The first turban-wearing Member of the British Parliament has vowed to be a voice for Sikh community all over the world.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, whose family hail from Jalandhar, Punjab, became the first turban-wearing MP in Europe after winning the Slough seat in the this month’s general elections.
Dhesi developed his desire to serve the community at very early age, when he was living in Raipur and attended Shivalik Public School in Mohali. He also studied at UCL, Oxford, and Cambridge.
"One of my uncles was elected as village sarpanch (headman). I often went with him as he served his local community during the school holidays. In our family there has always been a strong Sikh work ethic and value of serving the community," he said.
"Many are relieved to finally see someone in the UK Parliament who looks like them," he said. "There has never been a turban Sikh MP here, weird as that sounds. It is trailblazing I could feel extra expectations." There were no Sikhs elected in the 2015 UK election.
38-year-old Dhesi said that he would propose for an independent inquiry into the Government’s role under the PM Thatcher in the Operation Blue Star and for the right to wear articles of faith to be enshrined in Britain law.
"That is a warped interpretation of secularism," he said. "It is important we take the lead in Britain to enshrine those rights, so that others around the world may follow," he said.
"I will raise a voice for those Sikhs in Europe or elsewhere who cannot wear their articles of faith."
As well as speaking up for Sikh issues, Dhesi said that he would be "a strong and articulate voice" for Slough, which has about 40% of Asian population.
He said that Indians voted Conservative in 2015 that changed this time, as Labour managed to significantly increase its share of the vote among minority communities.
Explaining how Labour performed so well, he said: "When the public got to see more of Jeremy Corbyn and see our ideas, they took to those. He and the manifesto connected directly with people. He was someone who was seen as a conviction politician who has a lot of honesty and integrity."
He also mentioned the usage of foodbanks and homelessness had increased under Tory rule.
As for Brexit, he said: "The ship has sailed. I was in favour of remaining. I think a trade deal with India after Brexit is inevitable."
He blamed the "approach of the Conservatives" for leading to the UK losing out to "the brightest students from India."
"Labour will ensure we have a fairer system," He said.
On terrorism, he said it was important that "the politics of hate and division does not overpower love and unity within society." But he pointed out that "the police and intelligence agency budgets have been cut by more than 20%."
AMandeep
