Punjab Visit of Sant Laxman Chaitanya Bapu Ji Maharaj

Prominent Goaar Saint Swami Laxman Chaitanya Bapu Ji Maharaj recently visited Punjab. He was honoured by the Goaars of Punjab at the residence of Harbans Lalka, Nabha. In the pictures above, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot MLA and Ex Minister (President All India Bazigar Banjara Sabha) and others are honouring Sant Laxman Chaitanya Bapu Ji Maharaj.

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Baba Balbir Singh is New Budha Dal Chief
Patiala, October 1, 2007 (Tribune news service): Baba Balbir Singh was today installed the fourteenth head of the Baba Budha Dal. He was declared head in the presence of the jathedars of the Takhts and SGPC president Avtar Singh.

Baba Balbir Singh’s “dastar bandi” was done by Baba Santa Singh, his predecessor. The ceremony was carried out just after the bhog of an akhand path organised in memory of four Nihangs who were killed by a rivals group in a clash. Baba Santa Singh was brought to the venue in a wheel chair. The ailing baba was in semi-conscious state and the “dastar” was just placed in his hands before being put on the head of Baba Balbir Singh.

Jathedar of Akal Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti called for the boycott of Nihangs accused in the killing of a kin of Baba Balbir Singh here recently. He said the matter would be discussed by the jathedars of all Takhts.

Chief of the SGPC Avtar Singh said the incident regarding killing of Nihangs was deplorable.

Baba Balbir Singh seems to have got support of the ruling party. Political secretary of Sukhbir Badal Paramjit Singh Sidhwan, former SGPC presidents and Akali leaders Bibi Jagir Kaur, Kirpal Singh Badungar and Prem Singh Chandumajra were present at the function. (With thanks from Tribune, Chandigarh)

Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Harbans Lal Lalka welcomed the decision

All India Congress Committe Member and Ex Minister of Panjab Sardar sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA and Mr. Harbans Lal Lalka, a Goaar Leader from Nabha, Panjab welcomed the decision that Baba Balbir Singh is New Chief of Panth Shiromani Budha Dal. (Goaars of india News bureau)

According to expressindia.com The bhog ceremony of four nihangs of the Shiromani Akali Panth Budha Dal (Panjwan Takht), who were killed in a bloody clash a few days ago, today passed off peacefully. A large number of nihangs converged here from all over the state for the ceremony.

Baba Balbir Singh was also installed as the 14th jathedar of Budha Dal, and former head Baba Santa Singh made this announcment, which was hailed by the nihang congregation with slogans of "Bole So Nihal".

Nihangs and panthic leaders from all over the state thronged Baba Budha Dal Public School grounds here to pay tributes to Jathedar Assa Singh and Baba Bhajan Singh, Baba Jagdish Singh the father and brothers of Baba Balbir Singh, who were killed in a clash for succession of the dera. His nephew Karamjit Singh Bittu were also killed.

The ceremony was today attended by all jathedars of the five Akal Takhts, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. SGPC president Avtar Singh and two former SGPC presidents Kirpal Singh Badungar and Bibi Jagir Kaur were also present, besides Sant Samaj and Damdami Taksal head Avtar Singh Dhumma and other Akali leaders, including Prem Singh Chandumajra and Surjit Singh Rakhra.

8 Punjab tribes found eligible for ST status
Patiala, September 23, 2007 (Lalit Mohan): There is a ray of hope for the tribes of Punjab. A study conducted at the behest of the union government have found them to be having tribal characteristics that can make them eligible for reservation under the Scheduled Tribes category.

The said study on tribes of Punjab was conducted by the department of sociology and social anthropology of Punjabi University, Patiala.

Dr Barinder Pal Singh while taking to The Tribune said in the study a definition of tribe was provided to us under which different tribes of Punjab were to be evaluated for being declared fit for the tribal status.

It stated certain features as the indications of primitive traits, distinct culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness as the basic criteria for the consideration of community as a tribe.

In the original letter from the Punjab government the department was given a list of 14 communities but these were in fact only 12 as synonymous names of certain communities were also included in the list such as Nayak, Aheria and Naik. The field investigations revealed that these were actually one, that is, Naik. Gadariya/Pal are also one.

The communities that were studied were Bauria, Bazigar Banjara, Bangala, Barad, Gandhila, Nat, Sansi, Dhanak, Gadaria, Naik and Mirasi.

The study revealed that one very strong element that strengthened their characterisation as tribal was their nomadic and semi-nomadic nature. The binding of the said communities was temporary or need based with the rest of society.

The Bangalas even now were supplying various types of medicines for eyes, skin or joint ailments etc. to people for some thing in return. Earlier, it used to be some kind of grain, now they took money. Similarly, Barad used to supply kanghi for spinning purposes, which was their speciality. They excelled in its manufacture. They also supplied brooms and enu etc. Labana or the Bazigar Banjaras were salt traders, virtually at the all India level. At the local level Bazigars were still selling needles (suian/gadhuian). They also sold meat as they were voracious meat eaters. People preferred tokrewala meat to any other. Besides, the Bazigars and Nats even now performed acrobatic shows for the entertainment of people.

Dr Birender Pal said a perusal of the ethnographic details collected from each of the seven de-notified tribes viz. Bauria, Bazigar Banjara, Bangala, Barad, Gandhila, Nat and Sansi, showed that they definitely meet all the criteria for defining them as tribes. The standard definition of the Central government and those of the social anthropologists too had little to differ on this count.

Dhanak, Gadaria, Naik and Mirasi communities, however, did not meet the criteria of a tribe. These were well integrated not only with the village but performed such activities that make them an integral part of the larger community. The Naiks were usually engaged in construction work, Dhanaks were the traditional weavers, the Gadaria took the village cattle for grazing on the pastures and the Mirasis were the traditional messengers and mediators for marital alliances. They were given lag, that is fee or customary payment on auspicious occasions in the family.

The recommendations of study had been sent to the Punjab government that would further forward it to the union government for consideration. (With thanks from Tribune, Chandigarh)
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16 booked for Attack on Baba Balbir Singh's Family
Patiala, September 22, 2003 (Lalit Mohan): The police today booked 16 persons for the bloody clash among Nihangs on the Baba Budha Dal premises here yesterday that left four nihangs dead and two seriously injured.

All those booked are the members of the Baba Udhay Singh group. They have been booked on a complaint of Darshan Singh, uncle of Baba Balbir Singh, who was among the injured. Sources said the police had detained five persons and seized arms and ammunition. The main accused in the case, Baba Udhay Singh and Baba Surjeet Singh, have absconded. Meanwhile, Baba Balbir Singh, who lost four of his kin, told The Tribune that the Baba Udhay Singh and Baba Surjeet Singh had come yesterday to kidnap Baba Santa Singh, who was undergoing treatment here. They tried to take him away but his supporters bolted the room in which Baba Santa Singh was kept.

This infuriated the supporters of Baba Udhay Singh who fired indiscriminately at his men, he alleged.

Senior superintendent of police S.K. Asthana said immediate provocation seemed to be cause of the crime. A case under Sections 302, 148, 149 of the IPC and the Arms Act had been registered against the accused.

The security of Baba Santa Singh and Baba Balbir Singh has been beefed up. The security at the residence of Baba Udhay Singh has also been increased to prevent retaliatory action.

The four victims of the clash were cremated today under heavy police security. The sources said the police prevented Nihangs from coming to the town to avoid any toward incident.

Various Akali leaders, including SGPC president Avatar Singh Makkar, minister of cooperatives Kanwaljit Singh, former MLA Surjeet Singh Rakhra and Bibi Jagir Kaur enquired after Baba Balbir Singh. (With Thanks from Tribune, Chandigarh)

Sadhu Singh Dharamsot Condemned the Attack: According to Goaars of India Reporter, MLA from Amloh and Ex Minister S. Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, President, All India Bazigar-Banjara Sabha, strongly condemned the attack on Baba Balbir Singh's Family. He said it happened because the Law and order is failed in the Akali-BJP Government. He said "No one feel secure from Badal Government."


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4th Anniversary of "Goaars of India" Website
September 23, 2007: Hello Goaar Brothers! Today gooarsofindia.org is four years old. Your Cooperation is highly appreciated. We started this website on the sixth death anniversari (September 23, 2003) of our Baba ji Shri Boota Ram Dharamsaut. Your feedback is our real power. Please send your suggestions, articles, reports and news about Goaars.

Your own Goaar Bhai: Om Parkash Kamal (Dharamsaut), Editor, goaarsofindia.org and Jatinder Mashall (Web Designer).


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Four Family Members of Baba Balbir Singh Died in Attack
Patiala, September 21, 2007 (Tribune News Service): Four members of Baba Balbir Singh group of Nihangs were killed in a clash with their rivals on the Baba Budha Dal premises here this evening. Those killed include Baba Assa Singh, father of Baba Balbir Singh, who has been declared as heir of Baba Santa Singh, head of the biggest faction of Nihangs in the state. The other killed are Jagdish Singh, Karamjit Singh and Bhajan Singh. It seems the family of Baba Balbir Singh was targeted as those killed were from his family, which included his father, two brothers and nephew. Two others seriously injured are Baba Darshan Singh and Baba Kartar Singh.

Sources said Baba Udhay Singh and Baba Surjeet Singh, who is in charge of horses of the sect came to the Baba Budha Dal premises here where an ailing Baba Santa Singh is being kept. They insisted on meeting him. However, supporters of Baba Balbir Singh stopped them on the pretext that he was too ill to meet anyone. This led to the clash. The group of Baba Udhay Singh allegedly fired indiscriminately at their rivals.

The other group also tried to retaliate with swords, but was outnumbered. The firing led to the death of four on the spot. The assailants managed to flee from the spot. The police reached the spot and just managed to shift the dead and injured to Government Rajindra Hospital. The sources said a property owned by the sect was the motive behind the crime. The Baba Budha Dal owns a prestigious school here. Baba Udhay Singh is in charge of the trust running the school. He had the apprehension that Baba Balbir Singh got thumb impressions of Baba Santa Singh to take over the property.

Baba Santa Singh had been ex-communicated from the panth after he carried out kar seva at Akal Takht after Operation Bluestar. At that time Baba Balbir Singh was his PA and was considered to be his heir. However, after Baba Santa was ex-communicated Baba Balbir Singh left him. During this period Baba Udhay Singh was considered heir of Baba Santa Singh. However, after Baba Santa Singh was brought back into the Panth, Baba Balbir Singh once again mended fences with him. He had been declared heir of Baba Santa Singh at a function organised at Talwandi Sabo. A case has been registered. (With Thanks from "The Tribune, Chandigarh")


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Goaar Singer Lakhbir Lakha and Gurinder Naaz is Phagwara’s pride
IP Singh (TNN)

Phagwara, September 15, 2007: As singing contests are ruling the small screen these days and have almost created a mania among the viewers spread across the country, a boy and a girl from modest families of Phagwara have become the Jodi No 1 in a Punjabi duet singing competition being telecast by a Punjabi music channel.

The little-known youngsters, Lakhbir Lakha and Gurinder Naaz, have suddenly become a sensation in the Punjabi music world after defeating nine pairs.

On reaching their home town on Friday after final programme was aired on Thursday evening, a warm welcome was accorded to them by prominent citizens and a few Punjabi singers.

The pair was then taken out around the city by enthusiastic supporters. While Lakha belongs to baazigar community, Gurinder, who is studying in BA final year in Lyallpur Khalsa College for Women, Jalandhar, is from a dalit family. Lakha’s father had been a labourer all his life and Gurinder’s father after retiring from Army has been working as a supervisor in a local factory.

Three years back they came in contact with each other and started singing together and today after winning the contest, this hot pair has already started receiving offers from various music companies. (With Thanks from "The Times of India, Chandigarh")

According to the report of Goaars of India, Welcome Function was attended by Ex MLA Mr. Malkit Singh Dakha, Harman Preet Singh (Chief Editor, Sangeet Darpan Magazine), Singer Maqbool, Singer Faqir Chand Patanga, Harbans Lalka (General Secretary, Rajput Goaar Council of India), Hans Raj Lalka SHO, Mulkh Raj Mashall SDO, Darshan Singh XEN, Ritesh Kamal, Sodhi Ram Dharamsaut, Beera Ram Valjot Councillor, Darshan Lal Dharamsaut, Sukhdev Pappu and many other prominent personalities.


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Goaar Singer Lakhbir Lakha declared winner of "Coca Cola Jodi No. 1" Competition of MH1 Channel
Goaar Singer Mr. Lakhbir Lakha and Miss Gurinder Naaz from Phagwara, Panjab declared winner of "Coca Cola Jodi No. 1" Competition of MH1 TV Channel. Lakhbir Lakha is a second son of Mr. Taani Ram Valjot of Mohalla Dharamkot, Phagwara, Panjab. Final of this MH1 Channel competition telecast on 13th September, 2007, Thursday at 8.30 PM and repeat of the programme on 14th September, 2007 at 3.00 PM.

Goaar MP Mr. Hari Bhau Rathod from Yavatmal, Maharashtra and Ex Minister from Panjab Sardar Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA congratulate Mr. Lakhbir Lakha and Miss Gurinder Naaz for their achievement. It is noted that Mr. Lakhbir Lakha's Audio CD of Goaar Boli Songs "Main Kaain Kahano Aan" is highly appreciated in Goaar Community few months ago.


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