At the start of the First World War in 1914, India's enemy was Britain and not Germany. Yet one and a half million Indians enlisted and over 70 thousand died for a country not theirs. However, it is as unbelievable as it is unacceptable that the Indian contribution to the British war efforts should be classified under religious groups rather than on the national identity of the soldiers. They were all Indian soldiers who fought courageously shoulder to shoulder with the British armed forces on the battlefields of Europe and beyond and not as Hindu, Muslim or Sikh soldiers, any more than the British soldiers did as Catholics or Protestants.
The announcement of the ' London National Sikh War Memorial' ( AV Feb 10), cannot be a 'National' monument if it honours only the Sikh soldiers, disregarding the Hindu and the Muslim soldiers, who fought with equal valour.
For all the support that India gave, the onus surely is on Britain to say 'thank you India' way of a real 'National' monument in the name of Khudadad Khan, the first Indian ever to be awarded the Victoria Cross and who served Britain with loyalty and courage.
Sadly, the Indian contribution to the two wars is also ignored by the Royal British Legion in their televised annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Repeated appeals to include the contributions of the soldiers from India and the Empire have not been unsuccessful. Watching the programme one could be forgiven for thinking that Britain won the two wars singlehanded. In this Centenary of the end of the First World War, it is very much hoped that Indian soldiers will be honoured at the Royal Albert Hall and for their great and outstanding sacrifices, the Sikhs will take pride in their soldiers, representing India.
Dr. Kusoom Vadgama
London
