Latest news with #SikhCommunity
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Inquiry into UK's role in 1984 Golden Temple massacre 'under consideration'
An inquiry into the UK's military role in the 1984 Golden Temple massacre is "under consideration", Sky News has been told. Secret documents released in 2014 revealed that the Margaret Thatcher-led government at the time sent a SAS officer to help guide the Indian government with the attack, which killed hundreds of civilians. Since then, the Sikh community has been demanding full transparency on the affair, especially as many files remain classified. The most high-profile Sikh MP, Tan Dhesi, told Sky News he has had conversations "with ministers and others in Number 10" who said an inquiry is "under consideration". Mr Dhesi, who is also the Labour chair of the influential House of Commons Defence Committee, said: "My message to the government is that it's about time that the Sikh community got their truth and transparency. "That can only come about through an inquiry to establish the extent of the Thatcher-led government's involvement." Operation Blue Star in June 1984 saw Indian forces storm the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, where armed separatists who sought the creation of an independent Sikh homeland had taken refuge. Thousands gathered in central London on Sunday to implore Labour's leadership to honour their commitment to hold an independent public inquiry into potential British involvement in the Golden Temple massacre. While in opposition, Labour made multiple promises to hold an independent inquiry, including: In their 2017 and 2019 manifestos. A letter addressed to the Sikh community from Sir Keir Starmer as the Leader of the Opposition in 2022, which stated: "A future Labour government will open an independent inquiry into Britain's military role in the Indian army's 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar." A social media post from the now Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, a month before last year's general election, which said: "Labour stands with the Sikh community in calling for an inquiry into the historic role Britain played." Almost 11 months into Labour's time in power, there has not been any official government update on this matter. Sky News approached the Foreign Office for comment, who pointed us to a January 2025 exchange in the House between Mr Dhesi and the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, who said: "I know that this matter is of great importance to the Sikh community across the UK. We need to get to the bottom of what happened, and I will ensure that the ministers responsible are in touch with him [Mr Dhesi] to discuss the matter further." Earlier this year, more than 400 Sikh groups wrote to the prime minister, urging Sir Keir to launch an inquiry as he promised. Speaking at Sunday's rally in central London, Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), said: "It is totally unacceptable that the Labour leadership remains silent on its promise. "A judge-led public inquiry must take place so we have the full truth. If Labour breaks its promise, it will be an act of betrayal. "Labour will lose much of the Sikh vote if they let us down." The Conservative-led government under Prime Minister David Cameron conducted an internal review in 2014, which concluded that the UK's role was "purely advisory" and "limited", involving a single military adviser providing early-stage planning advice to Indian authorities. However, this investigation was criticised as a cover-up due to its limited scope and quick timeframe. The Indian government's official position is that Operation Blue Star was a military operation carried out against armed militants, not the Sikh community.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
UK Sikhs may ‘no platform' Labour MPs over lack of Amritsar massacre inquiry
British Sikhs are threatening to 'no platform' Labour MPs over failure to deliver a public inquiry into UK complicity in the 1984 Golden Temple massacre in India, amid warnings 'frustrated' Sikh voters could back Reform UK. Over 450 gurdwaras, charities, associations and university societies have written to prime minister Keir Starmer demanding he honour previous promises to fully investigate the affair or risk 'massive consequences for the re-election of many Labour MPs.' The ultimatum coincides with a Trafalgar Square rally on Sunday marking the 41st anniversary of the massacre in Amritsar, when thousands of people were killed after Indian forces stormed Sikhism's holiest site to remove firebrand leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, horrifying moderates. The letter, dated 1 June, said the Sikh community is 'hugely disappointed there has been a deafening silence' to recent letters and calls for timelines for an inquiry that would investigate 'UK involvement in the Indian military operation and anti-Sikh measures in Britain when Margaret Thatcher was in power.' In 2014, the accidental release of documents revealed Thatcher's government had full knowledge of India's plan, Operation Blue Star, with an SAS officer advising beforehand. David Cameron ordered his most senior civil servant to investigate, but his review, which said the British officer's advice was ignored by the Indian army, disappointed Sikhs, with Labour politicians, including Keir Starmer in a 2022 letter, repeatedly promising an independent inquiry. Campaigners, who had hoped an inquiry would be launched before the end of the tragedy's 40th anniversary year, are now warning that Labour MPs face being banned from Sikh temples and events. 'Regrettably, we are today being forced to put the Labour leadership on notice,' the letter adds. 'If a judge-led public inquiry is not announced in parliament by the end of July 2025 the Sikh community will implement a 'no platform' policy for all Labour MPs from 1 August that are not supporting a judge-led public inquiry … Sikhs are well-respected (and) can build political alliances. Sikhs may need to make it their business to campaign with others locally and nationally to get the wider public to punish Labour for broken promises.' The Guardian has seen a list of seats nationwide where Sikh Federation UK has identified the 'Sikh vote' as 'critical'. Dabinderjit Singh, the Sikh Federation's executive lead, warned Labour faced 'permanent' loss of support from the 'majority' of the community, which they believe is a million-strong – double the figure in the last census – with not everyone recording their religion and recent migration. Meanwhile, concerns have intensified among British Sikhs about India's treatment of minorities and transnational repression, amid strengthening UK trade ties. Singh said talks were under way with the Lib Dems, Reform and the SNP about support for an inquiry, and that every Labour MP would be written to, adding: 'There are 105 (seats) we're monitoring where the Sikh vote will matter, including Ilford North, Ilford South, Wolverhampton seats, Birmingham seats, Derby seats. 'Labour announced the (Pat Finucane) inquiry in September … don't tell us, when there were thousands of people killed in 1984, that our lives matter less.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'Following the 1st May election … some people are saying Sikhs are going to start to vote Reform,' he added. 'I think it's the frustration. Lots of people just get so frustrated with politicians making promises and then doing the exact opposite, on a range of issues. That's the bigger danger – that people therefore look for something different, independent candidates, Reform candidates, Green candidates.' Singh said while he 'struggled' personally with Reform's stances, he added: 'I've met Nigel Farage before, and Ukip, as it was then, were greatly supportive on Sikh issues … for their own reasons. I can see things getting really divisive.' Two British Sikh candidates ran for Reform in 2024's general election in London. Meanwhile Rajbir Singh, a former Labour leader of Sandwell council in the West Midlands, defected to Reform in April. Approached for comment, the Foreign Office pointed to comments made in January by leader of the house, Lucy Powell, who, asked when an independent inquiry would be initiated, said: 'I know that this matter is of great importance to the Sikh community across the UK … we need to get to the bottom of what happened.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Thousands attend Khalsa Day festivities in Regina, marking new year for Sikh community
In celebration of the new year for the Sikh community, different practices and performances took place at this year's Khalsa Day in Regina. (Sierra D'Souza Butts / CTV News) Thousands of people across the province came out to celebrate the annual Khalsa Day festival at Regina's Wascana Park on Saturday. Starting off with a parade, the all-day event marks the new year for the Sikh community through different cultural performances, practices, and activities. 'The official word of the parade is Nagar Kirtan. Nagar means 'city,' and Kirtan means to 'sing the hands of God,'' explained Manmeet Singh, general secretary and spokesperson for Sikh Society of Regina. 'What we are doing here is we are telling people that we are here. We are your neighbours, we belong here, and we all belong to the same human race.' With the event being open to the public and continuing to grow in size every year, Singh said educating others about Sikh traditions is a significant part of the festivities. 'A lot of people don't know about Sikhism. We are fairly new in terms of how old the religion is. Our religion is only 500 years old,' he explained. 'People [may] think we are from a religion or a place that [goes back a long time] which is not the case. We are actually the religion that prophecies the quality of both men and women and equality of all. Nagar Kirtan is saying no matter where you come from, who you are, we are all children of the God.' Aside from small businesses and local vendors, officials from the Government of Saskatchewan, the NDP, the City of Regina, along with members of the Regina Police Service and Regina Fire & Protective Services were in attendance. 'We hope that people take this opportunity to learn more about the Sikh faith, and we are able to portray we are good neighbors and outstanding members of the community,' he said. 'We participate together and bring oneness.' Organizers estimated over 15,000 people attended Saturday's event.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
India, Canada move to repair ties after Trudeau-era tensions
India's foreign minister spoke to his Canadian counterpart in a call on Sunday, taking the first step to mend the strained bilateral relations between the two countries. India's Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said he had "discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties" with Canada's newly appointed Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and he "wished her a very successful tenure." In a post on X, Anand, whose parents hailed from India, described the conversation with Jaishankar as productive and said she looked forward to "strengthening Canada-India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities." Thank you Minister @DrSJaishankar for the productive discussion today on strengthening Canada–India ties, deepening our economic cooperation, and advancing shared priorities. I look forward to continuing our work together. — Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) May 25, 2025 The telephone call on Sunday between India's Jaishankar and Canada's Anand marks the highest diplomatic contact between Ottawa and New Delhi since Mark Carney became Canadian prime minister in March. The call between Jaishankar and Anand raises hope of improvement in ties between India and Canada that deteriorated over a Canadian Sikh's death during former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's time in office. New Delhi and Ottawa are looking at 'restoring their High Commissioners by June this year,' according to Indian newspaper The Indian Express. Canada has the largest Sikh population outside of India, and includes activists supporting the formation of "Khalistan" — a separatist movement seeking an independent state for Sikhs who are a religious minority in India. Relations between the two countries hit rock bottom after Ottawa accused India of orchestrating the 2023 killing in Vancouver of 45-year-old naturalized Canadian citizen and a prominent Khalistan supporter, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and of targeting other Sikhs associated with the movement. India denied all allegations. The relations between India and Canada deteriorated to the point where both countries expelled a string of top diplomats. The Khalistan movement remains a contentious subject for India's diplomatic relations with Western countries that have large Sikh populations, as India demands stricter action against the Khalistan movement, which is banned in India. Edited by: Wesley Dockery
CBC
19-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Yellowknife's Sikh community turned a gym into space for prayer to celebrate Vaisakhi
Members of Yellowknife's growing Sikh community gathered to celebrate Vaisakhi this weekend, transforming a gym at the city's multiplex sports facility into a space for prayer on Saturday. The annual harvest festival of Vaisakhi is one of the holiest days in the Sikh calendar. For Sikhs, the festival marks the creation of the order of the Khalsa in 1699 — a defining moment in Sikh history which gave the faith its final form. But it's also an opportunity to come together, with large events acting as opportunities for people from different communities to meet and celebrate. Also called Khalsa Sajna diwas, the holiday is usually celebrated in mid-April, but Yellowknife's celebration is a bit later because of the time it took to find a space and get everything ready. "We are a bit late, but at last we are celebrating so we are happy for that," said Mangot Kaur, who helped organize the event. Kaur said it was a lot of work getting the gym ready for the event, but many volunteers helped. "They all came together and worked really hard to make this place look like this," she said. There were prayers in the gym in the afternoon and evening, with some of the prayers read by gurus who flew in from Vancouver to lead hymns. There was also a food drive outside, with volunteers serving homemade vegetarian food free to anyone who passed by, another important tradition on Vaisakhi. "These events are really important for us so we can get together, united, and celebrate our values," said attendee Darwinder Kaur, (No relation) who moved from B.C. to Yellowknife a year and a half ago. She said it was hard to adjust to her new home at first, but events like this where she can observe her religion in community make it easier. Yellowknife's Sikh population has grown a lot in the last few years, says Pankaj Sohi Seth, and events like this help the community come together. "We moved in 2012 to Yellowknife from Vancouver, and it was a big change to us. In the beginning, we actually started doing prayers in our own houses," she said, with the few Sikh families hosting in turn. But a few years ago, they started renting a hall from a church or other space once a year. They now try and hold celebrations like Saturday's two or three times a year, Sohi Seth said. But without a permanent Gurdwara, the community isn't able to come together and pray as much as they would like. Sohi Seth said she and others are working to bring a Gurdwara, or temple, to Yellowknife, but the the project is still in the early stages. They are currently in the process of registering a Yellowknife Sikh Sangat society as a non-profit. Once this is done, she said, they will begin the work of fundraising for a Gurdawara. Darwinder Kaur said for her, a Gurdwara in Yellowknife would be more than just a building. "It's not about going somewhere out, it's about inner peace, to give something to my soul."
