What is the Sikh Agenda?
A comprehensive eight-point Sikh Agenda for the UK Government was launched on 16 September 2001 at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Sedgely Street, Wolverhampton and reflected a diverse range of aims and objectives for the Sikh community in the UK.
The Sikh Agenda was finalised after a three-month consultation period that began after the General Election. The end product was an agenda that represented the aspirations of the disparate parts of the UK Sikh community that could be progressed jointly over the next five years with the UK Government, the Opposition and individual Members of Parliament.
The beauty of the Sikh Agenda concept is that it recognises that all Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations should be able to relate to, support and take forward one or more items within the agenda. At the same time no Gurdwara or Sikh organisation is being asked to compromise its independence or aims and objectives by being required to sign up to the Sikh Agenda approach in full. A similar logic applies to individual MPs who are able to support and take forward specific items in the agenda without having to back every single item.
The Sikh Agenda has provided the UK Government with a clear understanding of the broad range of needs of the Sikh community in the UK and what is required to ensure Sikhs are able to play a more effective role in our diverse multicultural society. The agenda also recognises that both, British Sikhs and the UK Government, have an active role to play in promoting British-Sikh relations in the UK and globally.
As envisaged, the eight-point Sikh Agenda has gone through its first annual revision process to reflect developments during the last year. Once again, there has been wide-ranging consultation within the Sikh community in the last two months.
Why have a Sikh Agenda?
The Sikh community's approach to the UK Government needed to be more effectively organised and co-ordinated so as to be better able to present issues of concern to the Sikh community and to promote relations between the Sikh community and the government.
Although a considerable amount of good work is and was being carried out by numerous Sikh organisations throughout the UK, a co-ordinated and professional approach was lacking. A comprehensive and coherent Sikh Agenda provides a framework for co-ordination and co-operation and improves transparency and accountability.
The Sikh Agenda, with the help of the Sikh Secretariat administrative concept, enables the community to monitor progress by the UK Government and its agencies and to assess its ability to meet the needs of its Sikh citizens. It also makes Sikh organisations and their representatives more accountable for their actions as regards progress against the Sikh Agenda.
The Sikh Agenda and Sikh Secretariat concepts, along with complementary initiatives, such as a series of Sikh Lobby Days at Westminster, the Sikh Agenda e-group and the development of an open and all-inclusive UK-wide forum for consulting and providing feedback are also providing a more effective framework for timely consultations with those that represent the grassroots of the Sikh community.
Implementation of the Sikh Agenda and related initiatives is allowing the 700,000 strong British Sikh community to play a more effective part in British society as an important ethnic minority in the UK. The Sikh community, due to its numbers and commitment to strong religious and cultural values has shown that it also has the potential to constitute one of the most influential lobby groups in the UK, provided there is proper co-ordination and involvement of both Sikh professionals and organisations truly representing the grassroots.
Key features of the Sikh Agenda
The revised Sikh Agenda for the UK Government remains an eight-point agenda, which sets out a broad range of aims and objectives for the UK Sikh community and is specifically directed at the UK Government, the Opposition and individual MPs. The key features of the Sikh Agenda are shown below with specific targets for achievements over the next four years.
Sikh Agenda for the UK Government
Agenda Item 1 - British Sikhs and the establishment
Agenda Item 2 - Government funding for Sikh organisations
Agenda Item 3 - Promotion of the Sikh identity and the Panjabi language
Agenda Item 4 - Sikhs and Education
Agenda Item 5 - Preserving Sikh heritage
Agenda Item 6 - Protecting the human rights of Sikhs and humanitarian aid
Agenda Item 7 - Self determination for the Sikh Nation
Agenda Item 8 - Challenging the ban and restrictions on Sikh organisations
Progress in the first year
A 45-minute presentation of progress against each of the eight agenda items after the first six-months was delivered at Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara, Leicester on 7 April 2002. The level of activity and the number of Sikh organisations involved in taking forward specific agenda items have grown enormously. Sikh organisations working independently on agenda items have taken it upon themselves to report progress to their members and the Sikh community in general.
One important recent development is the emerging consensus amongst leading Sikh organisations regarding an open Sikh forum for consulting and providing feedback on issues raised with or by the UK Government. At a recent meeting, the forum received wide support from UK Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations. The Sikh Secretariat is committed to working closely with the forum as a meeting place for diverse Sikh organisations.
The key events in the first year where Sikh organisations have worked together with the Sikh Secretariat are shown below.
Key events in the first year . . .
Launch of the Sikh Agenda
Over 10,000 participated at the launch at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, Wolverhampton on 16 September. It included representatives from many Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations. Leading politicians from all political parties welcomed the Sikh Agenda and the concept of a Sikh Secretariat to co-ordinate activities.
Sikh Lobby Days
Three lobbies were held on 21 Nov 2001, 16 April and 3 July 2002 at the Houses of Parliament. The events were well attended by Sikh representatives and politicians, including Cabinet Ministers. All three events were covered positively by the national media.
Presentations in Parliament
Delivered in conjunction with the Sikh Lobby Days in the Grand Committee Room - Nov 2001, Committee Room 14 - April 2002 and the Boothroyd Suite, Portcullis House - July 2002. 15 to 20 politicians took part in each event.
Parliamentary debates
Debates supporting Sikhs were held for the first time on 3 July 2002 in both the House of Commons and Lords.
Early Day Motions
In the last year MPs have been encouraged to sign over ten EDMs of direct relevance to Sikhs. Almost 200 MPs supported EDMs on the separate recognition and monitoring of Sikhs.
Parliamentary questions
MPs and Lords have raised around 20 written parliamentary questions on Sikh issues, such as, the Sikhs Awareness Week, Professor Davinderpal Singh Bhullar and separate recognition and monitoring of Sikhs.
Dialogue and meetings with Government Departments
14 Government Departments were sent the Sikh Agenda in December 2001 and asked to clarify the position regarding contact with the Sikh community and Sikh advisers.
A dialogue and/or meetings have taken place with the Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Department for Education and Skills, Department for International Development, Department for Transport, Department of Health, Ministry of Defence and Department for Trade and Industry.
Meetings with Ministers and leading political figures
Meetings have taken place with: Minister for Transport, Schools Minister, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State - Home Office, Shadow Home Secretary, Shadow Home Office Minister, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Chair of the All-Party Panjabis in Britain Parliamentary Group.
Sikh Agenda e-group
Launched on 2 January 2002. One of the largest and busiest Sikh e-groups on the world-wide-web with over 1,000 members and representatives from over 200 Sikh organisations.
Sikh Agenda meetings
Action focused meetings with representatives from around 20-25 Sikh organisations wishing to take forward specific parts of the Sikh Agenda.
Other initiatives
Meetings with the CRE, senior police officers following 11 September etc.
Presentations to the BBC, London Civic Forum etc.
Participation in working groups looking at Sikhs and Education, Sikh Consultation Forum, Equality Bill etc.
How can you help deliver the Sikh Agenda?
E-mail contacts for further information . . .
Sikh Secretariat, PO Box LB 1464, London W1A 9LB info@sikhjustice.com