UK Sikhs Warn Labour: Support Golden Temple Inquiry or Face 'No Platform' Campaign

• Jun 8, 2025

UK Sikhs Warn Labour: Support Golden Temple Inquiry or Face 'No Platform' Campaign

Politics Punjab TV | UK Politics | Community Affairs

Tensions are rising between British Sikhs and the Labour Party, as more than 450 gurdwaras, Sikh charities, and university groups have issued a strong warning: support an independent public inquiry into the UK’s alleged involvement in the 1984 Golden Temple massacre — or face political consequences.

The demand was delivered in a letter sent to Labour leader Keir Starmer, timed to coincide with the 41st anniversary of the massacre, commemorated with a large rally at Trafalgar Square.

“We are today being forced to put the Labour leadership on notice,” the letter states.
“If a judge-led public inquiry is not announced by the end of July 2025, Labour MPs will be banned from Sikh platforms from 1 August.”

Sikh Anger Over Broken Promises

The Sikh community accuses the Labour leadership of silence and inaction despite previous promises — including a 2022 letter by Starmer — to back an inquiry into the UK’s historical involvement in Operation Blue Star, which led to thousands of deaths in Amritsar’s Golden Temple in June 1984.

In 2014, declassified documents revealed that the British government under Margaret Thatcher had foreknowledge of the operation and had even sent an SAS officer to advise. A limited review ordered by then-PM David Cameron failed to satisfy Sikh campaigners, who are now demanding a full, judge-led inquiry.

Sikh Vote Could Shift to Reform or Independents

The Sikh Federation UK claims the Sikh population in the UK could be as high as one million, and it has identified 105 constituencies where Sikh votes are critical — including seats in Ilford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, and Derby.

Campaign leader Dabinderjit Singh warned that Labour could permanently lose Sikh support:

“Sikhs are well-respected and can build political alliances... If promises are broken, the community will act.”

Some frustrated Sikh voters have already turned to Reform UK, with two Sikh candidates running under its banner in the 2024 general election. Former Labour councillor Rajbir Singh defected to Reform earlier this year.

Singh noted ongoing conversations with the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, and the Scottish National Partyregarding potential support for the inquiry.

Concerns Over UK-India Relations and Human Rights

British Sikhs also expressed growing unease about the UK’s strengthening trade ties with India, amid concerns over human rights abuses and repression of minorities in the country.

While some Sikh groups appreciate past support from parties like UKIP and Reform on Sikh issues, there’s worry that mainstream parties are turning a blind eye to historic injustices.

“Don’t tell us, when thousands were killed in 1984, that our lives matter less,” Singh said.

The UK Foreign Office has yet to confirm plans for an inquiry but referred to remarks by Commons Leader Lucy Powell in January, who acknowledged the issue’s importance and said the matter must be “got to the bottom of.”