The recent protests by members of the Sikh diaspora in the U.S. and Canada against pro-Khalistani elements, particularly the group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), have escalated tensions within the Sikh community abroad. In response, SFJ and other Khalistani groups based overseas appear increasingly desperate, resorting to questionable tactics. These groups are now being viewed more as operating like criminal organizations than working for any legitimate cause related to ethnic Sikhs.
A recent example of this desperation is their attempt to hijack the UK Sikh Games 2024, an event organized to celebrate Sikh culture, sports, and talent on an international stage. The UK Sikh Games, held at Loughborough University from August 15 to 18, 2024, were designed purely to promote unity and pride in Sikh heritage through sporting events.
The UK Sikh Games, registered as a non-profit community interest organization in July 2020, operate out of London. The organization’s leadership includes President and Founder Mandeep Kaur Moore, Director Mandip Singh Sohal, former Head of Finance and Transformation Manraj Singh Othi, and former Director Navjot Singh Sidhu. Their stated mission is to increase ethnic minority participation in sports and foster a sense of community worldwide. The ultimate goal is to bring together the global Sikh community for the International Sikh Games, slated for 2030.
Far from having any political or radical affiliations, the UK Sikh Games focus solely on sports and cultural development. The games are a British adaptation of the Australian Sikh Games, drawing inspiration from traditional athletic competitions historically held alongside religious festivals in rural Punjab.
However, in a blatant disregard for the event’s apolitical nature, pro-Khalistani elements saw the UK Sikh Games as an opportunity to further their agenda. Groups such as SFJ, the Sikh Federation UK (SFUK), and the Sikh Press Association used social media to post about the inaugural ceremony, highlighting the participation of prominent athletes and promoting a narrative of reviving Sikh culture through sports. These posts were then shared on pro-Khalistani platforms, attempting to co-opt the event for political purposes.
Many Sikh leaders have condemned these efforts, viewing them as an attempt to tarnish the true spirit of the UK Sikh Games and other ethnic Sikh activities abroad. This cynical move by pro-Khalistani elements has been widely criticized within the Sikh diaspora, who recognize the importance of keeping such cultural and sporting events free from political exploitation.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
