British Sikh Council – Sikligar emerging into a life of Dignity

14 years ago an article in a UK newspaper on pitiful condition of Sikligar, Vanjaras and Satnami sikhs inspired Kulwant Singh Dhesi and Tarsem Singh Deol alongwith like-minded individuals to found British Sikh Council UK in 2002. Initial surveys in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh having a sizable population of Sikligar, Vanjara and Satnami Sikhs revealed inspite of alarming levels of poverty, lack of sanitation,dismal health and education facilities people have a staunch belief in the Sikh value system. Hair was maintained unshorn.

With the sincere efforts of Malkit Singh Bal, President, Gurmat Parchar Sanstha (Nagpur) and Gurcharan Singh, Coordinator in India (BSC), with the UK natives the first Gurdwara was constructed in 2003 at Warud, Maharashtra. 10 Gurdwaras in Maharashtra, One school in Aaron (district Guna) and two Gurdwaras in Mathana (district Ashok Nagar) were constructed in Madhya Pradesh. Scottish Sikh Council assisted with construction of homes and the tribal Sikhs emerged out of their shanties to move into a life of dignity. The transition has been fascinating and marvellous Their language, customs, lifestyle and skill should be respected and preserved. In the last 12 years British Sikh Council has achieved remarkable success with the contribution of the sangat of Europe. Local governments had marked the tribal Sikhs as denotified tribes and their weapon making skills occasionally put them on the wrong side of the law. Intervention and conselling by British Sikh Council UK and Malkit Singh Bal has encouraged the tribal Sikhs to educate their children and explore better job options. Change is happening but there is lots more work to be done.

~ Source: www.britishsikhcounciluk.org