Jarnail Singh, a journalist with Dainik Jagran, the Hindi daily who recently hurled shoe towards Indian Home Minister Shri P. Chidambram today visited Harmandir Sahib. Jarnail Singh was accompanied by his family.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar honoured Jarnail Singh and his family at the Information Centre in Harmandir Sahib complex. Both had a talk for about 10 minutes in a closed room.

After the meeting, Jarnail Singh said that he had declined the SGPC’s job offer to become media advisor to SGPC with due respect. He also said that he would not accept any reward or funding from anybody and if someone is so willing, then he should extend his help to 1984 riot victims.

He said, “I would like to continue my profession as a Journalist and now it depends on Dainik Jagran as it earlier hinted of a disciplinary action against me.”

In a written statement, he said, “My act was not pre-meditated as it was emotional outburst and protest against injustice meted out to the victims of 1984 anti Sikh riots.”

The pilgrims will attend Baisakhi celebrations at Nankana Sahib and then they will visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Shekhupura on Wednesday.

Earlier, the Indian Home Ministry recommended to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee to not send Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan keeping in view the current law and order condition there. SGPC president S. Avtar Singh Makkar however asked Sikh pilgrims to go to Pakistan at their own risk and said he had a talk with Pakistan High Commission on this issue but SGPC can’t guarantee pilgrims’ security.

Also, Pakistan Government has for the first time employed Para Military Forces to ensure security of Sikh pilgrims. Last year, 4000 sikhs from around the world attended Baisakhi celebrations though this time the count may be less due to current law and order situation in Pakistan.

The Sikh Jatha reached Pakistan in a group of 4 trains. The first Jatha comprising 290 Sikh pilgrims reached Wagah railway station this morning under tight security.

In a press release this evening Congress spokesman Jnardhan Dwivedi said, “Both Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar expressed their feelings to opt out of Lok Sabha Elections and work for party instead.” He said we have accepted their feelings and both will not be contesting the 2009 general elections.

After series of Sikh protests on giving tickets to alleged accused in 1984 anti Sikh riots and recent Jarnail Singh’s shoe incident, it looks like congress has taken note of loss of Lok Sabha seats due to Sikh vote loss and thus have withdrawn candidature of both accused.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s Karkardooma Court today delayed hearing of Jagdish Tytler’s clean chit case to April 28th. Earlier this evening, Jagdish Tytler said in a press conference, “I don’t wish i should contest elections as i don’t want to cause embarrassment to the party.” Though he still denied his and Sajjan Kumar’s involvement in1984 anti-sikh riots.

Today, more than 100 Sikhs gathered outside Karkardooma Court to protest against CBI clean chit to Jagdish Tytler in 1984 Sikh riots case. Court will today hear the CBI plea of closing case against Jagdish Tytler.

The protestors belonging to All India Sikh students Federation, Shiromani Akali Dal(Badal) and other Sikh organizations raised slogans against CBI giving clean chit to Tytler.

Sikh Protestors demanded strict punishment to those involved in 1984 riots and discard the clean chit given by CBI to Tytler. A large number of policemen have been deployed in and outside Karkardooma Court to prevent any incident.

Meanwhile, after alleged shoe incident by Jarnail Singh, it looks like Congress has learnt that giving tickets to 1984 riots accused will let off Sikh Voters and it could affect more than 25 Lok Sabha seats. Congress is now reconsidering its decision to tickets of Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Some sources have reported that Congress has cancelled ticket of Jagdish Tytler but official announcement from Congress is still awaited.

Earlier, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar assured job, legal and financial aid to Jarnail Singh in case it is required by Jarnail Singh. He said, “We would extend all kind of help including financial, security, job and protection to Jarnail and his family. Jarnail took the extreme step under the sheer influence of his emotions, and was not intended to harm P. Chidambaram. His act showed resentment of Sikh community for denying justice even after 25 years “.

CBI requested Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to cancel the FIR against Tytler as it has not found any incriminating evidence against Jagdish Tytler in the investigaton. CBI said that it found statement of Jasbir Singh, one of the key witness in the case as unreliable and most of the witnesses altered their statements in this case.

Meanwhile on hearing this news Sikh Community gathered outside the Karkardooma Trial court in New Delhi and around Sonia Gandhi’s house protesting against alleged manipulated investigation report.

Darshan Kaur, one of the riot victims said, “My husband and 12 other family members were killed in riots and we still seek justice. The CBI is hand in glove with Tytler”.

Sattu Singh, father of Jabir Singh, one of the key witness in the case, said, “My son ran from India to save his life and still CBI has termed his evidence as unreliable. CBI has saved killers of most dreadful riots against Sikh community.”

Punjab chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal termed this as Outrage Against humanity and said that Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar must have manipulated investigations of CBI. He called upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and ensure that CBI is not used as a tool by some people to shield killers of thousands of innocents.

Meanwhile Senior Congress Leader from Punjab, Bir Devinder Singh resigned from party over the party giving tickets to 1984 riots accused. In his letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, he said, “It has been 25 years since 1984 riots and our Criminal justice system has failed to give justice to the victims.” He said that fielding the two accused as Lok Sabha candidates is one of the biggest mistakes Congress has made and it has severely hurt Sikh sentiments.

The car in which Capt Kanwaljit Singh was travelling was hit by two trucks one from front and the other from rear side and the car was sand witched. He was rushed to PGI Chandigarh where doctors failed to revive him from PolyTrauma Condition and declared him dead late in the evening at 8.30 PM.

Parminder, 33 and Ratan Singh, 45 were the other two persons traveling with him. They both sustained serious injuries during the accident. PGI Doctors said that both are in polytrauma condition and we are trying to revive them.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh was elected MLA for the third term from Banur assembly constituency. He served as home minister and Finance Minister in previous two SAD governments.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, formwer Chief Minsiter Capt Amarinder Singh and several ministers have expressed shock over sudden demise of Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Capt Kanwaljit Singh is survived by his wife and son Jasjit Singh Bunny, Chairman, Punjab Cooperative Bank.

Capt Kanwaljit singh was born on September 1,1942, he took active part in Dharam Yudh Morcha during emergency declared by late PM Indira Gandhi. He went to jail several times during agitation on Punjab’s demands. Captain Kanwaljit Singh was considered a man of principles and an upright politician. He was respected as visionary leader who was guide for the present Akali leadership. He was general secretary in SAD(Longowal) and SAD (Badal). He has widely travelled abroad and changed the face of cooperative movement in Punjab.

Varun Gandhi is BJP MP candidate from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and to woo hindu votes, he allegedly made hatred remarks against Sikhs and Muslims that has sparked row in Indian politics.

Varun has said in his speech that he does not need votes of Pakistanis and Khalistanis which led to political controversy.

The Sikh protesters demanded cancellation of candidature of Varun Gandhi from BJP. Paramjit Singh Pamma, President National Akali Dal said, “ If BJP does not take action against him(Varun Gandhi) sikh community will boycott BJP”.

When Darshan Singh asked them as to why so, the officials said that Federal rules do not permit headgear on passport photograph. Darshan Singh then moved to Sikh coalition and told them the whole issue. The Legal team of Sikh Coalition informed him that a person can wear headgear if it is of religious importance by giving an application to the local Post office.

The next day, Darshan Singh went back to post office and asked them to take photograph of his son, but Post office officials still insisted to remove the turban. Darshan Singh then reached out Dallas Morning News which then contacted State Department regarding the issue. State Department acted on the request and issued an official apology to Darshan Singh.

The official apology stated, “The acceptance agent was not following proper procedures when he refused to accept the application for your son.  Your son has the right to wear his turban for religious purposes.  You only had to provide a statement stating as such.   I have spoken with… the Frisco Post Office and advised…. of proper procedures”.

You can get a US passport with headgear as long as it is of religious significance and you just have to give a statement regarding the headgear stating it is of religious importance.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committe has justified its decision to use the photograph of damaged Akal Takht after 1984 Operation Blue Star to the Election Commission of India. Earlier this week, SGPC released Nanakshahi Calendar with the photograph of Akal Takhat Sahib which led to chorus of protest with Congress and other parties in Punjab as this move of SGPC could affect sikh voter’s sentiments.

In reply to election commission’s notice, SGPC said that the photograph of Akal Takhat is appropriate as this year marks the 25th anniversary of Operation Blue Star and due to demands of various Sikh organizations, this year, the 25th anniversary will be observed in a big way.

Dalmegh Singh, secretary SGPC said that the calendar release has nothing to do with elections as Nanakshahi year starts in March and release of Calendar is annual affair. He also said that the calendar image was finalized in November 2008, when even the elections were not announced.

Earlier, the election commission issued a notice to SGPC regarding the calendar on the complaint of Dr. PS Ranu, national president of Sehajdhari Federation who described the SGPC move to use Akal Takht photograph as Shiromani Akali Dal’s party politics to woo sikh voters.

Varun Gandhi, the BJP leader allegedly made hatred remarks about religions other than Hinduism last week have caused a political wrangle in Punjab. His anti-sikh remarks have been taken as a serious note by the Congress party and few radical sikh organizations like Dal Khalsa. As the ruling Akali-Dal has an alliance with BJP and with BJP leader making anti-sikh remarks, it will surely heat up the political battle field in Punjab.

The opposition party in Punjab, Congress and Dal Khalsa have asked Akali Dal as to why it is silent on this issue. Capt. Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab said in a release, "Being part of the BJP, Varun Gandhi is an ally of the Akali Dal and Parkash Singh Badal. I would like Mr Badal to clarify whether he agrees with these derogatory remarks against both the Sikh and Muslim communities, and if not, what he proposes to do about it,".

The SGPC has called on a meeting to discuss this issue on Thursday. Due to pressure from both radical sikh organizations and the opposition, the Akali Dal which is a sikh party is on back-foot now. When contacted Akali Dal spokesman said that the remarks made by Varun Gandhi would be properly verified first. The akali spokesman reacting to Congress statements said that Congress has no right to speak on this issue as its leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar were involved in the 1984 attack on Harmandir Sahib and Delhi Sikh riots.