The British Sikh Association has put forward plans for a new memorial in Southall, west London, designed to honour the Sikh community’s service in both World Wars and inspire future generations of British Sikhs.
A formal planning application has been submitted to Ealing Council, with the proposal currently open to public consultation until the end of the month. Councillors are expected to make a decision by late May.
If approved, the memorial would be installed at Manor House Grounds, a site in the heart of Southall’s largely Punjabi community. The design features a 1.8-metre bronze statue of a Sikh soldier, accompanied by an inscription paying tribute to Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army who served during the two World Wars. The project also includes plans for a dedicated space for reflection and annual remembrance events involving veterans, schools, and community groups.
Fundraising is already underway, with an estimated £100,000 needed to bring the vision to life. A sculptor from Rajasthan has been commissioned to create the statue.
Lord Rami Ranger, chair of the British Sikh Association, told Times Of India, “The British Sikh Association is funding the statue. We will raise the money from the community. We have already raised a few hundred thousand pounds. We chose Southall as it has a large Punjabi community which has a strong connection with the British Indian Army community who stayed here after the war. They mostly came to Southall as it was the first town near the airport and had lots of factories at that time.”
“Virtually all of the Punjabis in Southall have a relative who served in the British Indian Army. This monument will inspire the next generation to join the British Army and keep up the tradition their forefathers started as well as help alleviate racism when people see that Sikhs fought with British armed forces for King and Empire,” he added.
The proposal also references earlier approval in principle for a Sikh memorial at another Southall site, but the project team opted to consolidate commemorative spaces within Manor House Grounds to create a single focal point for remembrance and community reflection.
The application describes the monument as a contribution to inclusive public space, aimed at strengthening cultural heritage, community cohesion, and historical awareness in the area.
