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Anyone Know More About This - Birmingham Sikh Being Attacked By The Usual.


Ranjeet01
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Most public statements are put on the Sikh Facebook Page - Please follow. Around 20 -25 posts a week

Every year an annual highlights booklet (40-50 pages) is published and also put on the Sikh Federation (UK) web site. Please see previous reports for statements on grooming.

Roundtable meeting with Sikh organisations was on 9/3/15 - Sikh Federation (UK), Sikh Council UK, Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO), British Sikh Consultative Forum (BSCF) and City Sikhs Network (CSN) were represented. Network of Sikh Organisations and Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha failed to attend. Three topics discussed - hate crime targeting Sikhs (following latest attack on Sikh in Tescos in Mould, Wales, matters raised with the Foreign Office by the Sikh Federation (UK) - recognition of events of 1984 as Genocide, Sikh political prisoners etc. and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and grooming.

Sikh Council (UK) & Sikh Federation UK were at meeting on 24/3/15 to discuss CSE and grooming. Others invited were NSO, BSCF, FSO, GNNSJ and CSN. Five Sikhs were at the meeting and the agreed action was as follows:

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No representation from Sikh Awareness Society at these CSE / grooming discussions ? If not its a massive oversight considering that the SAS have been at the forefront of tackling this issue for the last decade. I.e before the other organisations jumped on the bandwagon.

I have personally met the the Sewadars of SAS they are up against it in terms of time and resources. What ever their reason was for not attending the meeting I have no doubt it was valid.

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I have personally met the the Sewadars of SAS they are up against it in terms of time and resources. What ever their reason was for not attending the meeting I have no doubt it was valid.

I was just checking whether SAS had been invited or whether they were consulted or involved in the process. I don't doubt SAS's commitment to the cause I know of the tremendous amounts of seva they put in.

These other organisations that have previously been silent for 10 years suddenly are interested as they know its a big issue now and a chance to steal some media attention and limelight. Where were they for the last 10 years when SAS were amongst the only ones representing the cause and of course Shere E Punjab in the 80's.

Back on topic though, the media coverage of the actual video basically states that a Sikh male was attacked in what had been suggested may be a racially motivated attack so the police are investigating. Now this may well be true. How exactly does this equate to "irresponsible" coverage by the media ? A rather flawed and poorly concieved press release by Sikh federation in my opinion.

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I was just checking whether SAS had been invited or whether they were consulted or involved in the process. I don't doubt SAS's commitment to the cause I know of the tremendous amounts of seva they put in.

These other organisations that have previously been silent for 10 years suddenly are interested as they know its a big issue now and a chance to steal some media attention and limelight. Where were they for the last 10 years when SAS were amongst the only ones representing the cause and of course Shere E Punjab in the 80's.

Back on topic though, the media coverage of the actual video basically states that a Sikh male was attacked in what had been suggested may be a racially motivated attack so the police are investigating. Now this may well be true. How exactly does this equate to "irresponsible" coverage by the media ? A rather flawed and poorly concieved press release by Sikh federation in my opinion.

Agree with the above, SAS has been going since 1998, Shere Panjab came to prominence during the 1980s.

In the video I saw one Sikh being attacked with no let up by a number of violent individuals intending to cause maximum harm. If the Sikh killed an attacker as far I am concerned it was self defence and I would have had a whip round for his legal funds and signed any petition necessary. Bypassers acted shamefully by not intervening. If the incident was at Broad Street then why did the security door staff not intervene? If I was the Police one of the tasks I would be involved in is asking the security door staff for statements. If it has been shown they did not intervene for no legitimate reason strip the company and individuals of their licence?

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I was just checking whether SAS had been invited or whether they were consulted or involved in the process. I don't doubt SAS's commitment to the cause I know of the tremendous amounts of seva they put in.

These other organisations that have previously been silent for 10 years suddenly are interested as they know its a big issue now and a chance to steal some media attention and limelight. Where were they for the last 10 years when SAS were amongst the only ones representing the cause and of course Shere E Punjab in the 80's.

Back on topic though, the media coverage of the actual video basically states that a Sikh male was attacked in what had been suggested may be a racially motivated attack so the police are investigating. Now this may well be true. How exactly does this equate to "irresponsible" coverage by the media ? A rather flawed and poorly concieved press release by Sikh federation in my opinion.

Press Release was by Sikh Press Association, the Sikh Federation (UK) was asked for a quote.

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I have personally met the the Sewadars of SAS they are up against it in terms of time and resources. What ever their reason was for not attending the meeting I have no doubt it was valid.

The important point is the Sikh Manifesto and the initial meetings before the General Election have created the opportunity for Sikhs collectively working on this issue to come up with areas where the government can assist to tackle this issue.

The Sikh Federation (UK) suggested the Sikh Council UK invite the leading organisations involved in this issue to roundtable discussions this month and come up with the submission to government by 30 April. We can extend this deadline, but will want to have something ready by mid-may at the latest for the incoming administration.

The Sikh Federation (UK) would expect the Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Helpline etc. to be at the forefront of the suggestions and proposal. The Federation is merely facilitating and has been challenging the likes of Lord Singh who has been quoted in the press to say this issue is not important enough to be in the Sikh Manifesto.

The exchanges between the Sikh Federation (UK) and Lord Singh on another forum will be reproduced here.

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Exchanges on the Sikh News Discussion forum between 17-19 March that are relevant to the grooming/conversion issue are below.

Hate attacks targeting Sikhs and our institutions (possibly through mistaken identity) were discussed at the first roundtable meeting with the UK. Government. The facts surrounding the attack in Tescos in Mould, Wales were fairly clear cut. There was a Sikh victim in hospital and someone arrested.

If you are serious and want action to be taken a 30 second video and media publicity mainly by the tabloids without establishing the facts is just not sufficient. The circumstances and timing of the attack on the Sikh man in Birmingham are far from clear. The victim has not come forward, the perpetrators of the attack have not been arrested and the circumstances surrounding the attack are still unclear.

Post by the Sikh Federation (UK) on 17 March 2015

Sikh Manifesto causing a stir in India as well as the UK

On 16 March the Times of India carried another article on the Sikh Manifesto. So-called liberal Sikhs have questioned the need for the manifesto to touch upon grooming and forced conversions.

Prof Pritam Singh, Dilbagh Singh Chana, Mahender Singh Dhaliwal and even Lord Indarjit Singh who should know much better, appear not to have a clue what is happening in the real world.

They need to read the June 2013 Home Affairs Select Committee Report: ‘Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming’ and follow the news in the last 5 years on localised grooming.

The Home Affairs Select Committee report commenting on the 'scale and prevalence' of child sexual exploitation stated 'the growth of the internet, and in particular social media which are popular among children, has created a new form of 'stranger danger', in the form of on-line grooming, and awareness has been raised about the need to keep children safe online.'

Localised grooming, the subject of the Home Affairs Select Committee report, has been recognised only very recently, in the wake of the Operation Retriever case. This took place in Derby in 2010 and involved 13 defendants who had worked together. They were jailed in total for up to 22 years for 70 offences. These were the first prosecutions for Child Sexual Exploitation.

The Times of India should find more reliable academics that Prof Pritam Singh who said that this 'may have been an issue a decade ago' and this 'did not deserve to be on the community's agenda'. They should talk to younger Sikhs, younger academics and those on the front line tackling grooming and forced conversions and not a group of out of touch old men with an average age that may be in the 80s.

Last Monday the UK Government held its first roundtable meeting with Sikh representatives where child sexual exploitation/grooming was one of three items featured on the agenda. They have asked for a further meeting later this week or early next week specifically on this issue suggesting those who have produced the Sikh Manifesto (the Sikh Federation (UK) and Sikh Network) are more in touch with the issues that matter today to the Sikh community and UK Government.

Also before the Times of India incorrectly suggest the 1984 Sikh Genocide may be of less importance they should also report on the one-hour meeting last Thursday with Hugo Swire, the UK Foreign Minister who deals with India where the only subject on the agenda was 1984.

Similarly Sikhs belonging to the Sikh Network met with the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) last Friday and raised the issue of the permanent monument in Central London to recognise Sikh sacrifices in the First World War. Others were raising issues with Ed Milband, the Labour Party leader, the next day at the conference in Birmingham. The Sikh Federation (UK) supported by the Sikh Network is showing it has the resources, skills and people on the ground to actively engage with politicians across the UK.

Jasvir Kaur

Sikh Federation (UK)

Press Officer

Post by Dr Amarjit Singh on 17 March 2015

The writings of the Press Secretary of the Sikh Fededration UK should be sent to the Editor of The Times of India.

I see this is an excellent response to the article published in his paper. I do not agree with Pritam' comments.

Dr Amarjit Singh UK

Post by Gurmukh Singh on 17 March 2015

Dear Jasvir ji

Recently, I was told at a "high level" forum that if you remove all traces of "Sikh Federation UK" from the Sikh Manifesto, then most "moderate" UK Sikhs would support it after actually reading it !

Can I please ask SF UK to do nishkam gupt seva next time, like most "moderate" Sikhs.

Gurmukh Singh

gupt Sewa UK

Post by Lord Singh on 18 March 2015

It is good that the Sikh Federation have become aware of the problems of child grooming. But their Federation’s tortured logic is faulty in concluding that that others including Lord Singh don’t ‘have a clue about the problem’.

To put the record straight I would like to mention a few initiatives that I and the NSO, sometimes in joint action with the Sikh Media Monitoring Group, the Sikh Awareness Society and the Hindu community, have taken over the last 15 years.

· Special meetings with the Interfaith Network UK

· Presentation to the Children’s Commissioner

· Addressing a seminar organised by the police in Hounslow Singh Sabha Gurdwara

· Convening special meetings with the DCLG

· Broadcast on the issue on BBC Thought for the Day listened to by millions including most politicians

· Drafting a lead letter in the Times) a couple of weeks ago co-signed by the Sikh Media Monitoring Group, the Sikh Awareness Society and the Hindu community which resulted in positive editorial comment

· Appearing on the BBC Sunday Programme to debate issues with a Muslim

I would like to see a comparable list of Federation initiatives in this area. The Federation should grow up and instead at sneering at sister organisations, learn to cooperate and emulate.

Lord Indarjit Singh Director NSO

Post by the Sikh Federation (UK) on 18 March 2015

Thank you for responding.

Firstly, in my reaction I did not ‘sneer’ at any sister organisation, presumably you are referring to the NSO. If you look no organisation was mentioned only the individuals quoted in the Times of India titled: ‘Love jihad appears on UK Sikh manifesto, raises murmurs of protest’ dated 16 March. The Times of India article also made no reference to the NSO.

Secondly, you were quoted in the Times of India article as stating it was "a bit of exaggeration to bring it (grooming and forced conversions) to the manifesto." Why have you chosen to downplay the grooming and forced conversions issue as you appear to have recognised its significance and have clearly done much with others over the last 15 years, including the letter in The Times a couple of weeks ago or were you misquoted by the Times of India?

The Sikh Federation (UK) wrote to you on 5 March 2015 expressing disappointment that someone of your experience and stature was making disgraceful accusations about fellow Sikhs and Sikh organisations in the latest Autumn/Winter 2014 edition of The Sikh Messenger quarterly magazine on page 6 under the heading "Leadership in the Sikh Community". It would be great for ‘sister organisations’ to cooperate, but you make it difficult by making it a bit of a habit of ‘sneering’ at rather than appreciating other Sikh organisations.

I do need to grow up as I am at least 60 years younger than you. It would also be cheeky for me to tell you to grow up, but blatantly attacking sister organisations damages all the good work you have done over the years!

Jasvir Kaur

Post by Lord Singh on 19 March 2015

Dear Jasbir Kaur

You take my reference personally. I wrote 'the Federation needs to grow up' and I was clearly referring to political and emotional maturity, not chronological age. Also, I would rather you quote what I say and write than what you think others with their own agendas claim that I say or don't say.

More importantly, I listed 7 specific initiatives taken by the NSO to counter the scourge of child grooming (incidentally I also referred to this in my Thought for the Day yesterday). I and others would like to see a similar list of specific initiatives taken by the Federation. We want specifics not generalities from the Federation. Denegation of others is not enough. Emulate.

Lord Singh of Wimbledon. Director NSO.

Post by the Sikh Federation (UK) on 19 March 2015

Dear Indarjit Singh

In the press note that I issued as a Press Officer the Sikh Federation (UK) was defending that grooming and forced conversions was a valid issue to include in the 10-point Sikh Manifesto. This was one of the key issues raised in the six regional consultation meetings before the Sikh Manifesto was drafted.

Your quote in the Times of India suggested this issue was not important enough to include in the manifesto. I think you are suggesting you have been misquoted by the Times of India.

The Sikh Federation (UK) has not claimed it is taking forward all 10 points in the Sikh Manifesto, instead on grooming and forced conversions those making up the Sikh Network that have drafted the Sikh Manifesto have specifically pointed to Sikh organisations supporting victims and their families ie. Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Helpline etc.

If anyone wants to learn about the work of the Sikh Federation (UK) since it was established in September 2003 in areas where it specialises they can read the annual 40-50 page highlights booklets at the following link or the 10-year summary:

http://www.sikhfeduk.com/about-us/Reports

Jasvir Kaur

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The important point is the Sikh Manifesto and the initial meetings before the General Election have created the opportunity for Sikhs collectively working on this issue to come up with areas where the government can assist to tackle this issue.

The Sikh Federation (UK) suggested the Sikh Council UK invite the leading organisations involved in this issue to roundtable discussions this month and come up with the submission to government by 30 April. We can extend this deadline, but will want to have something ready by mid-may at the latest for the incoming administration.

The Sikh Federation (UK) would expect the Sikh Awareness Society, Sikh Helpline etc. to be at the forefront of the suggestions and proposal. The Federation is merely facilitating and has been challenging the likes of Lord Singh who has been quoted in the press to say this issue is not important enough to be in the Sikh Manifesto.

The exchanges between the Sikh Federation (UK) and Lord Singh on another forum will be reproduced here.

It would be wise to involve the SAS, Sikh Helpline, and other Sikh denominations i.e. Bhatra, Ramgharia, Balmiki, Ravidassia etc. after all the Rehat Maryada defines a Sikh as article 1 Section ii Any human being who faithfully believes in Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh,

Sikh Federation has to be brave enough to rock the 'boat'. The Labour Party did not challenge it's own council run authorities in tackling grooming. The Conservatives have issues of its own with the likes of Sir Peter Morrison.

I tell you the issues affecting our community jobs, housing, health physical and mental, cost of education, care of the elderly, grooming, hate crimes verbal and physical, transportation, cost of living, all the stuff that affects 99.9% of the UK population.

I'm still aggrieved our hero Blair Peach who died for us in 1979 that no police officer has been brought to justice, don't forget Ricky Reel's family still seeking justice. I suggest SF each year donate £100 towards a schools book in memory of Blair Peach.

To me 1984 is important to seek justice for the victims of genocide, those languishing in prison for no just reason. Justice has to come from us in donating to families to alleviate their poverty, heartache etc. I support a Raj Kharega Khalsa across India and the world. A small independent land concentrated in Punjab will only be manipulated or taken over by our enemies of Moghul descent. Pakistan in1947 had 25% classified as minorities that figure now is 2%.

Long Live The Khalsa!

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