Khalistan boards at gurdwara do not violate norms: UK charity watchdog

The watchdog for the UK’s charity sector on Thursday revealed that its ongoing probe into a UK gurdwara’s governance had determined that the display of “Khalistan boards” did not breach the political guidance for charities operating in the country.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Slough, in the Berkshire county of south-east England, had come under the scanner of the Charity Commission’s regulatory compliance a few years ago.

As part of governance concerns, the “complex and sensitive matter” of the display of Khalistan banners or plaques at the gurdwara had been raised with the independent watchdog for review.

“After a number of governance concerns were raised with us about Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Slough, we opened a regulatory compliance case to further assess these and engage with the trustees,” a Charity Commission spokesperson said.

“As part of this case, a complex and sensitive matter was raised regarding the display of ‘Khalistan boards’. Following substantial review of evidence and consultation with a number of sector representatives and stakeholders, we have determined the display of the boards in itself not to be in breach of our campaigning and political guidance for charities,” the spokesperson said.