Sword-wielding Sikhs storm UK gurudwara to oppose inter-faith marriage, 55 arrested

Fifty-five Sikh men were arrested in UK's Warwickshire after a gang of 20-30 sword-wielding men stormed a gurudwara to protest against an inter-faith marriage.

IndiaToday.in  | Edited by Vishakha Saxena
New Delhi / London, September 12, 2016

Fifty-five Sikh men were arrested in UK's Warwickshire after a gang of 20-30 sword-wielding men stormed a gurudwara in the Leamington Spa area on Sunday and blocked its entrance for eight hours.

Police say the situation has now been "contained" after an operation involving 'specially trained' armed officers at Gurudwara Sahib in the West Midlands region. They were responding to reports of a gang of men carrying "bladed weapons" disrupting a mixed-race wedding ceremony.


 

"Officers responded to an initial report of a group of masked men, initially thought to be around 20 in number, forcing their way into the gurudwara. These were reported to be carrying a range of bladed items some of which were initially described as not being for ceremonial use. Officers assessed the situation and responded accordingly," a Wariwckshire Police statement said on Monday.

"Having contained the situation, it became apparent that there were 55 masked men involved, all of whom were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass. Blades seized so far have been ceremonial. Another non-ceremonial weapon was seized. This is an ongoing investigation and we will be investigating the initial report that other weapons were involved," it adds.

Kirpans, or short swords, are legally allowed to be worn by Sikhs in the UK as a symbol of their faith, however, police have seized a blade they say was not ceremonial.

WHAT THE PROTESTERS ARE CLAIMING

Protesters from 'Sikh 2 Inspire' and 'Sikh Youth UK' claim that it was a "peaceful protest" against an inter-faith Anand Karaj, or Sikh matrimonial ceremony.

Sikh Youth UK said: "Local Sikh youth attended the early morning prayers at the Gurudwara and began a peaceful sit-down protest by reciting prayers. There was no violence, so it doesn't make sense why kirpans were confiscated and have to remain in police custody. We feel the police should not be holding onto the kirpans... we are not sure where the media has picked up their distorted narrative which damages the reputation of the Sikhs," said Gurmail Singh of Sikh Council UK.

Jatinder Singh Birdi, a former treasurer at the temple, confirmed a marriage between a Sikh and non-Sikh couple was due to take place. "There have been tensions that have been going on for a couple of years with some people objecting to mixed marriages in taking place in the Gurdwara," he told the British Broadcasting Company.

"The general consensus is people are respectful of mixed marriages if the traditions are respected. Nothing has happened on this level before. This is meant to be one of the happiest moments of somebodys life - it shows a lack of respect," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)