East London Sikh Temple Inquiry Leads to Disappointment
- Harley Grove, Gurdwara Sikh Sangat Racist driven Arson
London, UK (CHAKRA) – It has been a year after the arson attack in east London, on a Sikh temple. A trustee has said that the Sikh community is very disappointed with the level of police inquiry.
The Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, a Grade II listed building in Harley Grove, Bow, was put on fire last March destroying not only the temple but also several Sikh holy books.
Despite a 50 000 pound reward, people in the community such as Jagmohan Singh said they are “very disappointed” that the police have not made any related arrests.
Police have said that an extensive amount of inquiries have been carried out.
The roof collapsed and 75% of the building was burnt but the temple continued to function in some rooms at the back of the building while the rest was restored at a cost of 200 000 pounds.
Mr Singh said, “Today is a remembrance day and at the same time it is a celebration as despite the attack we are holding worship inside the premises,”
“We are very disappointed with the investigation. Nobody has been apprehended and that is more disappointing than having to provide services from a constrained space.”
In response to the disappointment the police at Tower Hamlets Borough Police said that everything that can be done is being done and every possible line of inquiry is being pursued.
“The investigation team is in regular contact with the temple committee and liaise with our independent advisory group, whilst providing updates both locally and nationally to the Federation of Sikh Organisations UK.”
The Sikh community plans to approach English Heritage for grants in addition to appealing within the UK and abroad to raise 2.5m pounds to rebuild the whole temple.
