On 17 November 2023, the Sikhs in Law association adorned The Inner Temple’s Hall with a resplendent display of Candles and Divas in homage to the revered Bandi Chhor Divas. It is a celebration etched deeply into the tapestry of Sikh tradition, commemorating a pivotal moment when the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind Jee, orchestrated and negotiated the liberation of 52 Hindu Kings from the shackles of Emperor Jahangir.
The grandeur of the occasion was unveiled with a procession that encapsulated the essence of Sikh ethos. At its forefront stood law student Sehaj Kaur holding the Khanda (double-edged sword), a symbol of utmost sanctity within the Sikh faith. This poignant gesture bestowed prominence upon a woman, a testament to Guru Nanak’s profound belief in equality, echoing his profound words: “From woman, kings are born. So why do we discriminate against them?”
Following the Khanda, Bar Course students Anahad Singh and Preetam Singh draped in the robes of Sikh warriors, carried the Orange and Blue Nishan Sahib – the sacred Sikh flags, evoking the confluence of spirituality and the temporal realms. This symbolic procession by the vibrant youth of Sikhs in Law resonated as a testament to their guardianship of the future. Following them was The Rt Hon Lord Justice Rabinder Singh, an esteemed legal mind and the most senior ranking Sikh in the legal field in England and Wales, sitting as a Judge in both the Court of Appeal and Privy Council, and President of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. Marching two strides behind was Baldip Singh (No5 Chambers and Chair of Sikhs in Law and Chief Judge of the Sikh Court), accompanied by the esteemed chief guest of honour, Mr Justice Talwant Singh (Delhi).
The procession diverged into two lines: one of the council members of Sikhs in Law; and the other by lawyers representing various faiths that embellish the cultural fabric of the UK. Master Reader-Elect of The Inner Temple opened the celebrations by extending a heartfelt welcome to all present.
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Baldip Singh then announced four appointments. Lord Justice Rabinder Singh and Mr Justice Talwant Singh were affirmed as patrons of the Association, vowing to support and steer its initiatives. Sharan Kaur Bhachu (42BR) was appointed as the Master of Advocacy, tasked with heading the Advocacy Training Panel, while Gurbani Kaur (Solicitor at the SRA) was called to sit as a member of the council. Mr Singh commended the six months of impactful endeavours by Sikhs in Law, both domestically and globally, as part of its mission to be a sanctuary and a bastion of safety for all, championing the universal values of unity and peace.
The keynote speech was delivered by Mr Justice Talwant Singh SA, who reiterated the essence of Bandi Chhor – a tapestry woven with the threads of unity that transcend the confines of race, religion, and gender.
Lord Justice Rabinder Singh lit a candle for world peace, encircled by senior members of the profession representing an array of faiths – a testament to the ethos of unity, equality, and peace at a time of turbulence in parts of the world.
The audience was then serenaded with the melodious notes of Kirtan and Sikhs in Law council member Paul Millan recited a universal secular prayer.
While celebratory in essence, the ceremony embraced a solemn tone, which resonated with the multicultural and international audience.
Sikhs in Law is a safe sanctuary for all, open to all. Visit: sikhsinlaw.co.uk for more information.
Baldip Singh Aulak
No5 Chambers
