British police arrested 55 people and seized blades at a Sikh temple on Sunday, following a protest against a mixed marriage.
Armed officers were deployed to the Gurdwara Temple in Leamington Spa, central England, at around early on Sunday after a group of men entered the building.
A total of 55 people were arrested for aggravated trespass in what police chief David Gardner described as "an escalation of a local dispute".
"A significant number of bladed weapons were seized from the scene," he said adding that no-one was injured in the incident.
Gurmel Singh, secretary general of Sikh Council UK, said protesters walked freely into the temple and did not break into the building. He said the group then held prayers and a sit-in to oppose a wedding due to take place between a Sikh and a non-Sikh.
"Marriage is a sacred institution and in our culture we have no problem with people of difference races getting married, but the religious doctrine says this particular ceremony is reserved for two Sikhs," Singh told AFP.
One eyewitness, Perry Phillips, said the protest appeared to be peaceful. "I could see at the entrance to the Gurdwara a lot of people were outside but it was peaceful, there was no shouting or anything," he told the Press Association.
"There's a big Sikh community in Leamington Spa and a lot of people were turning up," he added.
The Sikh 2 Inspire group said those arrested were carrying the kirpan, a ceremonial Sikh dagger, and criticised the response to the Gurdwara Temple incident.
"The media and police have victimised the Sikh appearance and defamed the Sikh community in the UK," the group said on Facebook, calling on their supporters to take their kirpan to their local police station and explain its significance to officers.
There are more than 420,000 Sikhs in England and Wales, according to 2011 census data, accounting for 0.8 percent of the population.
Christians make up the largest religious group, accounting for 59.3 percent of the population, followed by Muslims (4.8 percent) and Hindus (1.5 percent).
AFP
Mon Sep 12 2016
A total of 55 people were arrested for aggravated trespass.
China promises Latin America 'trustworthy' ties as Trump lays out demands
Beijing looks to improve its foothold in a region historically under the US sphere of influence.
Major risks loom as Trump upends US Russia policy
Washington's approach changes dramatically with the initial meeting between US and Russian negotiators.
Pope Francis has double pneumonia, complicating his treatment, Vatican says
Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Philippines' VP Duterte challenges impeachment before Supreme Court
Sara Duterte makes her first legal move to fight the case that could lead to her removal and lead to a lifetime ban from public office.
Motor racing - Hamilton steps out in red at unprecedented 10 team F1 launch
I feel so full of life, so much energy, because everything's new and I'm just focused on what is up ahead, Hamilton says.
UAE tells US' Rubio it rejects displacement of Palestinians
The UAE's stance matters as its one of four Arab nations that normalised ties with Israel during Trumps first term.
Taylor Swift wins recording artist of the year crown for fifth time
The megastar's "The Tortured Poets Department" record also topped four IFPI charts, the IFPI says.
More than $50 billion needed to rebuild Gaza, World Bank joint assessment says
Years of rebuilding work, including clearing unexploded ordinance and millions of tonnes of rubble lie ahead.
Malaysia’s AI data centre development to be impacted by recent US restrictions - Liew
Liew Chin Tong says the restrictions would not affect the development of the domestic data centre ecosystem as a whole.
Sweden's top court rejects Greta Thunberg lawsuit on climate action
A court cannot decide that the parliament or the government must take any specific action, the Supreme Court says.
![[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg "[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream")
[COLUMNIST] Trump’s Gaza (pipe) dream
The Gaza plan is dangerous and counter-productive as it's merely another recipe for regional instability.
Sivasangari eyes new career-high in world rankings
After climbing to a career-best world number seven, national women's squash ace S. Sivasangari is determined to keep rising.
Outburst against Steven Sim: DAP will probe if there's a complaint - Loke
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke says the disciplinary committee has not received any reports related to the incident so far.
US judge will not block Elon Musk from firing federal workers, accessing data
The case raises questions about Musk's apparent unchecked authority as a top deputy to President Donald Trump.
Dozens of false killer whales stranded on remote Australian beach
Rescue crews trying to save the majority of the large dolphins that survived the ordeal, according to authorities.
Trump restricts AP access over Gulf of Mexico issue
The AP, citing editorial standards, says it would continue to use the gulf's established name.
China to fly back 200 nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres, Thai official says
This is part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.
Somber Tiger Woods back in action in TGL loss to New York GC
Tiger Woods makes his first start since the death of his mother when he competed in a TGL match at Palm Beach Gardens.
Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro charged in alleged coup plot
A total of 34 people were charged, including several military officials.
Trump and Musk target tax enforcers, rocket scientists, bank regulators for job cuts
Concerns grow over transparency, oversight, and Musk's influence on government operations.