Indian media Khalistan Gurdwara banner criticism – Response and Reaction

On December 11th India Today released a video presented by their UK correspondent Loveena Tandon which questioned why one of Britain’s busiest Gurdwaras (Slough Singh Sabha) had Khalistan banners on display. The following article is of the response and reaction to this video.

Why does @loveenatandon have a problem with the banner in our Gurdwara?

It is a Sikh matter and our political aspirations are very much part of Gurdwara life https://t.co/hqz4ViFi2D

— ????☬VICTOR|ਨਾਮ ਕਾ ਅਜੀਤ|اجیت☬ (@naam_ka_ajeet) December 13, 2019

Former Slough Singh Sabha Gurdwara President Juginder Singh Bal was questioned about the place of Khalistan banners in the Gurdwara during an interview with India Today reporter Loveena Tandon.

Shocking many Sikh viewers, the controversial reporter known for inflammatory comments and a confrontational style of reporting, made statements such as ‘Gurdwaras are not supposed to be political spaces’ and ‘1984 (Sikh Genocide) has been addressed’ during the course of the interview.

The statement about Gurdwaras not being spaces for politics contradicts the unanimously recognised studied opinion that Sikhi (the Sikh path) includes a temporal facet (made clear by the Sikh Gurus Themselves), whilst the statement about 1984 Sikh Genocide displayed what many view as an example of the dismissive attitude of the Indian establishment when it comes to Sikh perceptions of what occurred 35 years ago in India.

Gurdwaras have been political since day one. They have a flag. A throne. A victory drum. Armed guards. They provide social services to the poor & sanctuary to asylum seekers. Their langar halls have been the hub of revolutions. Everything about Gurdwaras is a political statement. https://t.co/UZAefwaVKW

— kulpreet singh (@kulpreetsingh) December 13, 2019

How can u say 1984 come and gone? Such irresponsible and insensitive statement from the reporter. Say this for kashmiri hindus, and see their reaction. Also ask apolotical question from RSS headquarters

— Bedi Dhiman (@bedisahibsingh) December 13, 2019

Direct responses to the post also included accusations of media bias against reporter Tandon, not the first time she has faced such accusations.

Good job at neutral journalism. ???????? The phrase “how can a gurdwara do this” or the words “anti-India agenda” is clearly biased and the journalist who covered this story should be ashamed. If anything, India is anti-Sikh !!!

— #JusticeForEricGarner (@tulipkul) December 15, 2019

Others also questioned the integrity of criticising the display of Sikh activism in a Sikh space, when many more questions about the Indian state’s human rights abuses were yet to be answered.

what is this stupidity mate why wouldn't sikhs ask for Khalistan when your government butchered their families and people and they are still protecting the cultprits. You gave the perpetrators of 1984 highest civilian honours named awards on them. Still raves about Indira 1/n

— Banana Republic (@binny1905) December 14, 2019

The most comprehensive response came from pro-Khalistan Sikh activist and educational outfit the National Sikh Youth Federation. After giving a speech on the issue of questions against Khalistan by NSYF member Shamsher Singh in the Gurdwara, the team also spoke to a range of sangat (Sikh congregation) in the Gurdwara to hear opinions on the banner’s place in the Gurdwara, showcasing the strength of support the movement for a free Sikh homeland in Punjab has.

Watch the video below.

Speaking on the incident, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said, ‘This was a brazen attempt by Indian media to influence the nature of activism within the UK Sikh community. When it comes to the Sikh faith, many – including Loveena Tandon – feel they can regurgitate unstudied and unsubstantiated opinions. People like her feel protected by the fear that comes with from making anti-India accusations towards someone, fear built on the dead bodies of countless Sikhs.

‘There were many statements Loveena Tandon made which went beyond journalistic questioning, and went into spouting Indian state propaganda. This interview was a disgrace and yet was a macrocosm of the decades long Indian state media style of reporting used to malign Sikh activism.

‘We hope to be able to connect with India Today and work together in future for a fairer and clearer discussion on why so many Gurdwaras display support for the Sikh freedom fighter shaheeds (martyrs). of the 80s-90 and the Khalistan movement.’