UK PM Starmer marks Vaisakhi with call for unity to combat anti-Sikh hatred ::::: "Sikh history is British history," said Starmer ::::: "It is who we are as a country. When people try to tear us apart, we need to reassert that"

 "Sikh history is British history," said UK PM Starmer, addressing a gathering of British Sikhs, parliamentarians and community leaders from across the UK.

"It is who we are as a country. When people try to tear us apart, we need to reassert that, over and over again. This is what it is to be British. This inclusive way that we operate and we are very proud of it.  

“It [Vaisakhi] is about celebration, of course, but it is about stepping up against injustice and oppression as well; because there are voices in our communities and politics that seek to divide us, and they will use any opportunity to do so,” he said.

During a Vaisakhi reception hosted at 10 Downing Street in London on Monday evening, Starmer referenced the turbulence of the conflict in West Asia in his message to stand together against divisive forces. He also drew parallels between the concept of sewa and Labour Party values underpinning his government devoted to service.  

British Sikhs number over 535,000 people and account for 0.8% of the British population as of 2021, forming the United Kingdom's fourth-largest religious group. 

According to the 2021 United Kingdom census, British Sikhs numbered 535,517, with 520,092 in England, 10,988 in Scotland, 4,048 in Wales, and 389 in Northern Ireland.

The largest Sikh populations in the United Kingdom are in the West Midlands and Greater London.