THOUSANDS of Sikhs will come together across the UK to celebrate Vaisakhi next Monday (14) through colourful Nagar Kirtans.
This year’s festivities are especially meaningful, marking five years since the Covid pandemic disrupted events and gatherings, including Vaisakhi.
Vaisakhi marks the birth of the Sikh faith, the Khalsa, a collective of committed Sikhs who are leaders and defenders of the Sikh way and it is one of the biggest celebrations for the community.
In 1699, the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, asked for anyone who was prepared to give their life for their religion.
Five young men stepped forward, one by one, and came back wearing turbans – they became the Panj Pyare, or the five beloved. The guru then initiated them, and so they became the first members of the Khalsa.
Nagar Kirtans take place across the UK and abroad; they are peaceful street processions which include prayers and the singing of hymns, as well as flag- waving the Nishaan Sahib and martial arts displays.
Thousands come together to celebrate Vaisakhi, but it’s taken some time to get it to where it was. During the Covid pandemic, many Sikhs couldn’tvisit the gurdwara, a place of worship to meet the congregation.
Nagar Kirtans unite people who walk through the streets for hours reciting hymns, prayers. People set up stalls on the side of the streets serving vegetarian food, snacks and water. This is all a selfless service that Sikhs call ‘sewa’ or giving back.
After the street procession ends, the Sikh community heads back to the gurd- wara for a final prayer and langar is served – a hot vegetarian meal. This is the free community kitchen which is open to all, regardless of their background.
Rupee Chagar, a volunteer at the Sikh Centre in Reading, helps to prepare the langar. Chagar told Eastern Eye: “Preparing langar, in the context of Sikhism, means more than just cooking and serving food. It is an act of selflessness, equality, and community service. Langar is a free meal served to all people, regardless of their background, religion, or status, and preparing it is considered a form of sewa (selfless service).
“To prepare langar, you are engaging in a practice that reflects the core Sikh principles of humility, generosity, and the importance of sharing with others. It’s about contributing to a communal effort, creating a space where all people can sit together as equals, regardless of their differences.
“Preparing langar might bring a sense of fulfilment, knowing that one is part
of a long tradition of serving others, helping to foster a sense of unity, and contributing to the well-being of one’s community. It can also be a deeply spiritual experience, a way of practising gratitude, patience, and mindfulness while working in the kitchen to provide nourishment for others.
“Ultimately, it’s an opportunity to live out the values of Sikhism – compassion, humility, and community – by serving others selflessly and making sure that everyone has access to food.”
Kuldeep Kaur Gill, from Northolt, said: “The Vaisakhi mela is the learning experience for young children, a reminder to all Sikh believers of their faith. A celebration to commemorate the five panj pyaras, regardless of their creed, caste or class status, in order to make us humble in humanity that we are proud of our teachings by our Guru Nanak Devji.
“That’s how Nagar Kirtan is led by five pyaras. It’s a celebration of the arrival of spring in saffron colour, new beginnings and new life to go on with our zest and passion. I am happy to see it back in full swing as this year marks five years since Covid, it wasn’t easy not being able to celebrate like we normally would.”
The Sikh community welcome everyone who would like to join and through April and May there will be one near you; if you would like to know more, contact the local gurdwara.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and deputy Jackie Ballie react after Davy Russell, Scottish Labour candidate, won the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on June 06, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)
LABOUR won a surprise victory in a Scottish parliament by-election on Friday, defeating the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. The result delivered a rare boost to prime minister Keir Starmer and his government, who have seen a decline in support since taking office last July.
The by-election was triggered by the death of SNP lawmaker and government minister Christina McKelvie in March. Labour’s candidate Davy Russell secured 8,559 votes, overturning the SNP’s 2021 majority of 4,582. The SNP, who were favourites to retain the seat, received 7,957 votes, while Reform UK finished third with 7,088 votes.
"People in Scotland have once again voted for change," Starmer said on X. "Next year there is a chance to turbo charge delivery by putting Labour in power on both sides of the border," he added.
The Labour win came after what was described as one of the most bitter election campaigns in Scotland in recent years. Race became a central issue after Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, repeatedly referred to the ethnicity of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who is of Pakistani heritage. Farage visited Scotland on Monday, shortly after a row erupted over an online video from his party that falsely claimed Sarwar would "prioritise" the Pakistani community.
Labour called the video “blatantly racist,” and SNP leader John Swinney urged voters to reject Reform’s “gutter politics”. In response, Farage accused Sarwar of bringing sectarianism into Scottish politics.
Despite securing the seat, Labour’s share of the vote fell slightly compared to 2021, ending at 31.6 per cent. The SNP’s vote share dropped by nearly 17 per cent. Reform UK gained 26.1 per cent, making a significant entry into Scottish politics. The Conservative party finished with just six per cent of the vote.
The betting odds before the by-election had predicted a comfortable SNP victory, with Labour expected to come third behind Reform.
After his win, Russell addressed supporters and said the result had “sent a message to Farage and his mob, the poison of Reform isn't us, it isn't Scotland and we don't want your division here”.
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Queen Camilla opens the Healing Garden at AWRC in February
DESPITE undoubted progress, women from ethnic minority communities still face unique challenges that society needs to tackle, leaders of a London-based charity have said.
The Asian Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC) provides support for women and children from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds affected by domestic abuse, forced marriage, honour-based or faith-based abuse.
Its Healing Garden in Harlesden, London, unveiled by Queen Camilla in February, won the GG2 Blossom Award at the 26th annual GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards in March.
The award recognises individual, group or organisation for exceptional efforts in promoting community well-being and fostering a sense of unity.
Queen Camilla meeting visitors at the centre
The garden is designed as a space for reflection and rejuvenation for women, staff, and the wider community, especially survivors of domestic abuse supported by the AWRC.
In an interview with Eastern Eye, Sarbjit Ganger, director, and Punam Kharbanda, assistant director at AWRC, said many in minority communities believe that ‘forced marriages or honourbased abuse are a thing of the past,’ although such practices remain prevalent today.
“Domestic abuse is still very entrenched in minority communities. If I talk to a friend who’s not in this line of work, they’ll often be surprised about the extent of it. If I say to them we get X number of referrals into our centre a day or month, they’ll be quite surprised. ‘Oh, does that still happen?’ For example, we see women who are still going through harmful practices like forced marriage or honour-based abuse. That tells us that we still need to be out there telling people, yes, this is still really happening. It’s still quite widespread,” they said.
Ganger and Kharbanda hope that recognitions such as the Blossom Award will help the charity, which celebrated its 45th anniversary in February, raise awareness of these “crucial issues.”
“Unfortunately, some people still see women only as homemakers – staying at home and raising children. I think that’s the kind of thinking we need to change. The truth is, women are working, earning, and raising families, yet they still don’t receive equal pay for the work they do. These are the issues we need to talk about and learn from as a community.
Sarbjit Ganger
One powerful way to do this is by sharing women’s real-life stories and how they’ve overcome challenges,” said Ganger.
The GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards are hosted by the Asian Media Group, which publishes Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye news weeklies. The AWRC was among 20 winners from ethnic communities recognised for their work and achievements.
“Although we’ve been around for a long time, sometimes we still don’t get that visibility. We’ve been in the heart of this community for a long time. Hence, it was also recognition of the struggle that our women have been through. We hear some amazing stories of resilience here from the women, and I feel like that award really recognised that more than anything else. It is also recognition for the issue of domestic abuse, and how our healing garden can support women to recover from the traumas they experienced,” Ganger said.
Describing the importance of the Healing Garden, Kharbanda said, “There’s a lot of research showing that green spaces can help improve mental health and support recovery from trauma. Many of the women we work with have experienced domestic abuse or other harmful practices, so we wanted to create a safe, calming garden space for them.
“The garden is new, and we plan to start a volunteer gardening club for the women. So far, five or six have already shown interest. They’ll grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Just spending time outdoors – especially for those who live in flats without access to nature – can make a real difference to their wellbeing. Some women might want to garden, while others may just enjoy sitting outside, having a coffee, and chatting.
“We’ve contacted the Royal Horticultural Society and the National Trust, and both are keen to get involved. We also hope to use the space for small events and activities, similar to the art and yoga sessions we already offer. In the future, we’d like to include children too – offering storytelling and educational sessions about growing food and healthy eating. The main aim is to support healing and mental health through nature and community.”
The grassroots charity began in the late 1970s, when a group of local women saw that there were no services to support women suffering from abuse. With a small grant from the local council, they set up a refuge and a resource centre to provide help and safety for women in need.
In 1980, the refuge and the resource centre became separate organisations, each with its own team and management. Early on, AWRC offered advice, language lessons, and even self-defence classes for women. In 1997, they moved into a bigger space and began helping young women, as well as offering support around health and employment.
Now, AWRC has a team of 35 staff and continues to grow. Although it is based in Brent, its work goes far beyond. Women from across London are referred to the centre, which is run by women from minority backgrounds.
Kharbanda added, “Our focus is supporting women who are experiencing domestic abuse and harmful practices. Research shows that domestic abuse is a serious issue – one in four women will experience it in their lifetime, and two women are killed each week in the UK. Rates of domestic homicide are especially high among minority women.
“In some cultures, many women do not recognise the abuse they are experiencing in their relationships. At AWRC, we use a “power and control wheel” to help explain how abuse can take many forms. This includes isolation, pressure from the community, using children against women, and male privilege – particularly within Asian communities.”
Punam Kharbanda
“We receive referrals from a range of services, including social services, the police, and housing providers. Many women come to us directly after finding out about our work online or through word of mouth. We also carry out outreach work. This includes attending local events with information stalls and offering support through the One Stop service at Brent Civic Centre,” she said.
Apart from offering direct support, the charity works to influence government policy, raise awareness, and educate communities about the signs and dangers of abuse. Its services are provided in 24 languages. During Covid, it quickly adapted to provide online services and continues to offer online support.
According to Ganger, many women avoid the police and social services despite referrals from them.
“For example, women with insecure immigration status – perhaps those who came to the UK through marriage and are now facing domestic abuse – often fear that speaking to the authorities could lead to deportation. Others may worry that their children will be taken away,” she said.
“Women are more likely to approach us because they see us as a safe and trusted organisation. They know we won’t share their information in ways that could harm them. Recently, there has been growing concern about data being shared between the police and the Benefits Office. This kind of information sharing can put women at further risk.
“That’s why organisations like ours are working together to campaign for a “firewall” – a clear barrier to stop sensitive personal information from being passed between services without consent.”
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Anas Sarwar and Labour candidate Davy Wilson campaign in Larkhall, Scotland, on Monday (2) for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency by-election due to be held on Thursday (5)
SCOTLAND’s Labour leader Anas Sarwar has warned that the country risks “going back to a dark place” of prejudice and discrimination after Reform UK’s Nigel Farage resorted to “racist” election tactics.
In the lead-up to the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse which is scheduled on Thursday (5), Reform UK posted a controversial advert featuring portions of a 2022 speech where Sarwar spoke about encouraging more people from south Asian backgrounds to enter politics. The advert wrongly claimed Sarwar wanted to “prioritise the Pakistani community”, despite him not saying this in the clips.
Both Labour and the Scottish National Party (SNP) have condemned the advert as “blatantly racist” and have complained to Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, demanding its removal. First minister John Swinney called it “a disgrace” and said he was “disgusted” by Farage’s comments.
Speaking to supporters, Farage wrongly accused Sarwar of saying the south Asian community would “take over the country” and “take over the world”.
When he was challenged by journalists that Sarwar never made such comments, Farage doubled down, calling the Scottish Labour leader’s past speeches “sectarian politics”.
At a London press conference, Farage defended the campaign, claiming: “All we’ve done is to put out the exact words spoken by him without any comment. We’ve said nothing, just that we will represent the people of that constituency.”
He accused Sarwar of introducing “sectarianism” into Scottish politics.
Sarwar, who was born in Glasgow to Pakistani Muslim parents, hit back strongly, describing the Reform leader as someone who “wants to bring poison into our politics, fear into our politics”.
He said: “Scotland has nothing in common with Nigel Farage. He is a spiv he is a divisive politician. He probably couldn’t pin many parts of Scotland on a map.”
Anas Sarwar with his wife Furheen and their son
Sarwar challenged Farage to a face-toface debate, saying: “Come up here. I’ll challenge him any time, any place, in Hamilton, any town hall.”
He contrasted his own background working in Scotland’s NHS with Farage’s time “on the Brussels gravy train”.
In addition, he has spoken about the “guilt” he feels at the impact racist attacks directed at him is having on his children, following the clash with Farage.
Speaking to journalists in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, Sarwar revealed his concerns about how political attacks affect his family.
“I think the challenge is, where I feel a wee bit of guilt and where I feel a wee bit of trepidation, the impact it has on my kids,” he said.
The Glasgow MSP, who grew up as the son of Britain’s first Muslim MP Muhammad Sarwar, said he had learned to cope with racist abuse throughout his political career. “To be honest, it only motivates me and drives me, and makes me want to work even harder,” he explained.
“I think that probably has added resilience for me, and therefore it’s water off a duck’s back.”
However, he admitted his children would have to accept things “as normal that aren’t normal”, just as he did when his father faced similar attacks during his time as an MP between 1997 and 2010.
“There’s a bit of guilt that comes with that, but ultimately I’m doing it for them in the sense that I genuinely fear what the future of Scotland is unless we get a fundamental change,” he said.
Referring to a 2011 speech, he said he had “very naively” thought his children’s generation might “grow up in a world where people would see past the difference”.
He added: “I think there’s a real danger that we are going back to a dark place. The answer to it has to be the politics of hope and unity rather than the politics of despair and fear.”
In an open letter to voters, Sarwar accused Reform UK of spreading “bile, misinformation and racial slurs” throughout the campaign.
Reform UK’s by-election candidate, Ross Lambie defended the advert, insisting it was “absolutely not racist” and claiming Sarwar’s entire speech was about prioritising the Pakistani community.
However, other parties across the political spectrum have condemned Reform UK’s campaign.
SNP candidate Katy Loudon said the advert “has no place in Scottish politics”, while Liberal Democrat candidate Aisha Mir accused Reform of “scummy tactics”. Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie called it a “despicable attempt to bring blatant racism into the by-election”.
Nigel Farage
Recent polling shows Labour’s popularity in Scotland has dropped sharply to 19 per cent from 27 per cent last November, while Reform UK is just one point behind at 18 per cent. The SNP maintains the lead with 33 per cent support.
Initially seen as a two-horse race between Labour and the SNP, Reform UK’s surge in support has shaken up the contest. Swinney now describes the election as a “straight contest” between his party and Reform, warning that Farage poses a “clear and present danger” to Scotland.
However, Sarwar disputed this narrative, insisting the race remains between Labour and the SNP.
The campaign has also seen significant political defections. On Monday (2), Farage welcomed former Labour councillor Jamie McGuire to Reform UK – marking Scottish Labour’s first defection to the party. Former Tory councillor Duncan Massey also switched to Reform UK the same day.
Energy policy has emerged as another key battleground. Farage used his Aberdeen appearance to attack net zero policies, claiming they sacrifice Scotland’s oil and gas industry.
Speaking to business leaders in the energy sector, he argued that fossil fuel consumption would reach record levels in 2025 despite climate commitments.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice called net zero the “greatest act of financial self-harm ever imposed on this nation,” claiming ordinary families suffer whilst politicians remain unaffected.
The SNP’s Stephen Flynn countered that Farage was “just as dangerous to Scotland’s long-term energy and economic future” as environmental activists seeking immediate industry closure.
Protests against Farage’s Aberdeen campaign appearance on Monday (2)
Protests have followed Farage’s campaign visits, with anti-racism demonstrators gathering outside his Aberdeen event. The Reform UK leader defended his party’s record, pointing to chairman Zia Yusuf’s Scottish Asian heritage while maintaining his party does not “talk about race” and believes everyone should be treated equally.
Farage is hoping for a significant push for Reform UK in the by-election to establish itself in Scottish politics after years of limited success north of the border.
Thursday’s by-election was called following the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie in March.
McKelvie, who represented the SNP for 17 years, was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer last year.
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The attack took place on 1 September last year in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, Leicestershire. (Photo credit: Facebook)
A UK judge on Thursday (5) sentenced a 15-year-old boy to seven years' detention for the "wicked" killing of an octogenarian grandfather but a girl who filmed the attack on her phone was spared custody.
The killing of Bhim Kohli, 80, as he walked his dog in a park on the outskirts of Leicester in central England last September is one of several cases of youth violence that has shocked the UK in past months.
The boy, who was 14 and wearing a balaclava at the time of the killing punched, kicked and racially abused Kohli during the attack.
He suffered a broken neck and rib fractures and died in hospital the following day after being found lying on the ground by his children.
The girl, then aged 12, encouraged the assault and laughed as she filmed it on a phone.
She later stored a series of clips of the violence in a password protected folder on Snapchat.
Passing sentence, judge Mark Turner told the boy: "What you did was wicked. You made a cowardly and violent attack on an elderly man."
He sentenced the girl, now aged 13, to a three-year youth rehabilitation order and an evening curfew.
Kohli's family told the court in a victim impact statement they were haunted by how his attackers left him "on his own, helpless and in pain" just a short distance from his home.
"Losing dad in these cruel, violent and deeply shocking circumstances feels like our hearts have been pulled apart," his daughter Susan Kohli said.
The teenagers, who cannot be named because of their ages, were convicted of manslaughter in April following a six-week trial.
The boy had also been charged with murder but was found not guilty on that count.
Speaking outside Leicester Crown Court after the sentencing, Susan Kohli added that she was "angry and disappointed" by the leniency of the sentences.
"I believe on that day the two teenagers made a choice. The teenage boy chose to attack my dad and the girl chose to film him being attacked. They knew what they were doing," she told reporters.
"I feel angry and disappointed that the sentence they have both received today does not, I believe, reflect the severity of the crime they committed," she said.
Evidence retrieved from the girl's phone showed harrowing footage of the attack on Kohli, which was presented to the jury. The boy admitted to witnesses that he had assaulted the elderly man and wrote a letter to a social worker confessing what he had done.
The CPS presented CCTV evidence of their actions before and after the attack, including audio of them joking about the assault to friends.
"In charging these two young defendants, the CPS determined that they were both criminally responsible for Mr Kohli's death, but with different roles. They were prosecuted under the principle of joint enterprise. Both actively participated in the incident that led to Kohli's death, but in different ways," the CPS said.
(Agencies)
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Yusuf, who is not an MP, became chairman of the party last year. (Photo: Getty Images)
ZIA YUSUF, chairman of the Reform UK party, resigned on Thursday.
Reform UK, led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, won five parliamentary seats in last July’s national election and had a strong showing in last month’s local elections.
The party is currently leading national opinion polls, ahead of prime minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party.
“I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office,” Yusuf said, without giving further details about his decision to step down.
Internal divisions within Reform UK have surfaced publicly in the past. In March, the party referred one of its lawmakers, Rupert Lowe, to police over allegations including threats of physical violence against Yusuf. Prosecutors later decided not to bring charges against Lowe, who was suspended by the party.
Earlier on Thursday, Yusuf criticised Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s question to Starmer in parliament about whether the government would consider banning the burqa, calling it “dumb”.
Yusuf, who is not an MP, became chairman of the party last year.