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Sikh outraged at BBC Radio
4 program
The BBC Radio 4 programme 'File on 4'
claimed that Sikh Gurdwara's in Britain are sending money to India
to fund the activities of Sikh militants who are pushing for a Sikh
homeland called Khalistan.
Many Sikhs feel that the programme lacked "balance" and according to
bhangra artists Tigerstyle, it "attempted to sensationalise local
gurdwara politics".
Editor of Sikh newspaper The Sikh Times, Gurjeet Kaur said the
programme was "irresponsible journalism", adding "it is these
irresponsible actions that destroy trust and question relationships.
The Sikh community has worked arduously to become model citizens of
Britain. Not only have they contributed financially they have and
are equally contributing socially to the welfare and future of this
country."
Some members of the Sikh community told 'File on 4' they fear the
extremists could use Sikh temples the way radical Muslim cleric Abu
Hamza radicalised the Finsbury Park Mosque in London.
 Indarjit Singh, Director Network of Sikh Organisations said: "In my
capacity as Director of the NSO, I have already made my comments
known to Paramjit Dhanda the Minister responsible for the Faith and
Community Consultative Forum, and earnestly request the British Sikh
Consultative Forums (open and closed) and other Sikh groupings to do
the same."
Gurmukh Singh, Administrative Secretary of the (open) British Sikh
Consultative Forum expressed concern of the programme: "I saw this
programme which portrayed Sikh concern for the families of Sikhs
killed by the Indian State as something sinister. Truth was
stretched almost beyond recognition to portray a negative image of
Sikhs by suggesting links between Sikh and Muslim extremists! The
programme lacked balance because questionable comments were made by
Indian 'security experts' but Sikhs were given no opportunity to
respond."
The BBC defended the programme adding: "The programme was presented
by Amardeep Bassey, an experienced and respected Sikh journalist and
included comments from a wide range of agencies and experts. It
reflected the concern expressed by the Indian police that militant
groups trying to revive the violent campaign for an independent Sikh
homeland, are being given support from outside the country,
including the UK. The issues we reported are of obvious public
interest both to Sikhs and to the wider public and we were at pains
to make it clear that we were focusing on the activities of a
minority of people."
12
March 2008
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