Category Archives: Press Release

Home Office Policy review update meeting 9th July 2015

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
Dear Colleague
Re: Failed Visas for Religious Workers – Home Office Policy review update meeting
Sikh Council UK has now been able to secure an update meeting with the Home Office Head of Migration policy (Immigration & Border Policy Directorate)
Details of meeting as follows

Thursday 9th July 2015 Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, 128-130 High Street, Smethwick, B66 3AP Time: 4.30pm


If your Gurdwara Sahib is affected by this issue it is important you make every effort to attend and also bring with you some case samples so that we can take these up with the Officer.
If you do have cases but are unable to attend please send these to us asap and we will be happy to share these on your behalf
Kind Regards
Balvinder Kaur Head of Operations Sikh Council UK

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Public consultation on the 2021 Census in England and Wales…

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Dear Colleague

Please see links below for the consultation on the Census 2021 we urge everyone to complete this asap organisations and individuals can complete. It is important we do this so that we are fairly represented in the 2021 census

Main areas of interest will be identifying ‘Sikh’ as a separate entry on the form under ‘ethnicity’ and for more resources to be provided in assisting people who are not computer literate to complete the forms as well as assistance for those who do not read/write English (2011 Census was heavily dependent on voluntary resources of the community)

These are just some of the shortcomings in the 2011 Census.

We are happy to provide some sample responses in the coming days.

NB: Please note not all sections need to be completed you can go direct to the relevant sections once you have completed the mandatory questions

Public consultation on the 2021 Census in England and Wales 

ONS is encouraging people to respond online to their current proposals

https://consultations.ons.gov.uk/census/2021-census-topics-consultation 
More information on the topic consultation, including a PDF of  the “Initial View on Content for England and Wales”, is available at
http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/census/2021-census/consultations/index.htmlAnyone can take part in this public consultation which closes on Thursday 27 August and users’ feedback will inform further research, development of questions, and other engagement activities.The National Statistician, John Pullinger, says:
“Decisions based on the census can touch the lives of all of us. Individuals and organisations alike are able to make better decisions based on the unique and reliable evidence base that the census provides. But we can’t run this major project alone. We need the help of census users to ensure that the census stays relevant and credible. So do please take the time to share your views through this consultation. Together we can make sure we understand as much as we need to about the population in 2021.”

Civic Responsibility and Building Influence

Civic Responsibility and Building Influence

Below are some details put together by Sikh Council UK as a guide on processes/ requirements of some of the roles that can be taken up in building civic influence. Getting involved locally in impacting the national picture.

 

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11th October 2014 the General Assembly will be selecting the 3rd Administration of the Council

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Dear Member

Following two memorable and successful terms of Sikh Council UK, we are progressing fast towards the 3rd term for which Sikh Council UKs membership renewal process has started; On the 11th October 2014 the General Assembly will be selecting the 3rd Administration of the Council.

We request your attention in completing the attached relevant renewal of membership forms and returning these back to us at your earliest convenience along with the relevant fee of membership.

The complete process will be as follows:

  1. Renewal of membership/s  onto Sikh Council UK General Assembly by the Gurdwara Sahib/s or Sikh Organisation/s must be received by 22nd September 2014 (while this is an ongoing and open process we urge everyone to renew their membership in the coming weeks).
  2. Nominations for the new Executive Committee by General Assembly members must be received by 30th September 2014 
  3. Selection of the Executive Committee to progress the new administration of the council for the 3rd term will take place at the General Assembly on the 11th October 2014 (details to follow)

 

Please find attached (zip file containing all below documents or individual documents)

  • Introduction of Sikh Council UK
  • Structure diagram of Sikh Council UK
  • Membership renewal form
  • Nomination form for Executive Committee
  • Barclays Bank Standing order (for donations)
Zip file containing all documents for membership renewal:.

Introduction SCUK.doc
Executive Committee Nomination details and form.doc
New Membership Cover Letter.doc
Renewal of Membership Cover Letter.pdf
SCUK-Affiliation-Forms 1.doc
 

Completed forms can be returned via email with direct bank payment or by posted to: Sikh Council UK, PO BOX 16788, Smethwick, B67 9FH with cheque payment

E:  info@sikhcounciluk.org

Membership information and relevant forms are also available on our website http://www.sikhcounciluk.org

https://twitter.com/SikhCouncilUK, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sikh-Council-UK-SCUK,
Telephone contact: 07867 608417

We look forward to our continued work together for the benefit of the Panth through a single cohesive voice.

Kind Regards

————————————

S.Surinder S Jandu
Co-ordinator of Affiliate OrganisationsSikh Council UK
Please avoid printing where possible. Thank you.Privacy and Confidentiality Notice:This is strictly confidential and intended solely for the person or organisation to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged and confidential information and if you are not an intended recipient, you must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this message in error, please notify us as soon as possible and delete it and any attached files from your system.
The views and opinions expressed in this email message are the author’s own and may not reflect the views and opinions of the author’s organisation.Sikh Council UK Correspondence Address: P.O Box 16788, Smethwick, B67 9FH

Lights out across UK to mark First World War – 4 August 2014

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Sikhs and Panjab made a significant contribution towards the British efforts during World War I. The wounded Sikh soldiers along with other Indian troops were cared for at the Brighton pavilion. A gate was built by Maharajah of Patiala outside of the pavilion to thank people of Brighton .Those that  sadly died were cremated on the Patcham Downs near Brighton where a Chatei build by Maharajah of Patiala marks the spot. There memorials to the Sikhs in a no of European towns.Several Sikh organisations are working towards commemorative events which include exhibitions, marching team of Gursikhs , workshops and memorials. It provides a great opportunity to  highlight the contribution of Dastaar wearing Sikhs towards the freedom of Europe .The Gurdwaras across UK and Europe are being invited to join in the candle light vigil on the 4th August this year. See the news extract below:
 
Lights out across UK to mark First World War

The whole of the United Kingdom will be invited to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War by turning off their lights — echoing the famous words of foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey: “The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”  On August 4 — the day Britain declared war on Germany — the public will be invited to extinguish all their lights, but for a single one. The event, Lights Out, will complement a candelit vigil at Westminster Abbey and BBC coverage to mark the start of four years of cultural commissions remembering the war.

Sikh Council UK India Visit – Update

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A delegation of senior members of the Sikh Council UK is currently engaged on an historic visit to India. Notable events of the visit so far:

  • Ardas (prayer) was done at Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Ji by Singh Sahib Gurmukh Singh – Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
  • Addressed over 60 students at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College – these students are being trained as Granthis, Parcharaks and Kirtanias (Sikh ‘priests’ and preachers). Students come from all over India and are connected to the grassroots congregation and villages.
  • Meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Amritsar. Discussed streamlining the process of identity verification for voluntary returnees as it currently takes several months and no feedback on progress is available.
  • Meeting with the Principal of Khalsa College, Amritsar and addressed large number of students.
  • Meeting with the Dean of Students Affairs of Guru Nanak University.
  • Press conference held at the Press Club in Jallandar. Very well attended by media of all shades and types including print and broadcast, local, regional and national. Main focus was on Voluntary Returns Programme with much positive interest. Some questions regarding 1984 and other issues.
  • Meeting with an Executive Member and the PA to the President of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC – Central Gurdwara Management Committee – responsible for managing Gurdwaras across India). Meeting with the SGPC President to follow. http://new.sgpc.net/
  • Meeting with Jathedar (Leader) of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib (temporal head of the Sikh faith) http://www.akaltakhatsahib.com/eng/index. Range of issues were discussed including:
  • – continuance of Gurdwara buildings being used as party halls
  • – prisoners in India and abroad
  • – genocide of Sikhs
  • – disclosure of documents relating to 1984 in UK
  • – recent mass grave found in Punjab
  • – communication protocols
  • – guidance for mixed marriages
  • – structures for engagement with the diaspora community
  • – role of Sikh Council UK
  • Visited Pingalwara – http://www.pingalwara.net/

 

Sikh Council UK Delegation Visit to India

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A delegation of senior members of the Sikh Council UK will today (12March 2014) begin an historic visit to India with an Ardas (prayer) at SriAkal Takhat Sahib, Amritsar.

The visit is being led by Sikh Council UK Secretary General, Gurmel Singh and will last ten days. He is accompanied by senior staff and representatives of Sikh Council UK including Board of Jathedars members. Amongst the delegation of sixteen are representatives of the Sikh Council UK affiliated member organisations including Gurdwaras, Jathebandian and campaign organisations.

During the visit, the Sikh Council UK delegation will hold meetings, press conferences and networking sessions with a cross section of Sikh representatives and society in India including Jathedars, politicians, academics, media and campaigners. The delegation will visit the key locations of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Anandpur Sahib and Delhi.

A key focus of the visit is the Voluntary Returns Programme being run by Sikh Council UK and the launch of a specially commissioned documentary. Special showings of the documentary will be held across Punjab.

 


					

		
		
	


	

				

			
						

				Sikh Council UK arrange meeting  with Senior Foreign Office Minister
			

										

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The Sikh Council UK facilitated a meeting with Baroness Warsi to feedback on the report by the Cabinet Secretary into UK involvement in the 1984 attack on Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar and discus further actions to address the concerns of the Sikh community.




On Tuesday 25th February 2014 the Sikh Council UK accompanied by many prominent

Sikhs and Sikh Organisations including Lord Indarjit Singh, Judge Mota Singh, Bhai Sahib

Bhai Mohinder Singh, Sikh Federation (UK), Federation of Sikh Organisations, Sikh

Organisation for Prisoner Welfare (SOPW), Kesri Lehar and some ex-Sikh politicians, met

with Baroness Warsi a Senior Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth Office

(FCO) and Minister for Faith and Communities in the Department for Communities and

Local Government (DCLG) and a number of government officials from the FCO, Home

Office & DCLG.


The meeting on the Sikh side was chaired by Gurmel Singh (Secretary General of the Sikh

Council UK) and was the first with any cabinet minister to provide direct feedback and

comments following the Cabinet Secretary’s report and the statement by the Foreign

Secretary in Parliament confirming the British Government advice on the attack on the Sri

Harmandir Sahib Complex.


Sikh representatives expressed their deep disappointment with the outcome of the Cabinet

Secretary’s report highlighting serious limitations, omissions and misleading conclusions.

Furthermore it was highlighted that the Prime Minster was yet to respond to Sikh

organisations correspondence prior to the release of the report about the narrow terms of

the review and a substantive written response to the report. The Sikh delegation explained

the community demanded an independent public inquiry and options were discussed at

both a national and international level.


Other key requests for Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) delivered through the meeting

were;

• HMG to condemn the attacks on Sikhs in 1984

• HMG to recognise 1984 as Sikh Genocide

• HMG to examine the relationship and proscription of UK Sikhs (paradigm shift)


Baroness Warsi listened with interest to the concerns raised by all the representatives and

was keen to provide open realistic feedback to the Sikh Communities request whilst

remaining fully supportive in ensuring the commendable contribution and integration of the Sikh Community within British society remained a shining example.


Secretary General of the Sikh Council UK, Gurmel Singh said, “We welcome this opportunity to discuss our concerns with Baroness Warsi. The Sikh Community was united


in their dismay and disappointment in the report and very clear on their expectations of

Government, these were made loud and clear to all the officials in attendance.”


The Sikh Council UK will remain in contact with Baroness Warsi to ensure a timely follow

up to this meeting with an update and reaction to the requests discussed. We will also be

looking to meet with both the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister to ensure full governmental focus on this issue remains.