The Punjabi immigrant narrative is one of success stories, of accomplishments, prosperity and honours. It has no place for ugly realities that crop up from time to time. In the Southall suburb of London, Punjabis long had their base. It is where the largest gurdwara in the UK is located, and home to an estimated 60,000 Punjabis, mostly Sikhs.

 

It has also become a place where homeless park themselves for the night. What has come as a shock to many is that these homeless people who sleep in rough circumstances (thus called ‘rough sleepers’) are members of the immigrant community that has long considered itself immune from any of the tribulations that it associates with the West. 

Interviews with these dispossessed persons have shown that while some of them are abusers, of alcohol as well as drugs, most want to work. Some are eligible for benefits, but don’t know how to go about it, since they have never been on welfare. Some are illegal immigrants, and thus are afraid of authorities. Most want to hide their pathetic condition from people back home, who they still hope to support. By doing so, they also allow their problems to be swept under the carpet.

It is indeed shocking that the local authorities have turned apathetic to the plight of these poor people. Even the immigrant community, with a few notable exceptions, has turned a blind eye and a British politician of Indian origin has gone to the extent of saying that their problems are “self-inflicted”. The community that has a proud tradition of helping the needy now needs to look within and extend a helping hand to those for whom the immigrant dream turned into a nightmare. The newly-formed Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team, and the local gurdwaras are providing the right leadership. The number of those affected is still small, and thus manageable. The British government too needs to examine how it can help the ‘rough sleepers’, three of whom have already succumbed to the ravages of poverty and extreme weather.

Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

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