Sikh MP in NZ and the State of Sikh MPs
Unfortunately South East Asia’s coverage in The Langar Hall remains sparse, except for often tragic stories that make the world headlines.
Here we report on something much more pleasant.
It seems that in New Zealand, we have our first Sikh elected as a member of parliament (MP). Delhi-born businessman, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, won his precinct as a member of the conservative National Party, winning the immigrant-dominated Manukau East constituency in suburban Auckland.
Now I am the first to admit that I don’t know much about New Zealand’s politics, nor much about the National Party (other than that the “Nats” seemed poised to form the new government in New Zealand, after nearly a decade of Labour Party rule).
Still for some strange ethnic solidarity purpose (although I have a feeling I would have not voted for Bakshi), I do think his victory is a good thing for New Zealand in general and the Sikh community there in particular.
Reflecting on the results of the recent Canadian elections, I have created a sort of informal list of national-level elected leaders that come from Sikh backgrounds as of 2008. Do you have any others to add to the list?
- Kanwaljit Bakshi – New Zealand
- Navdeep Bains – Canada
- Gurbax Malhi – Canada
- Tim Uppal – Canada
- Ruby Dhalla – Canada
- Devinder Shory – Canada
- Nina Grewal – Canada
- Ujjal Dosanjh – Canada
- Sukh Dhaliwal – Canada
- Parmjit Dhanda – UK
- Marsha Singh – UK
- Navjot Sidhu – India
- Parmjit Gulshan – India
- Sukhbir Badal – India
- Zora Mann – India
- Gurjit Rana – India
- Sharanjit Dhillon – India
- Preneet Kaur – India
- Charanjit Atwal – India
- Sukhdev Libra – India
- Sukhdev Dhindsa – India
- Karpal Singh Deo – Malaysia
- Gobind Singh Deo – Malaysia
- Inderjit Singh – Singapore (thank you Singh is King!)
Am I missing some?
As mentioned, it is remarkable that we have 24 MPs, with 14 coming from outside South Asia.
12 Responses to “Sikh MP in NZ and the State of Sikh MPs”
What immediately sticks out to me is the small number in the UK. Reflections?
What immediately sticks out to me is the small number in the UK. Reflections?
You are missing Inderjit Singh from Singapore, sir.
You are missing Inderjit Singh from Singapore, sir.
Thank you Singh is King, just added it! Any others?
Thank you Singh is King, just added it! Any others?
It seems that Mr. Bakshi may not be so popular within the Sikh community. The World Sikh News reports:
It seems that Mr. Bakshi may not be so popular within the Sikh community. The World Sikh News reports:
add Marsha Singh from the UK
add Marsha Singh from the UK
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