Britain rules out creating a Sikh regiment

Last year, British Defence Minister had announced that the British Army was examining the possibility of reviving the Sikh regiment.

Source: http://www.nam.ac.uk

Britain has ruled out creating a separate Sikh regiment in the British army saying the force has to better reflect the society.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said he is wary of any military units’ separation along religion, British media has reported.

Earlier, the then British defence minister Mark Francois had confirmed last year that the head of the British Army was evaluating the possibility of a Sikh regiment in the force.

Defence Secretary Fallon said the Sikhs make great soldiers and that he will explore other ways to encourage them to join the Army.

"The armed forces have to better reflect the society that they're charged with protecting,” he said.

"What I'm wary of is any kind of segregation that would set up particular units that are for one religion and another religion. I'm a little wary of that.

"Sikhs, of course, as you know, make great soldiers and were a great part of our army in the past,” added Mr. Fallon.

Thousands of Sikh soldier served in the British Army in the 19^th century. Many thousands of Sikh troops also fought for Britain in the First and the Second World Wars.

Reviving a Sikh regiment has come up several times in the recent past in Britain. One recent attempt was abandoned in 2007 amid fears that the move could be termed racist.

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