Very thankful for the Judge today in making the other side apologise for racist comments about my turban at Court today
None of us picked it up initially. The interpreter failed to translate it due to the other side's long rant
Sikhs keeping vigil as their Muslim brothers pray
An iconic photo showing great unity between faith communities on the outskirts of Delhi as part of the ongoing
#FarmersProtest
Scenes such as this give me great hope for the future of India
Over Christmas,
@GNDGravesend
was feeding lorry drivers stuck in Dover. This week, it has been the victim of a hate crime
British Sikhs have encountered racism for decades, yet we're still here, thriving as a community. This graffiti is painful, but we aren't going anywhere
50 years since Rivers of Blood speech. 25 years since
#StephenLawrence
murder. This week, the Windrush generation anxious about deportations. Much has changed over half a century, and yet sometimes attitudes towards race in Britain feel like they have barely moved since 1968.
@EssexBarrister
That's absolutely awful. I've been confused for the interpreter in family law cases in the past, and I remember how I felt about that ethnic stereotyping. I can only imagine how you must have felt. Stay strong and don't let it dent your confidence!
The world changed 17 years ago today. Thousands killed in NYC on 9/11. Millions of Muslims and Sikhs vilified around the world as a result. The repercussions can still be felt. Only love can ever get rid of hate.
#NeverForget
I'm truly humbled to have been awarded a CBE in the
#NewYearsHonours
, and even more so for the announcement to be made whilst I'm in India visiting places of religious significance
Thanks to Waheguruji and to my loving family and friends for their support over the years ❤️
I'm completely overwhelmed by the love and support shared over the last few days, & I genuinely don't know how to thank you all for standing alongside us ❤️
You can listen again to my
@BBCRadio4
interview and panel discussion with
@AleemMaqbool
on 🙏🏽🪯🏳️🌈
The acclaimed artist and poet Amrita Pritam would have been 100 today. It's wonderful to see the birthday marked with a Google Doodle - the first person of Sikh heritage to be given that honour
Wishing
#EidMubarak
to everyone celebrating today and tomorrow
Image is of Guru Ki Maseet, the mosque built by the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, for the local Muslim community in the town of Sri Hargobindpur, Punjab
Goodbye to my grandfather, a truly remarkable and humble man. From military service to volunteering at the gurdwara and in a hospital, he always believed in serving others. The first in our family to make Britain his home. May Waheguru give us the strength to accept Their will 🙏🏽
The terror & confusion of 1947 India/Pakistan, the pain of soldiers returning from WW2, families torn apart, the awful deaths of innocents, and people turning against each other in the name of nationalism. Thank you
#DoctorWho
for showing the sad human cost of Punjab's Partition
It's been heartbreaking to see the Afghan Sikh community having to flee the land of their birth and their ancestors. The Guru Granth Sahib (scriptures) leaving Afghanistan is a pivotal moment
"This is not a hat. This is a crown" Such a powerful representation of the importance of the turban to Sikhs, as well as challenging racist/ignorant rhetoric too many of us have experienced over the years. Well done
@bbceastenders
and
@JazSinghDeol
Blair Peach was killed 45 years ago by an officer of the Met Police. His legacy lives on in the name of a local primary school and the memories of Punjabis in London
Southall will never forget you
And now, thanks to
@Channel4
#Defiance
doc, many more know of your sacrifice 🙏🏽
I genuinely wonder how longer it will be before the debate about burkas turns to turbans.
As an aside, there were 2 horrific attacks on turban wearing Sikhs in the US in the last week, and reports of verbal abuse against Sikhs in the UK. Worrying times.
Great work by
@JohnLewisRetail
for putting together this display in their Leicester branch to mark Vaisakhi 🪯🙏🏽
I wonder how long it will be before other retailers follow on their footsteps
Places where I've been called 'p**i' over the years
- public transport
- shopping centres
- Court
- theme parks
- supermarkets
- the seaside
- outside my previous Chambers
Level of confidence that I won't be called 'p**i' ever again
- nil
2 months ago, thousands of Sikhs from around the world were freely celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak at his birthplace at Nankana Sahib. This evening, Sikhs at that very Gurdwara are under siege and their lives are at risk. Absolutely shocking
#WATCH
An angry mob shouts anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab. Earlier stones were pelted at the Gurdwara led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of the Gurdwara's pathi. (Earlier visuals)
The images of the young Sikh schoolboy in Telford being bullied have been horrible and heartbreaking, but please don't share the video anymore. Take action, yes, and lobby the school and others to take direct action, but bear in mind the young man and his life ahead
I'm proud to be part of
@MayorOfLondon
's new Commission to make sure London's historic achievements are properly reflected across the capital. Looking forward to working alongside so many inspirational figures. I can't wait to get started
#PublicRealmLDN
There is no excuse for racism in the Courts whatsoever, and no reason why anyone should be subjected to such during the course of a Court hearing
I hope that other legal professionals feel confident enough to report any racist comments to the Court as soon as they happen
Make sure to watch
@Channel4
tonight at 9pm. Over the next 3 nights,
#Defiance
will show the story of British South Asians and the fight against the far right between 1976 and 1981.
This is our story, and it deserves to be watched and heard
#southasianheritagemonth
‘Here to stay. Here to fight.’
#Defiance
: Fighting the Far Right examines the political and social struggles faced by Britain’s Asian community between 1976 and 1981.
The series starts Monday 8th April, 9pm on
@Channel4
@rizwanahmed
@groupm_motion
Watching
#Massacre1919
with my family. My dad has just said "How could Britain rule over 100 countries a century ago when it can't even sort Brexit out today?"
Alcohol misuse is a massive issue within the Punjabi community in the UK, particularly amongst Sikhs, but it has been taboo for far too long. It's good to see this being discussed openly. More resources are needed to tackle it head on.
When you have a street where Indians have to crawl on their bellies and Brits could walk down it freely, how can anybody say that Empire was not racist? This is proving to be an emotive documentary
#Massacre1919
Dear England fans. Lots of us are looking forward to tonight, and it should be a brilliant match. Just one thing though. Don't be racist. Being abusive isn't patriotic. It's just dumb, stupid and illegal. No excuses.
#WorldCup
#Eng
Welcome to the
#SAHMTwitterHour
For the next hour, send me photos of your outfits and clothes that celebrate your South Asian identity!
Here's me in a sherwani at a friend's wedding from a few summers ago
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
How could a 6 year old be a rioter? How could men with laathis (sticks) be a match for rifles? How could Dyer be afraid of people climbing over walls and escaping? Just some of the discussions between my mum and dad about
#JallianwalaBagh
after watching
#Massacre1919
Welcome to
#SAHMTwitterHour
The theme this week is good. Here's what my Nanni Ji cooked for me when I visited her a few weeks ago - an absolute feast! Send me your photos of food & drink
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
Greetings to the 'less than fantastic' Mr Fox. There were Sikhs in the First World War. Don't erase them from history. The efforts of volunteer soldiets from British India was pivotal to the War. If you were never taught that, you may want a partial refund from Harrow
Fostering as a Sikh - a thread:
Yesterday, at a family Akhand Path, I met a distant relative I hadn't seen for many years. She was in her 70s and not in the best of health. I told her about my work as a family law barrister and how I represent parents in care proceedings. 1/17
"First they came for the Windrush generation.
Then they came for the Jews.
Then they came for the Muslims."
I'm sure we all know how that poem ends. We need to unite and stand up to racism and religious prejudice in Britain. If we don't, they'll soon come for us.
Feeling truly blessed to be seeing in the new decade in the holy city of Amritsar, and very excited by what 2020 promises to bring. Wishing everyone a
#HappyNewYear
Wishing my Muslim friends and colleagues a very happy start to Ramadan.
Having marked Vaisakhi in lockdown recently myself, spending such an important religious time at home is a unique experience and one which gives greater appreciation for all that we have
#RamadanMubarak
I've experienced Islamophobia as a Sikh man. We must all be ready to report hate crimes, regardless of the nature of it. Any hate crime is an attack against all of us.
Some of the most beautiful food I have ever had is also the most simple. Langar (community kitchen) is such an integral part of my Sikh identity and heritage
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
#SAHMTwitterHour
I'm on
@BBCr4today
Thought for the Day this morning, talking about
#BlackHistoryMonth
, the
@UKPHA
virtual bookclub, the Suraj podcast by
@jvalaaa
, and how understanding our history allows us to look to the future with greater hope. Tune in at 7.45am
It was only when my client told me what was said that I informed the Court about it
The Judge made it very clear that such comments are taken seriously, and the other side was effusive in their apology
Today is the birthday of the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This is a beautiful rendition of his famous verse, 'Recognise the whole of humanity as one', as recited at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) last night. Gurpurb diyan lakh lakh vidaiyaan
#GuruGobindSinghJayanti
@RaviSinghKA
You've cared for so many others in the past Ravi, and you have everyone's good wishes with you. Hopefully you will be back to normal health very soon 🙏🏽 Thinking of you and your family
The story of Vaisakhi isn't just a story. It's a belief that the marginalised in society should get the support they need. It's a hope that we look after one another as members of the same family. It's the faith in a better world for all. Wishing you a very happy Vaisakhi 🙏🏽
Giving my thanks at Bangla Sahib in Delhi for my CBE was a wonderful experience. I feel very blessed to have started 2023 in India, and now that I'm back in the UK, I can't wait to see what the next 12 months will bring 🙏🏽
"So what if our sister is a Muslim? The same blood flows through her veins. And that's what matters to us more than anything else."
Such a beautiful story of siblings being reunited at Kartarpur Sahib almost 75 years after Partition
200 years ago, demonstrators were killed in the massacre of Peterloo. 100 years later, demonstrators were killed in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Separated by one century and 4,000 miles, both had profound impact on the journey to democracy for the disenfranchised
#Peterloo2019
Congratulations to my grandfather. He received an award today to mark 20 years of volunteering service at his local hospital. I'm so proud of both of my grandparents for their dedicated community-spirited volunteering over the years. Well done!
#NHS
I'm on Thought for the Day this morning, talking about LGBT History Month, intersectional identities and the importance of being acknowledged. Tune into
@BBCr4today
at 7.45am
Welcome to the last
#SAHMtwitterhour
for
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
2021. The theme is photos from South Asia. One of my favourite places in India has to be the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, always looks so beautiful. Can't wait to see your photos of South Asia!
I'm on
@BBCr4today
Thought for the Day in the morning, talking about the tragic deaths of children and the impact of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's own children, the Char Sahibzade (the Four Princes). Tune into
@BBCRadio4
at 7.45am
@Joanna__Hardy
The panel member stopped for a moment, pushed his glasses down to the tip of his nose, stared over the top of them and said in a menacing voice "I ask the questions here. Not you."
Suffice to say, I didn't get it.
How are Sikhs marking Vaisakhi in the UK this year?
This
@BBCRadio4
podcast explores the background to Vaisakhi, how some are celebrating during the lockdown, and hopes for the future
My family have been going to Drummond Street for almost 60 years. This is a timely reminder of the need to support our heritage and history before it disappears for good
#southasianheritagemonth
#storiestotell
2023 has been filled with many highs as well as lows, and I am truly blessed to have been surrounded by love throughout it. To those who've supported me and kept me in Chardi Kala (positive spirits), thank you so much for your kindness 🙏🏽
Wishing you all the best for 2024 🎉🎉
I'm on Thought for the Day this morning to talk about today's
#GuruNanak550
birth celebrations - a major landmark for Sikhs around the world which has brought together people from many other faiths too. Tune into
@BBCr4today
at 7.45am
I'm on Thought for the Day this morning. I'll be focusing on the tragic death of A&E consultant Manjit Singh Riyat, on how people are doing what they can to help those in need, and explaining the Sikh concept of Chardi Kala. Tune into
@BBCr4today
at 7.45am
Shocked to hear of the death of Harbinder Singh Rana, who established the
@wwwashtinfo
as one of the first ever Sikh history orgs in the UK. A pioneer with a chequered life who spent time in prison and threw himself into charity work in later years. A story of redemption. RIP
A Sikh 'Billy Elliot' from India gets his dream come true by joining the English National Ballet School, with the help of Bollywood stars. Well done Kamal Singh!
@ENBSchool
It's been an incredible
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
- we've reached over 30 million people across the world over the last few weeks🎉🎉 Thanks to everyone who supported us. None of this would have been possible without your hard work. 2021 will be even bigger and better!
Happy Easter to my Christian friends. Chag Sameah to my Jewish friends for Passover. Jummah Mubarak for my Muslim friends for the sabbath. Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed weekend.
It's so moving to see how
#SouthAsianHeritageMonth
is bringing people together. If we don't share our stories, we won't know our own history and the connections that make us who we are
#ourstoriesmatter
You can read more about Lachmi Wanti's life here -
The Muslim neighbours of a divorced Sikh woman in India made sure she was given a Sikh funeral when she died. Abandoned by her own family, her neighbours gave her the respect she deserved in life and in death
@Joanna__Hardy
At a pupillage interview, a panel member asked me "Why do you want to be a barrister?"
I considered it to be such a banal and ridiculous question to answer as I'd spent so many years trying to join the Bar, so I simply replied "Why not?"