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muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 08:06 AM Jun 2014

Golden temple massacre anniversary: 12 injured in sword fight rowing over who should speak first

At least 12 people were hurt in extraordinary scenes at India’s Golden Temple when rival groups of Sikhs brandished swords and spears and chased each other.

The factions clashed following a disagreement over who should speak first at memorial event to mark the 30th anniversary of a controversial military operation to clear militants from the temple at Amritsar.

Indian television channels showed dozens of Sikhs wearing traditional turbans and robes waving swords at each and pointing spears as the two groups sized each other up. Some of those present raised their arms and appeared to appeal for calm.

Reports said at least a dozen and maybe as many as 20 people were injured in the melee, which lasted for almost half an hour. Police were called to the temple, the most sacred site of the Sikh religion, but did not go inside.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/violent-clashes-at-indias-golden-temple-at-amritsar-leave-12-injured-as-rival-sikh-groups-raise-swords-over-who-speaks-first-at-memorial-9498146.html




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Golden temple massacre anniversary: 12 injured in sword fight rowing over who should speak first (Original Post) muriel_volestrangler Jun 2014 OP
A few pistols, some assault rifles and a couple of grenades would have sorted this all........ marble falls Jun 2014 #1
Or some women to tell them to stop waving their dicks around and making themselves muriel_volestrangler Jun 2014 #2
I don't know, some rapists hung two lower caste women after assaulting them, a member of .... marble falls Jun 2014 #6
They were not Sikhs. cbayer Jun 2014 #16
Didn't Sikhs assasinate Indira Ghandi? Sikhs aren't Indian? marble falls Jun 2014 #17
What does that have to do with how Sikhs view or treat women? cbayer Jun 2014 #18
Like they wouldn't just kill the women. Iggo Jun 2014 #14
This post indicates a complete lack of knowledge of the roles of cbayer Jun 2014 #15
Did.... AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #3
May have laid them down to account for foot traffic Lordquinton Jun 2014 #7
They may have also anticipated the possibility of an outbreak of violence as well. AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #8
Though I haven't seen any western reports saying they were trying to kill each other muriel_volestrangler Jun 2014 #9
I suppose it's the headline of the one in the OP that is most provocative. AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #10
Well, they aren't poking swords Lordquinton Jun 2014 #12
Hey AC! Looks like your kind of party! cbayer Jun 2014 #11
Not so much, non-aggression principle and all. AtheistCrusader Jun 2014 #13
Reminds md of the monks and priests in Jerusalem that control the sacred churches of Christianity. hrmjustin Jun 2014 #4
Looks like the turbans' colors signify certain sects. pinto Jun 2014 #5

muriel_volestrangler

(101,154 posts)
2. Or some women to tell them to stop waving their dicks around and making themselves
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 09:54 AM
Jun 2014

look ridiculous. I don't often resort to gender explanations, but I think in this case I see a bunch of men who are arguing about who is the 'manliest' of all of them, rather than commemorating a massacre.

marble falls

(56,359 posts)
6. I don't know, some rapists hung two lower caste women after assaulting them, a member of ....
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 04:30 PM
Jun 2014

the state government said that sometimes rape is all right. And another said, "boys will be boys."

I don't know that the list of what they might do to a woman, that while long, has anything like "listen and pay attention to women" anywhere on it.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
18. What does that have to do with how Sikhs view or treat women?
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 09:23 AM
Jun 2014

Do you think all Indians are misogynist assassins?

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
15. This post indicates a complete lack of knowledge of the roles of
Mon Jun 9, 2014, 08:42 AM
Jun 2014

women in Sikh communities.

It is startling in it's ignorance and prejudice.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
3. Did....
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 11:11 AM
Jun 2014

They lay sheets on the floor to catch blood in advance?

There is clearly a very ornate carpet installed as well.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
7. May have laid them down to account for foot traffic
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 11:19 PM
Jun 2014

nice rugs for when it's just the regulars, covered for when there are a bunch of guys coming from all over the place with insufficient door mats.

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
8. They may have also anticipated the possibility of an outbreak of violence as well.
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 02:52 AM
Jun 2014

If I had to guess, looking at the photos, it was more ritualistic than people actually trying to kill each other. The swords look completely blunted, no sharp edges. And they are making chopping motions, not sticking each other with the pointy ends.

I don't doubt it hurts to some degree, but it doesn't look like anyone is trying to actually kill anyone else. It makes me wonder if western journalism interpretation of the event is entirely accurate.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
12. Well, they aren't poking swords
Sat Jun 7, 2014, 01:47 PM
Jun 2014

they are chopping swords, used best from horse back (or camel, or Elephant. Not elephant, that's what the spears are for). They are probably ritual swords carried by people who don't practice with them, but steel can still hurt.

I still say they anticipated a bunch of crusty guys coming in off a thousand mile travel and covered the nice rugs for that...

 

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)
4. Reminds md of the monks and priests in Jerusalem that control the sacred churches of Christianity.
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 11:17 AM
Jun 2014

All they do is beat each other up.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
5. Looks like the turbans' colors signify certain sects.
Fri Jun 6, 2014, 01:20 PM
Jun 2014

I know next to nothing about the Sikh religion or its various factions.

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