Tag Archives: iqbal singh lalpura

Global Punjabi Association to strengthen ‘Punjabiyat’ across the globe; promote language & culture

National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura who has been actively associated with issues relating Punjab and Punjabi community on Friday (today), held a Press conference to announce the formation of The Global Punjabi Association (GPA), with head quarter at the holy city of Amritsar and sub office in Delhi.

The objective of this society is to promote Punjabi and Punjabiyat. It is above any division and is simply uniting Punjabis world over to promote our language and culture.

Punjab has seen bad days which need no explanation. However, the Global Punjabi Association is only interested in doing positive work to promote brotherhood, industry, agriculture, education and sports . Of course Punjab is under the bad shadow of drugs, their number in central services is decreasing. Lalpura, a retired top cop with Punjab police had witnessed the dark days when terrorism was at it’s peak in Punjab.

Helping humanity to survive and escape from cancer is the mission of our President Sardar Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, who is the Chairman of World Cancer Care. The other organization, Humanity First, is already working in Punjab and has done unparalleled work during Corona in Punjab and is still promoting education and sports, under Sardar Ajayvir Singh Lalpura.

Dr Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal President of GPA, Global Ambassador of awareness against Cancer (Chairman World Cancer Care, UK), said “GPA would also take steps to devise a mechanism through traditional and collective wisdom for shaping behavior of Punjab youth in the best way so that they could contribute to developing Punjab, Punjabiyat, sports and education.”

“GPA would take quick steps to Protect and promote the interests of Punjab and Punjabis settled across the world. GPA would work simultaneously to redress the problems of Punjabis settled across the globe” he added.

We strongly feel that there are many issues pertaining to Punjabis, which include drug menace , unemployment and need attention and positive approach. The other main objective of formation of GPA is to take up issues pertaining to Punjab/Punjabis with concerned authorities/organizations/ governments in a peaceful, democratic and legitimate manner for their quick redressal.

Explaining further, Patron of GPA ,former IPS officer Iqbal Singh Lalpura, who is presently the Chairman of National Commission for Minorities, said “GPA would strive to protect and promote the rich spiritual, religious, ethical, educational, economic and cultural traditions of Punjabis world over. The Association would use all means to promote Punjabi language, literature and culture.”

“Apart from promotion, GPA would also encourage and support the development of agriculture, industry, entrepreneurship, service sector, health, education, economy & youth activities among other socio-economic aspects in Punjab and for all Punjabi communities across the word.” Lalpura added.

Lalpura rues that despite having brilliant brains, there are many Punjabi youngsters, who have not been able to clear competitive exams and are lagging behind due to lack of required proper and timely guidance. He said that GPA would take steps to provide requisite help and guidance to brilliant and deserving Punjabis for placement in competitive exams, services, entrepreneurship and other ventures.

Gautam Gambhir, Member, Former Indian Cricketer has also supported the vision of Global Punjabi Association and assured his full support. GPA has active support and participation of many top Punjabis.

The meeting was graced by the following people:

Dr Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal Global Ambassador (World Cancer Care UK), Sagar Mehta from Delhi, Exporter, Parvinder Singh, Social Worker from Delhi, Ravi Ranjan Singh, Jhatka Organization, Delhi, Osho Kalia, Environmentalist and Social Worker from Gurugram, Haryana, Gikinder Pal Singh, Social Worker from Delhi
Gurpreet Singh Rummy, Ranjeet Singh Juneja, Lawyer, Varun Gulati, Sports Promoter, Jaswinder Singh Dhillon, Former Vice Chancellor of Guru Kashi University, JP Singh Sahni, Educationist and Social Worker, Salil Mehta from Delhi, Exporter, Chetan Uppal, Industrialist, Arjun Marwah, Social Worker, Suraj Miglani, Builder, Gaurav Narang, Businessman, Ajayveer Singh, Social Worker, Rompy Bhatia, President, All India Furniture Association.

MEA & NCM initiate rescue of stranded Indians in Libya

National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, held a press meeting at his residence on Sunday morning where he shared the pathetic stories of the hapless Indians from minority communities rescued by the NCM who were stranded in Libya.

The NCM Chairperson said he had received a representation from Sukhvinder Singh and others with a request to bring back these Indians stranded in Libya. Ropar District BJP President, Ajayvir Singh Lalpura also approached the Commission to resolve the matter.

The NCM Chairperson said he had received a representation from Sukhvinder Singh and others with a request to bring back these Indians stranded in Libya. Ropar District BJP President, Ajayvir Singh Lalpura also approached the Commission to resolve the matter.

The representation was forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs on 6.2.2023, requesting to bring back the youngsters who were illegally taken to Libya by an agent through a fake job racket. Upon reaching, they realized that they would be working for a private contractor without salary. They were also not provided with proper food and beaten brutally, as alleged by them. Embassy of India in Tunisia was also contacted in this regard. As informed by the Embassy, a local resident of Benghazi, Tabassum Mansoor helped in providing humanitarian assistance and relief supplies to the stranded Indians. With the help of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Embassy of India in Tunisia, four out of twelve Indians were successfully brought back from Libya on 12.2.2023. The Commission was in touch with the Embassy for the rescue of other Indians as well.

The efforts led to successful returning of rest of the stranded Indians also. NCM was informed about this on 2.3.2023. Iqbal Singh Lalpura extended thanks to Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Embassy in Tunisia and Tabassum Mansoor for their initiative and efforts in bringing back the stranded Indians.

Former Australian PM Abbott alongwith SGPC members called upon NCM Chairperson Lalpura

National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Chairman, Iqbal Singh Lalpura held a meeting with a delegation from Australia on Saturday (today), to discuss the efforts being made by the Government of India to promote the welfare of Minority communities in India. Former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott alongwith a seven-member delegation attended the meeting. The meeting was attended by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) head, Harmeet Singh Kalka.

The NCM welcomed the delegation for future collaborations on the issues related to Minorities. The NCM tweeted:

NCM informed that the meeting was satisfactory. Tony Abbott was more than satisfied with the strong social fiber of India, where all communities are given good opportunities. He was also amazed to know that the population of Minorities, in general, in India increasing and the NCM is looking after their interest.

NCM Chairperson, Lalpura tweeted:

The regular discrimination against Indians especially Sikh community in Australia and other countries have been a major concern for the NCM and raised its voice.


NCM seeks report from Rajasthan, Haryana over kidnapping and killing of two Muslims

National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, has taken suo-moto cognizance of reports appearing in the media regarding murder of two Muslim men in Bhiwani, Haryana.

According to reports, both the men were kidnapped from Bharatpur in Rajasthan by suspected cow vigilants. The matter became serious after charred bodies of the victims were found in a car.

Under section 9(d) of NCM Act, 1992, NCM has sought report on the following points from the Chief Secretary, Rajasthan and Haryana respectively:

i) What is the motive of the crime and action has been taken against the culprits?

ii) How many people have been arrested so far?

iii) What preventive measures are being taken to avoid such incidents in future?

Both the Chief Secretary, Rajasthan and Chief Secretary, Haryana have been asked to submit a report latest by 28th February, 2023.

NCM takes call on reconstruction of Uttarakhand Gurudwara, read more for details

The Commission has taken cognizance of the issue of allotment of land for reconstruction of Gurudwara Gyan Godri Sahib which was earlier demolished in the year 1978. The request of the Sikh community for allotment of appropriate land has been pending with the Government of Uttarakhand for a long time. 

National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Iqbal Singh Lalpura has written a letter to Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami requesting to direct the concerned officers to take immediate action in the matter and inform the Commission as such an inordinate delay in the matter is hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikh community. 

NCM Chairperson held a meeting with all concerned on 1.12.2021 at Haridwar and Dehradun to resolve the long pending issue. However, after more than one year it has been informed by District Magistrate of Haridwar that a land has been identified for this purpose which falls under Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department. As the original Gurudwara was situated in Uttarakhand, the Government of Uttarakhand may provide the land within the territory of Uttarakhand in Haridwar and not from the property of Uttar Pradesh.

During the meeting in Haridwar, it was pointed out that the present Ghat is on a canal which was dug by the British. However, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited the river Ganga at the Ghat where the rituals of immersion of human remains/bones was being carried out, in the 15th-16th century. 

The NCM formed under NCM Act, 1992, has been, inter-alia, entrusted with the responsibility to look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.

NCW Chairperson Lalpura joins Jain community protesting against conversion of Shri Sammed Shikharji Hill into tourism hub

Country wide protest is taking place among the Jain community against the decision by the Jharkhand state government to convert the iconic Jain pilgrimage site Shri Sammed Shikharji Hill into an eco-tourism hub. The people of the community across India are raising their voices against the decision as they say it’s a place of worship and tourism hub would turn the place into a commercial place. There is also an apprehension that the place will lose its sanctity as many unwanted elements may spoil the place by consuming non-vegetarian food and alcohol.

National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, on Tuesday visited Shree Digambar Jain Mandir, Karkardooma, East Delhi on December 31, 2022. Two Jain community representatives were fasting in protest against the decision. Lalpura, deputed Joint Secretary, National Commission for Minorities, A Dhanlakshmi to visit the place after hearing their problems.

This decision has hurt the religious sentiments of the Jain community all over India. The visit was in response to numerous requests received by the Jain community to stop the conversion of Shri Sammed Shikharji into a tourism hub. The NCM Chairperson informed that the Commission has already asked the Jharkhand government to consider the demand of Jain community members.

The NCM has taken cognizance of the representations and has decided to hold a hearing on 17.1.2023. The Commission has summoned the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Chief Secretary of Jharkhand.

NCM asks why delay in compensation to 1984 Sikh riot victims? Pulls up state governments

Those of us who are a generation older and may have been in school in 1984, cannot forget the dark days that India witnessed after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi being assassinated by her own guards. Immediately, after her death was announced, innocent Sikhs were targeted. Their houses, offices, shops were vandalised. Even mob that was allegedly churned by some political vested interests had put people from Sikh community on flame alive. Even women were not spared. History can never forget the darkest days of 1984. In Delhi, mayhem continued for three nights, as troops were called in after three days.

The alleged masterminds of the 1984 genocide, three accused – HKL Bhagat, Jagdish Tytler, and Sajjan Kumar had allegedly fanned the hatred among the mob. However, its a pity that Congress did nothing to punish them. HKL Bhagat is no more but the other two are freely roaming around. In fact, Sajjan Kumar enjoys security cover. The Sikh community has been demanding a reply over the years.

In order to sort the issue of Sikh community, a number of relief packages were announced by the Government of India and the State Governments respectively, there are several instances where the relief measures announced have not reached the families, despite 38 years having elapsed since 31st October 1984.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has taken cognizance of the matter after a delegation of Sikhs met the NCW Chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura. The NCW had taken up the matter with 9 States/UT viz; J&K, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, and sought the following Information.

(a) List of cases registered.

(b) Number of persons convicted.

(c) Parents status/remarks.

(d) Numbers of person killed/Injured.

(e) Details of property damaged.

(f) Award of compensation to the victims: when was the compensation awarded? What kind of compensation was awarded and to how many affected persons?

(g) List of the affected families for whom job for one member of the family was announced, numbers of families to whom the job to any member of the family has not yet been given and the reasons thereof. Detail of Enquiry Committee/Commission constituted in each state may also be provided.

(h) There were allegations that police officials were also involved in the riots. The following details of officials against whom action was taken and officials against whom action is yet to be initiated may be provided.

(i) How many criminal/civil cases were registered against police persons in this regard?

(ii) How many police persons were convicted and acquitted?

(iii) How many cases are still pending?

The Chairman NCM has written letters to Chief Ministers of the above mentioned States vide letters dated 27.10.2021, 30.06.2022 & 07.10.2022.