Dabinderjit Singh
Encyclopedia
The Sikh Federation is a non-governmental organisation registered as a political party. Its most prominent spokesman is Dabinderjit Singh
.
Formation and International Sikh Youth Federation
The Sikh Federation (UK) was founded in September 2003, and is considered by some to be the UK successor of the International Sikh Youth Federation,
which has been banned in a number of countries, including the UK in 2001, and the US
in 2002, for having terrorist links.
Andrew Gilligan
, writing in The London Evening Standard
, reported that "After it was banned the ISYF dissolved, creating a successor body, the Sikh Federation UK, whose executive committee and senior members - including Mr Singh - are largely the same as the ISYF's, and whose objectives are the same."
The article goes on to say "There is no suggestion that Dabinderjit Singh has been personally involved in facilitating or carrying out an act of terrorism, or in ISYF activity since the group was banned."
It also campaigns nationally and internationally for the creation of a Sikh state of Khalistan
.
Although it is registered as a political party, it does not contest seats, choosing instead to support other parties that are responsive to Sikh interests.
In 2004, violence erupted at a protest against a play, "Behzti
" (Dishonour), that was to have been performed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
.
The protest organizer, Sewa Singh Mandla, chairman of the Birmingham council of Sikh Gurdwaras, blamed the violence on extremist members of the Sikh Federation.
The Federation is credited with primary responsibility for the creation of the Sikh All-Party Parliamentary Group in July 2005, thanks to its "intensive lobbying".
Kim Bolan
, writing in The Vancouver Sun
, reported in February 2008 that Dabinderjit Singh was in Canada refining and gathering support for the Sikh Federation agenda. One contentious item on the proposed agenda was to have both the Babbar Khalsa
and the International Sikh Youth Federation delisted as terrorist organizations.
The Federation's most prominent spokesman is Dabinderjit Singh
Sidhu, a Director at the National Audit Office
(where he goes by the name 'Sid Sidhu'). and a spokesman for Sikh rights and interests. He was awarded an OBE in 2000.
Singh has also acted as a spokesman for Sikh Secretariat, formed in 2001.
Dabinderjit Singh
The Sikh Federation is a non-governmental organisation registered as a political party. Its most prominent spokesman is Dabinderjit Singh.-Formation and International Sikh Youth Federation links:...
.
Formation and International Sikh Youth FederationInternational Sikh Youth FederationThe International Sikh Youth Federation is banned under British, Indian, Canadian and American terrorism legislations.- Bannings :In February 2001, the United Kingdom banned twenty-one groups, including the ISYF, under a new terrorism law....
links
The Sikh Federation (UK) was founded in September 2003, and is considered by some to be the UK successor of the International Sikh Youth Federation,which has been banned in a number of countries, including the UK in 2001, and the US
in 2002, for having terrorist links.
Andrew Gilligan
Andrew Gilligan
Andrew Paul Gilligan is a British journalist best known for a 2003 report on BBC Radio 4's The Today Programme in which he said a British government briefing paper on Iraq and weapons of mass destruction had been 'sexed up', a claim that ultimately led to a public inquiry that criticised Gilligan...
, writing in The London Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
, reported that "After it was banned the ISYF dissolved, creating a successor body, the Sikh Federation UK, whose executive committee and senior members - including Mr Singh - are largely the same as the ISYF's, and whose objectives are the same."
The article goes on to say "There is no suggestion that Dabinderjit Singh has been personally involved in facilitating or carrying out an act of terrorism, or in ISYF activity since the group was banned."
Goals and activities
Its stated aims are to protect the rights and promote the interests of the hundreds of thousands of Sikh residents in the UK who compose its third-largest faith.It also campaigns nationally and internationally for the creation of a Sikh state of Khalistan
Khalistan
Khalistan refers to a global political secessionist movement to create a separate Sikh state, called Khālistān , carved out of parts mostly consisting of the Punjab region of India, depending on definition....
.
Although it is registered as a political party, it does not contest seats, choosing instead to support other parties that are responsive to Sikh interests.
In 2004, violence erupted at a protest against a play, "Behzti
Behzti
Behzti is a play written by the British Sikh playwright Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti. The play sparked a controversy in the United Kingdom in December 2004. A controversial scene set in a Gurdwara included scenes of rape, physical abuse and murder. Some members of the Sikh community found the play deeply...
" (Dishonour), that was to have been performed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England...
.
The protest organizer, Sewa Singh Mandla, chairman of the Birmingham council of Sikh Gurdwaras, blamed the violence on extremist members of the Sikh Federation.
The Federation is credited with primary responsibility for the creation of the Sikh All-Party Parliamentary Group in July 2005, thanks to its "intensive lobbying".
Kim Bolan
Kim Bolan
Kim Bolan has been a reporter at The Vancouver Sun since her journalism career began in 1984.Bolan has reported on minority, women’s, education, and social services issues; wars in El Salvador, Guatemala and Afghanistan; Sikh extremism, and the bombing and trials related to Air India Flight 182.CBC...
, writing in The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun is a daily newspaper first published in the Canadian province of British Columbia on February 12, 1912. The paper is currently published by the Pacific Newspaper Group, a division of Postmedia Network. It is published six days a week, Monday to Saturday...
, reported in February 2008 that Dabinderjit Singh was in Canada refining and gathering support for the Sikh Federation agenda. One contentious item on the proposed agenda was to have both the Babbar Khalsa
Babbar Khalsa
Babbar Khalsa , also known as Babbar Khalsa International , is a Sikh armed organisation based in India. Many consider the Babbar Khalsa a Resistance movement, and it played a prominent role in the Punjab insurgency. Babbar Khalsa International was created in 1978, after a number of Sikhs were...
and the International Sikh Youth Federation delisted as terrorist organizations.
Leadership
Amrik Singh Gill is the current (as of January 2009) Chairman of the Sikh Federation (UK).The Federation's most prominent spokesman is Dabinderjit Singh
Dabinderjit Singh
The Sikh Federation is a non-governmental organisation registered as a political party. Its most prominent spokesman is Dabinderjit Singh.-Formation and International Sikh Youth Federation links:...
Sidhu, a Director at the National Audit Office
National Audit Office
National Audit Office can refer to:* Australian National Audit Office* National Audit Office * National Audit Office of the People's Republic of China* Swedish National Audit Office...
(where he goes by the name 'Sid Sidhu'). and a spokesman for Sikh rights and interests. He was awarded an OBE in 2000.
Singh has also acted as a spokesman for Sikh Secretariat, formed in 2001.