Candidates from each of Redbridge’s four constituencies are being asked to set out their position, and those of their party, on manifesto issues.
Mankamal Singh, pictured, a treasurer at the Seven Kings Gurdwara, in High Road, Seven Kings, helped draw up the Sikh Network’s manifesto, which includes a call for an independent inquiry into the Amritsar massacre in 1984 and the Delhi massacre in the same year.
Mr Singh said it is hoped other faith communities will put together their own manifestos in time for the election.
He said: “The swing could change the whole area. A lot of faith groups are jumping at the idea. This is a prime opportunity to speak to politicians on how we want to go forward.”
The manifesto, Mr Singh said, is driven partly by Sikh desire to forge the right identity. “To label us as Asians is now incorrect. There are different demographics within the Asian community – it is unfair to group us all together. Identity is very important to us.”
The manifesto all includes calls for a suitable site to be allocated in central London for a permanent monument to remember Sikhs who lost their lives in the First World War, more effective Sikh representation in Houses of Parliament and a code of practice to prevent discrimination in the workplace.
Representatives from all 250 UK Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are expected to attend the manifesto launch on February 26 in the Houses of Parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, and Labour leader Ed Miliband have publicly supported the campaign.
