To honour Sikhs who defended Britain in wars around the world, a statue of a Sikh soldier was unveiled on October 30 in Leicester, United Kingdom. According to the BBC, the bronze statue with a granite plinth was unveiled on Sunday in Victoria Park.
The Sikh Troops War Memorial Committee claimed that it would enhance the existing war memorials. At the start of World War I, the British Indian Army contained more than 20% Sikhs, according to the study.
Taranjit Singh, a local artist, commissioned the statue, which was funded by the council and Sikh religious organisations.
Ajmer Singh Basra, the committee’s head, was cited in the story as saying, “We are so proud to be unveiling this memorial to honour the sacrifice of all those brave men who travelled thousands of miles to fight for a country that wasn’t their own,”
According to the newspaper, he claimed the statue would serve as a reminder for the Sikhs who call Leicester home. According to Piara Singh Clair of Leicester City Council, “For many decades, the Sikh community has significantly contributed towards the success of our city.”
“I am very pleased that the idea of a Sikh memorial statue – envisaged by the late councillor Culdipp Singh Bhatti MBE – will be unveiled in Victoria Park.”
“It will provide a fitting tribute alongside other memorials in the park.” The unveiling took place at De Montfort Hall on Sunday and was attended by hundreds of people, including representatives from the armed forces.
