Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

MP Tanmanjit to 'seriosuly consider' calls to bring Maharaja Duleep Singh's remains back to Punjab

Britain's first turban-wearing MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi has vowed to look into the matter of bringing the remains of Maharaja Duleep Singh back to Punjab.

He, however, sounded cautious in making any commitment over the issue.Talking to reporters in Phagwara, Punjab, after he was honoured by over a dozen religious, social and voluntary organisations, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Dhesi said it was a complicated matter involving legalities.

This was Dhesi's first visit to Phagwara after becoming a member of the British Parliament.His parents, Jaspal Singh Dhesi and Dalvinder Kaur Dhesi, live in Phagwara, though their native village is nearby Raipur.


Dhesi's uncle Paramjit Singh Raipur is an SGPC member.

"I congratulate all those who have brought the matter into the 'lokan di kacheri' (people's court), but I will make any commitment on it only after all the facts and views come to light," said Dhesi.

However, he added in the same breath, "We too are considering the issue seriously."

Even after 124 years of the death of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the king of Punjab who was dethroned by the British, a controversy rages on over whether his remains should be brought back to the state from England for cremation as per the Sikh rites.

Singh, who was forced to spend the better part of his life in exile, lies buried at the Elveden Church in Suffolk in eastern England.

A recently released film, Black Prince, had rekindled the debate that his remains be exhumed and brought to Punjab for cremation.

On the issue of GST exemption to 'langar' (community kitchen), Dhesi said the demand was for the Punjab MPs and MLAs to raise both with the state and central governments.

"As a Sikh, I am in favour of GST exemption to both the langars at the Golden Temple and Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara," he said.

Batting for an effective mechanism to address the issues of NRIs, Dhesi said the non-resident Indians faced problems related to land disputes and marriage among others.

"As a representative of the Punjabis, especially Sikhs, I will keep raising these matters at appropriate forums," he added.

Addressing the gathering, Dhesi went down the memory lane and shared his memories of schooling in Raipur and association with Phagwara as a boy.

Asserting that he would become a "loud voice" for the Punjabis and Sikhs in the House of Commons, Dhesi said he would keep raising the issues confronting the diaspora.

"It is tragic for the Sikhs living in France that they have to remove their turbans for getting photographed and their children cannot go to schools wearing turbans, while over 80,000 turbaned Sikhs had laid down their lives for that country's independence," he said.

Dhesi also expressed concern over the alleged hate crimes against the Sikhs in the US.

Claiming that he had come to Punjab with a message of love and amity, he described himself as a "well-wisher of Punjabis".

Bibi Jagir Kaur, former SGPC president, and local MLA Som Parkash feted Dhesi with a 'siropa' and sword.

More For You

11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer

Starmer, who has faced negative coverage since taking office in July 2024, defended the appointment process.

Reuters

Starmer: I would not have appointed Mandelson if aware of Epstein ties

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not have appointed Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington had he known the extent of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This was Starmer’s first public statement since dismissing Mandelson last week. The prime minister is facing questions over his judgement, including from Labour MPs, after initially standing by Mandelson before removing him from the post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump

Trump said the suspect had been arrested earlier for 'terrible crimes,' including child sex abuse, grand theft auto and false imprisonment, but was released under the Biden administration because Cuba refused to take him back.

Getty Images

Trump says accused in Dallas motel beheading will face first-degree murder charge

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has described Chandra Mouli “Bob” Nagamallaiah, the Indian-origin motel manager killed in Dallas, as a “well-respected person” and said the accused will face a first-degree murder charge.

Nagamallaiah, 50, was killed last week at the Downtown Suites motel by co-worker Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a 37-year-old undocumented Cuban immigrant with a criminal history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer Mandelson

Starmer talks with Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Getty

Starmer under pressure from party MPs after Mandelson dismissal

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is facing questions within the Labour party after the sacking of US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Mandelson was removed last week after Bloomberg published emails showing messages of support he sent following Jeffrey Epstein’s conviction for sex offences. The dismissal comes just ahead of US president Donald Trump’s state visit.

Keep ReadingShow less