Overview

• The Charity Commission ruled that Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Slough may retain plaques bearing ‘Khalistan’ after finding no breach of political campaigning rules.
• Officials determined that the term ‘Khalistan’ holds religious significance in Sikh tradition and does not advocate for a separate state.
• The decision resolves a specific signage complaint first lodged in 2019 following an Indian journalist’s objection to the gurdwara’s display.
• A wider regulatory compliance case into the gurdwara’s governance continues under a December 2024 action plan issued by the commission.
• During the review, Sikh organisations and MPs Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Preet Kaur Gill and Jas Athwal met with charity regulators to defend the plaques as expressions of faith.