asianaffairs

Sikhs around the world are celebrating the highest honour ever bestowed on a Sikh by the British establishment, as Judge Mota Singh QC was knighted by the Queen in her New Year's Honours List for 'Services to the Administration of Justice, Community Relations and to the Voluntary Sector'. A London-based Ramgarhia Sikh, Sir Mota Singh, 79, sits on several boards and trusts, and his decision to wear a white turban in court rather than a wig has come to be seen as a symbol of multi-cultural Britain.

Mota Singh was raised and educated in Nairobi, Kenya, but moved to England in 1954 to complete his law studies. He was called to the Bar in 1967, and within months had established a successful civil law practice, becoming Britain's first Sikh and Asian judge in 1982.

An elated Sir Mota Singh said he felt 'humbled' by this milestone honour, adding that he had never experienced racism in Britain, or found any difficulty in reconciling his faith with life as a fully-fledged member of British society. He also emphasised Britain's commitment to religious diversity and unity, where 'Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Sikh and others can all work and live together, each retaining proudly their own faith and identity, but each sharing in common the bond of being, by birth or choice, British.'

Congratulations and best wishes have been flooding in for Sir Mota Singh from fellow Sikhs. Gurmukh Singh, a retired high-ranking UK civil servant, spoke of British Sikhs' 'great pride' in his achievement as the first sabat surat (visibly identifiable) Sikh to be knighted, expressing hope that Sir Mota Singh would 'continue to raise Sikh issues and concerns' in his future speeches, and that Britain would soon see sabat surat Sikhs sitting in 'both Houses of Parliament' as many other prominent members of the community receive the recognition they deserve.

The renowned Daya Singh said that Sir Mota Singh had 'done the Sikh quom proud' with his 'landmark' achievement in the annals of British/Sikh relations, while Dr Jagjit Taunque, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, praised the judge's 'tremendous contribution to humanity in Africa and in Great Britain', adding, 'he has raised the name of the Sikh nation globally.'

Asian Affairs would also like to pay tribute to Sir Mota Singh's prestigious accomplishment. We at the magazine have enjoyed a warm and cordial relationship with him for many years, and we are proud to extend our sincere and very personal congratulations to him and his family on this momentous occasion.

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