In the UK Parliament House, Gurbani calls for Baisakhi

This week, during a first-ever Baisakhi celebration, the Houses of Parliament complex in London was filled with the devotional sounds of Gurbani and messages of unity.

 

In an effort to highlight the UK-India relationship and the contributions made by the Sikh community to British life, a variety of professionals, community leaders, and philanthropists gathered at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Room on Monday evening. The event was organized by the British Indian think tank 1928 Institute and diaspora membership organizations City Sikhs and the British Punjabi Welfare Association (BPWA).

The event was chaired by Jasvir Singh of City Sikhs and included remarks and Gurbani from the Anahad Kirtan Society.

Celebrating Baisakhi, the day when Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa community in 1699, is really an honor.

Kiran Kaur Manku, co-chair of the 1928 Institute, stated, “Baisakhi celebrates the beginning of the Khalsa and the teachings that accompany this, focusing on equality by proactively removing forms of hierarchy, ego, and fear.”

Today is also the Prakash, which means, in a rough translation, the birth or incarnation of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth and brave warrior for universal rights.

Known as the “Shield of India,” he gave his life in defense of other people’s rights.

The Sikh identity and way of life are based on the wise principles and teachings of the Guru and Khalsa.

“It is these values that we cherish, honour and celebrate today,” she said.

Baroness Sandy Verma and South Asia Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad supported the event, which is anticipated to become an annual feature in the parliamentary calendar. Among the cross-party parliamentarians in attendance were British Sikh Labour member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Labour’s shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific, Catherine West.

The establishment of a community with equality at its center, treating women and men equally, and a willingness to stand up for everyone in society, regardless of background or beliefs, is Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s gift to Sikhism and mankind.

As stated by Param Singh, Co-Chair of City Sikhs, “Khalsa values are what still have an impact on Sikhs today.”