Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘Actions of One Man Have Brought Shame To All Sikhs’

by Dr Rami Ranger

A RECENT video on social media has gone viral, showing a young Sikh man arguing with Charanjeet Singh, the deputy high commissioner of India, at the Shepherd’s Bush gurdwara in west London.


The man was trying to stop the diplomat from paying his respects to the Sikh gurus. He was subjected to an unprovoked or deal, but he behaved in a dignified manner throughout and left the gurdwara peacefully.

Banning Indian diplomats from any gurdwara will prove counterproductive for Sikhs at large. Many will stop going to gurdwara if they become places of politics instead of worship.

Besides, in some parts of the world, more non-Sikhs attend gurdwaras than the Sikhs and also contribute to the upkeep of gurdwaras like the rest.

The behaviour of the young man is totally against the teachings of the Sikh gurus who stood for unity and love for all. Our gurus ensured that every Sikh gurdwara has four doors to welcome people from every direction, every faith. Our langar (communal kitchen) bears testament to this fact, where people from every race and faith are welcome.

The Sikh gurus, in fact, stood up against tyranny and injustice and for this man to argue with the representative of a democratically elected government of India is a total disgrace. Our gurus never imposed their will on others, unlike this man Bhai Kanhaiya, a disciple of Guru Gobind Singhji, even offered medical aid to enemy combatants and that is the real Sikh spirit.

The simple fact about gurdwaras is that they belong to the public at large. Donations from thousands of individuals are utilised for their building and up-keep. No one can claim to own  them as they are places of worship and are open to all.

No gurdwara has the right to ban anyone unless, of course, the person in question is acting against the interests of the gurdwara or disturbing the peace.

It is totally unacceptable to mistreat or misbehave with any member of the Indian mission. They are there to represent our motherland India and also protect our interests in foreign countries. They have the right to address the congregation, to pass on their personal greetings as well as information about the policies of the Indian government, especially when it is going to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji on an unparalleled scale across the world.

I was also appalled by the gurdwara management committee for taking no action against the person who made a spectacle of himself and brought shame to us and our gurus. It is the moral ob-ligation of the committee to en-sure the safety and security of every guest. I hope it will extend its unreserved apologies to the Indian envoy with assurances that such acts will never be tolerated again in a place of worship.

More For You

Aga Khan IV tribute: ‘Life defined by service to humanity

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and Lord Tariq Ahmad

Aga Khan IV tribute: ‘Life defined by service to humanity

Lord Tariq Ahmad

LAST Tuesday (4), I learned of the sad news of the passing of an incredible humanitarian, scholar and religious leader, who inspired and brought hope to millions – His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims. (To god we belong, to god we shall return).

He was a global leader renowned for his contribution to humanitarian work, development and the promotion of pluralism, religious coexistence and was a guardian of cultural heritage. Prince Karim Aga Khan studied in Switzerland and later at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in Islamic history in 1959. His studies provided him with a deep understanding of his faith and global affairs, shaping his leadership and vision for his community and his service to humanitarian causes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aga Khan IV tribute: ‘Prince Rahim has large shoes to fill'

Lord Rumi Verjee and Prince Karim Aga Khan IV

Aga Khan IV tribute: ‘Prince Rahim has large shoes to fill'

Lord Rumi Verjee

IT WAS with great sadness that we heard of the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan in Lisbon last Tuesday (4).

It was also with great joy that we heard the following day of the appointment of Prince Rahim Aga Khan as the new spiritual leader of the global Ismaili community of more than 14 million people around the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Will government inaction on science, trade & innovation cost the UK its economic future?

The life sciences and science tech sectors more widely continue to see out migration of companies

iStock

Will government inaction on science, trade & innovation cost the UK its economic future?

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE

As the government wrestles with market backlash and deep business concern from early economic decisions, the layers of economic complexity are building.

The Independent reported earlier in January on the government watchdog’s own assessment of the cost of Brexit - something which is still being fully weighed up, but their estimates show that “the economy will take a 15 per cent hit to trade in the long term”. Bloomberg Economics valued the impact to date (in 2023) at £100bn in lost output each year - values and impact which must be read alongside the now over-reported and repetitively stated “black hole” in government finances, being used to rationalise decisions which are already proving damaging.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘Peace in Middle East hinges on Trump’s volatile decisions’

Israeli military vehicles stationed in Nabatieh, Lebanon, last Sunday (26)

‘Peace in Middle East hinges on Trump’s volatile decisions’

CAN the ceasefire endure for any significant length of time? This would go some way to ameliorating the incredible suffering in the region, but does it all hinge on one man, more than the future of the region has ever depended in its entire history?

Ceasefires can’t hold if no progress is made in addressing the underlying issues that led to the conflict in the first place.

Keep ReadingShow less
‘New Bangladesh reflects lessons from its revolution’

Rupa Huq meets Mohammad Yunus

‘New Bangladesh reflects lessons from its revolution’

WHEN the Economist awarded Bangladesh ‘Country of the Year 2024’ for “toppling a despot” and “taking strides towards a more liberal government,” it gave me further impetus to visit the country my parents hailed from (albeit before its independence).

So when a delegation of UK business investors looking to expand into Bangladesh invited me along to join them over parliamentary recess, I jumped at the chance, making me the first of the four British Bangladeshi MPs to venture to what is now termed “Bangladesh 2.0”.

Keep ReadingShow less