The Sikh Manifesto Promotes British Sikh Participation in UK Political Process
After Canadian Sikh political successes in recent years, UK General Election 2024 is now seen as an opportunity for a political breakthrough for British Sikhs. The Labour Party is fielding well over a dozen Sikh men and women candidates, including some identity Sikhs. Many are expected to win.
This week we look more closely at the Sikh Manifesto** collated by a dedicated Sikh Network team in Sikhi sewa spirit.
The Sikh Manifesto aims to unite diverse Sikh jathebandis around common Sikh issues and concerns even if they do not always sit around the same table. Thus, shared thinking on specific issues and objectives can give the British Sikhs a common direction.
As the Manifesto states at the outset, with a large number of new MPs in the next Parliament, they will need briefing about issues of concern to UK Sikhs. The Sikh Manifesto will provide that briefing and much more about the Sikh way of life and history, especially in the Anglo-Sikh context. Sikhs are not asking for much except a level playing field while offering much more in return as a role , law-abiding and hard-working community. That is the Sikh tradition as net positive contributors to any society of which they are a part.
So, as stated, in most respects the Sikhs are no different to the wider public in terms of concerns about the economy, interest rates and the cost of living crisis, the state of the health service, concerns about immigration and defence, the quality of education, climate change, housing, law and order, and policing etc. Therefore, the Sikh Manifesto focus is on issues of interest and concern to Sikhs in the UK. Even for Sikh and non-Sikh readers the publication is highly educational and a useful reference source on the shelf.
The Manifesto has ten main priority headings. It creates a meaningful feedback and communication loop between the Sikh community, MPs and the next Government elected on 4 July.
The topics covered are: Sikh representation in Parliament count and monitoring of Sikhs as a distinct ethno-religious community public education and guidance about Sikh identity and way of life recognising and monitoring Anti-Sikh hate crimes as a distinct category improving Sikh education and safeguarding Sikh historical artefacts in the UK recognising global rise of Hindutva extremism release of Jagtar Singh Johal and other Sikh political prisoners from Indian jails independent public inquiry into the actions of the UK Government and anti-Sikh measures in the 1980s in the UK pre and post 1984 Sikh Genocide international recognition of the 1984 Sikh Genocide and UN-led inquiry and, application of self-determination to the Sikhs.
The UK Government and MPs must accept that the international principle of self-determination applies to the Sikhs. There needs to be acknowledgement of the Anglo-Sikh friendship treaties and appreciation of the loyalty of Sikhs for 100 years following annexation of the Sikh Kingdom, including the huge contribution and sacrifices in the two World Wars. In addition, the UK Government presided over discussions prior to the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947, which included the specific offer of a separate Sikh homeland and a ten-year agreement of military assistance and support for the Sikh administration.
There is much more in the Sikh Manifesto 2024-30 for Parliamentary candidates seeking Sikh votes and for civil servants who would brief ministers in due course.
** https://online.flippingbook.com/view/805451481/4/
Gurmukh Singh OBE
Principal Civil Servant retd (UK)