Uk Sikhs Collectively Decide To Challenge Visiting Indian PM

LONDON, UK : Yesterday prominent Sikh organisations, Gurdwaras from across the UK and the youth gathered at Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Havelock Road, Southall to discuss the Sikh response and plan of action for the visit to the UK of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in mid-November.In what could prove to be a historic move all Sikh organisations, Gurdwaras and the youth unanimously endorsed the detailed strategy prepared and presented by the Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO). Those gathered had different political perspectives yet they were all impressed with the proposed strategy without a single voice of dissent. Even those with limited ambitions for the Sikh community and often start from the position of compromise had to admit there was nothing in the strategy that could be questioned.There have been many rumours in the last few weeks about Sikhs trying to set up meetings and negotiate, including talk of Narendra Modi possibly turning up to a Gurdwara. Those that have been making such suggestions were told in no uncertain terms that the key issues that needed to be addressed by the Indian authorities were those set out in the strategy. The written strategy clarified some issues like getting rid of blacklists were a non-issue in the wider context of things. It was clarified and accepted by all concerned that what must clearly be on the table is the legitimate demand for a separate Sikh homeland with the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and dropping this item was not negotiable.