THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Leicester- The Indian Workers Association (Great Britain), in partnership with Kohinoor Radio 97.3 FM, held a powerful and fully packed public meeting on Sunday, 21 September 2025, at the Kohinoor Radio Conference Hall, Leicester.
The hall was filled to capacity, while thousands more tuned in live on Kohinoor Radio 97.3 FM and online at www.krfm.co.uk, giving the meeting an estimated worldwide audience of 80,000.
Every speaker addressed the audience for 3–4 minutes, expressing their solidarity and demanding justice. Preet Kaur Gill MP (Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sikhs – via video link) stressed the urgent need for justice and protection for Sikh women and minority communities. Shockat Adam MP (Leicester South) condemned the attack as a crime against humanity and pledged political support. Liam-James Dean, Office Manager to Shivani Raja MP (Leicester East), reaffirmed cross-party solidarity with the Sikh community. Dilbagh Singh Gill (IWA National Executive) called for community unity in the fight against racism and sexism. Douglas Johnstone (BFAWU Union) highlighted the importance of trade union support in the struggle for justice. Jackie Lewis (Stand Up to Racism) linked the case to the wider fight against institutional racism in Britain. Gurnam Singh Nawanshahr (President, Guru Teg Bahadur Gurdwara Leicester) urged faith leaders to stand together in solidarity.
Important contributions were also made by Councillor Bhupin Dave (Former Deputy Leader, Leicester City Council), Councillor Santokh Singh Atwal, Claudia Webbe (Former MP), George Atwal (Regional Secretary, Baker Food and Allied Workers Union), Councillor Kulwinder Singh Johal, Councillor Devi Singh Patel, Councillor Nags Arath, Councillor Mohinder Singh Sangha, Councillor Jeffrey, Councillor Latif Darr, Councillor Ravi Mahesh, Gurjit Singh Samra (President, Shri Harkishan Sahib Gurdwara Oadby), Sukhdev Singh Bansal, Mangan Bhai Patel (Gujarat Hindu Association and Leicester Hindu Federation), Ismail Shaffi (Chairman, Leicestershire Council of Mosques), Usman Jadoon (Muslim Council), Mohammed (Leicester Muslim Council), Sharmeen Rahman (The Green Party), Kashmir Singh Khalsa, Jagjit Singh Sahota and Mangat Singh Sall. Their united voices reflected the strength of Leicester’s diverse communities standing shoulder to shoulder against racism, sexism, and hate.
The meeting unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the horrific racist and sexist rape attack on a young Sikh woman in Oldbury. The resolution demanded a full and urgent police investigation, the CPS to bring the most serious charges possible, the courts to impose maximum sentences, and all political leaders to condemn racism and violence against women, and to take concrete action to protect minority communities.
Sital Singh Gill, General Secretary of the IWA (G.B.), said:
“This meeting has shown the strength and unity of our community. We are outraged at this brutal crime, but we are also determined. Our message is clear: violence against women, racism, and hatred will never be tolerated in Britain. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure justice is done — and seen to be done.”
Messages of support were also received from the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the MP for Leicester East, all expressing solidarity and condemning the attack.
The Indian Workers Association (G.B.) – Leicestershire extends its thanks to Kohinoor Radio for its partnership, excellent arrangements, and live broadcast, and to the wider community for its overwhelming support.
✊ In solidarity, we stand united against racism, sexism, and hate.
