26/02/2015
Britain is planning to have its first ever all Sikh regiment.
An ode to their Bravery and Chivalry
LONDON: Britain is planning to have its first ever all Sikh regiment.
UK's armed forces minster Mark Francois has told the House of Commons that the head of the British army lieutenant general Sir Nicholas Carter is looking at proposals to recreate a Sikh regiment which would inherit many of the "proud traditions of Sikh regiments".
Responding to a MP who suggested that UK should have a Sikh regiment, Mr Francois said "With regard to your specific suggestion, can I say that you are one of a number of Members of Parliament who have raised this suggestion with me recently. We have passed this possibility on to the chief of the general staff (CGS), who is now looking at this issue and we are awaiting CGS's comments back. But the idea may well have merit".
Speaking during defence questions, Conservative former defence minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged ministers to "do away with political correctness" and raise a Sikh regiment.
The Mid Sussex MP told Francois "You will be aware of the extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations. Would you not agree with me that it's high time to do away with the political correctness which infects some of this thinking and actually raise a Sikh regiment to serve in the country and make up a very serious gap in our armed forces?".
Mr Francois further commented "There seems to be much more possibility within the reserves to begin what seems like an excellent idea. We've looked at one specific option, or are looking, at the possibility of a reserve company - not least one which would inherit many of the proud traditions of Sikh regiments going back through many years in the British Army".
Conservative Rory Stewart, chairman of the Defence Select Committee also asked Francois to look at a Sikh company within the reserves "as a starting point".
In 2007, the MoD had scrapped a similar plan to start a Sikh regiment after the Commission for Racial Equality advised it could be seen as divisive and amounted to "segregation".
The latest manning figures show the Armed Forces have around 160 Sikhs in their ranks, including 130 in the Army.
