Justice for Jassi? A Pyrrhic Consolation?
Many of us either saw or heard of CBC’s broadcast (for those of us here in the US, it was on Dateline NBC) of “Forbidden Love” chronicling the death of a Sikh Canadian, Jaswinder “Jassi” Kaur Sidhu.
The basics of the story are as follows:
Jaswinder, or Jassi, was 25-years-old when she was kidnapped, tortured and killed in the spring of 2000 after going against her family’s wishes and marrying Mithu.
Mithu, a poor auto-rickshaw driver, was hacked by swords and left for dead after his wife was whisked away.
After several weeks in a coma, he awoke to be told that Jassi, whom he had secretly married, had been brutally slain. [link]
Punjab Police later revealed that Jassi’s family had paid up to $50,000 for the hit on their daughter. (I have commented a few times on the rise in contract killings in Punjab here and here) However, even after the death of his beloved Sukhwinder Singh “Mithu” still could not find peace. Jassi’s family was able to find a false witness, a former employee of theirs from their village, to lodge a false case against Mithu claiming that he had raped her.
It was largely the efforts of friends, family members, supporters, and Vancouver-based newspaper publisher,
Harbinder Singh Sewak that came together and started a website (JusticeforJassi.com) as well as hired the Punjabi lawyers that helped get Mithu acquitted after almost four years of incarceration, all based on the testimony of a bribed witness.
In a strange twist, yesterday Mithu was elected Panch of his village Kaunke Khosa, near Jagraon. The newspaper reports that he gained much sympathy from the villagers due to the tragedy that he had to face. While it is hardly justice, I did think it is a fascinating twist to a story that many of us are following.
[Sort of as an aside, I did want to make another comment. I remember when Dateline played this story back in 2002. A number of Sikh groups were angered at the portrayal of Sikhs in the story. And from what I remember there were problems with how the Canadian media wanted to frame the story as ‘traditionalism’ v. ‘modernity.’ However, the knee-jerk reactions from most Sikh groups was to condemn the story and ask Dateline not to rebroadcast it. However, a much better reaction was that of editor Harbinder Singh Sewak. Instead of crying about ‘portrayal’ and ‘image,’ he decided to actually work for Jassi’s justice by helping Mithu get out of jail and win his case against the false charges brought upon him. How much greater were his efforts in helping the ‘Sikh image’? I hope there is a lesson here for Sikhs in the future as well.]
67 Responses to “Justice for Jassi? A Pyrrhic Consolation?”
I live only a 15 minute drive from Jesse uncle farm just outside of Maple Ridge BC.
The broadcast that was on CBC and Dateline NBC was very fair. And the people who complained are the same people that everytime there a problem in the punjabi sikh community spend 90% of the time blaming the media and very little time talking about the actual problem.
Unless I'm mistaken I think Jesse uncle is still one of the leaders of the Richmond Gurdwara.
I had a chance to talk to a girl that went to school with Jesse. From what she told me that, Jesse had no freedom at all in high school. She was not allowed to have any friends after school, and could go nowhere without her family. She just had no social life at all. Also the dateline NBC report they said that her boss at the place where she worked gave her the talk about the birds and bees.
So when she want to India, she had freedom for the 1st time, she fell in love with the 1st guy she get to spend any time with. It a joke at how much difference at the freedom that boys and girls in the punjabi community get in the west.
Most Sikh 'groups' are a bunch of backward-ass child-killing jackasses who are living in the stone age. Sorry, I know, I got carried away there, but I am a dad and the thought of a father wanting his child torture d and killed just hits me extra hard. But I beleieve there is large grain of truth in that statement…
I live only a 15 minute drive from Jesse uncle farm just outside of Maple Ridge BC.
The broadcast that was on CBC and Dateline NBC was very fair. And the people who complained are the same people that everytime there a problem in the punjabi sikh community spend 90% of the time blaming the media and very little time talking about the actual problem.
Unless I’m mistaken I think Jesse uncle is still one of the leaders of the Richmond Gurdwara.
I had a chance to talk to a girl that went to school with Jesse. From what she told me that, Jesse had no freedom at all in high school. She was not allowed to have any friends after school, and could go nowhere without her family. She just had no social life at all. Also the dateline NBC report they said that her boss at the place where she worked gave her the talk about the birds and bees.
So when she want to India, she had freedom for the 1st time, she fell in love with the 1st guy she get to spend any time with. It a joke at how much difference at the freedom that boys and girls in the punjabi community get in the west.
Most Sikh ‘groups’ are a bunch of backward-ass child-killing jackasses who are living in the stone age. Sorry, I know, I got carried away there, but I am a dad and the thought of a father wanting his child torture d and killed just hits me extra hard. But I beleieve there is large grain of truth in that statement…
CBC did nothing to help but butt in to stir hatred against turbaned Sikhs and sad to see some apney becoming victim of their profit making docu-drama.
CBC did nothing to help but butt in to stir hatred against turbaned Sikhs and sad to see some apney becoming victim of their profit making docu-drama.
Ok, that makes NO sense. Which groups are you talking about?
I think Jodha's reflection is really right on. For many, it's difficult to figure out how to criticize media portrayals that they may feel are reductionist, inaccurate, etc., while still addressing very real and serious issues that should not be swept under the rug. I think this is a great example of how we can deal with those issues through our actions more than anything else.
CBC did nothing to help but butt in to stir hatred against turbaned Sikhs and sad to see some apney becoming victim of their profit making docu-drama.
Give me a break, the blame the CBC thing is getting old.
Ok, that makes NO sense. Which groups are you talking about?
I think Jodha’s reflection is really right on. For many, it’s difficult to figure out how to criticize media portrayals that they may feel are reductionist, inaccurate, etc., while still addressing very real and serious issues that should not be swept under the rug. I think this is a great example of how we can deal with those issues through our actions more than anything else.
CBC did nothing to help but butt in to stir hatred against turbaned Sikhs and sad to see some apney becoming victim of their profit making docu-drama.
Give me a break, the blame the CBC thing is getting old.
Whoa! Where'd that guy get the rainbow fifty? Really stands out in the otherwise all-black outfit.
Whoa! Where’d that guy get the rainbow fifty? Really stands out in the otherwise all-black outfit.
"How much greater were his efforts in helping the ‘Sikh image’?"
Dateline reaches millions, this is the first time I've heard of Harbinder Singh Ji. His efforts in helping a few Sikhs may be a million times greater, but as far as the Sikh image, his efforts are minuscule in comparison.
As Sikhs are rarely portrayed on American television and only negatively on Dateline, I think we should complain. From my memory turbanned Sikhs were shown as old-fashioned. There was not one Sikh with a turban who was shown in a positive light any where in the presentation. I think that's reason enough to complain.
I agree though that blaming the media when there are a bunch of backward wannabe Sikhs committing crimes is a total cop-out as well.
But Prabhu, when they return to the story, which they always do every two years, they will have something new to add. Harbinder WILL be featured in their next update.
Regardless, I am less concerned with 'image' and far more concerned with justice. If more in our community were concerned with 'justice,' I believe that we would have the greatest 'image.'
“How much greater were his efforts in helping the ‘Sikh image’?”
Dateline reaches millions, this is the first time I’ve heard of Harbinder Singh Ji. His efforts in helping a few Sikhs may be a million times greater, but as far as the Sikh image, his efforts are minuscule in comparison.
As Sikhs are rarely portrayed on American television and only negatively on Dateline, I think we should complain. From my memory turbanned Sikhs were shown as old-fashioned. There was not one Sikh with a turban who was shown in a positive light any where in the presentation. I think that’s reason enough to complain.
I agree though that blaming the media when there are a bunch of backward wannabe Sikhs committing crimes is a total cop-out as well.
But Prabhu, when they return to the story, which they always do every two years, they will have something new to add. Harbinder WILL be featured in their next update.
Regardless, I am less concerned with ‘image’ and far more concerned with justice. If more in our community were concerned with ‘justice,’ I believe that we would have the greatest ‘image.’
To those that think this portrays ALL Sikhs or Indians in a negative light, GIVE ME A BREAK. Anyone w/half intellect can differentiate between a psycho uncle and mother who had their daughter brutally murdered and the attempted murder and false imprisonment of their son in law. The problem does NOT lie in the telling of this story, which needs to be heard as much as possible. The problem lies in the general LACK OF OUTRAGE by the Sikh community, turning a blind eye, blaming, excusing.. and that the Canadian govt doesn't either give a crap about Jassi's murder or doesn't have the balls to DO SOMETHING TO BRING JUSTICE TO THIS CASE.
There are NO OTHER VICTIMS HERE besides Jassi & Mithu.
To those that think this portrays ALL Sikhs or Indians in a negative light, GIVE ME A BREAK. Anyone w/half intellect can differentiate between a psycho uncle and mother who had their daughter brutally murdered and the attempted murder and false imprisonment of their son in law. The problem does NOT lie in the telling of this story, which needs to be heard as much as possible. The problem lies in the general LACK OF OUTRAGE by the Sikh community, turning a blind eye, blaming, excusing.. and that the Canadian govt doesn’t either give a crap about Jassi’s murder or doesn’t have the balls to DO SOMETHING TO BRING JUSTICE TO THIS CASE.
There are NO OTHER VICTIMS HERE besides Jassi & Mithu.
This is so sad that two people lives can be so tragically afected by
family honor,that this preceedes everthing even to the point of murder,attempted murder and ruining a young man's life.Crime is a crime no matter country,race,reglion.When you commit murder and break the law you need to take the punishment that the law dishes out. Her family need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Shame on the RCMP of Canada. I willsign the petition.It is a shame that so many years have gone by. There is punishment ultimately,they will go to hell and pay for this.
This is so sad that two people lives can be so tragically afected by
family honor,that this preceedes everthing even to the point of murder,attempted murder and ruining a young man’s life.Crime is a crime no matter country,race,reglion.When you commit murder and break the law you need to take the punishment that the law dishes out. Her family need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Shame on the RCMP of Canada. I willsign the petition.It is a shame that so many years have gone by. There is punishment ultimately,they will go to hell and pay for this.
Canada should be ashamed!Jazzi was a Canadian citizen that has been brutaliy murdered in another country. Where is her justice? Why was she abandoned and thrown away,not only by her own flesh and blood, but her own country?
What about Mithu,who still suffers today by the hands of Jazzis' family? Where is HIS justice? When will he finally find peace?
NO ONE deserves what these two people went through all in the name of Love….
Canada-step up and do what you should have done years ago… Extrodite the uncle and mother back to India…Justice cries out for it and there's a young man desperate for peace still waiting out there.
Canada should be ashamed!Jazzi was a Canadian citizen that has been brutaliy murdered in another country. Where is her justice? Why was she abandoned and thrown away,not only by her own flesh and blood, but her own country?
What about Mithu,who still suffers today by the hands of Jazzis’ family? Where is HIS justice? When will he finally find peace?
NO ONE deserves what these two people went through all in the name of Love….
Canada-step up and do what you should have done years ago… Extrodite the uncle and mother back to India…Justice cries out for it and there’s a young man desperate for peace still waiting out there.
Shame on the Canadian police force for not handling this whole situation in a timely manner. I can't believe this much time has gone by and nothing has been done to arrest those responsible for this murder. I don't see the Canadian legal system being any different than these Indian people who commited the crime. If you allow it and don't move to a hasty punishment for a murder, than you are just like the murderers.
Shame on the Canadian police force for not handling this whole situation in a timely manner. I can’t believe this much time has gone by and nothing has been done to arrest those responsible for this murder. I don’t see the Canadian legal system being any different than these Indian people who commited the crime. If you allow it and don’t move to a hasty punishment for a murder, than you are just like the murderers.
Can anyone believe that there is more 'honor' in murder, than in marriage? What kind of perversion is this? Hard to believe all these people could be retarded. As people have a tendency to believe labels, I think we need to end labeling this type of murder as 'honor killings' and call them what they are – murder of the most despicable kind, by the most despicable of human beings. The perpetrators of crimes like these must have so much hate in them, that they take whatever opportunity they can to express it. Evil flourishes in darkness. The more exposure to the light of day (thanks to reporters and news media) the sooner these crimes must be addressed by the cultural conscience. addressed. and public opionion chfor all of us.
Can anyone believe that there is more ‘honor’ in murder, than in marriage? What kind of perversion is this? Hard to believe all these people could be retarded. As people have a tendency to believe labels, I think we need to end labeling this type of murder as ‘honor killings’ and call them what they are – murder of the most despicable kind, by the most despicable of human beings. The perpetrators of crimes like these must have so much hate in them, that they take whatever opportunity they can to express it. Evil flourishes in darkness. The more exposure to the light of day (thanks to reporters and news media) the sooner these crimes must be addressed by the cultural conscience. addressed. and public opionion chfor all of us.
just watched the documentary of jassi and mithu and learned about the petition to give justice for jassi. and i am signing it. while reading this thread, i am amazed that there are some more worried about how their image as a community is portrayed rather than being outraged over the murder of one of its members! just like the austrian father who locked up his daughter in the basement & had children with her, jassi's mother and uncle are perverted. what kind of a mother would not claim her daughter's remains after she has been murdered thousands of miles away? sick, really sick.
just watched the documentary of jassi and mithu and learned about the petition to give justice for jassi. and i am signing it. while reading this thread, i am amazed that there are some more worried about how their image as a community is portrayed rather than being outraged over the murder of one of its members! just like the austrian father who locked up his daughter in the basement & had children with her, jassi’s mother and uncle are perverted. what kind of a mother would not claim her daughter’s remains after she has been murdered thousands of miles away? sick, really sick.
Watched this show and was very, very disturbed by what was shown and especially when they showed Jassi's body after she had been murdered and dumped on the side of the road, she was just a child – innocent, same as Mithu.
Sorry I do not know you but I know you are resting in peace Jassi. No harm can come to you now as you are in the company of God and the Gurus and revenge will be yours and when it is time don't hold back. Watch over Mithu every day and minute, nothing can stop you now and you will be reunited with him. All the forces are with you. Here on earth and there in heaven where you are. You did not deserve to have your life taken away from you like this and you absolutely did not do anything wrong. Enough of us here know that.
Sympathies to Mithu and his family. Very classy and noble for Mithu's mother to collect Jassi's ashes and take care of them in proper Sikh tradition so she can rest in peace. That's a true Sikh, a very wealthy Sikh. A mother in law showing utmost respect to her daughter in law. Hope Mithu has all the success in the world. Thumbs up to Mithu for his devoted unconditional love for his wife thru all this.
The perpetrators of this horrific crime (Jassi's uncle. mother, and others involved) will have their day in court, a very high court. Be rest assured, they may escape justice thru legal maneuvers and trickery here, but not where they will end up. If scripture is anything to go by, it will be extremaly horrible. And beauty of it is that the heavens and Jassi are already waiting for them to see to it, so it's just a matter of time. These perpetrators are coming across as cowards of the worst sort. Whatever honour was supposedly being protected here has been tarnished numerous times over so it was dumb to begin with, but worst still a beautiful, pure religion over which countless innocent lives were given to preserve and protect has also been tarnished and degraded and twisted. The kirpan was never ever to be used to slaughter innocence or the weak. Jassi here was innocent and was not able to defend herself and was unarmed. Same as Mithu. The kirpan is to be used to protect the weak and innocent and to be used to defend, not attack. The sixth and tenth Gurus made this very clear. It is not a back stabbing weapon. These perpetrators here destroyed its image. They'll have to answer for it so there is no need to have any ill will towards them or be upset if they do not face justice here. It's definitely coming. Deep inside they know it but can't show it. No place to run and no place to hide.
Hope nothing like this ever happens again. Good job to Mr Sewak for keeping this story alive and the work done towards justice and helping Mithu.
Watched this show and was very, very disturbed by what was shown and especially when they showed Jassi’s body after she had been murdered and dumped on the side of the road, she was just a child – innocent, same as Mithu.
Sorry I do not know you but I know you are resting in peace Jassi. No harm can come to you now as you are in the company of God and the Gurus and revenge will be yours and when it is time don’t hold back. Watch over Mithu every day and minute, nothing can stop you now and you will be reunited with him. All the forces are with you. Here on earth and there in heaven where you are. You did not deserve to have your life taken away from you like this and you absolutely did not do anything wrong. Enough of us here know that.
Sympathies to Mithu and his family. Very classy and noble for Mithu’s mother to collect Jassi’s ashes and take care of them in proper Sikh tradition so she can rest in peace. That’s a true Sikh, a very wealthy Sikh. A mother in law showing utmost respect to her daughter in law. Hope Mithu has all the success in the world. Thumbs up to Mithu for his devoted unconditional love for his wife thru all this.
The perpetrators of this horrific crime (Jassi’s uncle. mother, and others involved) will have their day in court, a very high court. Be rest assured, they may escape justice thru legal maneuvers and trickery here, but not where they will end up. If scripture is anything to go by, it will be extremaly horrible. And beauty of it is that the heavens and Jassi are already waiting for them to see to it, so it’s just a matter of time. These perpetrators are coming across as cowards of the worst sort. Whatever honour was supposedly being protected here has been tarnished numerous times over so it was dumb to begin with, but worst still a beautiful, pure religion over which countless innocent lives were given to preserve and protect has also been tarnished and degraded and twisted. The kirpan was never ever to be used to slaughter innocence or the weak. Jassi here was innocent and was not able to defend herself and was unarmed. Same as Mithu. The kirpan is to be used to protect the weak and innocent and to be used to defend, not attack. The sixth and tenth Gurus made this very clear. It is not a back stabbing weapon. These perpetrators here destroyed its image. They’ll have to answer for it so there is no need to have any ill will towards them or be upset if they do not face justice here. It’s definitely coming. Deep inside they know it but can’t show it. No place to run and no place to hide.
Hope nothing like this ever happens again. Good job to Mr Sewak for keeping this story alive and the work done towards justice and helping Mithu.
Based on the information available, it seems unbelieveable that the Canadian authorities are allowing these barbaric people to be living free all this time. Where is the justice???
Based on the information available, it seems unbelieveable that the Canadian authorities are allowing these barbaric people to be living free all this time. Where is the justice???
I'm here wondering as well, WHERE IS THE JUSTICE!? I can't imagine a MOTHER just sitting by and let someone murder her daughter that she brought into the world. Jassi was a very beautiful woman. It's just hard to believe that this goes on in the Indian community. Tradition yes. But to turn tradition into murder, that's just horrifying to me. I pray that Mithu is doing well now that he is in another community. Don't worry if Jassi Uncle and mother don't get their due justice here on earth they will surely get it on their JUDGEMENT DAY!!!!
I'm here wondering as well, WHERE IS THE JUSTICE!? I can't imagine a MOTHER just sitting by and let someone murder her daughter that she brought into the world. Jassi was a very beautiful woman. It's just hard to believe that this goes on in the Indian community. Tradition yes. But to turn tradition into murder, that's just horrifying to me. I pray that Mithu is doing well now that he is in another community. Don't worry if Jassi Uncle and mother don't get their due justice here on earth they will surely get it on their JUDGEMENT DAY!!!!
where is jassi father ???????? there maybe not justice on earth but they will answer to god they dont desrve being sikhs
where is jassi father ???????? there maybe not justice on earth but they will answer to god they dont desrve being sikhs
i understand the family was pissed ,but they married what the hell ?????? why dont they get deported to india ?????????? I know parents may not like the partner you choose but i have learned the expression you m ade yor bed lay in it so what kind of sick fucks makes their own child lay on a cofin , Justice will be done in gods way people have faith when they die they will have leeches and vultures swallow them live sorry about my foul language but it hurts to see a innocent life taken because she loved a driver , if they liveout of india the should learn that international culturers are modern if they dont like it get the fuck out
i understand the family was pissed ,but they married what the hell ?????? why dont they get deported to india ?????????? I know parents may not like the partner you choose but i have learned the expression you m ade yor bed lay in it so what kind of sick fucks makes their own child lay on a cofin , Justice will be done in gods way people have faith when they die they will have leeches and vultures swallow them live sorry about my foul language but it hurts to see a innocent life taken because she loved a driver , if they liveout of india the should learn that international culturers are modern if they dont like it get the fuck out
I find it hyserical that this was done for are the honour… is having you daughter hacked to pieces with a sword honourable to these lowlifes?
I can understand rcmp's reluctance to extridite to some counties given how some "confessions" are extracted. so for that reason it's good they didnt just send their citizens off to face the charges. they did the right thing and send officers to india to find the truth..well that was quite sometime ago and it seems nothing has happened still.
I find it hyserical that this was done for are the honour… is having you daughter hacked to pieces with a sword honourable to these lowlifes?
I can understand rcmp's reluctance to extridite to some counties given how some "confessions" are extracted. so for that reason it's good they didnt just send their citizens off to face the charges. they did the right thing and send officers to india to find the truth..well that was quite sometime ago and it seems nothing has happened still.
What is the latest (as of today) June 4, 2011, that has happened to the Uncle and that horrible Mother who gave her daughters life? And to speak to her daughter on the phone prior? I am sickened. Where are they now, what is happened to them?
the pain i feel in my soul for jassi and her husband does not subside. it's rare i will feel anger but can't seem to help it when i think of her uncle and mother and their belief in their rights. it is unfortunate that their egos continue to overtake their souls. i know jassi lived to allow our awareness of love and it's purpose to overcome all.
Regarding the Jassi case ..
It is a disgrace that only now the authorities have acted. They had more than enough proof to arrest Jassi s mother and uncle years ago. But nothing was done! The reason could be because the family is wealthy and therefore influential.
I do not believe that anything will result with these arrests. Nothing will happen here in Canada and if these killers are sent to India to stand trial then the family s money will buy them freedom. This will only be an 'inconvenience' for the perpetrators. And as time goes by people will forget … there will not be any justice for Jassi … poor Jassi and my sympathies to her husband who also suffered.
I do not know you personally, Mr Harbinder Singh Sewak, but I want to thank you for all of your hard work & persistence (most of which I do not even know about) relating to the Jassi case. You are a wonderful ambassador of good & righteousness not only for your culture but also for Canada! Keep fighting the good fight.
the mother and uncle must be laughing to the bank to be tried india … flash the check book and all disappears .. jassi and mitto you both in in my thoughts and prayers
for people that were worried about family honor jassi's uncle and mother were the ones that sabbotaged there honour. jassi was a beautiful girl who was never allowed to live. out of 25 years she lived her own life for 1 month and was slain, all the other years her life was controlled. i am glad jassi's story is getting publicity to deter this from happening again.
I'm here wondering as well, WHERE IS THE JUSTICE!? The perpetrators of crimes like these must have so much hate in them, that they take whatever opportunity they can to express it. Evil flourishes in darkness. If you allow it and don't move to a hasty punishment for a murder, than you are just like the murderers.
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nice post