Sikh Participation in UK General Election 2024
Every Sikh should take part in the political process as an important aspect of Sikhi Panthic life.
Guru-Ithaas (history of the Guru period 1469-1708) shows us that socio-political activism is an inseparable part of Sikhi living. The Gurus taught that there is no dichotomy between temporal-spiritual (miri-piri) activism. Even the founding pillars of Sikhi, Naam japo, Kirat karo and Wand shako (honest work and sharing while remembering ONE Creator Being) are a blend of temporal and spiritual aspects of Sikh living.
Sikh Reht Maryada, Article XXIII implies such participation as part of organised collective action. The entire life of a Sikh is a life of benevolent exertion at individual as well as corporate levels. Therefore, a Sikh has to fulfil his or her obligations as a member of the corporate entity, the Panth. Benign rule (Halemi Raj**) is the Sikhi political aim.
This year, once again, we need to remind ourselves of the importance of taking part in the General Election both, as British citizens as well as members of the Khalsa Panth. We are reminded of two easy-to-read publications: The Sikh Manifesto 2015-2020, is a teamwork effort co-ordinated by The Sikh Network. Following an excellent introduction, the Manifesto reminds us of the main Sikh issues. While the issues will change, the general principles of Sikh political activism remain the same. Sikhs should take part and be represented in British politics. The Sikh Manifesto has been widely acclaimed as a uniting idea.
The second, State Policy and Legislation Affecting Sikhs, is written by lawyer, Sukhvinder Singh Thandi, and published by the Sikh Human Rights Group in August 2001. Also of interest is a third publication, Self-Determination as a Human Right and its applicability to Sikhs. It is a Report of the Panjabis in Britain All Party Parliamentary Group published in March 2005. (I contributed for the OPEN British Sikh Consultative Forum, later merged with other nationwide Sikh initiatives including APPG for Sikhs and the Sikh Council UK.) These papers can be accessed by Google search.
The issues affecting the Sikhs in the UK will be discussed continually as we approach the General Election. Sikhs should be able to gain popular support due to universal Sikhi values and widely acclaimed egalitarian Sikh institutions. This is not a numbers game because Sikhs have been and will be in the foreseeable future, a minority wherever they live. Even the slender Sikh majority in Panjab will not last. The Sikhs were a small minority in the two Khalsa Raj periods led by Baba Band Singh Bahadur and Maharaja Ranjit Singh but enjoyed support of all communities. That is because Khalsa Raj is where there is justice, no one oppresses another and basic human rights and dignity are protected.
Regrettably, not all Sikhs understand the unique blend of Miri-Piri and whole-life Sikhi living at individual and collective or Panthic levels. Some, who should know better, never tire of telling us that Sikhi is a religion only. This narrow view damaged Sikh interests when some opposed the Sikh ethnicity tick box during government consultations despite strong backing for the tick box by Jathedar Akal Takht Sahib. Legally, the Sikhs are already an ethnic minority in the UK. The consultation was unnecessary and had a strong political bias.
These discussions will continue as we approach the General Election.
**Halemi Raj article link:
https://asiasamachar.com/2024/01/08/proclamation-of-halemi-raj-by-guru-arjan-sahib/
Gurmukh Singh OBE
Principal Civil Servant retd.