BIRMINGHAM, UK—Following Manjit Singh GK’s recent outburst against Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland hoped for by Sikhs worldwide, he has reportedly been given police protection whilst on his seven day tour of UK.
On Wednesday, police rushed to provide security cover to Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) chief Manjit Singh GK in Birmingham following his confrontation with Sikhs in UK during his public meetings.
Three police officers and an escort vehicle were provided to accompany him following threatening phone calls and emails to TV and radio stations in the UK to stop GK’s entry at gurdwaras and not entertain him.
Manjit Singh GK, who is on a seven-day tour to the UK and Dubai that began on Tuesday, has been sent by the Shiromani Akali Dal to convince Sikhs abroad to cease the demand for separate statehood and return to India—a fact that has a majority of Sikhs outside of India outraged.
“There was a specific request from our partner radio channel on impending threat to the Sikh committee head. Such security is often offered to all significant people who may face public scrutiny,” said Aqeel Khan, senior police officer, West Midland Police. The security was facilitated by a private FM channel in Birmingham, which has a partnership programme with the local police.
This action came after at least three separate Sikhs tried to convince GK and Shiromani Akali Dal to escalate their support for the Anandpur Sahib Resolution during a 90-minute public debate in which GK took part. It was telecast live by Sikh Channel.
Manjit, however, refused to relent. “I have come to the UK as [an Indian] nationalist. We want both separatists and the kids of asylum seekers to return to India and join the country,” Manjit Singh said. He was replying to a volley of questions posed by Dal Khalsa founding member Manmohan Singh.
As I noted during the show, whether you agree with Sardar Manjit Singh GK or not, you have to give him credit for having the courage to express his thoughts without fear or favour. Too often our leaders speak with forked tongues and will say whatever they think might be popular. I also think his rejection of a Sikh separatist agenda should not be interested as him being ‘anti-panthic’. The reality is that the Khalistan agenda has to date been very poorly articulated and this should be a wake-up call for those that support the legitimate demand for Sikh independence. Indeed, it would be great if Khalistani leaders came to the SIkh Channel and presented their case in front of live a learned audience. Unless advocates of Khalistan are able to move from hollow slogans to a real vision for the emancipation of all Panjabis and ultimately all Indians, then I am afraid, there is little future for that agenda. Also, if you watched carefully Manjit SIngh did talk about autonomy for Panjab. He also said he was not opposed to Khalistanis making their case, but that he was not convinced that separatism was the solution for the future of SIkhs in India.
In this programme Manjit Singh GK offered a very clear vision of how to save Sikhs and Sikhi. By drawing parallels with the Jews, he emphasised the importance of building a highly educated, globally orientated nation. He also correctly identified that the crisis of Sikhi and Sikhs, particularly in rural parts of Panjab is as much related to dramatic social changes to the social, cultural and economic fabric associated with rapid urbanisation, globalisation and new social media as it is to the failures of government. The solution therefore is tom open our eyes to such momentous changes rather than to simply blame the politicians or to constantly rely on conspiracy theories. Today, through strengthening our existing institutions such as the DSGPC and SGPC and by building new progressive institutions, the Sikhs can have a real future. Failure to do so will certainly result in the ongoing demise of a once proud people and nation. Today, we need to move away from Sikhs as sadhus – which is the image being promoted by many of the so called ‘dharmic’ jathebandhis, particularly those led by a baba’s – but of humanitarians, scholars, scientists, ecologists, entrepreneurs, intellectuals, journalists, film makers, media personalities and peace activists. Sadly a nation of once proud Saints, Scholars, Soldiers, is being led by those who do not even have the capacity to understand not respond to my argument in any thoughtful way.
When you are few in number then the only way to survive, as the Jews have demonstrated for the past 2500 years, is to focus on quality and brain power. Rather than retreat to the Gurdwaras and dears, to spend every spare minute in ritualistic meditation sealed off from the rest of the world, we now more than ever before need to recound the practical example set by Dhan Guru Nanak Ji, who confronted the ‘holy men’ in the temples and deras and sites of pilgrimage, the rich and the powerful. Who, from Sri Lanka in the South to Bangladesh and Sikhim in the East, from Tibbet and China in the North to Mecca, Bagdad and even Italy in the West, he embarked on his own revolutionary struggle to unite humanity, to rid us of irrational superstitious beliefs and to bring peace and co-operation to what was and remains a divided world.
If you want Sikhi to survive put gurbani into practice. Reach out to others and share with them the living universal social spirituality for the modern age which Sikhi most definitely is. Putting aside the politics, there can be no doubt that Manjit Singh is perhaps the first and only Sikh Leader from India that has ever articulated so clearly such a vision for the future of Sikhs. It will be a tragedy if blinded by our own unquestioning political and dera affiliations we fail to see this opportunity to wake-up and sieze the moment.
Dr Gurnam Singh,
(Please note these comments are my personal views and not those of the Sikh Channel. I very much welcome and intelligent and critical response to my argument)
We don’t know what GK surname means,but priorities of the Sikhs need to be taken up first before discussing any agenda:
1.All Sikh political prisoners to be released starting with those who have completed their tenure.This includes prof.Bhullar,Rajoana,Hawara.etc
2.Punishment to congress perpetrators of 1984 crimes.
3.Punishment to perpetrators of Human Right abuses committed by Police and para military forces.
4.Rehabilitating the victims and their sons and daughters through compensation for the
losses sustained by them during the strife of Two Decades.
5.GK must go back and seek a general apology from Congress and Akalis and create a amicable environment for everyone to be happy.India is already having a bad image on Human Rights and weak law enforcement worldwide.
This is A Bhaamaan Kotta undercover sent by the indian goverment.
We will never let hindustan be forever. remember we are the once that kept hindus safe from mughals, and we know how to take care of ourselfs and idiots like u( GK) please dont call this man with Singh. its disrespect too our pride.
Mr. Manjit Singh {GK’s}???
Have you forgotten that PUNJAB A Home land of PUJABEES And SIKHS Has been divided by into FOUR PARTS Since the INDEPEDENT OF INDIA BY BRAHMIN LED GOVERMENTS and selfish people like yourself and all the BADAL Family.
Do read ” THE ENIGMA OF NEHRU AND THE SIKHS” BY Kuldip Singh[frcs] http://www.sikhreview.org. It will open your eyes. What is in store for the Sikhs of India in the future.
Where are the young sikh of today in india.?? What happened to sikh TURBAN
Since 1984 WHY THEY have started cutting their Hair.??
SIKHS have become the 3RD CLASS citizen of india. POLICE and GOVT. do not
protect their HUMANE RIGHTS.INSTEAD KILLING OR SENDING THEM TO BE HANGED.
GO BACK TO INDIA AND TRY TO SAVE THE SIKH KAUM THERE.
ARE YOU A SIKH OR BRAHMIN AT HEART.????.