UK polls: Eyeing Sikh votes, PM hopeful Miliband visits gurdwara

Saturday, 11/04/2015

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

LONDON: The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party has pitched for Sikh votes by visiting a well-known gurdwara during his campaign trail.

Prime ministerial hopeful Ed Miliband stopped over at the Leamington and Warwick gurdwara in Warwick town of England’s West Midlands region earlier this week. He was accused of banning journalists from entering the gurdwara, which is against the open-door policy of Sikh places of worship.

“They said there will be no cameras and were telling people not to even use their phones to take any pictures inside – that is unheard of inside a gurdwara,” complained Davinder Singh, a spokesperson for the Sikh Federation UK.

However, the Labour Party has strenuously denied claims of a camera blockout as the visit was later telecast on the mainstream ITV news bulletin.

Those present at the event also pointed out that a lot of people took pictures as well as selfies with Miliband, sporting a red headscarf - in line with the Labour Party’s symbol - to observe the tradition of headcovering while in a gurdwara.

“It is ridiculous and untrue to say that Ed Miliband did not want to be pictured at the gurdwara. The visit to Leamington gurdwara was widely covered by the national and Sikh Press and many worshippers took pictures inside with him,” a Labour Party spokesperson said.

“In order to respect worshippers inside the prayer hall, Ed Miliband gave press interviews, including an interview with the Sikh Federation, outside the temple,” the spokesperson said.

Shalbinder Singh Malle, secretary of the Leamington and Warwick gurdwara, also dismissed any controversy and said that worshippers were not offended in any way.

“It went smoothly and we felt it was a success. We were told not to take pictures and one or two people may have been disappointed, but I wouldn’t say anyone was upset or offended by it. No one complained,” he said.

During the 45-minute visit, Miliband listened to Sikh hymns and served langar. There are about 5 lakh Sikh voters in the UK. “For Ed to visit the temple is good news for Sikhs in Leamington and Warwick. It is a landmark and a place where equality is one of the key principles,” said Jagtar Singh Gill, a member of the gurdwara panel.

His visit came weeks after British Prime Minister David Cameron stopped over at the same gurdwara, adorning a blue headscarf — reflective of the Conservative Party. Both political parties are keen to woo the immigrant voters.