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Ray · 06-27-2007, 23:48 PM

Dave,

I am not too sure how the current British Army is organised.

From what I can understand from various threads of different forums, is that while the name is Royal Scot Dragoon Guards, the men recruited need not be from Scotland and could be from anywhere else i.e. the name can be anything, but the troops can be drawn from anywhere.

Now, if the Regiment's name has nothing to with the class/ community/ region composition, then there seems to be no reason to have a Sikh Regiment. If indeed the Sikh elders can muster a battalion worth, such men could be then distributed to various units already in existence. That would, in any case, make up for the declining figures and the purpose served.

However, if in the British Army, recruitment continues to be as per the composition the Regiment's title indicates ie. a Scot unit is staffed by Scots alone, and an English Regiment, by the English and so on, then there is nothing that should stand in the way of having a British Sikh Regiment.

Given the military tradition and valour of the Sikhs, I am sure they will make the UK proud.

In the Indian Army, the Sikh Regiment is composed of what is known as Jatt Sikhs. The Sikh LI is composed of the Mazbis and the Punjab Regiment with other class of Sikhs and Dogras.

I think the British govt is pulling punches under cover of various PC 'shrouds' to avoid the real question. The real issue is - If there can be a Sikh Regiment, why not a Baluch or a Pathan Regiment? After all, they too served the British Raj well and loyally. In these uncertain times of militant Islam, having a Pathan or a Baluch Regiment does not kindle the same Raj nostalgia as would a Sikh Regiment, but then having a Sikh Regiment and not a Moslem one would not appear too PC, would it?

Now, that is where the fear lies - the Islamic question viewed against 7/11 and other problems that UK is facing with militant Moslem/ Islam.

What is the guarantee that ObL will not infiltrate these Regiment and it is not safe to have a whole lot of wild people running amok with weapons, if for some valid or imagined reason, they feel Islam has been slighted, not by the Army alone, but as in the case of Rushdie getting a knighthood or some more serious thing.

The aftermath of OP Bluestar too could have affected the thinking, which in any case, was an aberration.

I can vouch for the loyalty of the Sikhs and they are good but then I do not know the difference in the mental makeup of the British born Sikh and the hardy Indian Sikh of the village. The Indian urban Sikh is as soft as any other Indian urban boy can be.

To equate the valour and courage of the WW II Sikh veterans what the modern youth will do, is another very doubtful equation.

Notwithstanding, the modern Sikh youth will equal any other youth, be it in Britain or in India.

06-27-2007, 23:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 26,149 Country:	Dave, I am not too sure how the current British Army is organised. From what I can understand from various threads of different forums, is that while the name is Royal Scot Dragoon Guards, the men recruited need not be from Scotland and could be from anywhere else i.e. the name can be anything, but the troops can be drawn from anywhere. Now, if the Regiment's name has nothing to with the class/ community/ region composition, then there seems to be no reason to have a Sikh Regiment. If indeed the Sikh elders can muster a battalion worth, such men could be then distributed to various units already in existence. That would, in any case, make up for the declining figures and the purpose served. However, if in the British Army, recruitment continues to be as per the composition the Regiment's title indicates ie. a Scot unit is staffed by Scots alone, and an English Regiment, by the English and so on, then there is nothing that should stand in the way of having a British Sikh Regiment. Given the military tradition and valour of the Sikhs, I am sure they will make the UK proud. In the Indian Army, the Sikh Regiment is composed of what is known as Jatt Sikhs. The Sikh LI is composed of the Mazbis and the Punjab Regiment with other class of Sikhs and Dogras. I think the British govt is pulling punches under cover of various PC 'shrouds' to avoid the real question. The real issue is - If there can be a Sikh Regiment, why not a Baluch or a Pathan Regiment? After all, they too served the British Raj well and loyally. In these uncertain times of militant Islam, having a Pathan or a Baluch Regiment does not kindle the same Raj nostalgia as would a Sikh Regiment, but then having a Sikh Regiment and not a Moslem one would not appear too PC, would it? Now, that is where the fear lies - the Islamic question viewed against 7/11 and other problems that UK is facing with militant Moslem/ Islam. What is the guarantee that ObL will not infiltrate these Regiment and it is not safe to have a whole lot of wild people running amok with weapons, if for some valid or imagined reason, they feel Islam has been slighted, not by the Army alone, but as in the case of Rushdie getting a knighthood or some more serious thing. The aftermath of OP Bluestar too could have affected the thinking, which in any case, was an aberration. I can vouch for the loyalty of the Sikhs and they are good but then I do not know the difference in the mental makeup of the British born Sikh and the hardy Indian Sikh of the village. The Indian urban Sikh is as soft as any other Indian urban boy can be. To equate the valour and courage of the WW II Sikh veterans what the modern youth will do, is another very doubtful equation. Notwithstanding, the modern Sikh youth will equal any other youth, be it in Britain or in India. __________________ "Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination." I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. HAKUNA MATATA