Posted on 06/25/2007 5:57:55 AM PDT by BGHater
Defence chiefs have abandoned plans to raise a regiment of British Sikhs amid fears that the move would be branded racist.
The proposal to create the regiment, reminiscent of those that fought for Britain in the two world wars, was dropped by the Ministry of Defence after discussions with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).
Sikh leaders had informed Army recruitment officers that they could easily find enough volunteers to form a 700-strong regiment. However, despite the infantry being under strength by 3,000 soldiers, the offer was rejected.
Lieutenant General Sir Freddie Viggers, the Adjutant General with responsibility for recruitment, is understood to have accepted the argument put forward by race commissioners at the CRE that creating a Sikh regiment would be divisive and amounted to "segregation".
Leaders of Britain's 500,000 Sikhs were supportive of the idea of a new regiment, arguing that it would be no different from the Scots, Welsh and Irish Guards or the Royal Gurkha Rifles, which recruits exclusively from Nepal and which is regarded as a model infantry regiment.
The decision to shelve the plans was last night criticised by politicians, members of the Sikh community and soldiers, who claimed that the Army had fallen victim to political correctness.
Kuljit Singh Gulati, the general secretary of the Sikh Temple in Shepherd's Bush, west London, said: "The Sikhs have a long and distinguished heritage of serving with the British Army.
"I know there are many, many Sikhs who would join up and would serve wherever required. But if you want to get them in large numbers they need their own regiment, something they would take a huge amount of pride in.
"They would regard it as very prestigious. It is a shame that it now looks as though it will never happen."
A senior Army officer said: "The MoD has missed a golden opportunity in not tapping into the Sikh community's desire to form a regiment. It's nonsense to suggest this would amount to segregation and since when did the CRE dictate Britain's defence -policy?"
The decision will also dismay Prince Charles, who has expressed an interest in the creation of dedicated units to boost the number of people from ethnic minorities in the services and to harness the military tradition of the Sikh faith in particular.
Last year, the armed forces were ordered to meet tough targets to recruit more men and women from ethnic minorities.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "The creation of a Sikh Regiment has been considered by the Army policy staff responsible for both equality and diversity issues, who went on to consult with the Commission for Racial Equality.
"Both agreed that grouping ethnic minorities runs counter to the Armed Forces philosophy that seeks to include, not exclude, and extend opportunities."
A CRE spokesman said: "We would not support any policy that seeks to isolate specific groups in the Armed Forces or wider society.
"The creation of a separate regiment according to ethnicity would be segregation, which amounts to discrimination under the Race Relations Act. Anything that creates separation between regiments can only have a detrimental effect upon our Armed Forces' operational effectiveness."
The Indian Army's Sikh Regiment, which was formed in 1846
'Sikh leaders had informed Army recruitment officers that they could easily find enough volunteers to form a 700-strong regiment. However, despite the infantry being under strength by 3,000 soldiers, the offer was rejected.'
The UK would be honored to have had a Sikh fighting force, for they would honor them with their great courage and fighting history.
Remember how the soviets had their political officers throughout the military, The Bitish and US have the same.
Remember how the soviets had their political officers throughout the military, The Bitish and US have the same.
Can't tolerate, "exclusivity" in military no matter how many die at the hands of the enemy, can we.
An Indian soldier holds a captured Nazi flag. Circa 1945.
Sikh VCOs (Viceroy's Commissioned Officers) report to their Battalion HQ.
Indian soldiers storm a German trench, after exploding it with hand grenades. Circa 1945.
Political correctness will simultaneously destroy us from within and without.
Too bad the sissies now running the former GREAT Britain, desire to self-destruct at the hands of their gay and feminist pinkos.
ping
They were in many ways, the Spartans of the 19th and 20th Centuries. The British Army would do well to field a regiment.
I’d like to see a Sikh-Gurkha smackdown cage match.
That would be one heck of donnybrook...but given my druthers, I'd opt for the lawyer v. lawyer smackdown.
|
THE SIKH REGIMENT |
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• Regimental Centre: Ramgarh Cantonment, Bihar. • Regimental Insignia: A sharp-edged Quoit, or Chakra, which the Khalsa Armies had used in combat. The Chakra rings a lion, symbolic of the name (Singh) every Sikh carries. • Regimental Motto: Nischey Kar Apni Jeet Karon (I Fight For Sure To Win). • War Cry: Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal (He who cries God is Truth, is ever Happy). |
• Regimental Battalions: 2nd Battalion
.................................3rd Battalion
.................................4th Battalion
.................................5th Battalion
.................................6th Battalion
.................................7th Battalion
.................................8th Battalion
.................................10th Battalion
.................................11th Battalion
.................................13th Battalion
.................................14th Battalion
.................................16th Battalion
.................................17th Battalion
.................................18th Battalion
.................................19th Battalion
.................................20th Battalion
.................................21st Battalion
.................................22nd Battalion
• 1st Battalion ------> 4th Mech. Inf.
• 9th Battalion ------> Disbanded in 1984
Post-Independence
• Battle Honours: Srinagar, Tithwal, Raja Picquet, Burki, OP Hill, Parbat Ali, Punch and Siramani.
• Honours & Awards: 2 Param Vir Chakras, 2 Ashok Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, 14 Kirti Chakras, 64 Vir Chakras, 15 Shaurya Chakras, 75 Sena Medals and 25 Vishisht Seva Medals.
• Comments: The Sikh Regiment is one of the highest decorated regiments of the Indian Army, with 72 Battle Honours, 15 Theatre Honours and 5 COAS Unit Citations besides 2 Param Vir Chakras, 14 Maha Vir Chakras, 5 Kirti Chakras, 67 Vir Chakras and 1596 other gallantry awards. The chequered history of the Regiment spanning 154 years is bloodied with heroic deeds of valour and courage which have few parallels if any. Although the Regiment's official history dates back to 1846, the biological heritage has its roots in the noble teachings and sacrifices made by the ten Gurus. The Sikh Regiment of today has imbibed the culture and chivalry of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh's erstwhile Khalsa Army. The ethos and traditions of the Regiment got formalised with the raising of 'Regiment of Ferozepore Sikhs' and Regiment of Ludhiana Sikhs' on 01 August 18446 by Captain G. Tebbs and Lieutenant Colonel P. Gordon respectively.
A major portion of the substance of the Regiment traces its origins to Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Army. With a humble beginning of two battalions in 1846, today the Sikh fraternity has grown 20 battalions strong. The Battle of Saragarhi fought by 36th Sikh (now 4 Sikh) in 1897, is an epitome of Valour, Courage, Bravery and Sacrifice. Havildar Issar Singh with 21 Other Ranks made the supreme sacrifice repulsing 10,000 of the enemy. This sacrifice was recognised by the British Parliament, when it rose to pay its respects to these brave young soldiers. All 22 were awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM), the then highest decoration for an Indian soldier. This 'Kohinoor' of the Sikh Regiment is one of the ten most famous battles of the world. Even to this date, this battle forms part of the school curriculum in France. September 12, 1897 - the day of the Battle of Saragarhi - is celebrated as the Regimental Battle Honours Day.
Lance Naik Karam Singh, 1st Sikh, was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra for the Regiment in 1948, with Subdedar Joginder Singh, also from 1st Sikh, being the second recipient to get the Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous) for the Regiment in 1962.
The Sikh Regiment - A BR Monitor article by DS Sandhu.
Copyright © BHARAT RAKSHAK. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of BHARAT RAKSHAK is prohibited.
Britain takes yet another step towards pussification.
Sure we would be honored!
I dont understand this. We have highland regiments, with bonnets kilts and bagpipes. Is that not ethnically exclusive? Most regiments have recruitment areas anyway, isnt that “exclusive”?
Whatever happened to diversity being the spice of life?
Where is “Lil’ Orphan Annie” when you need her. She would let them know what for, and tell them that Punjab is the mightiest paladin anyone would want!
Can we have ‘em?
They still have Highland Regiments and Ghurkas don’t they? I think territorial regiments and ethnic regiments are a fine way to build esprit and combat effectiveness. The US Army has tried for decades to do the same with a variety of programs over time, CARS, COHORT, etc.
“I’d like to see a Sikh-Gurkha smackdown cage match.”
I’d like to see both the Sikhs and the Gurkhas unleashed on the Taliban.
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