UK Sikh community figure makes “cash to stop a peerage” allegation

Respected UK Sikh community figure Dabinderjit Singh has revealed allegations of a “large cash donation” made to Labour Friends Of India to build support against his selection into the House of Lords.

The revelation came via social media, as part of Sikh Federation UK advisor Dabinderjit Singh’s campaign to expose the “appalling treatment” which led to his removal from the Labour Party’s peerage list. Prominent political journalist Robert Peston tweeted that Singh’s removal was linked to “his support for an independent Sikh state, Khalistan”.

In 2020, Labour Party seniors confirmed to Dabinderjit Singh he would be nominated for a peerage (meaning Singh would become a Lord of UK Parliament’s House of Lords). His nomination was widely expected after over 33 years at the National Audit Office in a role equivalent to a senior civil servant, whilst playing an important role in Govt-Sikh relations for decades, as well as working within the Sikh community on issues from kakkar (the Ks of the Sikh Amritdhari [initiated] identity) rights to political prisoner support.

Due to the Indian state’s rabid anti-Khalistan position, which is venomously echoed by fanatical ultranationalists, there is a strong belief among many Sikhs the opposition to Dabinderjit Singh’s selection to the House of Lords would have come from this direction. The notion someone is a supporter of Khalistan is often attached to support for basic Sikh human rights campaigns regarding India, such as recognition of and justice for the Sikh Genocide and also the ongoing arbitrary imprisonment of countless Sikh political prisoners. The “Khalistani” label is used by India to stifle such talk by claiming Khalistanis (supporters of Khalistan) threaten the stability of India. As such, the outcome of police investigations into the alleged cash donation made to Labour Friends of India will be greatly anticipated by Sikhs across the world.

Dabinderjit Singh is currently taking the issue up legally, with police investigations into his allegations ongoing. Dabinderjit Singh has also record shows on the anti-Sikh rhetoric which is believed to be behind his deselection for the House of Lords for Sikh UK TV channels the Sikh Channel and Akaal Channel.

Speaking on the situation, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said:

“Given the fallout of the situation, many Sikhs will not be surprised to learn of the possible involvement of an ‘Indian’ organisation regarding Dabinderjit Singh’s deselection for the House of Lords. However, this does prompt very serious questions about the covert influence Indian ultranationalism is having on UK politics.

“Through the Sikh Federation UK, Dabinderjit Singh has been vocal on a number of issues important to the Sikh communities of the UK. It will be fatally damaging to the relationship between British Sikhs and the UK government if it were to become clear that a Sikh that works to support grassroots community issues in such a way could never be selected into the House of Lords. For this reason, the Labour Party and the UK government as a whole must be clear on what happened regarding Dabinderjit Singh’s deselection to the House of Lords.”

You can follow Dabinderjit Singh’s updates on this ongoing story via his Twitter account. The Sikh Press Association will provide updates on this story as they come in.