LONDON: Over 360 Sikh Gurdwaras and groups have signed an open letter accusing Rishi Sunak of racism and demonization since Boris Johnson became prime minister.
UK Gurdwaras and Sikh groups told PM Sunak that British Sikhs mislabeled “extremists” and “terrorists”. The letter claims most Sikhs support Khalistan and self-determination. Indian officials regularly use these words.
Sikh groups reminded PM Sunak that on February 9, 2022, they issued an open letter to Boris Johnson. It is after then-home secretary Priti Patel incorrectly termed British Sikhs fanatical in a US address. Johnson apologised July 7.
Sikh Vows
Sunak’s open letter claims he broke his predecessor’s Sikh vows.
The letter states: “As PM he personally committed to ensuring important days in the Sikh calendar are properly acknowledged by the UK Government in future and specifically confirmed to the British Sikh community that Jagtar Singh Johal has been in arbitrary detention In India since November 2017. Despite his apology and pledges, we comprehend your actions against the British Sikh community after becoming PM in October 2022.
Despite Boris Johnson’s pledges, you didn’t send a video welcome to the British Sikh community on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurb in November 2022 or Vaisakhi in April 2023. You assessed Jagtar Singh Johal’s arbitrary detention in India from November 2017. British kidnapping, torture, and unjust detention in India upsets.
“Your actions as the first British Hindu PM are extremely worrying, set in the backdrop of a pattern of suspicion towards the British Sikh community from the UK government, evidently under pressure from the Indian government,” Sikh organisations said. India attempted to deport three British-born Sikhs to India before Narendra Modi’s November 2015 UK visit.
“Moreover, We are all too aware that praise is readily afforded when Sikhs serve others. Such as when Gurdwaras provide Langar (free food) to the vulnerable during the pandemic or cost of living crisis. Criticising Sikh injustices costs India business. Your government calls British Sikhs radicals and ignores British Empire Sikh tragedies.
Self-determination
The letter requests the UK government recognise self-determination as a human right and the Sikh Kingdom movement as Sikh since 1947.
The letter states: “Governments in nations where Sikhs dwell and in our instance the UK need to comprehend and respect “Raj Karega Khalsa” is a phrase that is part of the song recited by the entire congregation after Ardaas at the end of every ceremony at all Gurdwaras around the globe. 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji said this. Khalsa wins. “Khalistan” means “Land of the Khalsa,” yet India demonises it.
Moreover, K Sikh organisations and Gurdwaras have peacefully supported Sikh homeland since 1984. Harmandir Sahib’s 1984 Indian Army desecration killed thousands of British Sikhs.
UK’s Ignorance towards Sikhs
While, UK ignored Sikh protests over Indian media domination and jail mistreatment.
Sikhs attacked the Sunak government for not understanding why demonstrators tore down the Indian flag outside the Indian High Commission after Indian officials’ callousness. “On 18 March 2023, a small group of British Sikhs who protested spontaneously outside the Indian High Commission the next day were labelled ‘terrorists’ for lowering the Indian flag,” it says. After India overreacted, major UK politicians attacked these demonstrators without divulging their cause.
Sikhs peacefully demonstrated outside the Indian High Commission on 22 March 2023. UK MPs kept quiet. Metropolitan Police informed top UK parliamentarians that the Indian High Commission’s intimidation, provocation, and violence against peaceful Sikh demonstrators was improper.
Humans want freedom. SNP, Plaid Cymru, Sinn Fein MPs. International law guarantees self-determination. Which makes it worse for UK MPs like Bob Blackman to abuse Parliamentary privilege to preach #AntiSikhHate by labelling all self-determining Sikhs “terrorists” to appease the Indian Government.
“We urge you as prime minister to explain why you have reneged on the assurances given by Boris Johnson to the British Sikh community in July 2022, including the unexplained U-turn on the arbitrary detention of Jagtar Singh Johal,” the letter adds. Nov. 2017. UK government, political parties, and MPs should not label British Sikhs fanatical or terrorists without proof. Non-Sikh CTUs. Recognise Sikh self-determination and India’s abuses.
While, UK’s shameful India policy. UK politicians cannot ignore Indian state-sponsored crimes. British Sikhs differ. Equal treatment.”
Moreover, Sikhs protested a week after hundreds of British Muslim organisations petitioned PM Sunak to sack Home Secretary Suella Braverman for racist remarks towards Pakistani men.
