Fifty-five arrested for the occupation of the Sikh Temple in Leamington Spa

A large group of men entered the Sikh Temple in Leamington Spa yesterday in a protest against an interfaith marriage due to take place.

The Gurdwara Sahib has been at the centre of tension within the Sikh community for the last couple of years, as some people object to mixed marriages taking place there.

It is understood that the temple was occupied because a Sikh bride was to marry a Hindu later in the day, and that the group of men believed this act was a violation against Sikh principles.

‘Sikh Youth Birmingham’ took responsibility for organising the raid, which it claimed to be a “peaceful protest to uphold the sanctity of the traditional marriage ceremony.”

It is thought that the group were carrying Kirpans – short swords legally allowed to be worn as part of the Sikh faith.

The incident was not treated as an act of terrorism, but rather an ‘aggravated trespass’. After nearly eight hours of negotiations between the police and the group, fifty-five people were arrested.

Harbinder Singh, Co-President of Warwick Sikh Society, commented: “The Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) is unequivocally open to all regardless of religion. However, the ceremony that the couple were due to participate in yesterday is a very specific and voluntary religious ceremony where both parties solemnise their commitment to Sikhism.

“Yesterday’s demonstration was a peaceful protest against the ongoing violation of core Sikh values by committee members of Leamington Gurdwara that seek to commercialise the religion.

“Mainstream media outlets have grasped this opportunity to defame British Sikhs by using inflammatory language such as ‘Armed Sikhs’; when in fact Sikhs are permitted by UK law to carry a ceremonial dagger, the Kirpan, which is a mandatory article of faith.

“We are deeply saddened by the exaggerated and uneducated police response and the media’s sensationalised and derogatory reporting of the incident.”