Campaigns

Sikh Council UK- Policy on Same Sex Marriages

Background

Since 2005, same-sex couples are allowed to enter into civil
partnerships, a separate union which provides the legal consequences of marriage. However they cannot be performed in a place of worship read on: Sikh Council UK Policy on Same Sex Marriages

Sikh Council UK Policy on ‘The Equality Act 2010’ and Inclusion of Caste

Background

The Equality Act 2010 provides legislation for protection to nine protected characteristics against all forms of discrimination against them.

Within the Equality Act 2010 – Part 2, Chapter 1 – Section 9, subsection 5 and 6 caste is mentioned as a subset of ‘Race’: Read on…Sikh Council UK Policy on ‘The Equality Act 2010’ and Inclusion of Caste

Sikh Council UK Affiliation Strengthens Joint Negotiations relating to Screening of Sikh – Turban (Dastaar) at European Airports click here: Important Progress on Screening of Sikh Turban letter from DfT 22nd August 2012

Kirpan at London Olympics 2012

Further to the quote below from the Chair of London Organising Committee of Olympics Games 2012

The Sikh community has played a major role from the outset of the bid to host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games here in London. For three years now, LOCOG has worked closely with Sikh community representatives on our Faith Reference Group, our forum to discuss and agree our approach to faith-related issues. As such LOCOG have provided us with the attached confirmation ….Kirpan at the olympics 2012

Below is an extract from the response we received from members of the Olympics
Organising team when we queried issues of access to the Old Trafford by Kirpan
wearing Sikhs

We hope this is of assistance …….

Dear Balvinder,

I hope you are well, thank you for your email.

The LOCOG position on the wearing of the Kirpan has not changed. We have an
exception to the prohibited items policy to allow the wearing of a Kirpan of
the size limit stated below. This applies in all Games venues and entry staff
will be briefed.

Exception wording for the Prohibited Items policy:

The Kirpan, which is an Article of Faith (ceremonial dagger) in the Sikh religion,
will be allowed where the length of the sheath (not including the hilt) is no
longer than 6 inches* and is present with the other Articles of Faith**.

The Kirpan must also be worn beneath the clothing for it to be allowed into the venue.

( * the blade itself cannot be measured as to unsheathe it is considered sacrilegious)( ** the most visually identifiable Articles of Faith are an uncut beard and turban for male Sikhs and a solid metal bangle on the wrist (normally the right) for both male and female Sikhs)

A recent press statement by LOCOG reads;

“We want to make sure the Games are accessible to everyone. The Kirpan will be presented at security, but it will not be unsheathed. Wearing the Kirpan alongside the other articles of faith is both an everyday occurrence for Sikhs and an important part of
observing their faith.”

I hope you find this reassuring, I do know that Sikhs entered the test events
wearing the Kirpan with no problems, so I am confident the measures we have put
in place with the communities help will work.

Thank you for your support for the Games.

Balwant Singh Rajoana to be hanged on 31 March at 9am in Central Jail, Patiala

Re: Attendance to demonstration about injust decision to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on 31st March 2012. 9.am in Central Jail, Patiala

Sikh Council urges everyone to do their utmost in joining the demonstration on 20^th March 2012 outside of the offices of Indian High Commission London between 12.00-2.00pm to highlight the injustices and the opposition to the death penalty.

Petition Signing

Please urgently print 200-300 copies (or more if required) of the attached letter and get members of the local Sangat to sign this weekend:

Get members of the Sangat to add their name, address and postcode and sign the letter

Please collect all completed letters and determine relevant MPs through individual’s postcode by visiting: http://www.writetothem.com/ and add the MPs name
Please group the letters of each MP in one envelope, write the relevant MPs name on top and send to House of Commons (address shown on attached letter).

Note: The MP will be obliged to respond to each letter.

This can only be done with your help as it is essential we have a very high volume of letters sent to MPs as soon as possible.

Download the form :MEPs letter India to hang Balwant Singh

Further Protest in Europe:

Important Note: A peaceful protest will take place outside of the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 28 March between 1-3pm. Please make travel arrangements for this protest.

Dastaar Issue Sikh Council UK’s representatives meet with Italian UK Mission, Minister Stefano Pontecorvo

Sikh Council UK’s representatives meet with Italian UK Mission, Minister Stefano Pontecorvo ahead of its meeting in Rome on 26^th September, read the full press release

HELP PROSECUTE SUMEDH SAINI

In February 1992 Balwant Singh Bhullar and Manjit Singh Sohi the father and uncle of Professor Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar were tortured and brutally killed by Sumedh Saini.

Gurdwaras and organisations are urged to download the attached letter and put it on their letterheads and urgently email it to the Supreme Court of India on supremecourt@nic.in in the next 24 hours.

Standard letter to put on your web site is attached. Ideally these letters need to be sent in the next 24 hours.

Please see attached letter here for your reference: Standad letter for Gurdwaras and organisations – SS

Security Searches at UK Airports – A Handy Guide

Security is becoming increasingly important at almost every airport in the world. The attached guidelines offer assistance for guidance of airport procedure for Dastaar (Turban) security searches including Patkas. These have been produced in line with discussions between Sikhs and relevant agencies.

Please see attached…

Dastaar Search Guide – Italian

Dastaar Search Guidlines for Italin Airport – English version

Travellers Turban Procedure at Airports EU

Turban Procedure Panjabi

Sikh Council Turban Guidance (English)

Sikh Council Turban Guidance (Italian)

Sikh Council Turban Guidance (Spanish)

Guidance on the wearing of Sikh articles of faith in the workplace and public spaces: attached…sikh_articles_of_faith_guidance_final

Unjust Death Sentence campaign re: Prof, Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar

Urgent request to all: please print 200-300 copies (or more if required) of the attached double-sided letter and distribute locally to Sangat asap. Add individual names, address and postcode and sign the letter. Please collect all completed letters and determine relevant MPs through individual’s postcode by visiting: http://www.writetothem.com/, and add the MPs name Please group the letters of each MP in one envelope, write the relevant MPs name on top and send to House of Commons (address shown on attached letter). Note: The MP will be obliged to respond to each letter. Similar actions are being co-ordinated across the globe to create political pressure. This can only be done with your help as it is essential we have a very high volume of letters sent to MPs as soon as possible.

Please see attached… Letter for UK Sangat re Prof Bhullar

FLIGHTS TO/FROM SRI GURU RAM DASS JI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AMRITSAR (INDIA)

Please see attached… Amritsar International Airport development Letter

SECURITY SEARCHES AT UK AIRPORTS – A HANDY GUIDE

Please see attached… Dastaar Searches at Airports UK Guidelines

IMPORTANCE OF A TURBAN-DASTAAR

Please see attached… Importance of a Turban-Dastaar Doc

KHALSA COLLEGE AMRITSAR THREAT OF CLOSURE

Please see attached… Khalsa College Amritsar Threat of Closure

SHOCKING DECISION TO SHUT DOWN 120 YEAR OLD HISTORIC KHALSA COLLEGE AMRITSAR AND REOPEN IT AS A UNIVERSITY

Please see attached… Press Release of Closure of Khalsa College Amritsar

KIRPAN ACCESS AT LONDON OLYMPICS 2012