Responding to the increasing number of online signatories to the petition of the first turbaned Sikh Member Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, and the wide-ranging parliamentary support that he garnered, cutting across party lines, the British government has announced full cooperation and support to the establishment of the first National Sikh War memorial to the thousands of Sikh soldiers who died in World War I and II.

1914: Sikhs from the Punjab, nurtured in the Sikh martial traditions, beckoned by the British Army, persuaded by their community and political leaders, singly and collectively decide to join the British army and go beyond the shores of their homeland to fight Hitler and his forces. Thousands respond and join the British imperial forces far and wide across continents. Some for pecuniary reasons, others to fight the tyranny of Hitler, many to the call of justice and a few with the assumption that they would get their own self-rule back in the Punjab. 83000 die and 100000 are injured. Those who died were cremated in War crematoriums -some with their names inscribed and many as unknown.

2018: The first Muslim mayor of the city of London. The first turbaned Sikh member of Parliament in the British Parliament. Sikh British business tycoons with their financial contribution. The prompt affirmation by ministers, the commendation by the Speaker of the British Parliament, shadow leaders and nearly half the British Parliamentarians across party lines added the necessary impetus. Researchers, activists, writers and historians have endorsed the call. War veterans and their families humbled and full of gratitude.  WSN also joined the campaign #WeWillRememberThem.

100 years on:  Britain rises to raise a National Sikh War Memorial in central London. Outside of Punjab -the homeland of the Sikhs, it will be the first such Sikh memorial in any world capital city. Memorials exist in London for the brave Gorkhas, the Commonwealth soldiers and many others.

Slough member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and the London city mayor Sadiq Khan, join hands to raise the pitch for the call for a National Sikh War Memorial. The online campaign, meetings of citizens, members of Parliament, veteran soldiers and their families -all bear fruit in good time. The government of the United Kingdom decides to search for an appropriate place in central London and set up the memorial in recognition of the known and unknown Sikh soldiers who fought and died in World War I and

“The Sikh people love martyrdom in the call of duty. A life committed to a mission is the preferred lifestyle of Sikhs. There is no other explanation for thousands of Sikhs to go to the UK, Italy, France, Belgium, Egypt and elsewhere and lay down their lives in distant lands.”

Speaking at the National Sikh War Memorial Trust set-up meeting, Tan Dhesi was forthright. He said, “Together, we will finally achieve this long-standing community aspiration for our country.”

The Sikh people love martyrdom in the call of duty. A life committed to a mission is the preferred lifestyle of Sikhs. There is no other explanation for thousands of Sikhs to go to the UK, Italy, France, Belgium, Egypt and elsewhere and lay down their lives in distant lands.

As we recognise the contribution of the Sikh soldiers, a thought rankles: what was the impact of their deaths on their families? In that day and age, how many actually got to know that their kith and kin were no more? How many such families have been facilitated by the Commonwealth Graves Commission to visit the tombs of their loved ones? The London memorial, not coming a day too soon, may look into this. The NSWMT needs to go beyond the memorial.  Subsequently, the NSWMT may consider the setting up of a Sikh Graves Commission and work closely with the Commonwealth Graves Mission.

A French lady pinning a rose on the lapel of a marching Sikh soldier is an unforgettable image of gratitude. The National Sikh War Memorial, when it comes up in central London will serve as a memorial to the distinctive Sikh people with their unique turbans and attire. The European bow to the Sikh soldiers’ memorial in Forli, Italy and the British bow in central London will serve not only to recognise the contribution of thousands of Sikh soldiers but will also tell the generations to come about who these turbaned Sikh people are and what do they stand for.

“The World Sikh News commends the activism of Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and hopes that he will continue his marvellous endeavours for recognition of the Sikh turban in the UK and elsewhere.”

The Anglo-Sikh trail is a long one. Britain has risen after a 100 years. Nevertheless, it has. The NSWMT -The National Sikh War Memorial Trust has been launched. British Sikhs have raised 375000 pounds. More will follow. The British government has promised to pitch in.

In an interview to BBC Radio Berkshire, Member Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has said that he sees the possibility of the National Sikh War Memorial coming up in 2019. Should it happen, it would one of the befitting tributes by Britain to Sikhs who would be observing the 550 years of Guru Nanak’s advent on planet earth.

The World Sikh News commends the activism of Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and hopes that he will continue his marvellous endeavours for recognition of the Sikh turban in the UK and elsewhere.

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With the throne of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the Victoria and Albert museum in London, the Kohinoor diamond in the Tower of London, the unforgotten chapters of the deceitful annexation of the Sikh Raj in 1849 and the Anglo-Sikh legacy of Maharaja Duleep Singh still fresh in the hearts and minds of Sikhs, Britain has much more rising to do in the times to come.