UK’s 1st turbaned Sikh MP promises probe into Britain’s role in Op Bluestar
SGPC EXECUTIVE MEMBERS HONOURED THE MP AND HIS FATHER, JASPAL SINGH DHESI
AMRITSAR: Stressing that Sikhs have played a pivotal role in economic development of various countries, United Kingdom’s first turbaned Sikh parliamentarian, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, said on Wednesday that raising issues faced by Sikhs will be among his top priorities as a member of the House of Commons.
After paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, he spoke on Operation Bluestar, the 1984 army action ordered by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi to flush out militants from the Golden Temple, during a media interaction and said, “Earlier, an inquiry was done (into the UK’s alleged role in the operation). But that was a whitewash. Now we will get an independent inquiry done to find out what the role of the then British government was when Operation Bluestar took place.”
Dhesi also raised the 1984 antiSikh riots that followed Indira’s assassination, and said, “The pain is still there in the commu- nity. People are awaiting justice, and only justice will help them move on.”
About Sikhs abroad, he said, “There are countries for which thousands of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives and have also contributed immense ly to their development; but it is unfortunate that in those very countries they are asked to remove their turbans in the name of security. The turban is the pride of every Sikh.” He talked about France ,“where Sikh students are banned from wearing turban in school and others are asked to remove their turbans for official pictures”.
“Many Sikhs have been shot dead due to this mistaken identity glitch. This needs to stop. I will raise this. I know the community is looking up to me. I am proud to be a member of the UK parliament as it is a diverse House, and even these issues will be heard and resolved,” said the member Parliament from Slough segment.
Earlier, SGPC executive members, in the absence of president Kirpal Singh Badungar, collectively honoured the MP and his father, Jaspal Singh Dhesi. SGPC general secretary Amardeep Singh Chawla told the MP that everyone is proud of his “record-breaking win”.
Canadian politician Prabhdeep Gill, a member of the legislative assembly of Alberta in Canada also visited the Golden Temple to pay his respects on Wednesday.