Sikh Federation mark 20th anniversary with conference, stating: “Our vote will not be taken for granted”

This weekend (17.09.2023) the Sikh Federation (UK) celebrated its twenty-year anniversary with a conference at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick. The conference took place at the end of a three-day convention in which over 15,000 Sikhs took part.

The Sikh Federation (UK) is an org which campaigns and lobbies for the interests of the British Sikh community in UK politics and public legislation. The key message coming from British Sikhs at this year’s conference; “Our vote will not be allowed to be taken for granted.”

Speakers discussed key and current events concerning the Sikh community in UK politics, expressing outrage at the growing animosity in the UK government and media towards the Khalistan movement, likening the name “Khalistani” to “terrorist”. There have been several examples of this happening this past year such as the unfounded remarks in the Bloom Report and the defaming claims made on GB News. This evident disregard for the Sikh community has also been shown by the government’s lack of concern for Jagtar Singh (Jaggi) Johal and Rishi Sunak’s choice not to fight for his release when visiting India for the G20.

The current Conservative government has disappointed the Sikh community in the past five years. The actions of senior politicians such as Priti Patel and Rishi Sunak have negatively targeted Sikhs and damaged the Conservative Party’s reputation within the Sikh community.

Therefore, in anticipation of the next general election, the Sikh Federation (UK) has made it clear that the party will only gain the community’s support if Sikhs are listened to. In a statement, Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), stated: “We must have a Labour government prepared to publicly lead condemnation of the Indian government’s systematic discrimination and promotion of violence towards religious and other minorities in India.”

The Sikh Federation (UK) has developed a strategy for a Labour government and Conservative opposition in preparation. They will release a Sikh Manifesto at least three months before the next general election which will outline what is expected from the newly elected government.

The Sikh Federation (UK) is encouraging the 250+ Sikh Gurdwaras across the UK to put strict measures in place to make sure that the Sikh vote is not taken for granted. In the run-up to the next election, only those politicians who have provided specific public commitments to the Sikh community should be provided with a platform in Gurdwaras.

“We will encourage Gurdwaras to completely change the dynamics in terms of politicians only being given a platform if they make specific commitments to the community.”

The Labour leadership has already made commitments to the Sikh community about recognising and addressing anti-Sikh hate crimes, the release and return of Jagtar Singh (Jaggi) Johal, and an independent public inquiry into the UK involvement in the events of June 1984. However, the Sikh community require a Labour government to additionally deliver a statutory Code of Practice on the Sikh articles of faith, officially recognise the 1984 Sikh Genocide and, working with other governments, take this forward on the global stage.

The number of Sikh MPs in a Labour government is expected to increase from two to nine. Sikh candidates have been selected in existing Labour seats in Derby, Huddersfield, Ilford, and Southampton and seats in seats Labour is expected to win in Bolton, Loughborough, and Wolverhampton.

It was evident that prospective candidates and current MPs, both Sikh and non-Sikh, were invited but not in attendance.

Media inquiries- Har-Rai@SikhPA.com.