ANZAC Sikhs

BY SHERYL DIXIT

For the sixth year in a row, a Sikh contingent, resplendent in their crisp uniforms and holding their banner high, marched proudly in Sydney’s CBD as a part of the ANZAC Day parade on April 25. Over 25 Sikh ex-servicemen and women under the command of Col. Mahinder Singh (retd) took part in the parade and marched behind the ‘Sikh Regiments’ banner. Organised by the Sikh Council of Australia (SCA), the Sikh Regiments dressed in dark blue turbans and impeccable suits with medals flashing, made an impressive sight among the other ANZAC heroes present at the parade. The Sikh banner was carried by Capt Sarjinder Singh and Fauji Kuldip Singh, and the parade was well-covered on Australian TV, bringing the Regiments’ participation to a larger mainstream audience. The Sikh Regiments also participated in the official wreath laying ceremony on April 24 at Martin Place, performed by Mr Ajmer Singh Gill, President, SCA; Col. Mahinder Singh (retd); and Bawa Singh Jagdev, OAM and Secretary, SCA.

The contribution of Sikhs has been officially recognised through the ANZAC Day parade since 2007, thanks to the efforts of the SCA who approached the Retired Services League of New South Wales, asking them to allow Sikh war veterans, other Sikh soldiers and their descendants to march in the ANZAC Day parade. The SCA drew their attention to the history of Gallipoli, providing photographs and statistics indicating that the Sikhs fought alongside Australian and New Zealand soldiers as a part of the British forces in World War I and II, and in Gallipoli. And since 2007, the Sikh Regiments have been proudly marching in the parade, recording their significant contribution to Australia’s history for the benefit of the nation. It is a proud moment indeed, to see the Sikh Regiments stand tall among other Australians as defenders of this country, in memory of the 3400 wounded and over 370 dead Sikh soldiers who fell at Gallipoli.

“The ANZAC Day march has a special significance for us Sikhs, because during the two World Wars, specially the first, many army units were made up of Sikhs from Punjab,” says Bawa Singh Jagdev proudly. “We march together in this solemn ceremony of remembrance to show our gratitude for bravery and heroism, and to honour those men and women, in particular the Sikh soldiers who gave their highest military recognition) were awarded to members of the Sikh Regiment.

This year’s ANZAC Day parade was once again made possible due to the efforts of the SCA, and in particular President Ajmer Singh Gill, Media Liaison Officer Vickram Singh Grewal, Col Mahinder Singh, Fauji Kuldip Singh, Capt Sarjinder Singh and Secretary Bawa Singh Jagdev. However, the task of organising the participation of the Sikh Regiments has not been an easy one. “Since we represent the Indian Army in the march, the SCA wrote to the Indian High Commission in Canberra and Consul General in Sydney, to request the Indian military to provide us with a Military Band on ANZAC Day, so that we could march behind our own band,” says Bawa Singh Jagdev. “However this year, like in the past, the SCA never received a response from the Indian High Commission. The SCA has attempted to focus on positive and innovative awareness programmes to raise the profile of the community in Australia, and it would be great to have the support of the Indian government in our endeavours, which we will continue to promote in the coming years”.

The SCA once flew in a band from Malaysia at great expense to give the occasion its due importance, however this was not possible in 2012. “It adds a