Indarjit Singh, who’s been dubbed the ‘Lord Singh of Wimbledon’, will be first turbaned Sikh to sit in UK’s House of Lords
LONDON – The first turbaned Sikh selected to sit in the UK’s House of Lords says he is likely to be styled Lord Singh of Wimbledon, not because of his fondness for tennis but because that is the name of the London suburb where he lives.
Indarjit Singh said in an interview, “That is most likely – Lord Singh of Wimbledon – its an obvious one and I haven’t much imagination. I still haven’t made up my mind, but I am meeting someone this week to discuss it.”
Singh, the director of a charity linking several Sikh organisations in the UK, is absolutely delighted at the honour of making history.
“I am delighted to be the first turbaned Sikh in Parliament. It is an honour for the whole Sikh community,” said Singh, the director of the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO).
Recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the 79-year-old Singh will enter the House and sit as an independent.
“It gives me a new opportunity to do what I have always tried to do, to work with people of all beliefs to increase tolerance and understanding and work for greater social and political justice in society,” said Singh, who was appointed OBE in 1996 and CBE in 2009.
Sikhs already in Parliament include the Conservative MP Paul Uppal, who does not wear a turban.
Singh, who is the first Sikh to have addressed a conference at the Vatican, said “the mantra of today’s times – to look after ourselves because we are important – is creating a selfish and fragmented society in which rights are put before responsibility.”
“We saw the worst features of this in the recent riots,” he said, adding “I would like, in my small way, to work with like-minded people in all communities to reserve this trend.”
Singh, 79, was born in Rawalpindi and came to the UK when he was only a year old. In recent years, he has become a familiar voice on the prestigious ‘Thought for the Day’ programme that is broadcast on BBC Radio 4. His contribution to the programme he has been broadcasting for 28 years invariably contains a reference to the Sikh faith, which means he can take personal credit for introducing British listeners to the life, times and ideas of Guru Nanak. His programme contributions over the years total more than 250.
A champion of inter-faith harmony, he has also edited a journal called ‘Sikh Messenger’, which has entitled him to represent the Sikh faith at many important official events, such as the recent wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
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