“It’s not solely about identifying as Sikh; it’s also about being part of the brown community. Many fail to differentiate between Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus.”

Mandip Singh serves as a trustee at the Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara, the oldest Sikh temple in Britain, located in Shepherd’s Bush, west London. He has observed growing unease among his community members, stemming from the current political landscape, recent marches like the Unite the Kingdom event, and a rise in racially motivated violence.

“It feels reminiscent of the 1970s. I recall the activities of the National Front. What sets this time apart is how social media magnifies hateful rhetoric,” he expressed.

This historic gurdwara, founded in 1913, expects to allocate £40,000 annually for security measures and is advocating for financial support from the government similar to that which mosques and synagogues currently receive.

Mandip, in his role, connects with 90 gurdwaras nationwide and maintains strong ties with the Sikh community throughout London.

Here, security enhancements including CCTV, iron gates, and a dedicated security guard, all funded by donations, have been implemented.

He conveyed a sense of “general fear” in the UK, highlighting the volatility of the political environment, ongoing protests, and a prevalence of right-wing messaging that carries racist implications, which causes concern.

He pointed to specific incidents, such as the September 9 rape of a Sikh woman in Oldbury, attacks on two Sikh taxi drivers in Wolverhampton, and an incident where a nine-year-old girl was shot with an air gun in Bristol, along with protests outside shelters for migrants.

“Such incidents contribute to a climate of fear,” he remarked.

“It’s essential that we adopt safety measures and encourage our congregations to remain vigilant.”

Data from the Met Police indicated over 21,054 hate crimes were recorded in London in the past year up to the end of August. Although this is a 17.4% decrease from the previous year, reports from June through August of this year showed an uptick, with more than 2,000 hate crimes occurring in each month.

Transport for London statistics revealed a nearly 50% rise in hate crime reports on the Elizabeth line last year, with a 28% increase across the broader network.

During this summer, over 2,000 incidents were logged each month.

Currently, Sikh temples throughout the UK, like the Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara, are reallocating donations typically intended for community services to enhance security.

“Mosques and synagogues receive dedicated security grants,” he pointed out. “Gurdwaras deserve the same support.”

Gurpreet Singh Anand, chair of the Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara, expressed frustration: “Unfortunately, funding from the Home Office for gurdwaras is significantly less than what is available to mosques and synagogues, which have dedicated funding sources with a broader application.”

He continued, “The Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara anticipates spending over £40,000 this year on security staff—expenses that must be covered by charitable donations. In contrast, similar costs for mosques and synagogues are funded by the Home Office. Why is there this inconsistency?”

Gurdwaras encounter notable security concerns and are frequently misidentified as mosques.

While there is funding accessible through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme, it cannot be allocated to pay for security personnel and is available to all faiths.

A representative from the Home Office stated, “It is crucial that every community feels secure, especially in places of worship, which is why gurdwaras and related Sikh community sites may apply for the government’s Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. In addition to providing funding for protective security for faith communities, the government is empowering police to better safeguard places of worship from disruptive protests.”

Ravi Bakshi, a volunteer at the gurdwara, shared her personal experiences of enduring racist remarks throughout her life. “I’ve heard, ‘Go back to your country’ for as long as I can remember. Yet I was born here. I take pride in being British and Sikh—how can anyone rationalize that kind of hatred?”

Bhupinder Singh Bhasin, a lifelong visitor to the gurdwara, reminisced: “As someone raised in the UK, I can recall the rampant racism of the 70s and 80s. Having lived here for so many years, I thought we had made significant progress, so it’s disheartening to see the resurgence of such negativity.”

He added, “The key takeaway is that we must unite as a community, regardless of our traditions or backgrounds, and see ourselves as one British community. I identify as a British Sikh and wish for us to educate everyone on the importance of treating each other with equality.”

The temple embodies this community spirit through its charitable initiatives. During the pandemic, around 500 meals were provided daily to those in need. “We now distribute 1,000 meals per week to food banks,” Mr. Singh noted.

Despite his hopes for governmental assistance, he reflects on recent events and the shared worries intertwining within his community. “We are integral to the fabric of society, so why are we facing these issues now?”