"We must fight together and challenge the voices..."
At a Vaisakhi reception in Downing Street, Keir Starmer used the celebration to confront rising anti-Sikh hate crime, urging urgent action and national unity.
Speaking on April 13, 2026, Starmer said: “We stand firmly against anti Sikh hatred in all its forms, and we must act on that as well.”
He warned that division was being fuelled by harmful rhetoric, adding: “We must fight together and challenge the voices that are peddling this division and toxic separation.”
The Prime Minister called on communities to hold those spreading hate accountable, stressing that collective responsibility was essential in tackling rising tensions.
His comments come amid growing concern over anti-Sikh incidents, particularly across the Midlands.
Recent cases include racially motivated rapes reported in Walsall and Oldbury, alongside attacks on Sikh drivers in Wolverhampton.
Campaigners also met MPs in Westminster in October 2025 to highlight a sharp increase in hate crimes targeting Sikh communities.
Addressing the wider climate, Starmer said Britain must turn fear into progress, calling for a “concerted attempt to turn the anxiety of an uncertain world into something better”.
He emphasised that unity, not division, should define the national response to these incidents.
Alongside his warning, Starmer praised Sikh values, linking them directly to resilience during challenging times.
He said: “The values that we’re here to celebrate, service, sacrifice and respect, they are the values that will help us emerge stronger and more united.”
Starmer highlighted how Sikh communities continue to support vulnerable people through seva, including food banks and community kitchens.
“I’m incredibly bowled over by your instinct to give, to support communities on a faith and no faith basis,” he said.
He described this selflessness as a defining feature of both Sikh and British identity, reinforcing a shared moral foundation.
The Prime Minister also rejected narratives that Britain is deeply divided.
“We succumb too often to the argument that we’re a divided country,” he said.
“I think that’s complete nonsense, that’s completely wrong.”
He argued that communities across the UK consistently show compassion and solidarity, particularly during times of crisis.
Starmer placed Sikh contributions firmly within Britain’s national story, stating that “Sikh history is British history” and inseparable from the country’s identity.
He also reflected on historical contributions, including Sikh soldiers’ sacrifices during the Battle of the Somme.
Their role, he said, was vital in defending freedom and shaping modern Britain.
The Prime Minister further highlighted Sophia Duleep Singh, praising her “tireless work” in advancing democratic rights.
He described her activism as a powerful reminder of the Sikh community’s long-standing influence on British society.
Introducing the Prime Minister, Satvir Kaur linked Sikh values to Labour’s political vision.
She said principles such as unity, community and “love over hate” are deeply aligned with the party’s ethos.
Starmer concluded by urging attendees to carry his message forward.
“Please take these messages back and share them with others in your community,” he said.
He added that recognising Sikh contributions must go beyond symbolic moments and translate into real action against hate and division.
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