Sikh Activists Force Police to Leave Midland Gurudwara

Opposing the presence of West Midland Police at a gurudwara, British Sikh activists confronted them and told them to leave the venue as they were “spying on the Sikh community.”

Following coordinated raids at Sikh houses in September, Sikh activists claimed that they are being spied on and the police are ‘interfering in Indian matters,’ Daily Mail UK reported.

A video footage of the incident shows a group called Sikh Youth UK arguing with the West Midlands Police, stating that the police department is banned from the “gurudwara,” as the police has interfered in Indian matters.

The man, representing the Sikh group said: “don’t spy on Sikhs.” A member, recognized as Deepa Singh said, ‘Pack up your bags and go. West Midlands Police is banned from Sikh spaces. You are interfering in Indian matters, you are spying on the Sikh community. We are asking you nicely and humbly to pack your stuff up,’ adding “it is nothing personal.”

The publication learned that the temple committee had previously allowed the West Midlands Police to set up a stall during Diwali, in early November to try and recruit worshipers into the force. But after activists opposed their presence, the cops packed up the stall and left soon after.

Later in an official statement, the police department said, “Last week West Midlands Police attended a recruitment event at a Gurdwara in Walsall, during this event one member of the public had a heated discussion with an officer – following this, it was decided the best course of action was for WMP to leave the event. West Midlands Police has excellent relationships with its communities this includes the Sikh community and officers continue to be welcomed into Gurdwaras and other religious buildings.”

The police has clarified its intention behind the September raid. The police said they conducted the raids over “extremist activities,” while Sikh groups said the raids were linked to the arrest of British national Jagtar Singh Johal and were conducted at India’s behest.

The police said in a statement, “On 18 September, detectives from WMCTU, supported by colleagues from across the country, searched six properties in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, and London. Three of the premises were searched for items related to terrorism offenses. Three of the premises were searched for items related to fraud offenses. WMCTU works closely with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies but maintains operational independence from any form of political interference. The decision to undertake these searches was to secure and preserve evidence, the decision was not directed by either the UK or Indian Government.”