Demand for Sikh regiment in British Army peaks, minister says open to idea

India Today

5 hours ago

Following calls for a dedicated Sikh regiment in the British Army, comprising members of the community in the UK, the Keir Starmer-led government has said that it's open to the idea. Earlier this month, Labour peer Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota raised the issue in the House of Lords, citing the loyalty and courage of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars, The UK Defence Journal reported.British Defence Minister Vernon Rodney Coaker expressed his willingness to discuss the matter with the Sikh lawmaker.Earlier in July, Sahota, in the House of Lords, asked about progress on long-standing calls for such a unit in the British Army.Coaker responded that he was open to discussions, saying, "I am quite happy to meet him (Sahota) to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs, and those of many other faiths as well".Notably, according to The Royal Logistic Corps Association, there were 130 Sikh soldiers in the British Army and another 70 serving across defence forces in 2019. However, media reports estimate that the number of Sikh soldiers in the British Army to have risen to around 160 in 2024.Defence Minister Coaker, in the first week of July, pointed to the Victory over Japan Day commemorations on August 15, as a moment to reflect on the global wartime sacrifices of the British forces. "Not least among that were the Sikhs of the world, who played a valiant part," the UK Defence Journal quoted him as saying.While no firm commitment was made, the conversation signals fresh momentum to acknowledge Sikh military history in the British Armed Forces.NOT A NEW IDEA TO HAVE SIKH REGIMENT IN THE BRITISH ARMYThis isn't a new idea.In 2015, Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois told the House of Commons that General Nicholas Carter, then-Chief of the General Staff, was reviewing the feasibility of a Sikh unit, possibly a reserve company.Former Defence Minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged the government to "do away with political correctness" and establish the regiment, praising the "extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations".Francois had in 2015 noted the proposal's merits, saying it was raised by several MPs and was under consideration. The discussions emphasised carrying forward the traditions of Sikh regiments from the British Indian Army, though no action followed.SIKHS ASSOCIATED WITH BRITISH ARMY SINCE MID-19TH CENTURYSikhs have served in the British military since the 1840s, after the annexation of the Sikh Empire in 1849.The British colonisers, to bolster their grip, categorised military regiments in the British Indian Army by caste, religion, and region, designating Sikhs, Gurkhas, Jats, Rajputs, Nagas, and many others as "martial races" that were suited for warfare.They recruited heavily from Punjab after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, as the community was deemed loyal.This divisive strategy prioritised military utility over the cultural depth of the communities.Yet Sikhs transformed this imposed label into a legacy of courage.By the late 19th century, Sikhs were a cornerstone of the British Indian Army, serving in regiments like the Sikh Regiment and Punjab Regiment.As per the UK Defence Journal, in World War I, over 1,00,000 Sikhs fought in France, East Africa, Mesopotamia, and Gallipoli, earning Victoria Crosses in battles like Neuve Chapelle.They were less than 2% of British India's population but 20% of its army.In World War II, 3,00,000 Sikhs served in North Africa, Italy, and Southeast Asia, their impact huge in combat and support roles, the journal also reported.After India's Independence, the Sikhs became a part of the Indian Army, though some still serve in the UK today.SIKH'S LEGACY CAN LINK COLONIAL TIES TO MODERN BRITAINA Sikh regiment would be similar to the Brigade of Gurkhas, which recruits from Nepal and Indian Nepali-speaking communities, linking colonial ties with today's British Army.A Sikh regiment could do the same for Britain as the Gurkha Regiment has, boosting diversity in the British forces.The 2015 push did not yield results, but Coaker's openness a decade later could signal a shift in the British Army.- Ends
advertisement