The spectre of racially and religiously motivated sinister grooming gangs has loomed large over the UK, casting a long and disturbing shadow on its diverse communities. It is an issue that, for decades, has been shrouded in silence, often dismissed or diluted by the fears of political correctness. However, recent developments have ignited a long-overdue discourse on this grievous matter, spotlighting the specific targeting of Sikh, Hindu, and White Christian girls by these predatory groups.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s acknowledgment of the disproportionate involvement of Pakistani men in these heinous acts marks a pivotal moment in this ongoing struggle. By stepping forward and addressing the issue head-on, Braverman has not only validated the concerns of the Sikh community, but also set a precedent for how such sensitive issues should be approached: with unflinching courage and clarity.
The response from joint Hindu and Sikh organizations to the Home Secretary’s statements has been one of strong endorsement. Their collective voice is not just a cry for justice but a call to action, urging the government to recognize and react to the motivations behind these grooming gangs. These groups, driven by a deep-seated bigotry, systematically target non-Muslim girls, exploiting them under the vilest circumstances.
This isn’t a mere assumption but a fact supported by numerous independent investigations into cases in Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale. These inquiries lay bare the disturbing reality of these crimes and their racially and religiously aggravated undertones. Such insights have repeatedly shown that these victims are chosen not at random, but specifically because they are seen as ‘the other’—a notion that exacerbates the severity of the crimes.
The judicial acknowledgment of these motivations, as seen in statements from judges like Gerald Clifton during the Rochdale case sentencing, reinforces the necessity of addressing this hateful ideology. Clifton’s remarks—that the offenders targeted their victims because they did not belong to their ‘community or religion’—highlight a brutal ostracization based on religious and racial lines.
In August 2022, UK-based Sikh body ‘Official Shere Punjab’ sought the intervention of the then Akal Takht jathedar to caution and advise the parents and students to be wary before formulating their UK dreams.
Dal Singh Dhesy, an activist with Official Shere Punjab in the Midlands, claimed that Pakistani Muslim grooming gangs are targeting a significant number of female Indian students, including 25% of Sikh girls, across numerous colleges and universities nationwide. According to Dhesy, these gangs are coercing Punjabi girls into drug use and subsequently forcing them into the sex trade.
According to another study by the Sikh Mediation and Rehabilitation Team (SMART), an independent organisation, in conjunction with Sikh Youth UK, Sikh girls in Birmingham and the West Midlands were subjected to decades of abuse by grooming gangs despite pleas for help.
Despite the clarity of these issues, the efforts to bring them to light have been met with significant resistance and inaction. This negligence by the authorities not only undermines the severity of the problem but also fuels a dangerous narrative exploited by far-right groups, which further strains the social fabric of our communities.
Moreover, the reluctance to discuss these issues openly, for fear of being labelled racist or Islamophobic, has severely hampered meaningful discourse. It is imperative to transcend these labels and recognize that criticizing the actions of a few does not equate to condemning an entire community. Indeed, the Pakistani Muslim community, which is largely law-abiding and just as appalled by these crimes, must be part of the solution. Their involvement is crucial in eradicating this blight from their midst.
The Sikh community has long been at the forefront of this battle, raising alarms since the 1980s, well before these crimes gained national notoriety through high-profile cases and media reports. Their persistence in highlighting these issues underscores a communal commitment to protecting their youth and seeking justice for all victims. Addressing this crisis requires more than just acknowledgment—it demands action. It calls for comprehensive strategies that include community involvement, transparent discussions, and robust legal frameworks that recognize and punish the racial and religious motivations behind these crimes. Only then can we hope to restore the dignity of the victims and ensure such atrocities are never repeated.
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.
