Homeless Sikhs In London...

[m4ndy]

Has anyone heard about this issue?

[VanHelsingh]

For many years. I think its the youngsters who come over from India and can't find work.

[SikhWorldTv]

11/12/2011 very sad situation, being talked about on Sikhchannel right now 1745hrs GMT - callers from many Gurughars and Sangat willing to help, send money, take into their own homes and help with air tickets.

When I watched the Live footage last night it shook my to the core these poor wretched souls are sleeping in filth under the freezing bridges in Southall!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=213324916455

[GurSa Singh]

The Gurdwaras need to step up and provide constructive support for these homeless Sikhs. There's about 30-40 homeless Sikhs/punjabis in the Ilford area and most now have an alcohol problem and some have drug habits too, so the situation is much more complex than just providing them with food and shelter. The local Redbridge council and church shelters provide them with blankets, clothing and often temporary accommodation (usually just overnight). Most of the Ilford homeless Sikhs sleep in the graveyard next to Karamsar Gurdwara, or a local park not too far from the town centre. The Ilford Gurdwaras and local Ilford Sikh sangat do not currently provide these homeless Sikhs with any regular support. There are some general food runs done by some local Singhs to the shelters but nothing specifically focused at the Sikh/Punjabi problem.

I met a homeless amritdhari Singh from Punjab in the City a few months ago who slept in a derelict building in Aldgate and spent most of the day trying to find work in market stalls or shops around Aldgate. He was on his own and had left Ilford as there was too much alcohol abuse amongst the homeless Sikhs in Ilford. He became homeless as he was unable to keep up paying rent in a "fauji" household due to the lack of continuous work. He was kicked out and tried to spend his days in Singh Sabha Seven Kings and Karamsar Gurdwara, eventually the local sangat and committee in both those Gurdwaras pushed him out as he smelt and could not wash. They wouldn't let him use the Gurdwara facilities to clean up.

About a month ago I met him again in the City and he was looking much more up beat. He was walking to Shepherd Bush Gurdwara everyday (a walk of around 10 miles), who were letting him wash his clothes and have a bath in the Gurdwara. He said that the committee at Shepherds Bush Gurdwara were very supportive and were helping him find work and promised him a room in one of the Gurdwara properties when he found work.

There are some Gurdwaras who do help the homeless and Central London Gurdwara in Shepherds Bush is one of them. I hope the other committees follow the examples set by this Gurdwara.

S.W.A.T. are also doing an excellent job raising awareness in Southall and have also started helping in the Ilford homeless problem too.

[gurdssingh]

Not just limited to London. Many cities with large Sikh communities. Many of these guys are illegal immigrants can't get housing, benefits apply for asylm etc. Lots and I mean lots have herion addiction crack is just a bonus if they make enough cash. Loads also drink alcohol.. Trust me they might say no I don't take drugs but loads do. Herion is what has plagued Punjab their its called smack even in UK it is aswell but the poor guys are ashamed of themselves and are in a downward spiral. Legitimate Punjabis who have right to stay in UK look down on 'FAUJI's', even though the ones who have their nose in the air don't speak a word of english don't know the ABC let alone orrah errah.

We need to help our own, more whites help illegal immigrants from Punjab than our own community.

[VanHelsingh]

What's a 'FAUJI'? The meaning of the word as I understand it is 'soldier' but is it being used to describe something else in this particular context?

[AnakinSkywalker]

Ok...from my conservative right wing perspective...why don't we contact the UK Border Agency and get them deported?...their plane tickets paid for by courtesy of the British Tax payer?

[VanHelsingh]

Ok...from my conservative right wing perspective...why don't we contact the UK Border Agency and get them deported?...their plane tickets paid for by courtesy of the British Tax payer?

They will accuse you of not giving them the opportunity that your father or grandfather had when they came to this country in order to make a life for themselves.

[Jallebi]

Why are SWAT and Sikh Channel not working together?

[DustOfTheSaintsFeet]

While there is space on the gurdwarra floor, there is 100% no reason these sikhs should be out on the street. It does not matter if people think they are ruining the look or experience of the gurdwarra. Would people prefer them sleeping out in the rain and the cold?

The selfishness of sikhs these days absolutely astounds me. The Gurus preached selfless service to the downtrodden- the Gurdwarra committees should hang their heads in shame.

What of all of the space in Havelock Rd gurdwarra? We have become no better than rich kings selfishly keeping our palaces while we look down on the beggars below and do nothing.