Sikh Council UK is providing links to the documents which have raised mass concerns within the Sikh community that the British government may have colluded in the “plan” leading to June 1984 massacre at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, India. This resulted in a horrific and brutal attack by the Indian military on the Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in which thousands of Sikh pilgrims were killed.

These documents have been released as part of the 30 year rule when certain cabinet records are transferred to The National Archives.

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     Released documents from Government Archives

Press Release 13-01-2014

Press Release 14-01-2014 :-Sikh Council UK Full Disclosure Request

 Enquiry Letter from Tom Watson MP

Enquiry Letter from Jon Ashworth MP

Enquiry Letter from John Spellar MP

External Links to various sites:-

Excellent coverage by Tom Watson MP:

Tom Watson MP has blogged about it at:
http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2014/01/did-britain-help-india-plan-the-raid-on-the-golden-temple

He also has put it up on his twitter at:
https://twitter.com/tom_Watson

Please ‘share’ with his facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/tom.watson.uk/posts/10151920671149372?stream_ref=10

Media Interview with BBC Asian Network:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01pqybl

 Some Other Media Coverage:

Released Papers on 1984 Golden Temple Attack: Press Statement from Her Majesty’s Government

 Sikh Council UK has just been advised by the Foreign and commonwealth office that:

 Her Majesty’s Government spokesperson said:

“These events led to a tragic loss of life and we understand the very legitimate concerns that these papers will raise. The Prime Minister has asked the Cabinet Secretary to look into this case urgently and establish the facts. The PM and the Foreign Secretary were unaware of these papers prior to publication. Any requests today for advice from foreign governments are always evaluated carefully with full Ministerial oversight and appropriate legal advice”

The Council welcomes the positive and timely step that has been taken by the Prime Minister and look forward to the report as matter of urgency.

The Sikh Council UK has been in contact with the FCO during the day and will continue to maintain dialogue .The Council acknowledges the efforts of Tom Watson MP , Paul Uppal MP and others in raising this matter. We would continue to urge that full disclosures takes place so we can call all understand what transpired between the two governments.

All Gurdwaras and Sikh Organisations should continue to lobby their MPs to ensure the matter is not forgotten or put on the back burner.

END

Sikh Council UK is pleased to confirm that the Home Office has announced that it will provide the Sikh Council UK with a grant of £60K to provide assistance to destitute, trafficked and vulnerable people from North India if they wish to voluntarily return back home. The Council is waiting on a formal confirmation and expects the scheme to commence sometime in November when full details will be advertised in the Panjabi/Sikh media.

It is worth noting that the Immigration service already holds surgeries in 10 Gurdwaras in England for those people who may wish to return on a voluntary basis and the widespread media coverage relating to destitute Panjabis sleeping rough and the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women.

Following the passing into law of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 by the bill receiving Royal Assent on 17^th July 2013 the Sikh Council UK has
issued important advice and guidance for Gurdwaras.  attached are documents for your reference and guidance…SCUK – Same Sex Marriage Guidance Letter – 28-07-13, SCUK – Letter from Helen Grant MP – 25-04-13, SCUK – Email from Melanie Field – 25-04-13, Press Release – SCUK – Same Sex Marriage Act – 28-07-2013, Press Release Punjabi – SCUK – Same Sex Marriage

Sikh Council UK – Political Engagement Programme

The Sikh Council UK are pleased to announce the launch of our:

‘Political Engagement Programme – Labour Sikh Pathway’

The Political Engagement Programme aims to develop future British Sikh politicians and political activists through collaboration with the major political parties.  The Sikh Council UK have planned events hosted by the Conservative Party on 6^th June 2013 and the Labour Party on 4^th July 2013 with a further event is planned with the Liberal Democrats (TBC)

Labour Sikh Pathway –  4^th July 2013 (2pm to 6pm)

The Labour Sikh Pathway event will be hosted by the Labour Party at their Head Office in Westminster.  This will be an opportunity for you to: 

• Meet and hear from senior     Labour Party figures and officials.
• Learn about the Labour     Party, what they are doing to attract Sikh candidates and how you can get     involved.
• Find out more about how to     stand as an elected representative for Labour – either as a Councillor,     Member of Parliament, European and Scottish Parliament or the Welsh     Assembly.
• Find out how you can get     involved in the Labour Party Future Candidates Programme. 
• Learn about Labour politics     and share your ideas and policy priorities.
• Meet other Labour     supporting Sikhs and to build networks.

Applicants Criteria

We are looking for future British Sikh politicians and political activists.  We expect all participants to be highly capable, interested in politics with a desire to get involved in their local community.  We are particularly keen to receive applications from women and young people.  We expect all candidates to have an understanding of Sikhism, its principles and history.  Your personal conduct should be in-line with Sikh teachings.

 Applicants are invited from across the community; there are no requirements such as being Amritdhari / baptised or being a member of a political party etc.

Applications

 If you fit our criteria and would like to apply for the Labour Sikh Pathway event on 4th July 2013, please complete an application form and submit it by 28 June 2013.

Application forms are attached to this email or can be accessed by clicking here..: PEP_July 4_Labour Party Event_application form

• or by request from: info@sikhcounciluk.org or laboursikhpathway@outlook.com
• For further information, contact info@sikhcounciluk.org or laboursikhpathway@outlook.com or call and leave a message on 0741 9032728

Sikh Council UK today expressed its concern and condemned the refusal to commute the death sentence of Professor Devinderpal Singh Bhullar by the Indian Supreme Court. Read on….Press Release – SCUK Condemns rejection of appeal – Prof Bhullar – 12-04-2013

In a debate held in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 13^th March 2013, the Sikh Council UK was recognised by Members of Parliament of all parties as a ‘national advocate’ for British Sikhs and praised for being a ‘democratically elected body’.   MP’s urged the Prime Minister, Ministers and the Government to work with the Sikh Council UK to ‘take on board points made by the British Sikh community’ ‘so that Sikhs feel that their voice is being heard’.  Read on in Panjabi..Sikh Council UK Success In English..Press Release – Success in British Parliament Sikh Council UK -13-03-2013 

The Sikh Council United Kingdom is a democratically elected accountable national organisation which was inaugurated on the 11^th December 2010 following 6 months of consultation with Community Leaders across UK. It was set up due to popular public demand to deal with issues affecting the Sikh Community in UK and Europe as a united voice and single platform. An official Parliamentary launch of the Council took place on 22^nd June 2011 at the Houses of Parliament.

On 26th November 2011 Sikh Council UK organised the Pan-European Sikh Summit in Paris where Sikh representatives from across Europe attended and signed an accord and declaration to work together with consensus in addressing issues relating to the Sikh Community across Europe.

General Assembly Meeting of Sikh Council UK

The General Assembly of Sikh Council UK will take place on Saturday 6th October 2012 during which the second administration will be formed.

Exetnded closing date: Renewals for memberships and new memberships closing date is now 8th September 2012. Click here for Affiliation Forms: SCUK-Affiliation-Forms (1)

Extended closing date: Executive Committee Nominations closing date is now 15th  September 2012.  Click here for Nomination Form.. Executive Committee Nominations

We request that the Executive Committee nomination forms are fully completed including details of experience and skills. This is so that these specifications can be circulated in cases where a delegate wishes to be considered for the Executive Committee but does not have sufficient number of nominators.

Note: Payments for renewal and new memberships can now be made on-line on details below:

Sikh Council UK

Barclays Bank

Sort Code: 20-23-60

Account Number: 63744086

Altneratively cheques can be sent via Post with memberships

We look forward to our continued work together for the benefit of the Sikh Panth