Greater than 400 Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are calling on Sir Keir Starmer to launch an inquiry he promised into potential British involvement within the Golden Temple Bloodbath.
The teams have signed a letter that was despatched to the prime minister urging him to comply with by on a dedication made in 2022.
The calls relate to questions round what half the UK and British particular forces performed within the 1984 killings, wherein tons of of Sikhs died after the Indian army entered the temple complicated the place separatists had sought refuge.
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In 2014, the UK authorities unintentionally revealed Margaret Thatcher was conscious of the Indian state’s intention to raid the temple and within the months earlier than the raid, a British SAS officer supplied recommendation to the Indian authorities.
A subsequent investigation commissioned by David Cameron discovered {that a} single officer supplied recommendation – and there was “no evidence of UK government involvement in the operation itself”.
Nevertheless, this investigation was criticised as a cover-up resulting from its restricted scope and fast timeframe.
In 2022, Sir Keir wrote to all Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations, saying: “A future Labour government will open an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the Indian army’s 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is important that we are open, transparent and above reproach in understanding any role the UK may have played in such events.
“That is one thing I do know is necessary to our Sikh communities right here and all through the world.”
Nevertheless, an announcement on the inquiry is but to materialise.
The federation says an inquiry “must” be introduced by 31 Could.
Picture:
Sikh campaigners need Starmer to maintain his phrase. Pic: PA
In a letter to Labour MPs, the Sikh Federation additionally referred to as on them to place strain on the federal government to begin an inquiry.
The organisation additionally mentioned it had heard “extremely worrying rumours” that the Overseas, Commonwealth And Growth Workplace has been beneath strain from the Indian authorities to “avoid or limit” an impartial inquiry.
It added: “Civil servants are understood to be advising that a public inquiry is expensive and could damage relations with India.”
The UK is at the moment making an attempt to barter a brand new commerce settlement with India within the wake of Brexit. Makes an attempt by the Conservative authorities failed resulting from a distinction in place over visas.
There’s a marketing campaign amongst some within the Sikh group for an impartial nation to be established – often known as Khalistan – out of elements of the Punjab area in northern India.
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These efforts are strongly opposed by Narendra Modhi’s Hindu nationalist BJP motion.
The FCDO and Downing Avenue have been approached for remark.
