8 th October 2016 the first General Assembly of the 4th Administration took place at Guru Nanak Prakash Gurdwara Sahib – Coventry
29th October 2016 the first Executive Committee meeting of the 4th Administration took place at Ramgarhia Gurdwara Family Centre and Community College-Coventry
Progress
Preparations have been underway during this month where proformas were requested from members of the Executive Committee in expressing their interest to specific roles within the Committee. The closing date for this was 23rd October 2016.
Casework:
Sikh Council UK was approached about a query regarding the right to wear kirpan when attending court. However; it materialised the courts were not objecting to the wearing of the Kirpan but requested that the Kirpan is reasonably small and worn securely under garments. This issue was clarified to the individual who agreed that this requirement will be complied to
Sikh Council UK were contacted by a parent where her son was approached by the Head of a Grammar School in Manchester stating that beards are not part of school uniform and that the student aged 13 years would have to get it removed. The parents took this up with the school informing them that this is a religious requirement for Sikhs. The school asked for this to be confirmed in writing by a Gurdwara or Sikh Organisation. It appeared that the local Gurdwara Sahib had taken this up with the school in writing and confirming the religious reasons of keeping a beard within Sikhi. The school had not at the time of contact with SCUK responded to this causing much frustration for the parent who are now also facing a situation where the young lad who was approached by the school publicly in-front of peers has become self-conscious and is resenting having to keep a beard and why he has to look different. SCUK approached local representatives who have agreed to accompany the family to a school meeting and also spend time speaking to the young lad in instilling the pride of Sikhi and the unique identity in a positive way.
A case emerged where a lady working in school kitchens was asked to leave the premises if she was not willing to remove her patka ‘for hygiene reasons’ and replace this with the provided headgear. On refusal to remove her patka she was asked to leave immediately she challenged this as and requested to speak to the manager in informing them of the religious reasons for wearing of the patka. This matter was resolved through dialogue between them.
