"Let's Take Pride in Our Diversity": Speech By President Tharman Shanmugaratnam At The 100th Annivesary Celebrations Of The Silat Road Sikh Temple On 6 July 2024

Mr Gurdip Singh Usma, President, Central Sikh Gurdwara Board,

Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development

Distinguished leaders of the Sikh community,

Esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen,

1.  Sat Sri Akaal! It is truly a privilege to join you in commemorating this significant event, the 100th anniversary of the Silat Road Sikh Temple.

2.  The Temple has had a special place in Singapore history, from its beginnings in the first wave of Sikhs who came to Singapore - brought from India by the British colonial government in the early 1880s to form the Sikh Police Contingent, which became the nucleus of the Straits Settlements Police Force.

3.  Since its founding a century ago, the Temple been a steadfast symbol of the Sikh faith and culture. It has also long had special significance as home to the memorial for Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji, the revered Sikh freedom fighter against British colonialism in India who was exiled to Singapore as a prisoner and died in captivity here. As Mr Gurdip Singh just recounted, the new Memorial was opened by MM Lee Kuan Yew in 2010.

       A matter of pride for all Singaporeans

4.  Yet it is a matter of pride not just for Sikhs, but for all of us as Singaporeans, that the faith and culture of the Sikhs - a minority within the Indian minority - continues to thrive in our country.

5. It has been so because Sikh leaders in Singapore, from the early pioneers to present-day temple and community leaders, have devoted much energy to sustaining Sikh traditions. Through ups and downs, in the true spirit of Chardi Kala or resilience, they have rallied the community, built and rebuilt temples, organised classes for the young and found every way to keep Sikh cultural practices alive.

6.  But the story of the Sikhs also says much about Singapore. We are a place where people of all races and religions can practice what they hold dear, while interacting freely with each other and contributing to Singapore’s progress.

7.  Where the majority community does not seek to dominate over the minorities, or elbow them out of public life.

8.  Where the state, far from being used to restrict the minorities, provides opportunities for every citizen to progress in education and in life, and every community to keep its culture and traditions alive.

9.  Where the minorities do not merely see themselves as minorities, or live in their own spheres, but seek to contribute to the broader Singapore community.

10.  The Sikh community, indeed, expresses this vividly. You have both preserved your heritage, and contributed to Singapore in business, as teachers and in the professions, in sports and the arts, and in the uniformed services.

11.  This practice of multiracialism and multiculturalism in Singapore is at the core of our identity as Singaporeans. We must continue to strengthen that core of our identity, even as we see it unravelling in other societies.

12.  So that all of us as Singaporeans see it in our interests that every other group succeeds.

13.  And so that we all take pride in diversity, not only upholding each of our cultures but developing an interest in others, and feeling that each of our cultures adds to our special identity as Singaporeans.

14.  The Central Sikh Gurdwara Board has helped develop this openness between our cultures in Singapore.  It is not uncommon to find non-Sikhs frequenting the Gurdwara. They pay their respects at the Bhai Maharaj Singh Ji Memorial, partake in the langar or community meals, or participate in programmes at the adjoining Sikh Centre. The temple is also a place that many visitors to Singapore frequent, be they Sikhs devotees from other countries, or tourists keen to visit a historical site.

Conclusion

15.  My warmest congratulations all the Gurdwara’s leaders and devotees. May you keep the spirit of Chardi Kala going, and keep giving reason for pride in the Sikh community as well as among all Singaporeans.