Press Release – SCUK- Hate Attack Against Sikh

Sikh Council UK Urges Vigilance Following Hate Attack

The Sikh Council UK is shocked to hear of a vicious attack on a 24 year old male in Mold, North Wales on 14th January 2015. Sarandev Bhambra is reported to have been attacked in a supermarket by a man armed with a machete and a hammer shouting “white power”.

25 year Zack Davies from the King Street area of Mold was arrested at the scene and has been charged with attempted murder.

The attack left 24 year old Sarandev Bhambra from Yorkshire with serious but not life threatening injuries. Davies subsequently appeared before Wrexham Magistrates Court where he was remanded to custody to appear before Crown Court at a future date.

In a statement, North Wales Police has confirmed they are treating the incident as a hate related, racially and religiously motivated incident.

Sikh Council UK Community Safety Sub-committee Chair, Bal Kaur Sandhu said, “This was a horrifying and unprovoked attack on an innocent member of the public and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family. Mr Zac Davis terrorised the local shoppers who were going about their normal activity and we would be urging the Police to investigate how this extremist was radicalised toward committing such a horrendous crime”.

She added, “Following the recent terrorist attacks in Europe, we have seen a rise in hate attacks with victims coming from all communities. Often following such atrocities, Sikhs due to their visible identity have also faced attacks.

We totally condemn hate attacks against any person of any background and urge all Sikhs to remain vigilant and report any such crimes to the police authorities.”

 

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ress Release – SCUK – SCUK Position Vindicated on Caste Legislation

Sikh Council UK Vindicated on Caste Legislation Sikh Council UK notes the delivery of an Employment Appeal Tribunal verdict by HJ Langstaff in a caste discrimination case which vindicates Sikh Council UK position on ‘descent’ being a more appropriate protected category to be named in the Equality Act 2010.

The Sikh Council UK has consistently maintained that equality of all mankind and the rejection of any ‘caste’ system represents a founding principle of the Sikh faith. This principle as espoused by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith, rejects all systems or concepts of hierarchy based on caste, ritual purity, the four classes (varnas) as practiced by the Hindu tradition, occupation or any other hereditary or descent based factors.

During the debate to legislate against caste based discrimination, Sikh Council UK put forward five points that would protect against unintended consequences of legislation. These were:

1. The Sikh faith not to be referenced in any definition of caste as Sikhism had
previously been incorrectly linked with ritual purity in the definition of caste.
2. Consideration to be given to ‘Caste’ being replaced with ‘descent’ as the protected
category to be named in the legislation.
3. Caste to be excluded from equality monitoring requirements because to monitor
caste by asking service users and customers to identify would be offensive.
4. Legislation to contain a sunset clause to ensure a focus and urgency on removing
‘caste’ from the consciousness of all citizens.
5. To implement an education programme within effected communities to inform and
facilitate community initiatives to address any prejudices/practices in preparation of
legislation.

Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK, Gurmel Singh said, “The five points we had identified were to ensure there were no unintended consequences as a result of legislation. We wanted to ensure that we did not follow the example of India where caste

discrimination legislation rather than eliminating caste discrimination has actually entrenched caste identities and discrimination further.” He added, “At the time, both the Government and Opposition front bench accepted our rationale and provided for four of our five points either in legislation or in the ongoing work to implement the legislation. The tribunal ruling now gives a clear indication that not only is caste judiciable under current legislation but it is so because of the definition of racism in European legislation that follows the UN definition and covers ‘descent’.

According to the UN definition, ‘caste’ is included within ‘descent’ along with other specific categories.” Sikh Council UK is now calling upon the Government to immediately review the implementation of the legislation and to examine further the suggestion to use ‘descent’ instead of ‘caste’.

It is the responsibility of the Government to make sure they get the legislation right in light of all the available evidence and in a way that minimises the risk of unintended consequences.

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Press Release – SCUK 0115 – New Year Honours

New Year Honours List 2015

Amongst the honours awarded are a number of individuals who have between them many decades of dedicated service, who have excelled in their fields whilst creating a legacy for the community and who have done all this whilst staying true to their Sikhi identity.

Nationally known figures who have been awarded include:
 Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ji – principal of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha awarded an
OBE for services to interfaith and community cohesion
 Gurmel Singh – Chief Executive of National Sikh Museum, Derby awarded a MBE for services
to the community
 Bhai Fauja Singh – marathon runner extraordinaire awarded a British Empire Medal for
services to sport and charity
Other Sikhs awarded include:
 Surat Singh Sangha – Managing Director of Asiana Ltd awarded an OBE for services to
entrepreneurship
 Surinder Kaur Ghura – awarded a MBE for services to interfaith understanding and to the
community in Newcastle Upon Tyne
 Surinder Pal Singh Khurana – awarded an MBE for services to the community in North East
Lincolnshire

Sikh Council UK is also pleased to see that Ravinder Singh, Chief Executive of Khalsa Aid, on 29th December was recognised as ‘Sikh of the Year 2014’ for raising the Sikh profile on a global level by Social Educational Welfare Association in association with International Fateh Academy Amritsar.

Ravinder Singh was presented with his award by five Singh Sahib at an award ceremony held in Amritsar. Sikh Council UK is proud to acknowledge the achievements of Sikhs in every field and across the country and are pleased that Sikhs are being honoured by the state. We also know that there are so many others who give dedicated service to the community without expectation of any honour – truly the spirit of selfless sewa.

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ress Release – SCUK – Further disclosures in declassified

Further disclosures in declassified British Cabinet Papers

Cabinet papers from 1985 which have been declassified this week under the 30 year rule show Sikhs and India were discussed on a number of occasions and provide further insight into the British Government’s position on Sikhs during that period. The disclosures include a decision taken by the Cabinet to ban a Sikh march proposed to take place in London in April 1985 despite receipt of advice from the Metropolitan Police that the gathering posed no law and order risk. Other revelations include a decision to pressure Sikhs to re-name a local sports tournament following complaints from the Indian High Commission.

There are a number of references to trade with India and further description of Sikhs as extremists but no mention of the killings and human rights abuses in India which Sikhs in the United Kingdom were reacting to. The latest revelations follow recent disclosures from the Irish Government National Archives of comments made by Margaret Thatcher about Sikhs in Southall during Anglo-Irish peace talks.

Recent press reports also indicate that four files from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Cabinet Office relating to Sikhs and India from 1985 have been withheld from released to the public. Secretary General of the Sikh Council Gurmel Singh said “The latest revelations show that trade with India was a clear factor in determining the paradigm in which Sikhs were viewed by the British Government of that time and further strengthens the call for an independent enquiry into these matters”.

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Press Release – SCUK – Thatcher Comments in 1984

Thatcher Comments on Sikhs in 1984

The Sikh Council UK is concerned by media reports of comments made by Margaret Thatcher, the UK Prime Minister of the time in 1984. The comments are said to have been made in talks with the Irish premier, Garret FitzGerald prior to the Anglo-Irish Agreement and are detailed in newly declassified papers released by the National Archives of Ireland.

The uncovering of these comments by Margaret Thatcher comes after the disclosure in January 2014 of UK Government involvement in the Indian army assault on Sri Harmandir Sahib known as the Golden Temple that took place in Amritsar in 1984.

Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK, Gurmel Singh said, “From these comments and documents previously disclosed we begin to understand the prevailing mood of the time. It appears this was one in which trade and bilateral relations took priority and this in turn probably led to a situation in which Sikhs in the UK were viewed with suspicion and even as some sort of threat to the UK by the Government of the time.

” He added, “This would go a long way to explain how the Cabinet came to discuss withdrawing official support for a Sikh procession and could be the real reason why India was provided assistance prior to the attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib. We have been told that the Thatcher Government of 1984 was neutral in the whole process but this clearly calls that into question.”

Sikhs in the UK are seeking an independent inquiry into UK Government involvement and this revelation coming just a few days after the Indian Minister of Home Affairs, Rajnath Singh, publicly acknowledged that genocide of Sikhs had occurred in India in 1984, further strengthens the case for all facts to be revealed and examined in an independent inquiry

 

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Press Release – SCUK – Expresses Concerns on SIT Report Jodhpur

Sikh Council expresses concerns on SIT report in Jodhpur case

The Sikh Council has today expressed concerns with the report into the burning of Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Jodhpur In Punjab India produced by the Special Investigation Team which has concluded that the fire started due to an electric short-circuit in the Gurdwara.

The Sikh Council UKs Chair of Indian-subcontinent Affairs Committee Gurdial Singh Atwal said “The SIT report is contradictory with the previous reported comments made by local police officials that the incident was the result of a deliberate and targeted act of desecration and arson by a group of individuals in relation to whom all efforts would be made to apprehend them”.

Vice Chair of the Indian Sub-Continent Affairs Committee Jarnail Singh Dhaliwal added “This is not the first time a suspicious fire inside of a Gurdwara and burning of Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in Punjab in recent times has sought to be explained by the occurrence of an electrical fault. We call for a detailed and independent investigation to be conducted into the matter and for all the relevant evidence to be preserved in the interim”.

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Press Release – SCUK – Condemn Peshawar Terror Attack

Sikh Council UK Condemns Acts of Terror

Sikh Council UK today expressed solidarity with the people of Peshawar, Pakistan who are mourning the loss of 132 children and 9 of their teachers in an unimaginable act of terror.

Spokesperson for the Sikh Council UK, Gurinder Singh Josan said, “The deliberate targeting of innocent children and their teachers in this way is a despicable act and we utterly condemn it. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with the families and friends of those who were killed.

We cannot imagine the anguish they must be experiencing.” He added, “Those responsible for planning and carrying out this act of terror must be brought to justice. Our thoughts also go out to the families and friends of the two persons killed in the hostage situation in Sydney, Australia.”

The North West frontier region of Pakistan and Afghanistan are places that have seen an increase in intolerance and hatred towards others by the Taliban and their supporters. Sikh Council UK is aware of individuals from the Sikh community being killed, kidnapped and having their businesses shut down.

We are also aware of Sikhs in these areas being forced to pay a tax to local Taliban forces to continue to live in an area they have lived in for many generations in some cases.

The Sikh Council UK has recently held discussions with the Pakistan High Commission and senior representatives of Sikh Council UK recently visited and met with Sikhs in Pakistan to assess the severity of the threat to Sikhs in these areas. We will continue working for an end to intolerance and hatred and for Sikhs and all others to be able to live and practice their faith in peace wherever they may be in the world.

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Press Release – SCUK – Outrage over Deliberate Attack

Outrage over Attack on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Sikh Council UK joins the Sikh community in expressing outrage over the attack on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in a Gurdwara in Village Jodhpur, Tarn Taran, India.

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which had been properly instituted in the diwan of the Gurdwara, was set on fire and suffered severe fire damage in what appears to be a deliberate attack. The incidence, which took place on Monday 1st December has shocked the Sikh community the world over and led to calls for an immediate and substantial investigation by the authorities to determine the facts.

A number of people have reportedly been arrested by Police in connection with the attack. Latest reports suggest those arrested are linked with the Noormehl Dera of ‘Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan’ founded and previously led by the now deceased Ashutosh. The arrests have fuelled suspicion that the attack may be linked to clashes between Sikh protestors and supporters of Ashutosh in October and the ruling delivered on Monday 1st December by the Punjab & Haryana High Court that the body of Ashutosh should be cremated.

Ashutosh died in January 2014 but some followers have claimed he is in a deep meditation and have kept his body in a freezer apparently awaiting his return. Chair of the Indian Sub-Continent Affairs Sub-Committee of the Sikh Council UK, Gurdial Singh Atwal said, “We totally condemn this desecration and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. We are also concerned by apparent links with Ashutosh and his followers who have been the cause of much tension and provocation in Punjab and we would urge the authorities to address this as a matter of priority.”

Vice Chair of the Indian Sub-Continent Affairs Sub-Committee of the Sikh Council UK, Jarnail Singh Dhaliwal said, “The attack on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is very distressing for Sikhs.

Whilst we call for the strongest possible action against the perpetrators, we also urge the community to remain calm.” Sikh Council UK urges all Gurdwara Management Commit

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Press Release – SCUK – Lords Deregulation Ctte Debate

Sikh Council UK Thanked in Lords Debate on Turban Exemption

The Sikh Council UK was yesterday thanked in a debate on the floor of the House of Lords for its input into proposals to extend the exemption for turban wearing Sikhs from having to wear safety helmets. The debate came at the Committee Stage of the Deregulation Bill in the House of Lords following approval by the House of Commons.

Clauses 6 & 7 of the Bill allow for the current exemption that applies on construction sites to be extended to other workplaces. Sikh Council UK Secretary General, Gurmel Singh said, “The proposals debated by Peers came about following lobbying by the Sikh Council UK after Sikhs were subjected to disciplinary action including dismissal in workplaces not covered by the current exemption.

I am pleased the proposals are receiving cross party support and am also pleased that Peers are continuing to work with us to improve the Bill further.” The debate followed an amendment by Baroness Thornton on behalf of the Labour opposition during which she asked a series of questions including for the Sikh Council UK to be consulted and engaged in the provision of guidelines or changes in policy or procedures by Government and service providers. Lord Wallace of Saltaire responding for the Government agreed to provide written responses to the clarifications sought. Also speaking in the debate was one of the two turban wearing Sikh Lords, Lord Singh of Wimbledon who sits as a cross bencher. Lord Singh spoke passionately in support of the legislation explaining the significance of the turban.

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Press Release – SCUK – Free Schools Approved

Sikh Council UK Welcomes Approval of New Free Schools

The Sikh Council UK welcomed the announcement by Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP that two new Sikh faith ethos led Free schools have been approved to open in Redbridge, London and Wolverhampton. The Atam Academy will open in September 2015 in Redbridge, London and will be an allthrough school for pupils between ages 4 and 19.

The school will accommodate 1260 pupils when full. The British Sikh School will open in September 2015 in Wolverhampton. This is a secondary school and will accommodate 840 pupils between ages 11 and 19 when full.

Both schools will be based on Sikh principles but will welcome all children regardless of their faith. Sikh Council UK Secretary General, Gurmel Singh said, “I would like to congratulate the teams behind each of the Free school bids who will have worked extremely hard to put together successful bids.

I’m aware the process is a very challenging one with only a limited number of high quality bids being approved.” Gurmel Singh added, “The approval of a further tranche of Free schools led by the Sikh community is a recognition of the success of existing Sikh ethos schools around the country. Education provided by schools defined by their Sikh ethos or faith is second to none and is helping to raise the standard of education available in areas across the UK”

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