Sikh Network UK Sets Out Sikh Manifesto, Encourages UK Sikhs to Help Develop and Finalize

London, UK: A Sikh Manifesto will be published in January 2015 for the General Election and the next five years setting out specific demands of the Sikh community and the vision for British Sikhs. The initiative for a Sikh Manifesto was launched on Sunday 21 September. Many have commented positively about this development and made useful suggestions, based on which an outline Manifesto is being drafted. The Sikh Manifesto will be officially launched in January 2015 in the UK Parliament and we are keen to hold several consultation meetings in the South, Midlands and North in the next 3-4 weeks to further develop and finalise the Sikh Manifesto content and related material.
The 10-point Outline Sikh Manifesto is as follows:

i. support for an independent public inquiry into British involvement in the June 1984 Sikh Genocide and pressure to silence Sikhs highlighting atrocities by the Indian authorities following the November 1984 Sikh Genocide

ii. UK Government recognition of the events of June and November 1984 as Sikh Genocide and backing from the permanent members of the UN Security Council for a UN-led inquiry into the actions of the Indian authorities

iii. larger as well as better Sikh representation by Sikhs and non-Sikhs in the House of Commons and House of Lords

iv. a separate ethnic tick box for Sikhs in the 2021 Census and public bodies and the media abandoning the throwaway term ‘Asian’

v. determined UK Government action against perpetrators of grooming and forced conversions

vi. introduction of a Statutory Code of Practice on the 5Ks and Sikh turban

vii. support for a network of publicly funded Sikh ethos schools

viii. allocation of a suitable site in central London for a permanent monument to highlight Sikh sacrifices in the First World War that will be funded through public subscriptions

ix. UK Government working with other governments to exert pressure on France (and Belgium) to honour decisions by the UNHRC with respect to discrimination against turban wearing Sikhs

x. recognition and support for the Sikhs right to self-determination given the historic and moral responsibility of the UK Government towards Sikhs, the upshot may well be the need for Sikh independence and re- establishing a separate Sikh homeland.

The consultation meetings will allow for the sharing of information and suggested amendments to the Sikh Manifesto. The meetings will be held at:

– South – Sat 25 October at Seven Kings Singh Sabha East London from 11am-1pm then at Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Havelock Road, Southall from 3pm-5pm.
– Midlands – Sat 1 November at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick from 12pm-2pm (before the Candlelit Vigil) and Saturday 8 November at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara from 12pm-2pm
– North – Sun 9 November at Singh Sabha Gurdwara Bradford from 12-2pm then at Chapel Town Gurdwara Leeds from 3pm-5pm

Source: Sikh24.Com