Everything you need to know about Sunday’s giant Sikh London #KisaanCarRally
What is going going?
Thousands of Sikhs from across the UK will be converging on the High Commission of India in Central London (Aldwych), looking to arrive at 11.30am (December 6th 2020). This is in support of India’s Kisaan (farmers), including millions of Sikhs, who are currently on a mass protest.
There are currently 12 organised rallies which will be heading out from Southall, Barking, Gravesend, Leicester, Rochester, Telford, Nottingham, West Brom, Yorkshire, Watford, Coventry and Southampton. To see specific starting points, motorway service meeting points and more check out all the recent posts on our Instagram page. Don’t forget to follow!
Dozens of similar rallies have happened in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and beyond.
Why are they doing this?
Right now, millions of farmers are protesting across India about the implementation of three new farming bills which will change agricultural trade laws. Thousands from states such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and further have descended on India’s capital Delhi. They are currently either camping in or around the city, living with whatever they could bring with them. Some have come alone, some have come with their whole families. Many of them are elderly men and women.
The Indian state ratified these new laws in September and have completely dismissed appeals against them. After 50 days of protests being ignored, the farmers decided they needed to take to the capital to demand the laws be revoked, setting off in cars, tractors and even bicycle.
What is the issue with these new farming laws in India?
The main issues are the removal of the Minimum Support Price, a safeguarding regulation which ensures farmers get a fair price for their crops and the removal of rules preventing corporations hoarding crops. With these changes, farmers believe they will be left vulnerable to exploitation, which will lead to bankruptcy and land seizures.
For regular updates on issues in Punjab, including the Punjab farmers suicide epidemic and more follow the SavingPunjab Instagram page.
So what’s this got to do with British Sikhs? What is protesting here going to do?
There are an estimated 600,000+ Sikhs in the UK (last census said 432,000). The massive majority of these Sikhs are of Punjabi background. Punjab is known as “the bread basket of India” for its lush farming lands. Farming is at the heart of Punjab’s communities and the farming lifestyle is deeply entwined into Sikh philosophy. Sikhs in the UK carry this with them.
Most Sikhs and Punjabis in the UK will have family impacted by these new laws. Many have family currently at the frontline of the protests in Delhi. They have watched families just like theirs get attack by police with sticks, water cannons and tear gas.
Furthermore, many UK based Punjabis will still own or are due to inherit family land in Punjab. The agricultural wealth their generations have worked for will soon be sifted off into corporations.
Finally, the Sikh community has always lived up to their Guru’s remit of helping others, evident through the langar seva (free Sikh communal kitchen selfless service) which feeds tens of thousands of Brits weekly, including countless homeless and school children. Now, with their own community needing support, it is impossible for the Sikh community not to act. Requests from protesters in India have largely dismissed the need for fundraisers and simply asked their supporters around the world to be vocal about the issue.
“Britain, of course, has long deep ties with the Indian state. Some would say they created it. What happens with the Indian economy can often be influenced by its trade relationship with the UK. As such, British Sikhs will expect their government to act on this issue. They will feel it as British citizens they have a right to protest.
“Whilst many will be sorry for the inconvenience the rally may cause their fellow Brits, all will want to showcase a solidarity which shows they will not standby as their Punjabi family get dragged into poverty”– Jasveer Singh, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer.
What about Covid? Is a mass protest allowed?
Regarding whether this protest is allowed, in a statement (see below) police emphasise that to protest under new Covid protocol law is illegal without exemptions based on precaution requirements. Sikh PA can confirm a conglomerate of Sikh organisations have ensured there has been dialogue with Westminster police and council about Sunday’s rally in advance and have tended to the precaution requirements. If you are attending the rally as a protester, READ THAT TWICE!
Kaurs Legal Director Tinessa Kaur, a qualified lawyer and respected Sikh community figure known for her seva (selfless service), has provided free legal advice for attendees that may face police questioning. A protest of just 50 people outside the Indian High Commission was shutdown by police on Friday, whilst later that same day an even smaller protest group of less than 10 were forced to leave the area by heavy handed police. This is despite the fact that it was a typical busy Friday night in Central London with many people around. These incidents, including the fact Met Police had to apologise for heavy-handedness in a previous Sikh protest and an October rally in Southall saw one Sikh receive a £10,000 fine, has prompted some concern about how police may target Sikh protesters.
A summary of Tinessa Kaur’s main points include:
1) You do not have to give your name or address if questioned
2) If you are not being detained (ask!) you can walk away
3) Record EVERYTHING and have your friends do the same
To hear all of Tinessa Kaur’s rally based legal advice, including info on potential police ignorance of the kirpan, check out her video here and don’t forget to follow her! Tinessa Kaur states she will be happy to provide legal support to anyone that suffers any legal issues due to the event.
As any of you that have seen any UK politicians try to explain Covid protocol law, there are some obscure parts. However, long-time Sikh community police liaison figure Harmander Singh.
“People travelling from Tier 2 to Tier 3 are breaking rules. There are only four exceptions. To do shopping, to attend medical appointments, to have one hour of leisure and going to work.”
A final piece of legal advice comes from the National Sikh Police Association which you can see below. The statement includes advice on reducing the risk of fine and also understanding that if approached by police you should comply. Fines are given at an officer’s discretion.
Regarding actual safeguarding for the Covid-19 virus, images such as the one below emphasising both the importance of and how to follow guidelines have been issued and circulated.
India media said the protesters and their supporters are anti-India radicals though?
Near all mainstream Indian media outlets are working to distort national perception of the farmers’ protests by claiming the Sikhs involved are doing so based on support for Khalistan, a free Sikh homeland in Punjab, which Indian state propaganda has conflated with terrorism. Discussion of sedition is illegal in India, despite claims it is a free democratic nation. This qualifies even liking Facebook posts as a criminal offence. India’s media has been condemned by even India’s Editor’s Guild (see below) for coverage of the protests.
Various Sikh orgs have spoken out about ensuring the right message comes out of this rally. There are many reasons for extra focus on this. The main reason is the storm of propaganda from the Indian media aimed at the Sikh protesters, claiming they are Khalistani terrorists.Even pro-Khalistan groups in the UK have made statements the current protests are not about Khalistan, some circulating the statement below.
“Whilst it is great we are seeing all leading Sikh organisations respect the intent of the farmers’ protest, this is not reason to fear-monger about the dreaded K-word, Khalistan.
“Many Sikhs support Khalistan and have advocated for it peacefully and legally for decades in the West. Being a Khalistani does not mean supporting terrorism. Issues such as India’s current treatment of farmers is just another reason there is support for Khalistan.
“After so many attacks on the people of Punjab, to anyone accept Indian Hindutva nationalists and those influenced by their narrative, it should be understandable as to why support for Khalistan in Sikh spaces is inevitable”- Jasveer Singh, Sikh PA Senior Press Officer.
Aside from ensuring focus remains on the farmers’ issue, many Sikhs have also been working to highlight this is not just a Sikh protest. Other Indian communities in India and overseas have also taken part in protests.
So why such big Sikh mobilisation? “This is not just a Sikh issue. But this is an issue for every Sikh” Harman Singh, world renowned English language Sikh educator for Basics of Sikhi said in a recent video on the protests.
I have read things about counter protests and even threats against protesters? Is it safe to go?
A message has been doing the rounds through Sikh community circles in the UK which states the rally will be targeted by Indian nationalists. See the message below.
There has also been lots of recent evidence of diaspora Sikh communities being spied on and infiltrated by Indian intelligence agents, with the aim of collating information on and disrupting Sikh activism which fights against the countless human rights abuses of the Indian state.
Just days ago, a Gurdwara in Toronto was victim to a random hate-crime by a man of Indian complexion. Many within the community have stated this was a deliberate attempt at provoking Sikh violence, in an area which has seen nationalist Hindus attack Sikhs before.
With this in mind, protesters are being encouraged to RECORD EVERYTHING to ensure any potential agitators or suspicious behaviour may be documented. Sikh community groups, charity orgs and sangat (Sikh congregation) networks are also being encouraged to be aware of who is within your circle and take responsibility for the actions of those with you.
Otherwise the general message from advocates of the rally has been to be polite to both fellow protesters and police, remain vigilant and seek police help if needed regarding any damaging behaviour.
Any final points?
If you are attending for the car protest rally, don’t forget to pay your congestion charge!
Sikh PA press officers will be there on the day helping to ensure accurate and fair reporting around the rally.
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