LONDON: More than 150 British-based Gurdwaras and Sikh organizations have signed a letter to the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for Indian home Secretary Priti Patel to be fired for “Sikh’s extremism comment” and for him to issue apologies.
The same letter, written by the Sikh Federation (England), also demanded an apology from Johnson because it did not issue any message or video to the British Sikh at Gurpurab of Nanak teacher last November.
The letter also called for the release of Scotland Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been detained in India since November 2017 concerning a conspiracy to kill charges, and for Johnson to confirm that Johal was “arrested arbitrary”.
The letter came as the Parbandhak Committee Shiroman Gurdwara (SGPC) in India also called for apologies from Patel and for him to withdraw the “unfounded” statement.
Patel was under fire from several in the Sikh community because it said that “Sech Separatist extremism” had caused great tensions in recent years; His statement came during a speech that focused on the common security threat faced by Britain and the US, which included references to Hamas and Daesh, which he made to the Foundation Heritage last November, ironically coinciding with Gurpurab.
British home office and chairman of the British Sikh Association Lord Ranger has defended Patel’s comments.
A British government spokesman said: “We are committed to handling those who spread views that promote hatred of individuals and communities and cooperate with international partners to overcome extremism in all its forms.” But the Sikh Federation (UK) wrote: “This reference to Sikh is very offensive and has worried about the English Sikh Community that obediently” which, he said, is a community of role models that have made a massive positive contribution to the UK, especially during this pandemic he resigned or fired and issued an apology or delivered what specific incident can justify the comments.
It showed the speech was carried out two months after the failed extradition of the three British Sikh to India.
“It has become the main talk point in the British community of Sikh that our PM, 10 Downing Street, Community Secretary and Minister Faith all failed to recognize Gurpurab,” the letter continued, alleged that when number 10 was faced with this, No.
10 Faith Adviser, Jonathan Hellewell, shared evidence of Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas instead.
“It’s a bit like you admit Easter but forget Christmas,” the letter said.