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The British government has said to consider the demand to create a regiment for the Sikh community in the army. Lord Kuldeep Singh Sahota of Labor Party raised the issue on 7 July at the House of Lords.
Sahota cited the loyalty and courage of the Sikh soldiers in both world wars. According to the UK Defense Journal, British Defense Minister Vernon Rodney Cocker has expressed his desire to consider the proposal.
However, no concrete decision has been taken yet. The Sikh Regiment can be established on the lines of the Gorkha Brigade in the British Army. Which recruits Nepal and Indian Nepali-speaking communities.
In 2019, the British Army had 130 Sikh soldiers and serving in 70 defense forces. However, according to media reports, the number of Sikh soldiers in the British Army increased to about 160 in 2024.
Consideration of recognizing the contribution of soldiers
Defense Minister Kokar said- ‘I am ready to meet Lord Sahota.’ On August 15, on the occasion of VJ Day, Kokar spoke of remembering the contribution of Sikh soldiers to the global wars.
The UK Defense Journal quoted him, “Sikhs from all over the world also contributed to Japan’s surrender in World War II, who played a heroic role.”
The idea of Sikh Regiment is not new
The demand for Sikh Regiment in the British Army is not new. In 2015, the then Defense Minister Mark François reported in the House of Commons that Army Chief General Nicolas Carter is considering bringing a Sikh unit.
Former Defense Minister Sir Nicholas Soms also supported the proposal, saying that Sikh Regiment should be established except political formalities. He praised the bravery and specific service that had been going on for generations of the Sikh community.
François said at the time that the proposal was raised by many MPs and was being seriously considered. However, this idea could not proceed at that time.
The batch of Sikh soldiers during the First World War.
In the 19th century Sikh connected to the British Army
The Sikh community’s relationship with the British Army began in the mid -19th century. In 1849, when the British Empire subjected to the Sikh Empire (Punjab), the Sikhs were admitted to the British Indian Army.
The British rulers formed regiments on the basis of caste, religion and region to strengthen their army. He declared Sikhs, Gorkha, Jats, Rajputs and other communities as martial race (suitable for war).
This classification was part of his military strategy, which aims to strengthen its rule in India. After the 1857 constable rebellion (first freedom struggle), the British rulers considered Sikhs to be particularly loyal and recruited in large numbers from Punjab.
This strategy made Sikhs an important part of the British Army. By the end of the 19th century, Sikh soldiers were serving in the Sikh Regiment, Punjab Regiment and other units in the British Indian Army.
Sikh Officer of British 15th Punjab Infantry Regiment.
Sikh soldiers showed bravery in the First World War
The contribution of Sikh soldiers to the British Army has been extraordinary. According to the UK Defense Journal, more than 1 lakh Sikh soldiers participated in the First World War (1914–1918). He showed his valor in the Western Front of France, East Africa, Mesopotamia, Galipoli and other battles.
Despite being only 2% of India’s population at that time, Sikh soldiers were 20% of the British Indian Army. The role of Sikhs in the Second World War (1939–1945) was even wider. About 3 lakh Sikh soldiers served in North Africa, Italy, Burma and South-East Asia.
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