Reject the so called UK "Sikh Court’
The Issue
IF THERE IS NO SIKH LAW .... HOW CAN THERE BE A RELIGIOUS SIKH COURT?
ONE LAW FOR ALL , NO PARALLEL COURTS
The Issue
The “Sikh Court” CIC is not only misleading but entirely alien to Sikh history faith and tradition. Unlike other religions that operate through codified legal obligations, Sikhism is based on guidance, ethics, compassion, and spiritual principles.
To turn it into a governance system that mimics a judiciary is to distort its essence. The contradictory nature of this setup is worrying, on one hand the members of this “Court” strongly claim that this is not a religious court but its self defined “magistrates” and “judges” took religious oaths using Sikh scripture and the launch ceremony was turned into a religious ceremony.
Why This Matters
The Sikh faith has never been run through courts or legal systems. Its foundation rests on our sacred scripture, our final and eternal living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In 1950, the Sikh Rehat Maryada was finalised, a code of conduct followed by those who undertook the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.
Sikhism teaches discipline, devotion, conduct, humility, equality and inclusivity rooted in spiritual practice. It is not a legal framework and has never required judges, courts, or laws to uphold its principles.
Our Concerns
1: The impact on victims of Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women and Young Girls
Karma Nirvana, Sikh Women’s Aid and H.O.P.E Training & Consultancy submitted eleven safeguarding and accountability questions to the Sikh Court CIC. They did not receive a clear or adequate answer. The safeguarding policy provided, failed even to mention basic legal requirements, which is shocking given the involvement of family barristers and solicitors who should understand such responsibilities.
Concerns were raised regarding the referral of domestic abuse cases to “anger management courses.” This practice poses a serious safeguarding risk. Individuals who engage in abusive or harmful behaviours require access to accredited behavioural change programmes, not generic anger management courses, which are inappropriate and ineffective in addressing the root causes of domestic abuse. To suggest otherwise risks minimising the harm caused and undermines victim safety.
Pragna Patel of Project Resist also wrote a powerful piece in the Guardian about the risks posed by religious courts and Southall Black Sisters and 93 organisations and individuals including Sharan Project have signed and issued a powerful statement against the establishment of the Court
2. Risks to Survivors of Abuse
There is a real need for culturally sensitive support in family courts, where survivors not just from the Sikh but also from South Asian backgrounds can feel seen and understood. However, setting up parallel religious / community courts is not the solution. They are wide open to misuse by perpetrators, they erode trust in established legal systems, and they leave survivors with less protection, not more !
3. Lack of Transparency
Since its launch in April 2024, the Sikh Court CIC has failed to publish any statistics, reports, or evidence of positive impact. More than a year later, it remains unaccountable and opaque, operating as a closed group of self-appointed individuals with no legitimacy in the wider Sikh community.
4. Fees That Contradict Selfless Service (Seva)
The Sikh Court CIC claims to be an act of Seva, or selfless service. Yet its documents reveal a detailed fee structure. True Seva is given freely, without personal gain or financial barriers. To charge for it is to undermine one of the most sacred principles of the Sikh faith and to risk injustice, where only those who can pay are given support. The Sikh Court is a private, paid service.
Our Call to Action
A complete rejection, boycott and disbandment of the Sikh Court by individuals, Sikh gurdwaras, organisations, community representatives , policymakers, funders, and legal professionals
Stand With Us
The so-called Sikh Court misrepresents this faith, places survivors at risk, and operates without transparency or legitimacy. It has no place in Sikh tradition, no authority in law, and no accountability to the community.
By signing this petition, you take a stand for Sikh universal values of justice, equality, and Seva. For Background Information- please read Justice is not Cosplay- British Sikhs Belong in the Real Courts, Not Parallel Ones
Victims of all forms of Abuse require Justice, not Religious Mediation.
4,052
The Issue
IF THERE IS NO SIKH LAW .... HOW CAN THERE BE A RELIGIOUS SIKH COURT?
ONE LAW FOR ALL , NO PARALLEL COURTS
The Issue
The “Sikh Court” CIC is not only misleading but entirely alien to Sikh history faith and tradition. Unlike other religions that operate through codified legal obligations, Sikhism is based on guidance, ethics, compassion, and spiritual principles.
To turn it into a governance system that mimics a judiciary is to distort its essence. The contradictory nature of this setup is worrying, on one hand the members of this “Court” strongly claim that this is not a religious court but its self defined “magistrates” and “judges” took religious oaths using Sikh scripture and the launch ceremony was turned into a religious ceremony.
Why This Matters
The Sikh faith has never been run through courts or legal systems. Its foundation rests on our sacred scripture, our final and eternal living Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji. In 1950, the Sikh Rehat Maryada was finalised, a code of conduct followed by those who undertook the Amrit Sanchar ceremony.
Sikhism teaches discipline, devotion, conduct, humility, equality and inclusivity rooted in spiritual practice. It is not a legal framework and has never required judges, courts, or laws to uphold its principles.
Our Concerns
1: The impact on victims of Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women and Young Girls
Karma Nirvana, Sikh Women’s Aid and H.O.P.E Training & Consultancy submitted eleven safeguarding and accountability questions to the Sikh Court CIC. They did not receive a clear or adequate answer. The safeguarding policy provided, failed even to mention basic legal requirements, which is shocking given the involvement of family barristers and solicitors who should understand such responsibilities.
Concerns were raised regarding the referral of domestic abuse cases to “anger management courses.” This practice poses a serious safeguarding risk. Individuals who engage in abusive or harmful behaviours require access to accredited behavioural change programmes, not generic anger management courses, which are inappropriate and ineffective in addressing the root causes of domestic abuse. To suggest otherwise risks minimising the harm caused and undermines victim safety.
Pragna Patel of Project Resist also wrote a powerful piece in the Guardian about the risks posed by religious courts and Southall Black Sisters and 93 organisations and individuals including Sharan Project have signed and issued a powerful statement against the establishment of the Court
2. Risks to Survivors of Abuse
There is a real need for culturally sensitive support in family courts, where survivors not just from the Sikh but also from South Asian backgrounds can feel seen and understood. However, setting up parallel religious / community courts is not the solution. They are wide open to misuse by perpetrators, they erode trust in established legal systems, and they leave survivors with less protection, not more !
3. Lack of Transparency
Since its launch in April 2024, the Sikh Court CIC has failed to publish any statistics, reports, or evidence of positive impact. More than a year later, it remains unaccountable and opaque, operating as a closed group of self-appointed individuals with no legitimacy in the wider Sikh community.
4. Fees That Contradict Selfless Service (Seva)
The Sikh Court CIC claims to be an act of Seva, or selfless service. Yet its documents reveal a detailed fee structure. True Seva is given freely, without personal gain or financial barriers. To charge for it is to undermine one of the most sacred principles of the Sikh faith and to risk injustice, where only those who can pay are given support. The Sikh Court is a private, paid service.
Our Call to Action
A complete rejection, boycott and disbandment of the Sikh Court by individuals, Sikh gurdwaras, organisations, community representatives , policymakers, funders, and legal professionals
Stand With Us
The so-called Sikh Court misrepresents this faith, places survivors at risk, and operates without transparency or legitimacy. It has no place in Sikh tradition, no authority in law, and no accountability to the community.
By signing this petition, you take a stand for Sikh universal values of justice, equality, and Seva. For Background Information- please read Justice is not Cosplay- British Sikhs Belong in the Real Courts, Not Parallel Ones
Victims of all forms of Abuse require Justice, not Religious Mediation.
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Petition created on 7 September 2025