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Sikh Federation UK Expects UK government to make progress on challenges faced by British Sikhs

September 20, 2016 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

London: Sikh Federation UK, a UK based Sikh organization, marked it’s foundation day recently. Sikh Federation UK has issued a detailed press release, which reads as follows:

Developing the improved relationship with the UK Government to make progress on challenges faced by British Sikhs – Report from the Sikh Federation (UK) National Sikh Convention

London – 20 September 2016

For decades the Indian authorities have been able to exert pressure on the UK Government to only work with British Sikhs that do not advocate for a separate Sikh homeland. A handful of Sikhs in Britain have cunningly used this to their advantage to maintain their exclusive access to UK Government officials and Ministers.

Despite attempts to continue to play this line the Sikh Federation (UK) has been able to gradually break down the barriers over the last five years and eventually ensure they have a seat around the table as equals. This has been achieved as Ministers have recognised the Sikh Federation (UK) lobbying power on a range of issues and the compelling need to have a proper dialogue on difficult subjects.

Initially some officials were reluctant to change the status quo that had existed for many years, but in the last two years there has been an absolute necessity to involve the Sikh Federation (UK) due to its grassroots support, range of activities and mainstream media profile. The reputation has been further enhanced with the establishment of the Sikh Network and the development of a well thought through Sikh Manifesto. Ministers and officials are also increasingly recognising and appreciating the wider benefits of engagement with the Sikh Federation (UK) and the Sikh Network.

ALSO READ | SIKH FEDERATION UK AND DAL KHALSA TO WORK IN COLLABORATION FOR SIKH FREEDOM …

Those at the National Sikh Convention at the weekend were told that having the ban on the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) lifted in the UK in March 2016 and all restrictions on the organisation across Europe a month later were important achievements that had now opened up a new chapter of an improved relationship. This was immediately visible when several from the Sikh Federation (UK) leadership were for the first time invited within weeks to 10 Downing Street to mark Vaisakhi.

The UK Sikh Survey commissioned by the Sikh Network and linked to the Sikh Manifesto is the largest and most comprehensive survey of UK Sikhs. The Sikh Federation (UK) has no doubt this has the capacity to open many more doors to different parts of government. A detailed report on the UK Sikh Survey will be published and launched by the Sikh Network next month and considered by the Women and Equalities Select Committee.

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On the eve of the Convention the UK Government called a Sikh Roundtable meeting hosted by Lord Bourne, the new Minister for Integration with officials from his own department, the Home Office and Foreign Office in attendance to discuss a range of topics. Discussions at the meeting were largely dominated by representatives from the Sikh Federation (UK) and the Sikh Network that was invited for the first time in recognition of its growing profile. It is likely these Minister led meetings will now take place every three months.

Officials are increasingly becoming wary that most do not have the same capacity or have much narrower interests than the Sikh Federation (UK) and the Sikh Network. If others are unable to regularly field representatives to attend these quarterly meetings or make constructive contributions the Sikh Federation (UK) is in no doubt other organisations will gradually be side lined due to their own shortcomings.

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Related Topics: Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, Dal Khalsa, Sikh Diaspora, Sikh Federation UK, Sikh News UK, Sikhs in United Kingdom

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