On 17 November 2023, the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple bore witness to a luminous spectacle as Sikhs in Law adorned its halls with a resplendent display of Candles and Divas, an exquisite homage to the revered Bandhi Chhor Divas—a celebration etched deeply into the tapestry of Sikh tradition, commemorating a pivotal moment when the 6th Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind Jee, orchestrated and negotiated the liberation of 52 Hindu Kings from the shackles of Emperor Jahangir.
The grandeur of the occasion unveiled with a majestic procession that encapsulated the essence of Sikh ethos. At its forefront stood a young female law student, holding the Khanda (double edged sword), a symbol of utmost sanctity within the Sikh Faith. This poignant gesture bestowed prominence upon a woman, a testament to Guru Nanak’s profound belief in equality, echoing his profound words: “From Woman Kings are Born. So why do we discriminate against them?”
Following the Khanda, a pair of bar students, draped in the robes of Sikh warriors, carried the Orange and Blue Nishan Sahib—the sacred Sikh flags, evoking the confluence of spirituality and the temporal realms. This symbolic spectacle, carried forth by the vibrant youth of Sikhs in Law, resonated as a testament to their guardianship of the future. Following suit was The Rt. Honourable Lord Justice Rabinder Singh, an esteemed legal mind and the most senior ranking Sikh in the legal field, sitting as a Judge in both the Court of Appeal and Privy Council. Marching two strides behind as a mark of respect to His Lordship was Baldip Singh (Barrister & Chair of Sikhs in Law), accompanied by the esteemed Chief Guest of Honour, Mr. Justice Talwant Singh (Delhi). The procession elegantly diverged into two lines, one of the Council Members of Sikhs in Law and the other by lawyers representing various faiths that embellish the cultural fabric of the UK.
This celebratory affair was set into motion by the Master Reader-Elect of Inner Temple, extending a heartfelt welcome to all present.
Baldip Singh, the Chair of Sikhs in Law (Barrister), commenced the event by announcing four appointments. The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Rabinder Singh and Mr. Justice Talwant Singh were affirmed as patrons of the Association, vowing to support and steer its initiatives. Sharan Kaur Bhachu (42BR) was appointed as the Master of Advocacy, tasked with heading the Advocacy Training Panel, while Gurbani Kaur (Solicitor at the SRA) was called to sit as a member of the Council. The Chair, in his address, commended the six months of impactful endeavours by Sikhs in Law, both domestically and globally, underscoring its role as a sanctuary and a bastion of safety for all, championing the universal values of unity and peace.
A moment of profound significance ensued when The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Rabinder Singh lit a candle for world peace, encircled by legal luminaries representing an array of faiths—a profound testament to the ethos of unity, equality, and peace. This gesture bore poignant relevance amid the turbulent tides witnessed across the globe.
A moment of profound significance ensued when The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Rabinder Singh lit a candle for world peace, encircled by legal luminaries representing an array of faiths—a profound testament to the ethos of unity, equality, and peace. This gesture bore poignant relevance amid the turbulent tides witnessed across the globe.
The air resonated with the melodious notes of Kirtan, serenading the audience, followed by the recitation of a universal secular prayer by Council member Paul Millan.
The culmination of the entire ceremony was an amalgamation of touching and heart-warming moments. While celebratory in essence, the event embraced a solemn tone, an attribute that resonated deeply with the multicultural and international audience, acknowledged and revered for its profound depth and relevance in the current global context.
