UK MILITARY SIGNS COVENANT WITH SIKHS

A Britain-based Sikh organisation and defence secretary Michael Fallon have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, formally recognising the strong historical and contemporary ties between the community and the armed forces.

The covenant was signed at an event to celebrate Vaisakhi with the British Sikh Association on Thursday.

Fallon said: “A diverse military is a strong military, which is why we’re committed to making sure our forces better represent the society they serve – this covenant signing is yet another demonstration of this.”

“Sikhs have a rich history with the armed forces, from their unsurpassed courage at the Battle of Saragarhi 120 years ago, to the hundreds of thousands of Sikhs who fought for Britain during the First and Second World Wars. We will work with the association to ensure that tradition continues,” Fallon added.

Currently 170 Sikhs serve in the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force, with many more serving as reservists.