles over the weekend got me thinking.  I’ll get to them soon enough.  Be patient! The issues aren’t new.  I remember back to the late 1990s, when the community here in the Bay Area was moving to build the new San Jose Gurdwara.  The Evergreen community protested and raised the typical...
Jakara Movement Sikh Conference X – Wrap-Up
10 years ago the Jakara conference was born; 5 years ago the Jakara Movement was born. This year was the 10th annual Jakara Movement conference.  This year we Remember 1984. From remembering the past, reflecting on Gurbani, reconnecting with the voices of the people, rethinking the role of the media,...
Sikhs on NPR – Akal Securities
Just before the weekend, NPR featured a story on Akal Securities and the Sikh community in New Mexico.  The article discusses the success of a number of businesses that help support the 3HO organization.  It is partly due to these generous contributions by community members and leaders of these businesses...
Why We Remember 1984
Joint post by Mapleleaf Sikh, Sundari, Jodha, Camille, Phulkari, RP Singh, Reema It has been 25 years and we remember. On this day we remember; in this week we remember; in this month we remember; in this year we remember. On June 6th we stopped to remember the recent chapter in the history of the Sikhs. When...
Why Sikhs Need More Female Granthis
Many eons ago, my friend Mewa Singh wrote: Most Sikh organizations’ backbone tend to be its Kaurs.[link] [As a side note, kaptaan, where did you go?]  I definitely second that thought.  A common lament that I often hear from some Sikh men is that somehow Sikh women are somehow lacking in terms of...
Hip-Hop Sikhs on 1984 in Fresno
I know I have been posting about it much lately, but as full disclosure compels, I have helped with the organization in the past. A few weeks ago I posted about this weekend When Lions Roar in Toronto and Vancouver. It seems in the wake we have something in the making in Central California, Fresno....
Sikh Events on 1984
As we like to keep our readers updated, I wanted to let you know about some current events that you shouldn’t miss as well as some programs and resources that you can do with your own family and friends in your hometown. The Jakara Movement conference: “Remember 1984: Reflect. Respond. React.” ...
Gurdwara: Refuge of the Homeless
The Sikh Gurdwara is our community center.  It is where we turn in times of fear (many Sikhs rushed to the Gurdwara after 9/11); it is where we turn in times of defense (the Battle Of Amritsar in June 1984); it is where we turn in times of crisis. Even some 550 years later the House of Nanak provides...
When Sikh Lions Roar in Canada
June soon approaches and many in the Sikh community will take the time to remember the events beginning in 1984.  While some traditional sites of remembrance, mainly Gurdwaras, will continue to fulfill their duties to celebrate those that gave their lives and remember those families devastated by the...
Latest Update on Sikhs and Dera SachKhand from the Punjab
My last post was about what we knew at that time.  Since then, there are new updates. After the attack in the Vienna temple (actually a dera of the Sach Khand group), there are news confirmations that Sant Rama Nand has passed away from his injuries, while the Dera head Niranjan Das is in stable condition. There...
Sikhs and Dera SachKhand – Vienna and Jalandhar
As suggested by our readers (pagh salute: ambi and an indian Sikh), I am posting on the tragedy in Vienna.  The facts are still coming in, so we have little perspective on what exactly occurred. This much is known.  In the Austrian capital of Vienna, six Sikh men carrying various weapons and a handgun...
Sukhmani Sahibs for the Sikh Shaheeds
In The Langar Hall, we do our best to keep you up-to-date with the latest 1984 events. From conferences, to concerts, if it’s happening, we’ll post it. With the 25th commemoration of the Ghallughara, a great initiative called ‘Sukhmani Sahibs for the Sikh Shaheeds‘ (being held the first...
Page 8 of 18« First...678910...Last »