Gurdwaras have long stood as sanctuaries of peace, equality, and spiritual solace—open to all, regardless of background. Founded on the teachings of Sikh Gurus, these sacred spaces are meant to embody seva (selfless service), simran (remembrance of God), and sangat (community fellowship). But in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged in the UK and beyond: a small but vocal fringe has sought to hijack these spiritual spaces to promote the divisive and politically charged Khalistan agenda.
Nowhere is this more evident than at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Slough, one of the UK’s largest and most prominent Sikh institutions. The Charity Commission (CC), the UK body tasked with regulating charities in the public interest, has issued a final ultimatum to the Gurdwara’s management: remove Khalistani banners from the premises or face consequences.
The Commission’s concern is neither sudden nor unfounded. The issue dates back to 2019, when Indian journalist Loveena Tondon visited the Gurdwara and reported the presence of Khalistani propaganda within the holy premises. Since then, the SGSSG committee has found itself repeatedly at odds with the CC, attempting to justify the display of these banners as “religious” rather than political. This, despite the fact that the banners clearly reference the controversial Sikh Referendum—a campaign aimed at reviving the separatist Khalistan movement.
Let us be clear: promoting Khalistan from within a Gurdwara is not only politically incendiary—it is spiritually offensive. The Sikh Gurus never preached separatism or hate. Guru Nanak Dev Ji spoke of one universal God and unity of humanity. Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave his life fighting tyranny, not to foster division. The political movement of Khalistan, on the other hand, has long been associated with violence, extremism, and a distortion of Sikh values.
The SGSSG committee’s internal struggles and shifting leadership have only added to the confusion. Despite stating in 2020 that they did not support the Sikh Referendum, the Gurdwara went on to host a Referendum event in 2024—clearly contradicting their earlier position. In 2023, a vote within the committee affirmed the decision to keep the Khalistani banners in place. And now, facing the Charity Commission’s final warning, the same committee is attempting to frame this issue as one of religious persecution, accusing the regulator of “bullying” and “interference in Panthic affairs.”
This narrative is not just misleading—it is dangerous. It manipulates the broader Sikh community into believing that regulatory oversight is an attack on faith, rather than a legitimate concern about the politicization of a charitable and religious institution. The SGSSG committee is not being targeted because they are Sikh; they are being held accountable because they are flouting the principles of charity law and, more importantly, the spiritual integrity of the Gurdwara itself.
The vast majority of British Sikhs do not support Khalistan. They cherish their dual identity as proud Sikhs and proud Britons. They want their Gurdwaras to remain places of worship, not platforms for fringe political activism. The actions of a few cannot be allowed to tarnish the legacy of the many.
It is time to reclaim our sacred spaces. The Sikh faith is rooted in justice, humility, and truth—not political opportunism. Gurdwaras must not be allowed to become echo chambers for separatist ideologies. The Charity Commission is right to intervene—and the Sikh community must support this effort to uphold the sanctity of the Gurdwara, in both letter and spirit.
