Theresa May has paid a glowing tribute to British Sikhs for their "immense contribution" to Great Britain.
Addressing guests at a special reception at Number Ten to mark Vaisakhi, the annual Sikh festival, this Monday (Apr 30), Mrs May said: "So today, as we celebrate this special occasion, let us also remember the values that bind us together. For Sikhs, the enduring values of the Khalsa - truth, compassion, hope and renewal."
Media representatives were told that Mrs May was no longer able to join the gathering and that she had nominated David Lidington CBE MP as her deputy. However, Mrs May did turn up. Following her five-minute speech, she spoke briefly with a handful of guests and was quickly ushered away.
The few she spoke to were Rami Ranger CBE, founder and chairman of Sun Mark, and Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh from the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha in Birmingham. Representatives from City Sikhs, a professional Sikh network, attempted to present a hard copy of the latest British Sikh Report but were told to do so on another occasion.
Mrs May began her speech with the traditional, “Wahe Guru ji ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru ji ki Fateh,” and shared nuggets from her recent experiences of visiting gurdwaras in her constituency, Maidenhead, also in the Midlands.
“Everyday British Sikhs play a fundamental role in the life of this country – whether it is working hard in business, law, medicine, media, sport, public service or so many other areas,” she said. “Sikh charities in particular are renowned for helping the vulnerable and those in need – from supporting people affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster to assisting and feeding the homeless on our streets in keeping with the Sikh tradition of providing free Langar meals.”
Mrs May reminded guests of the sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers: “From the Great War, the Second World War and other military campaigns, to those who serve in the British Army today – Sikh soldiers have fought valiantly to stand up for what is right and to protect our freedoms.”
“And in return Britain has always regarded the Sikh military tradition with the greatest of respect – a tradition that has its roots in Vaisakhi and the teaching by your faith to fight boldly against injustice and oppression. Which is why I am so proud that this Government is supporting the efforts to get a National Sikh War Memorial in the heart of London, sending a strong signal that we are a country united in our diversity.” Her latter words won rapturous applause.
Unlike previously, this week’s Vaisakhi celebration saw fewer guests, no prayer and no spiritual music. Also, a large majority of key movers and shakers from the British Sikh community, from across all professional sectors – including leading British Indian politicians - were absent. Interesting.
Guests included: Former MP, now Small Business Commissioner Paul Uppal, Ninder Johal, Manjit Kang, Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, Cllr Narinder Kaur Kooner, BBC World Service’s Mandeep Rai, Deep Dhir from LycaMedia, Rupinder Bains, Jaz Singh, Navjot Singh, Kam Singh from the Sikh Channel, Senior Aircraft Woman Suman Garewal from the Royal Air Force, former Lloyds TSB financier Kamel Hothi OBE, Randeep Sidhu, Manpreet Singh from Punjab Times and Sangeet from Wise Kids. The youngest attendee was 16-year-old Devan Singh Wasan who was accompanied by his sister and grandfather, Lord Indarjit Singh.
This event took place on the same day as the announcement of a new Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid.
