Thousands of British Indians celebrated Vaisakhi at a grand mela organised by the Indian High Commission in London, with over a dozen UK-based gurdwaras and Sikh organisations supporting the event.
Vaisakhi, which fell on April 14 this year, was marked with the mega event in so-called India Gardens in Northolt, north-west London, and included live music by popular British Punjabi singers like Channi Singh and the Heera Group, who prompted lots of bhangra and gidda dancing.
The celebration yesterday coincides with the UK-India Year Culture and India's 70th year of independence celebrations in the UK throughout 2017 and was described by Sinha as the "biggest" community event to be organised by the Indian High Commission so far.
"We are delighted to be organising this event with the help of so many gurdwaras. I hope we can do this every year," said Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, who joined in the festivities adorning a turban.
The day-long mela, which was billed as a celebration of the "warmth and richness of Punjabi culture", also included an elaborate langar, gatka or traditional Punjabi martial arts, turban tying, kabbadi and free introductory bhangra lessons.
The event was followed by the annual Mayor of London's Vaisakhi event at Trafalgar Square on Saturday.
"I am determined to build a country that works for everyone; a country where no matter who you are, you can achieve your goals ? and the Sikh community is a vital part of that mission. So as the dancing and the festivals begin, at home and abroad, Id like to thank you for all that you do and to wish you a very happy," British Prime Minister Theresa May had said in her annual Vaisakhi message last week.
Britain is home to over 430,000 Sikhs and their representative organisations are very active in the country.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)