Sikhs To Hold Mass Lobby Of The Uk Parliament On 30 October 2007

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

SIKHS TO HOLD MASS LOBBY OF THE UK PARLIAMENT ON 30 OCTOBER

One of the largest ever Sikh lobbies of the UK Parliament will take place on Tuesday 30 October. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), said the lobby was agreed with MPs from all the main political parties in July, but the announcement had to be delayed because of the possibility of a General Election and the exact timing of the end of the Parliamentary session.

The lobby is taking place on Tuesday 30 October, the last day of the Parliamentary session and will start at 11am. It is expected to attract large numbers of Sikhs from across the UK and around 100 MPs and Lords have been approached to take part.

Bhai Amrik Singh said there are several significant issues that are reaching a critical stage so we are hopeful that Sikhs up and down the country in Gurdwaras and from all Sikh organisations will realise now is the time to come together and push for our rights.

For example, if Sikhs want separate monitoring in the Census 2011 and to ensure they get a fair share of public services it is essential they lobby their MPs. Sikhs have made good progress in the last 12 months, but decisions about the Census 2011 will be made in the next 9 months. We must make sure we do not fail future generations of Sikhs.

Similarly after more than 2 years of lobbying, the UK Government has said it is now prepared to produce a Code of Practice for the Kirpan. However, MPs and others are supporting us to make sure the Code of Practice covers all Sikh articles of faith. Sikhs concerned with ensuring our right to articles of faith in public places are expected to lobby MPs to make sure we make the most of this opportunity.

Bhai Amrik Singh has appealed to all Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations that support the issue of separate monitoring of Sikhs and the need for a Code of Practice for Sikh articles of faith to contact their local MPs and arrange to meet with them at the Houses of Parliament on 30 October between 11.30am to 3.30pm.

Gurjeet Singh

National Press Secretary

Sikh Federation (UK)