Virendra Sharma Early Day Motion gains support

Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma, has the backing of 50 MPs in his bid to get a statue to honour WW1 Sikh soldiers.

Thousands of Sikhs from the Indian sub-continent fought and died for Britain during the conflict. Last year the British Army honoured them at a service at Sandhurst.

After submitting an Early Day Motion (EDM) and consultation with the Ministry of Defence Mr Sharma has written to the War Memorial Trust to ask for funding for a permanent Sikh Soldiers War Memorial.

The text of the EDM noted that

“That this House notes the contribution of Sikh soldiers in the First World War when over 138,000 Indian troops fought in Belgium and France, many of them Sikh; recognises that more than one-quarter of these soldiers would become casualties; further notes that in March 1915, 100 years ago, Sikh troops along with counterparts from around the British Empire fought in the bloody battle of Neuve Chapelle and many made the ultimate sacrifice; further recognises that Sikh regiments lost nearly four-fifths of their men and three regiments stood at only 16 per cent of their original strength; and urges the Government to support the erection of a permanent monument in Central London to highlight and commemorate their brave actions and grave losses.”

Virendra Sharma MP said:

“Seeing such support for my Early Day Motion is one of my proudest achievements this Parliament. The sacrifice of Sikh Soldiers in the First World War was an enormous commitment, and of incredible importance to the Allied victory.No statue can or should fully repay the debt that Britain owes to many from across her colonies, but it begins to demonstrate the feeling of gratitude across the country.”

30th March 2015