We are writing in response to several issues being brought to our attention during the past couple of months. Taken collectively these are matters of significant concern due to their adverse impact on community cohesion and reputation within the mainstream society.

There have been reports of violence within Gurdwaras, the police entering Gurdwara premises, contentious programmes, inflammatory speeches, threats of self-immolation, threats of violence, the raising of differences in doctrinal views in provocative terms, fake news social media postings, footage of ritual slaughter of animals and other such matters bringing the community into disrepute, exposing internal differences for others to exploit and endangering community cohesion.

These incidents have mainly arisen concerning matters on which there are historical differences of views within the Sikh faith and which have traditionally been recognised and tolerated as being part of a diversity of practices within the community in connection with the Sikh Rehit Maryada.

Sikh Council UK is the largest representative body of Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations in the UK and our mandate and aspiration is to seek to bring the UK Sikh community together in the best traditions of the Sarbat Khalsa model promoting cooperation, consensus and unity whilst respecting religious freedom and embracing diversity

In that context there have been calls for the Sikh Council UK to intervene or comment in these
cases. The Sikh Council UK is constitutionally mandated to mediate in cases of disputes where all
parties are agreeable to such intervention and we remain willing always to seek to bring parties
together.

We are appealing to all Sikhs to resist undertaking those activities or raising those matters of
doctrinal difference or dispute in a manner which heighten tensions and lead to divisions and
instead to focus on those activities which will lead to unity, progress and the betterment of the
community

Sikh Council UK does not and will not tolerate or condone criminal violence or intimidation or the
incitement of the same by anyone in the name of promoting any one view on Sikh doctrine
however sincerely that view is held. It is important for all of us to take responsibility to work

A young man walked into the Darbar Sahib Hall whilst paat was taking place. At the time there were about 50 members of the sangat in the Darbar hall.

The young man walked in wearing shoes and no head covering, he lit a cigarette as he walked in the Darbar Hall. The individual walked towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as he walked around towards the back from the left hand side a member of the sangat very quickly sought to apprehend him as he tried to reach out towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. During the struggle he managed to still leap forward enough to pull away the ‘Rumalla Sahib’, In doing so he has caused a tear in the Ang of the pavithar Saroop.

The young man freed himself and ran out. Some members of the sangat and Gurdwara Committee pursued him into the town centre and were able to detain him in a nearby supermarket.

The person has been arrested and kept overnight in custody to appear in magistrate’s court today. It can now be confirmed the person is already known to the police. Also we can confirm that the person is of Panjabi heritage and may have mental health issues.

As a consequence of this persons action a slight tear has taken place to the ‘Ang’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Arrangements have been made with Satkar Committee UK for taking away Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji for repair sewa of the Ang and full restoration.

The Secretary General of Sikh Council UK has personally viewed the CCTV footage and the damage to the Pavithar Saroop. It is apparent from the footage the whole incident took place in a space of a few seconds from the point of entry by the individual to when he ran from the premises.

Sikh Council UK will continue to apply utmost pressure on the police to bring about maximum charges possible

We shall continue to work closely with the Gurdwara Sahib and relevant authorities in keeping sangat updated on any developments.

7 th December 2015 formal launch of Safer Sikh Partnership took place in the UK Parliament at a special event hosted by Seema Malhotra MP The Safer Sikhs Partnership is a project developed by the Community Safety Sub-Committee of Sikh Council UK in response to calls from both those running Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations and users for an improvement in the levels of awareness and practice in safeguarding and support for vulnerable children and adults.

19 th December 2015 Board of Jathedar Meeting took place at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara Sahib Leicester to discuss the Modi visit. 18 th December 2015 arrest of Paramjeet Singh Pamma in Portugal campaign liaison with lawyers and SOPW.

Update note sent to members and contact details of Portugal Gurdwara Pardhan were provided to the family for local support

By way of update note sent to members 18th December 2015:

 We have been in liaison directly with Paramjeet Singh who is currently in
custody of Immigration in Portugal
 We are in close contact with his wife in Portugal
 Contact has been made with British Consulate in Portugal
 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have been alerted with full details
 Paramjeet has been provided with details of lawyers for his first court
appearance in the morning
 Sikhs For Justice lawyers consisting of Gurpatwant Singh are on their way
from USA to assist with the case.
 Relevant MPs have been alerted
 We will maintain ongoing communication with Paramjeet and his wife who is
currently with their young children in Portugal.
Further update later in the day
 FCO are in liaison with Immigration in Portugal and are now up to speed with
matters for tomorrows court appearance
 Just spoke to Gurpatwant Singh (Sikhs for Justice) -he is on-route to Portugal

27th December 2015 update briefing note

UK Resident Granted Asylum now Subject to Extradition Request in a Third Country TO: Members of Parliament, Members of European Parliament, Human Rights & Refugee Organisations

FROM: Secretary General & Head of Political Engagement SUBJECT: Wider Ramifications of the Case of Paramjeet Singh

Summary
* Paramjeet Singh is a long standing resident of the UK since 1999, granted asylum in 2000 due to persecution in India due to his political activities. He resides in the UK with a wife and four young children.
* In 2012 a red ‘wanted’ notice was issued against Paramjeet Singh at the request of the Indian government by Interpol in connection to the murder in India that took place whilst he was in the UK.
* On 18th December 2015, during a Christmas break with his family in Portugal he was arrested from his hotel and is awaiting extradition proceedings to India. He remains in Portuguese custody.
* Paramjeet Singh’s local MP, Rt Hon John Spellar MP, is actively pursuing the case.
* We are contacting you in relation to a wider issue – that the country from which asylum was granted can extend its reach, even years later, to have returned to its shores those who the UK authorities have accepted are in danger if returned there. This questions the veracity of the asylum process and the security of asylum status
for UK and EU residents.

Sikh Council UK requests:

1. MP’s to raise with the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, and the Home Secretary, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, the general principle in relation to asylum whereby an individual granted asylum in the UK should be deported back to the UK to face any extradition request from that same country.

2. MEP’s to raise the case with their counterparts in Portugal and within EU authorities and agencies as a matter of fundamental human rights. The UK has the largest Sikh population of any EU country and there is a responsibility on UK politicians and authorities to address such concerns that otherwise would remain unaddressed.

3. Human Rights and Refugee Organisations to firstly support the campaign against extradition and for Paramjeet Singh to be returned to the UK. Secondly, to lobby politicians, authorities and agencies in the UK, Portugal and the EU in support of the general principle that asylum is a recognition of the danger to that persons safety posed by the state from which asylum is granted and that extradition to that state should be judged by the state granting asylum with the paramount concern being the safety and well-being of the refugee.

Sikh Council UK made several media appearances to support the Pamma Case.

Efforts continued during this month predominantly on the campaign of arrest of Paramjeet Singh Pamma – below are some of the continued activities by Sikh Council UK

5th February 2016 supported the global Sikh Justice rally relating to the arrest of Paramjeet Singh Pamma

6th February 2016 Executive Committee during which discussion continued about actions and role of Sikh Council UK relating to the above campaign

6th February 2016 A National Sikh Seminar and dinner event called ‘Guru Nanaks Republic’ was organised by Sikh Council UK hosted by Leicestershire Sikh Alliance Honorary guest speakers included: Harinder Singh, Ex CEO Sikh Research Institute (Texas) Jagmeet Singh, Deputy Leader Ontario New Democrats (Canada). The event proved to be a great success with attendance of over 300 guests.

12th February 2016 Sikh Council UK gladly shares the breaking news of release of Paramjeet Singh Pamma Minister of Justice Francisca Van Dunem REJECTS India’s extradition request and immediately arrangement are made for the safe return to UK for Paramjeet who travelled later that evening along with the lawyers who successfully fought his case.

Sikh Council UK took up a matter with Learndirect assessment Centre in East Midlands after a candidate attending the centre to pursue her ‘Life in the UK test’ was approached disrespectfully when asked to remove her patka during security searches. Having written to the centre with the concerns raised they immediately offered a formal apology and agreed to relook at the protocol of handling such matters.

Airport search issue relating to the conduct during security searches at Debrecen Airport were taken further by Sikh Council UK having not had a satisfactory response from the security company responsible for searches or the aviation authority. Unfortunately having pursued this with consulate general of Hungary also bared no joy. Since such incidents where possible dastaar/patka wearing passengers are advised by Sikh Council UK to carry a copy of the EU regulation directive for European airport searches, when travelling.

Judo Association Policy; The Sikh Council UK worked closely with the Judo Association and a parent to agree a policy that will allow Sikhs wearing a patka to take part in competitions. Further work would be needed to get wider international acceptance.

19th April 2016: Representatives of the Council met briefly with the David Lelliot (British Consulate based in Chandigargh) during his visit to UK to raise the

13th April 2016: Representatives of the Council attended the Prime Minister Vaisakhi reception at Downing Street

16th April 2016: Following the terrorist Bomb attack on a Gurdwara Sahib in Essen, Germany the Sikh Council spoke to the representatives of the management committee to establish facts and provide support. We also wrote to the German Consulate in London and some German authorities expressing grave concern over the safety of the Sikhs

29 April 2016 Panjabi A Level and GCSE Saved: Sikh Council UK is delighted that a community campaign to secure the future for GCSE and A Level qualifications in Panjabi has been successful and that these qualifications will continue to be available.

In early 2015, exam boards announced their intention to stop offering GCSE’s and A Levels in various languages with Panjabi A Level being stopped from 2017. Following widespread concern and urgent representations by many in the Sikh community concerns were raised about these proposals. Just prior to the 2015 General Election the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP wrote to the exam boards to convey her concerns about their decisions to stop offering GCSEs and A levels in certain languages.

The campaign for a reversal of the decision by the exam boards has continued unabated and has now resulted in a decision to continue offering these qualifications. The campaign in the Sikh community has been supported by all sections of the community including individual pupils and parents, schools, Gurdwaras, Sikh organisations, Jathebandis and the Sikh media. Secretary General of Sikh Council UK, Gurmel Singh said, “I am delighted this campaign has been a success.

The importance of qualifications in Panjabi language cannot be understated and is a cornerstone in the preservation of our religious and cultural identity.” He added, “I urge parents to support Panjabi teaching both in mainstream and supplementary schools as a way of safeguarding the exams for the future. It is also crucial that we all use Panjabi both in spoken and written form across Gurdwaras, Sikh organisations and particularly in our homes to ensure the language remains live , recognised and valued.”

Chair of the Education Committee of Sikh Council UK, Jaspal Singh said, “Sikh Council UK joined with many others in pursuing this campaign. I would like to thank all those who participated, in particular the A Level Action Group (ALAG) and its key members (Gurjit Singh Gill, Dr J S Nagra, Ranjit Singh Dhanda, Harmeet Singh Bhakna, Nirmal Singh Kandhalvi, Niranjan Singh Dhillon) for all their hard work and role in coordinating this campaign.”