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  1. What happened to Sikh sangat news?
  2. Basics of Sikhi Founder Jagraj Singh Diagnosed with Cancer By Sikh24 Editors - December 1, 2016 File Photo: Bhai Jagraj Singh LONDON, UK—Basics of Sikhi founder and CEO Bhai Jagrag Singh has been diagnosed with cancer, the Everythings 13 team announced earlier today. The news was unexpected and has left the Sikh sangat worldwide in a shock. Tests have revealed that Bhai Jagraj Singh has been diagnosed with stage four advanced cancer which has spread to his liver and is inoperable. The Everythings 13 team that runs Basics of Sikhi and other Sikh initiatives announced that Bhai Jagraj Singh might only have a few months to live. Better known for his “Street Parchar” Bhai Jagraj Singh started several initiatives in 2012 to raise awareness of the Sikh faith. Since then, he has trained dozens of parchariks worldwide. He has spoken at camps and events worldwide. Along with Basics of Sikhi, some of the other initiatives launched by him include the Amritsar Visitor Center, Sikh Press Association and the Mightly Khalsaproject. The Sikh Press Association is a media facing project providing publicity for the Panth. The project runs positive PR campaigns to raise the profile of Sikhs in the mainstream. Mighty Khalsa is a Sikh kids orientated educational books, games and apps project. “This news has come as a shock to us all and we’re sure the Sangat will have lots of questions and messages for Jagraj Singh. During this difficult time we request Sangat to respect the privacy of Jagraj Singh and his family. Please leave your comments on this post rather than private messages as he may not be able to answer. Your blessings and Ardaasan are gratefully welcome,” Everythings 13 team stated in a press release. Bhai Jagraj Singh shared the following message with the Sangat – “Only SatGuru Ji can give or take life away and they are never wrong, only perfect. In all the Seva that Guru Ji allowed me to do of his beautiful Panth, I’ve made many mistakes and I ask forgiveness from the Sangat. If the Guru’s message has touched you and you feel it’s the truth, I urge you to follow that truth and become a GurSikh as none of us knows how long we have left. Please do Ardaas that Guru Ji gives me a place in his Charan and keeps my family and the Panth in Chardi-Kala. May the Panth flourish, even if I am finished, this is pure joy for me.” A program is being organized at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Park Avenue, in Southall, from 6pm till 8pm to do ardas for Bhai Sahib. Similarly, Sikh Sangat worldwide is asked to do Chaupai Sahib jaaps and ardas for Bhai Jagraj Singh’s chardi kala. https://www.sikh24.com/2016/12/01/basics-of-sikhi-founder-jagraj-singh-diagnosed-with-cancer/#.WD_Yj-iIaf0 Devastating news. Edit: his account http://sikhsangat.com/index.php?/profile/29109-jaggasio/ Edit: Oh sorry, I'm late
  3. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/fatal-hit-run-driver-speeding-10634979 they should be deported scum bags
  4. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/blackmailer-jailed-using-photos-sex-10577770
  5. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3337985/Peter-Andre-described-unsatisfactory-witness-catastrophic-legal-dispute-saw-ITV-bigwigs-waste-10-million.html
  6. http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2015-10-21/candlelit-vigil-in-solidarity-with-punjab-protests/
  7. Waheguru ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh! Gurmukh Pyaareo, If you want to help get more media coverage of what is happening in Punjab, please take a moment to sign the following 2 petitions. One for the BBC and the other for VICE News. Vice news usually sends a crew to record from the ground what is happening. Petition 1: https://www.change.org/p/vice-news-cover-punjab-protests-and-police-state-brutality-from-the-front-lines-asap?recruiter=406618895&fb_ref=Default Petition 2: https://www.change.org/p/bbc-bbc-report-on-indian-govt-opening-fire-on-peaceful-sikh-rally-after-media-blackout-order?recruiter=404355212#petition-letter Thank you for the help. Media coverage will make a difference, hopefully we can get a non indian government view point out.
  8. http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/schoolgirl-facebook-blackmail-threat-student-10019671
  9. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3043829/Shocking-moment-driver-RAMS-man-street-furious-BMW-road-rage-east-London.html
  10. SIKHS HOPE TO INFLUENCE OVER 300 MPs ON BACK OF SIKH MANIFESTO London 15 April 2015 Following three launch events for the Sikh Manifesto in Southall, Smethwick and in the UK Parliament the Sikh Federation (UK) and Sikh Network has reached out to Gurdwaras and Sikh representatives in different regions. A series of visits and meetings have taken place in the last four weeks in the North East, Wales, South West and North West on the need to register to vote and how best to use the Sikh Manifesto. Next week Sikh Federation (UK) representatives will complete regional events with a meeting in Scotland. In September 2014 the Sikh Federation (UK) announced the Sikh Manifesto would be launched in January and the Sikh Network would be established to develop the Sikh Manifesto and consider strategy and progress over the next five years. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: We are in the process of helping establish a regional structure for the network that will cover each of the 12 UK regions. If Sikhs in each region, who have been identified, use the full spread of Sikh activists in each region it will be possible to quickly contact over 300 MPs through constituents after the 7 May General Election. He continued: The initial target was to be able to reach 100-150 politicians, but we have been overwhelmed with support from Gurdwaras and ordinary Sikhs across the country who share our vision and we are now looking at the real possibility of being able to contact and have influence with over 300 MPs. This will improve lobbying led by the Sikh Federation (UK) in both the UK Parliament and UK MEPs in the European Parliament. The network will be developed and supported so pressure can be systematically exerted on the demands set out in the Sikh Manifesto, relevant local issues concerning the Sikh community and any emerging issues over the next five years. The structure that is being developed will make the Sikh Federation (UK) supported by the Sikh Network unrivalled in the Sikh community in terms of political power and influence. Irrespective of the outcome of the 7 May General Election and who forms the next UK Government the Sikh Manifesto has completely changed the dynamics between the Sikh community and politicians. The phase after the General Election will be to engage with the next UK Government regarding the issues set out in the Sikh Manifesto. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UK Sikhs will be established and promises to be one of the largest groups with up to 200 MPs and also one of the most influential. The APPG will be directly supported by the Sikh Federation (UK) and Sikh Network. In a separate move a tough line will be taken with the main political parties over the next five years so we see several more Sikh Lords at the earliest opportunity and many more Sikhs who are proud to associate themselves with Sikh community issues having the opportunity to enter the House of Commons by securing winnable seats. A small number of MPs, mainly in safe Labour seats have to date shown limited interest in fully committing to the Sikh Manifesto. A Sikh Federation (UK) spokesman said: We will monitor the performance of around a dozen Labour MPs with respect to the Sikh Manifesto over the next two years and if they fail to deliver we will encourage Sikhs to join the local Labour Party in large numbers and we will work with others to de-select some of these MPs and put in place better candidates. Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary Sikh Federation (UK) www.sikhfeduk.com |sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk | facebook.com/Sikh Federation UK | twitter @Sikhfeduk
  11. Sikh Manifesto Hustings at Wolverhampton University on Thursday16 April from 6-8pm Please register and attend if you live in and around Wolverhampton. Listen to what your Prospective Parliamentary Candidates have to say on the Sikh Manifesto. Local and national media will be covering the event.
  12. 'The 2015 Vaisakhi message from David Cameron is excellent. This sort of message at Vaisakhi from the British Prime Minister would have been unheard of a few years ago.' 'British politicians are now talking about the Birth of the Khalsa and the Sikh community alone. This is down to the hard work of many organisations, including the Sikh Federation (UK) and many individuals working behind the scenes that are finally getting British politicians to appreciate what the Sikh Nation has to offer not just Britain, but the world.' 'No doubt the impending election on 7 May and the importance of the Sikh vote has focused the minds of leading politicians.' 'We look forward to an equally impressive Vaisakhi video message from Ed Miliband, especially if he hopes to become the next British Prime Minister.' Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HLll4XFgNVo
  13. Headlines from Ed Milibands visit to Leamington Gurdwara yesterday ITV Central and Sky News told in the morning the event at the Gurdwara was private. Why do Labour not want Sikh events to receive national mainstream media coverage? Whole event carefully stage managed by the Labour Party and Gurdwara Management Committee to stop proper interaction with the Sangat (congregation) and to try and avoid awkward questions. No filming or photographs allowed inside the Gurdwara other than those taken officially by the Labour Party these will be released today. Sky News still obtained footage of Ed Miliband in the Gurdwara that was privately recorded and this has been televised. Labour Party criticised for the way the event was handled. Watch last 20 seconds of news item on Sky News critical of Labour keeping out cameras from Ed Miliband's visit to Leamington Gurdwara http://news.sky.com//labour-would-abolish-non-dom-tax-stat Three Sikh TV Channels allowed to ask one pre-agreed question each in exclusive interviews at the end on Labours battle bus. Sikh Channel went first and focused on free schools and Sikh ethos schools (Section 5 of the Sikh Manifesto). Akaal Channel went next and to his credit Gurnam Singh did not stick to the script and specifically mentioned the Sikh Manifesto and managed to get Ed to say they would look into the need for an independent public inquiry into UK involvement into the 1984 Sikh Genocide if they get into power (Section 8 of the Sikh Manifesto). Not quite the same as backing an independent public inquiry, but Ed Miliband has gone further than before. Vice Chair for Sikh for Labour (Gurinder Singh Josan) tried to get Sangat TV thrown out of the battle bus. Sangat TV presenter stood his ground and managed to get Ed to make commitment to site in central London for monument for Sikh sacrifices in First World War (Section 6 of the Sikh Manifesto) and get to him to make partial commitment on Statutory Code of Practice for the 5Ks and Sikh turban (Section 3 of the Sikh Manifesto)
  14. http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/uk-world/video-watch-as-shopkeeper-defeats-axe-wielding-boomerang-boy-1.858730
  15. No such thing as umbrella bodies for Sikhs In the UK - Sikh Federation (UK) Responding to an article in the Times of India earlier this week on whether the Sikh Federation (UK) is an umbrella Sikh body. The following press release has been issued and is being sent to several newspapers. Umbrella bodies for Sikhs and other faith communities in the UK are a thing of the past. These bodies were traditionally encouraged by the UK Government and officials for representational purposes as they liked to deal with one or two community leaders in return for official patronage. The membership/leadership of these organisations has become elitist, often controlled by one or two individuals since being established and often lacking mass support. Rather than have umbrella Sikh bodies what you currently have is a number of active Sikh organisations with specialist areas of activity e.g. humanitarian aid, heritage, human rights, sexual grooming, raising awareness, political lobbying etc. In addition, you have national organisations with a local and national structure and mass support who regularly organise events and not just hold meetings. This is where the Sikh Federation (UK) stands alone as far as political activity and mass support is concerned. There is little doubt the Sikh Federation (UK) is one of the most prominent Sikh organisations in the UK. Ask ordinary Sikhs in the UK and abroad, the UK Government, UK Members of Parliament, the mainstream media or even the Indian High Commission in London and they will all confirm the Federation's credentials. The Sikh Federation (UK) is the only Sikh organisation that has been active in UK and European politics since being established in September 2003, but also regularly hold national programmes in Gurdwaras (monthly) and are capable of attracting thousands if not tens of thousands to events. No other Sikh organisation is comparable and that is why there is often jealousy. The Sikh Federation (UK) publish an annual highlights booklet and have done this since September 2003 setting out work under three headings These are all on the website: (http://www.sikhfeduk.com/about-us/Reports): - Building a stronger political voice in the UK and abroad - Defending and promoting the Sikh identity; and - Raising awareness and campaigning for human rights These are consistent with the organisations aims and objectives. No other organisation provides such transparency about its work. The latest initiative of the Sikh Manifesto, supported by a Sikh Network has many worried. Sikh organisations that have failed to realise the significance of the Sikh Manifesto and Sikh Network, UK politicians and political parties who realise Sikhs mean business and no doubt the Indian government and its supporters. The feedback from ordinary Sikhs and non-Sikhs in the UK and abroad is this is an excellent initiative that others are trying to copy. Another area where the Sikh Federation (UK) stands out is on social media. Some so-called 'umbrella' Sikh organisations have no Facebook accounts and no twitter accounts. Highlighting they are elitist in structure and showing they lack engagement and support. Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary Sikh Federation (UK)
  16. 'Sikh Manifesto' a Game-changer in UK Polls? By Harpreet Bajwa Published: 13th February 2015 CHANDIGARH: The comprehensive 10-point manifesto, which was unveiled by the Sikh Federation in the UK, barely three months before the European nation heads to the general elections in May could well prove to be a game-changer. And the Federation is also in the process of organising meetings with each of the main political parties next month to elicit their views on the manifesto. The federation and the Sikh Network that was established to produce and monitor progress on the manifesto over the next five years will tomorrow hold a follow- up event at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick in the West Midlands which is expected to witness the participation of 15- 20 MPs and PPCs from the 50 target seats. This will be followed by an event in Parliament on February 26 before the federation holds meetings with each of the main parties. The general elections appear to one of the UKs most unpredictable with what appears to be a significant shift towards the Scottish National Party and the emergence of the UKIP and to a lesser extent the Greens in England and Wales. Both the Conservatives and Labour are currently projected to fall short of an overall majority. Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation said, Many, who have studied the manifesto, the identification of 50 target seats and examined the voting strategy being put in place have been impressed and commented that the British Sikh community has politically come of age. The federation is in the process of organising meetings with each of the main political parties in March to establish their views on the manifesto while locally Gurdwaras and Sikhs are being encouraged to proactively use the manifesto to question the sitting MPs and those challenging them in around 120 constituencies. According to Amrik, the Sikh Manifesto, that was officially released on January 31 in London, is surprisingly far more innovative and far-reaching than the Jewish equivalent released a few days later. The impact of the Sikh Manifesto is expected to go far beyond the 50 target seats as some issues in the manifesto resonate much more widely with politicians and the public at large. For example, the issues of more effective representation in Parliament, positive action to prevent discrimination and addressing human rights violations, he said. http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Sikh-Manifesto-a-Game-changer-in-UK-Polls/2015/02/13/article2666513.ece
  17. RESPONSE TO SIKH MANIFESTO MAY PROVE DECISIVE IN OVERALL OUTCOME OF GENERAL ELECTION Sikh community may influence the outcome in more than 50 constituencies London - 11 February 2015 The Sikh Federation (UK) that is often referred to as the one and only Sikh political party in the UK has taken a huge step in producing and releasing a comprehensive 10-point manifesto three months before the General Election. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said: Many who have studied the manifesto, the identification of 50 target seats and examined the voting strategy being put in place have been impressed and commented that the British Sikh community has politically come of age. The Sikh Federation (UK) is in the process of organising meetings with each of the main political parties in March to establish their views on the manifesto whilst locally Gurdwaras and Sikhs are being encouraged to proactively use the manifesto to question sitting MPs and those challenging them in around 120 constituencies. Given the changed political landscape collective decisions taken by communities may prove far more important in May. The Sikh Manifesto that was officially released by the community on 31 January in London is surprisingly far more innovative and far-reaching than the Jewish equivalent released a few days later. The Sikh Manifesto has now been widely shared with MPs and Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) and is doing much to raise awareness of legitimate issues of concern. The impact of the Sikh Manifesto is expected to go far beyond the 50 target seats as some issues in the manifesto resonate much more widely with politicians and the public at large. For example, the issues of more effective representation in Parliament, positive action to prevent discrimination, tackling grooming, faith schools and addressing human rights violations have much wider appeal. On Saturday 14 February the Sikh Federation (UK) and the Sikh Network that was established to produce and monitor progress with the Sikh Manifesto over the next five years are holding a follow up event at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick in the West Midlands where 15-20 MPs and PPCs from the 50 target seats are expected to attend. This will be followed by an event in Parliament on 26 February before the Sikh Federation (UK) hold meetings with each of the main parties. The May General Election appears to one of the most unpredictable elections ever with what appears to be a significant shift towards the Scottish National Party north of the border and the emergence of UKIP and to a lesser extent the Greens in England and Wales. The Liberal Democrat vote and number of MPs are expected to drop considerably, but both the Conservatives and Labour are currently projected to fall short of an overall majority. Bhai Amrik Singh added: What the Sikh community decide to do in certain seats using the Sikh Manifesto is therefore more critical than at anytime in the past. Overall Sikhs may hold the balance of power in around 50 constituencies depending on the commitments by the main parties in the next two months. Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary Sikh Federation (UK) www.sikhfeduk.com |sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk | facebook.com/Sikh Federation UK | twitter @Sikhfeduk Notes: 1) The full version of the Sikh Manifesto is available using the following link: http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-manifesto 2) The West Midlands launch event is on Saturday 14 February 2015 at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, High Street, Smethwick, B66 3AP, between 1-3pm in the Lecture Theatre. The Sikh Manifesto was launched at Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Havelock Road, Southall on 31 January. It followed nationwide consultations and has been written with the May 2015 General Election in mind, but it is unlike the manifestos of the political parties. All Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are able to relate to the Sikh Manifesto as it collates the most important areas in which challenges remain for British Sikhs and progress is required. The event in the UK Parliament will be held in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House on Thursday 26 February between 3-5pm 3) Sikhs have one of the highest voter turnout ratios of all ethnic groups. The Sikh community has a 5-point election strategy: 1. Maximum Sikh voter registration by 20 April 2. Read and become familiar with Sikh Manifesto 3. Discuss Sikh Manifesto with all candidates 4. Maximum voter turnout at the election 5. Double our influence by encouraging non Sikh friends to vote with you We aim to increase voter registration and voting on Sikh issues. The Sikh Federation (UK) and the Sikh Network will work with the Sikh Gurdwaras and organisations to educate and inform all the community of the importance of voting and becoming more politically engaged and keeping the discussion focused with sitting MPs and PPCs primarily on the issues identified within the manifesto, with firm commitments from both candidates and party
  18. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2911950/UK-Border-Agency-officer-helped-fake-lawyer-boyfriend-immigrants-113-000-fund-gambling-habit.html
  19. Plea for inquiry over Thatcher documents A group representing British Sikhs has demanded a full inquiry into the relationship between Margaret Thatchers government and the government of India in the 1980s. It comes amid a raft of concerns from newly released cabinet papers including one that showed there were discussions surrounding an Asian sports event in the Black Country. The cabinet papers showed how Mrs Thatchers government had said it would try to persuade the BBC not to give much publicity to the Sikh Asian Games taking place in West Bromwich in the summer of 1985. The games were to be named controversially in honour of the Sikh bodyguards who assassinated former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She was killed by two of her bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, the Indian Armys June 1984 assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar which left the Sikh temple heavily damaged. Bhai Amrik Singh, chairman of the Sikh Federation, said: Despite David Camerons attempt in mid-January 2014 to limit the political damage by getting the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to produce and present a report to Parliament with unprecedented speed, we have been successful in winning the wider debate for a fuller independent inquiry and not letting this be brushed under the carpet. The terms of reference of Heywoods internal inquiry for David Cameron and the associated report were intentionally kept very narrow and limited to a time period that avoided the link between military assistance for the attack on our holiest shrine in return for increased trade with India. We said it would only be a matter of time before further revelations and the inevitable need for an independent public inquiry, he added. The newly released papers show that in February 1985 the Thatcher cabinet noted that in India resentment against the United Kingdom lingered on and that Indian feelings still ran high over the activities of Sikh extremists in the United Kingdom. And in Julys cabinet paper Mrs Thatcher is minuted as saying that urgent approaches should be made to Sandwell District Council, the University of Aston, the leaders of the Sikh community and other individuals who might have influence in the matter, in order to secure the withdrawal of the naming of the games for Mrs Gandhis alleged assassins. It went on to say: High level approaches should also be made to the BBC and other radio and television news organisations in the United Kingdom about the undesirability of major publicity for this matter. Last year it was revealed that in 1984 a British SAS officer had advised the Indian government before the Golden Temple assault, dubbed Operation Blue Star. However, it was said in Parliament that the officers advice to the Indian government was not followed.
  20. UK Sikhs shows the way to their Indian counterparts on Operation Bluestar Jagtar Singh January 2, 2015 Chandigarh, The Sikh leadership in Punjab and Delhi has always tried to sweep under the carpet the sensitive issues that concern the community except when these are to be exploited during the elections to seek votes. However, it is the Sikh community in United Kingdom that is now setting an example by coming out with the Sikh agenda for 2015 elections there. The issue of Operation Bluestar, the biggest tragedy faced by the Sikhs during the last more than a century, is to be at the core of this agenda. Going by the reports appearing in a section of the Media, the Sikh Federation which has a large following in England, has decided to demand inquiry into the role played by the Margret Thatcher government in Operation Bluestar. The Sikh community numbering about 700,000 is effective in about 50 seats. The Federation would come out with a Sikh manifesto for the elections to be held in May next. The Federation has decided to write to all the main political parties on the demands listed in the Sikh manifesto. The response of the political parties to this agenda would largely influence the decision making by the Sikh voters. It may be mentioned that a storm had been created when certain papers were released by the British government relating to the advice sought by the Indian government in executing Operation Bluestar, the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar by the army in June, 1984 to flush out Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his armed associates. Hundreds of innocent men, women and children were killed in that Operation that left permanent scars on the Sikh psyche. However, the Sikh leaders from time to time have been trading over this tragedy of immense magnitude. Despite that fact that Punjab is having fourth Akali Dal government, the exact number of the people who died is still not available. It is a different matter that the law and order is a state subject. After Operation Bluestar, the next big tragedy was the planned killing of the Sikhs in Delhi following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by her two Sikh security men. Sikh men were burnt alive and their women raped. Justice still eludes the victims. The Narendra Modi government announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the victims. But then this has to be seen in the context of forthcoming elections to the Delhi Assembly. The irony is while it is the BJP government that has announced the compensation, the Shiromani Akali Dal, the alliance partner, is just bargaining for a few seats rather than setting any Sikh agenda. The Sikhs are decisive in about two dozen Assembly seats in Delhi. Articulating the Sikh view in Delhi are the Delhi Akali Dal, the Shiromani Akali Dal and then there is the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee. However, going by the past history, the concern of the Sikh leadership about the victims has only been superficial. The Akali Dal parades them in Punjab during elections. In Delhi also, it is the same exercise. For the last several years, these victims who participate in these demonstrations have started charging from the organisers after realising that it was their tragedy that was being exploited by these unscrupulous leaders. The Akali Dal extended unconditional support to the Bharatiya Janata Party to form the government at the centre in 1996. Perhaps this was the biggest blunder. That was the time to dictate terms. For years, Parkash Singh Badal used to claim that it was only the Akali Dal that had extended unconditional support to the BJP and that the bond between the two parties was everlasting. That bond is now under strain. The people has a right to know as to who gained from that unconditional support offered by the Akali Dal when the party could press for judicial probe into Operation Bluestar and the November 1984 killings of the Sikhs in Delhi and other states. But then even at the cost of repeating, it may be recalled that Badal backtracked from the poll promise of his own party in 1997 to order a judicial probe into the turbulent period in which thousands of lives were lost. This issue becomes all the more relevant now when the Akali Dal is exhibiting the pretence of going back to the Panthic agenda after harping on the development agenda for the last seven and a half years which has failed to yield any results. The Sikhs are a global community and the Sikh issues are alive in UK, USA and Canada. Of course, the Sikhs have never looked back in history, even after Guru Gobind Singh made the supreme sacrifice by way of the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur and his four young sons, two of whom were bricked alive. But then Operation Bluestar and the situation that followed needs answers. The Sikh leadership in Punjab and Delhi has been characterised by escapism. It is the global Sikhs who are now showing the way. It is time for the Sikh leadership in Punjab to learn some lessons. It is never too late. Senior journalist and author Jagtar Singh is rooted in vast professional experience spanning more than 35 years, starting his career with The Indian Express in Chandigarh, the paper he worked with for about quarter of a century beginning 1978 covering religio-political dynamics of Punjab.
  21. British Sikhs demand inquiry into Thatcher govt's role in 1984 Operation Bluestar Kounteya Sinha, Times of India, Jan 1 2015LONDON: The British Sikh community has warned political parties going into general elections in May this year that failure to initiate an independent public inquiry into whether the Margaret Thatcher-led British government provided military assistance to India in planning Operation Blue star 30 years ago, will cost them the all-important Asian vote. The Sikh Federation (UK) said on Thursday that it will be releasing the Sikh Manifesto 2015-2020 and naming a prioritised list of 50 target seats where the 700,000 strong Sikh community can determine who is elected in May 2015. The Federation is also sending letters to the leaders of each of the main political parties to clarify their positions by March 31, with regards to demands set out "in the Sikh Manifesto so the British Sikh community can be advised on the merits of each of the political parties". Bhai Amrik Singh, the chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said "Despite David Cameron's attempt in mid-January 2014 to limit the political damage by getting the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to produce and present a report to parliament with unprecedented speed, we have been successful in winning the wider debate for a fuller independent inquiry and not letting this be brushed under the carpet". "We said it would only be a matter of time before further revelations and the inevitable need for an independent public inquiry. By the time of the 30th anniversary of the June 1984 massacre we had already secured the support of over 200 UK politicians - MPs, MEPs, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, MSPs and Welsh Assembly members from nine political parties. With the General Election around the corner this number is expected to double in the next few months". The Federation said "Last week newly-released files from the Irish National Archives under the 30-year rule have revealed how Margaret Thatcher in November 1984 was paranoid about British Sikhs. It is hugely surprising Thatcher would bring up the Sikh question while discussing Irish nationalists". Fearing a backlash from the politically active Sikh community in UK, British prime minister David Cameron recently asserted that there was "absolutely no direct involvement" of the Margaret Thatcher government in the planning of the infamous attack by the Indian Army to flush out militants from the heart of the revered Golden Temple. Staring at a general election in 2015, Cameron realizes that offending Britain's 430,000 strong Sikh population could be political suicide. Cameron said "Around 30 years ago, a great tragedy unfolded at the Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Many lives were lost and the scars in the Sikh community still run deep. So when documents came to light a few weeks ago raising the possibility that the then-UK Government was involved in the Indian Army's operation, I immediately set up an inquiry to find those answers." Cameron added "I hope the manner in which we have investigated these dreadful events will provide some reassurance to the Sikh community, here in Britain and elsewhere." Britain's 2011 census says UK is home to nearly 4.3 lakh Sikhs of which 4.2 lakh live in England alone. In comparison, the 2001 Census showed 3.36 lakh Sikhs were settled in UK - a 28% increase in just a decade. The community was also found to be very politically active. Around 3 in 4 Sikhs have voted in different elections in the last 4 years. Around 2 in 3 voted in the 2010 general elections.
  22. PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR INDEPENDENT PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO ROLE OF THATCHER GOVT IN MID-1980s WITH RESPECT TO BRITISH SIKHS Following the latest disclosures and information withheld London - 1 January 2015 The latest disclosure of Cabinet papers from 1985 and information being deliberately withheld is giving new momentum to the British Sikh community in calling for an independent public inquiry into the role of the Thatcher Government in the mid-1980s. The Sikh Federation (UK), the Sikhs own political party in this country, has been leading calls for an independent public inquiry since the shocking revelation that 30 years ago the Thatcher-led British government provided military assistance in planning the June 1984 massacre of thousands of innocent Sikh pilgrims at the Sikhs’ holiest shrine, Sri Harmandir Sahib, popularly referred to as the Golden Temple. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said: ‘Despite David Cameron’s attempt in mid-January 2014 to limit the political damage by getting the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, to produce and present a report to Parliament with unprecedented speed, we have been successful in winning the wider debate for a fuller independent inquiry and not letting this be brushed under the carpet.’ ‘The terms of reference of Heywood’s internal inquiry for David Cameron and the associated report were intentionally kept very narrow and limited to a time period that avoided the link between military assistance for the attack on our holiest shrine in return for increased trade with India.’ ‘We said it would only be a matter of time before further revelations and the inevitable need for an independent public inquiry. By the time of the 30th anniversary of the June 1984 massacre we had already secured the support of over 200 UK politicians - MPs, MEPs, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, MSPs and Welsh Assembly members from nine political parties. With the General Election around the corner this number is expected to double in the next few months.’ ‘Whilst the Conservative led Coalition weathered the initial storm we predicted this would become a major issue for the Sikh community in the May 2015 General Election as the Coalition had failed to come clean and share the truth of how the British Sikh community were not only let down by the UK Government 30 years ago, but also systematically demonised at the request of the Indian authorities in exchange for promises of trade.’ Later this month the Sikh Federation (UK) will be releasing the Sikh Manifesto 2015-2020 and naming a prioritised list of 50 target seats where the 700,000 strong Sikh community can determine who is elected in May 2015. Letters are also being sent today to the leaders of each of the main political parties to clarify their positions by 31 March with regards to demands set out in the Sikh Manifesto so the British Sikh community can be advised on the merits of each of the political parties. The Conservative led Coalition is expected to come under increased pressure next week when Parliament returns to respond with a wider independent inquiry or risk alienating the vocal British Sikh community in the crucial run up to the May 2015 General Election. Following the latest revelations the Liberal Democrats may break ranks and choose this opportunity on the eve of the General Election to back an independent public inquiry. A number of Labour MPs are preparing to raise the latest revelations in Parliament and there is already pressure on the Labour Frontbench to beat the Conservatives to it by formally confirming that if they come to power they will hold a wide-ranging independent public inquiry into the role of the Thatcher Government in the mid 1980s. Revelations from November 1984: Last week newly-released files from the Irish National Archives under the 30-year rule have revealed how Margaret Thatcher in November 1984 was paranoid about British Sikhs. It is hugely surprising Thatcher would bring up the Sikh question while discussing Irish nationalists, but this reflects her mindset following Indian Government pressure to silence Sikhs in the UK in the wake of the Genocide of Sikhs in June and November 1984. On Sunday 18 November 1984 British Sikhs wanted to celebrate the birth of the first Sikh Guru by holding a religious in London. However, Margaret Thatcher, Geoffrey Howe and Leon Britton feared Sikhs may use the occasion to raise voices of protest regarding the truth of the November 1984 Sikh Genocide. The Foreign Secretary, Geoffrey Howe stated in a full Cabinet meeting on 15 November 1984 that if the religious procession took place on 18 November ‘it would create the danger not only of inter-communal violence in the United Kingdom, but of profoundly serious repercussions on relations between the United Kingdom and India including, for example, a possible trade boycott.’ There was no possibility of inter-communal violence; the only worry was trade with India. The minutes of the Cabinet meeting on 15 November show Geoffrey Howe stated: ‘In view of the importance of the British political and commercial interests at stake, it would be necessary to explore every possibility of preventing the march from taking place.’ Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister summed up the discussion by stating: ‘that the Government, faced with the possible consequences of a Sikh march in London, should not remain passive’ and suggested even a postponement of the religious procession ‘offered no satisfactory solution’ implying there should be a ban. The Cabinet meeting minutes of 22 November 1984 shed more light on Indian Government pressure. Geoffrey Howe stated: ‘the British High Commission in New Delhi had reported continuing threats in Indian governmental circles of a trade boycott in the event of behaviour by the Sikh community in the United Kingdom which the Indians might regard as provocative. This posed a serious risk: export contracts worth £5 billion could be at stake. The march by Sikhs in Central London, which had been due to take place on 18 November, had been banned (by the Home Secretary).’ Revelations from 1985: Reading the various papers, you get the impression that Sikhs in Britain were religious extremists wanting nothing less than the violent overthrew of the Indian state by all means and establishment of a separate Sikh state with no mention of the 1984 ‘Genocide’ acknowledged last week by the Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh. On Valentines Day in 1985 the Cabinet met to note down the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ ‘irritation over the activities of Sikh extremists.’ Soon, alarm bells start ringing at a meeting held at 10 Downing Street to discuss the ‘Sikh demonstration in Hyde Park’ set for 8 April. ‘The Indian Government would not readily understand an apparent failure by the British Government to contain the activities of such extremists to their sedition purposes and the risk of damage to Anglo-Indian relations was very considerable.’ ‘It was the clear view of the Cabinet that it would be in the public interest that the rally should not take place.’ At the 25 April 1985 Cabinet meeting the mask slips off with discussions about the sale of the Westland Helicopters to India, which points to the very reason why, in the end, the Thatcher government was so obsessed with appeasing New Delhi. More shocking, the 6 June 1985 Cabinet meeting leads with the topic of ‘Sikh violence’, referring to the peaceful protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on the 1st anniversary of the attack on the Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple. Beside one arrest for burning an Indian flag, no other incident, or any violence took place. On 25 July 1985 the Sikh Sports Tournament due to take place in West Bromwich is discussed. These were no Olympics and no threat to the Indian state, but as the organisers named the tournament in honour of former Indian PM, Indira Gandhi’s assassins Margaret Thatcher hurriedly sent her advisors to exert ‘heavy pressure’ on the organisers to retract the names. Information being deliberately withheld The David Cameron government has withheld the release of Punjab-related documents for 1985 and 1986 from a large cache of official documents declassified earlier this week. Four files related to India have been withheld: three from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) listed as ‘temporarily retained’, and one from the Cabinet Office described as ‘retained under section 3(4) of the Public Records Act, 1958. The three PMO files withheld are: ‘Visit to UK by LK Jha, member of the Brandt Commission and adviser to Indira Gandhi: meetings with Prime Minister’ (04/07/1983-21/03/1985); ‘UK/Indian relations: situation in Punjab, activities of Sikh extremists; proposed visit to UK by Rajiv Gandhi in June 1985; part 4’ (05/03/1984-22/05/1985); and ‘Assassination of Indira Gandhi, October 1984: Prime Minister’s visit to India to attend funeral’ (31/10/1984-12/12/1984). The Cabinet Office file withheld is listed as ‘India: Political’ (04/05/1979-08/08/1985). Gurjeet Singh National Press Secretary Sikh Federation (UK) www.sikhfeduk.com |sikhfederationuk@yahoo.co.uk | facebook.com/Sikh Federation UK | twitter @Sikhfeduk
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