“Breach of trust” or “unplanned” prayer visit? Sikh groups release statements on RSS Gurdwara event

Sikh Federation UK is amongst several organisations and social media influencers to have released statements on a much-debated visit by the RSS to Khalsa Jatha British Isles Gurdwara (Shepherd’s Bush, West London).

Last week the head of the RSS, Mohan Bhagwat, was welcomed into Shepherd’s Bush Gurdwara by its President Gurpreet Singh Anand and a waiting delegation in a blatantly curated publicity stunt which was filmed and immediately circulated through Indian media.

The RSS is a Hindu extremist paramilitary group linked to countless anti-Sikh actions over decades in India. They are also credited with helping prominent member and current India Prime Minister Narendra Modi rise to power, helping create a nationalist regime which is notorious for oppressing minority communities, such as the 2% Sikh population of India. Historically, leading Sikh body the Akal Takht called for Sikhs not to associate with the RSS, and in 2019 even called for the group to be “banned” altogether.

Mohan Bhagwat was with fellow Indian nationalist Vikramjit Sahney, a BJP MP of Punjab, and at least two others. Together, they were greeted inside by Anand and Peter Virdee, a prominent Sikh businessman, inside darbar (meaning court, referring to the main prayer/meditation room of a Gurdwara).

Bhagwat has been touring America, Canada and the UK this summer for a promotional campaign, bringing Indian diaspora communities before him for talks, meetings and fundraising. The official purpose of the tour has been described by Indian media as “a counter-narrative mission…global positioning…and expansion”.

The gathering was filmed by at least two people and saw a gift exchange of a book handed by Virdee to Bhagwat, before the began jovially talking inside darbar sat on a backbench, which is meant to only be for the elderly or disabled. Able bodied people are meant to sit on the floor in any darbar, out of respect to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh scriptural Guru. Others who were part of the publicity stunt also appeared not to sit on the floor during the gathering. Virdee, who led the meeting, has no official role with the Gurdwara, nor with any recognised panthic (Sikh path focused) institution, although he is known as a respected philanthropist and social commentator.

However, messaging from Anand and Virdee claim that the meeting with the RSS was “unplanned”, as stated by AK Media 47, a fellow West London based grassroots Sikh reporting outlet. Gurdwara President Anand also claimed the event happened without invitation on X (Twitter), where he goes by the username Ustaad Ji, which is a title for a respected educator. In a statement given to Indian media, Anand suggested the meet was about “dialogue” as opposed to “exclusion”.

Prior to Mohan Bhagwat’s global tour, Sikh groups from all three nations where the tour was taking place had arranged protests against his presence, demonstrating alongside Muslim and even other Hindu groups. The RSS is known to be extremely anti-Muslim and also proponents of the oppressive Hindu caste system, leading to accusations of RSS subjugating “low-caste” groups. NOTE- Neither the Sikh faith nor The Sikh Press Association advocates for caste hierarchies. The previously used terminology is to appropriately explain Indian societal structure, and not advocation of any “lower” or “higher” castes.

With various Sikh groups across the diaspora holding a shared desire to stand against the tour, all Sikh organisations and community figures would be aware of the controversy any RSS collaboration would attract.

This controversy is based on the fact that the RSS is behind various anti-Sikh actions, regularly, as reported by Sikh communities in India and beyond.

These include:

• Educational distortion of the Sikh faith
• Violence towards Sikh protesters, with police support
• Facilitation of anti-Sikh transnational repression

The RSS network is also known to be a major source of fuelling anti-Sikh narratives on social media, something evident just this summer from one of its prominent figures. Online hate is linked to an increase in anti-Sikh attacks across the globe, such as the unprovoked stabbing of a Sikh man by a Sri Lankan man in Toronto last week.

These anti-Sikh actions are why groups like Sikh Federation UK called the meet a “breach of trust” by the Shepherd’s Bush Gurdwara committee. A statement from community advocacy group SFUK said “Sikhs strongly condemn” the “secret” visit.

Meanwhile, in response to criticism, Peter Virdee has released two statements via social media which do not detail what was discussed, what the purpose of the meeting was or how it was arranged, but instead take aim at critics of the RSS meeting and suggest it was just about “hospitality” and “conversation”. Both statements can be found on his Instagram page.

Anand also pushed back against critics by repeatedly sharing a Rehat Maryada (official Sikh guidance/protocol manual) mandate which states anyone is welcome in a Gurdwara.

A regular attendee of the Gurdwara who wished to remain anonymous spoke with Sikh PA about the event, saying:

“I was shocked to see the Gurdwara President host a welcome party for the RSS. Even worse is the lie that it was unplanned. To suggest that is an insult to the intelligence of the sangat (Sikh congregation).

“If this was about building bridges and addressing the anti-Sikh actions of the RSS, firstly I would expect more transparency about what was discussed, and secondly, there would be no need for a photoshoot in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptural Guru), which was completely disrespectful.

“This should lead to accountability regarding whether those involved are fit to manage the Gurdwara and some serious reviews of the Khalsa Jatha constitution. Sangat are discussing options.”

Popular Sikh music artist Kaka Mohanwalia is one of several prominent individuals in the UK Sikh community to have shown support to Peter Virdee and his new affiliation with the RSS. However, opinion remains very divided.

Since the event, both Anand and Virdee have failed to reply to Sikh Press Association requests for more clarity on what occurred. The following questions were received but ignored by Gurdwara President Anand;

1) why were Khalsa Jatha (KJ) Gurdwara reps there to meet Mohan Bhagwat if he only went to pay respects to Guru Granth Sahib Ji?

2) how was the visit by the RSS organised? (EG who initiated contact, when was contact made and who ensured a KJ delegation was present)

3) how often and for what reasons do BJP/RSS keep contact with KJ Gurdwara?

4) were other Sikh orgs contacted about the meet to either invite or advise? If so, who? And why were some orgs not notified of this meet?

5) why was it necessary to conduct a photoshoot with the RSS leader in darbar?

6) why has KJ Gurdwara (as an institution) not issued a statement about this event to date? And why did you not contact any Sikh media outlet to release any statement, even after the story was globally released by RSS and covered by Indian media?

7) what was the meaning of presenting the RSS head with gifts? What did those gifts represent?

8) your Indian media quote refers to the meet saying that “dialogue” is important but also it states there was no “political meeting”. Was there formal dialogue on Sikh issues? If so, why would this not constitute a “political meeting”?

8) can you confirm you raised concerns of the RSS anti-Sikh agenda and demanded action?

9) what tangible outcomes can Sikhs expect from this dialogue and when?

10) will you be hosting the RSS at KJ again? Will KJ reps be meeting RSS for further dialogue anywhere else?

11) please in 1-3 sentences max describe the RSS and BJP’s position on Sikh issues such as religious distortion and protest violence, in your own words.

The RSS has long attempted to whitewash its anti-Sikh reputation. However, even its own Sikh branch – the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat – have been found upholding discriminatory anti-Sikh policies against children in recent years.

Nevertheless, as Anand said on Twitter; “The significance of Mr Bhagwat’s outreach will ultimately depend not upon photographs or ceremonial visits, but upon whether it leads to an honest recognition of Sikh concerns and a meaningful change in attitudes and conduct. The Sikh community will judge it by actions rather than symbolism.”