Nothing to do with Sikhs?

Taking responsibility for inequality.

When a baby girl is born within the Sikh community, it is often the child’s mother and aunties who are the first to say, “never mind, maybe next time”. Within Punjabi culture, girls are often brought up as inferior to boys and are sometimes treated like commodities. Many girls are emotionally or physically forced into marriage. Ultimately, some girls have appalling crimes committed against them. Some are killed.

The Metropolitan Police Sikh Association (MPSA) Community Engagement Team (CET) strives to prevent crimes against women and to bring offenders to justice. There are many organisations and individuals that raise awareness and provide support to those women at risk of violence.

The MPSA seeks to enhance cohesion in the fight for equality. We encourage others to join us.

Females continue to be murdered because there is a perception that they have brought dishonour to the family and/or community. These murders must stop.

I am aware that we face many difficulties. One of them is that many within our community do not wish to take responsibility for this problem. Beyond mere acquiescence lies acceptance and even authority for these crimes to be committed. I urge Sikhs to come forward and challenge injustice faced by women. It is necessary that the Sikh civilisation challenges the elements of Punjabi culture that oppose egalitarian values. But community action alone is not sufficient, inaction of various public bodies, including the police, needs to be challenged.

Political correctness, ignorance and institutionalised racism are not tolerated by the MPSA. Positive action is required by public bodies to prevent these crimes.  The authorities must bring all offenders to justice, regardless if perpetrators remain abroad. The MPSA will challenge any reluctance by the authorities to deliver justice.

Please contact the MPSA or one of our partners if:

•  You feel that you are at risk of violence

• You have information about a violent or ‘honour’ related crime

• You would like to help us

• You are already involved in championing women’s rights

The MPSA may well have been the first Sikh organisation, that is not all female, to publicly condemn crimes against women. Others have since joined us. I urge other organisations and individuals  to stand up and take responsibility for the discrimination and violence against women.

(Mukhtiar Singh is the MPSA Chairperson; he is also the Head of the MPSA’s CET. He is a Detective Inspector of 18 years service, having worked within the homicide command, and is the author of ‘Honour’ killing reports to the Association of Chief Police Officers).