Sikh Council call on Prime Minister to Lobby for Prof. Bhullar

[Pyara 288]

Sikh Council UK

…PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE… PRESS RELEASE…PRESS RELEASE…

Sikh Council call on Prime Minister to Lobby for Prof. Bhullar

Representatives of the Sikh Council UK yesterday (18.04.13) attended a reception to celebrate Vaisakhi at 10 Downing Street. During the reception they presented a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron thanking him for all the good work the Government is doing in respect of Sikhs and requesting him to make representations to the Indian Government about the case of Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar.

The Vaisakhi reception at 10 Downing Street was being held for the third year running and Sikhs from across the UK have been invited to attend. The event comes after the visit by Prime Minister David Cameron to Amritsar and two recent debates in the UK parliament about British Sikhs and the death penalty in India.

Gurmel Singh, Secretary General said, “I wish to put on record my appreciation for the excellent work being carried out by the Government and other parliamentarians on behalf of and with British Sikhs. I also take this opportunity to congratulate everybody on the occasion of Vaisakhi and to express the appreciation held by the British Sikh community for hosting and organising today’s event.”

The event was attended by around 200 invited guests from around the UK with the highlight being a Kirtan recital by 20 youngsters from the Gurmat Sangeet Academy from Leamington Spa. This was followed by an Ardas performed by Giani Charanjeet Singh who is the Head Granthi at Gurdwara Sahib Leamington & Warwick. Giani Ji, said “this was the first time the Sikh Ardas has been performed at the British Prime Minister’s residence, I am humbled and very proud that we were able to pray together in the spirit of, sarbat the Bhalla”.

Parminder Singh Birdi said, prime minister spoke sincerely and recognised the immense contribution that British Sikhs make to the United Kingdom and he paid Sikhism ultimate respect by endorsing the Sikh values of Namm Japna ( Meditation), Kirat Karni ( Earning honest living) and Vand Shakna ( Sharing with needy)”

During the event, a letter was presented to Prime Minister David Cameron, congratulating him and his Government on recent events and highlighting the issue of Prof. Bhullar whose appeal to commute his death sentence has been refused by the Indian Supreme Court. The letter explained the concerns of the Sikh community and other human rights organisations and asked the Prime Minister to make representations to the Indian Government on this issue.

Gurinder Singh - Spokesperson said, “Prof Bhullar’s death sentence has been the subject of a great deal of concern amongst the Sikh community. We have recently had a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission, a lobby of Parliament and a demonstration is continuing outside Downing Street. Whilst this event was organised as a celebration of Vaisakhi, I felt it appropriate to let the Prime Minister know of our concerns.”

He added, “Many MP’s have been working very hard on this in recent days including Paul Uppal MP and John Spellar MP who have both been in liaison with the Foreign Office and are hopeful of a constructive dialogue between the British and Indian Governments to advance this most sensitive of issues.”

END

The Sikh Council UK (SCUK) is the largest representative body of Sikhs in the UK. We are recognised as the national advocate for British Sikhs in the United Kingdom and at the European Union.

For information, please contact:

Spokesperson Gurinder Singh: 07967 680635

Or email: info@sikhcounciluk.org