Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on British Sikh communities of recent internal controversies within the Sikh community in India, including leadership appointments within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC); and what steps they are taking to engage with British Sikhs and representative organisations to understand and respond to these concerns.

The Government is aware of recent developments concerning leadership appointments within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the concerns these have raised among some British Sikhs. These are internal matters for the Sikh community, however, we recognise the importance of religious leadership and governance to British Sikhs' cultural and spiritual life. The UK remains committed to supporting the British Sikh community and promoting religious freedom and community cohesion.