This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-37336623

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Weapons seized at Leamington Spa Sikh temple 'ceremonial' Weapons seized at Leamington Spa Sikh temple 'ceremonial'
(about 1 hour later)
All but one of the "bladed weapons" seized after 55 people were arrested at a protest at a Sikh temple were ceremonial, police said.All but one of the "bladed weapons" seized after 55 people were arrested at a protest at a Sikh temple were ceremonial, police said.
Armed officers surrounded the Gurdwara Temple in Leamington Spa after reports men entered the building in a row over inter-faith marriages. Armed officers surrounded the Gurdwara Sahib in Leamington Spa after reports men entered the building in a row over inter-faith marriages.
The Sikh Federation pressure group said the Sikh community had concluded Warwickshire Police had "overreacted".The Sikh Federation pressure group said the Sikh community had concluded Warwickshire Police had "overreacted".
Officers "assessed the situation and responded accordingly," the force said.Officers "assessed the situation and responded accordingly," the force said.
Read more news for Coventry and WarwickshireRead more news for Coventry and Warwickshire
A statement from Sikh Youth UK said its members were peacefully protesting against an inter-faith marriage that was to be carried out as a Sikh marriage at the temple.A statement from Sikh Youth UK said its members were peacefully protesting against an inter-faith marriage that was to be carried out as a Sikh marriage at the temple.
Ceremonial weaponsCeremonial weapons
People were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and a "significant number of bladed weapons" were seized, Warwickshire police said. Fifty-five men, aged between 17 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
One of them - a 39-year-old from Birmingham - was also arrested for causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence by words.
Warwickshire Police said a "significant number of bladed weapons" had been seized.
The force later confirmed the majority of these were Kirpans - one of the five physical symbols of faith worn by Sikhs.The force later confirmed the majority of these were Kirpans - one of the five physical symbols of faith worn by Sikhs.
A Warwickshire Police spokesman said it responded to a report a group of masked men, initially thought to be about 20, who had forced their way into the temple.A Warwickshire Police spokesman said it responded to a report a group of masked men, initially thought to be about 20, who had forced their way into the temple.
He said: "These were reported to be carrying a range of bladed items, some of which were initially described as not being for ceremonial use.He said: "These were reported to be carrying a range of bladed items, some of which were initially described as not being for ceremonial use.
"Blades seized so far have been ceremonial. Another non-ceremonial weapon was seized.""Blades seized so far have been ceremonial. Another non-ceremonial weapon was seized."
He said police would be investigating the initial claim that other weapons were involved.He said police would be investigating the initial claim that other weapons were involved.
Last year a resolution saying inter-faith couples could not have a Sikh marriage in Gurdwareh was approved at a meeting called by the Sikh Council UK and represented by 300 Sikh organisations, Sikh Youth UK said.Last year a resolution saying inter-faith couples could not have a Sikh marriage in Gurdwareh was approved at a meeting called by the Sikh Council UK and represented by 300 Sikh organisations, Sikh Youth UK said.
Sunday's protest was an example of a "rogue Gurdwara committee creating discord among the UK Sikh diaspora" and it described the committee's behaviour as "inexcusable".
Analysis: The Sikh wedding ceremonyAnalysis: The Sikh wedding ceremony
The ceremony, or Anand Karaj, should be reserved only for Sikhs, the Sikh Council (UK) argues.The ceremony, or Anand Karaj, should be reserved only for Sikhs, the Sikh Council (UK) argues.
Non-Sikhs can only be involved if they accept the Sikh faith and change their name to include Singh or Kaur.Non-Sikhs can only be involved if they accept the Sikh faith and change their name to include Singh or Kaur.
Anand Karaj was given statutory recognition during the British rule in India by the Anand Marriage Act 1909.Anand Karaj was given statutory recognition during the British rule in India by the Anand Marriage Act 1909.
Gurinder Singh Josan, from the Sikh Council, has said if somebody "really passionately wants to have an Anand Karaj they have to accept that the long-established code of conduct for Sikhs clearly states only a Sikh can be wedded by the Anand Karaj".Gurinder Singh Josan, from the Sikh Council, has said if somebody "really passionately wants to have an Anand Karaj they have to accept that the long-established code of conduct for Sikhs clearly states only a Sikh can be wedded by the Anand Karaj".
But many in the Sikh community say Sikhism teaches equality and acceptance.But many in the Sikh community say Sikhism teaches equality and acceptance.
The Sikh Council hosted a meeting of Sikh representatives from across the UK in August 2015 to discuss solutions. This included drawing up a voluntary "code of conduct" designed to address uncertainties around mixed marriages.The Sikh Council hosted a meeting of Sikh representatives from across the UK in August 2015 to discuss solutions. This included drawing up a voluntary "code of conduct" designed to address uncertainties around mixed marriages.
Marrying people of other faiths is acceptable, they said, but marrying them in a Sikh temple is not.Marrying people of other faiths is acceptable, they said, but marrying them in a Sikh temple is not.
Sikh weddings were regularly disrupted by protesters opposed to mixed-faith marriages in Sikh temples, a BBC Asian Network investigation had previously found.Sikh weddings were regularly disrupted by protesters opposed to mixed-faith marriages in Sikh temples, a BBC Asian Network investigation had previously found.
But this summer there had not been reports of any such protests until Sunday's demonstration, BBC Asian Network reporter Gurvinder Gill said.But this summer there had not been reports of any such protests until Sunday's demonstration, BBC Asian Network reporter Gurvinder Gill said.
Sunday's protest was an example of a "rogue Gurdwara committee creating discord among the UK Sikh diaspora" and it described the committee's behaviour as "inexcusable".
The BBC understands the wedding in Leamington Spa took place.The BBC understands the wedding in Leamington Spa took place.
"Most" of those arrested had been released on bail, but some were still being questioned, police said. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, from Leamington, told BBC Asian Network that a religious ceremony for her nephew's birthday was "ruined" by the protesters.
"I'm not going to take anybody's side," she said.
"If the rules have been set up, then everybody should follow that but I think the way the protesters have done it yesterday…it was a very wrong way of doing it.
"Ok they didn't want the wedding to go ahead but it also ruined our ceremony as well, which we organised months and months back."
She added: "{The} police were doing their job. They were told some people had weapons and were looking after public safety."
The Sikh Federation is a non-governmental organisation set up to promote the Sikh religion, philosophy and way of life.The Sikh Federation is a non-governmental organisation set up to promote the Sikh religion, philosophy and way of life.
Under UK law it is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason, but a good reason could be if it is for religious purpose. The government information website gives the Kirpan as an example.Under UK law it is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason, but a good reason could be if it is for religious purpose. The government information website gives the Kirpan as an example.
If someone gets charged with illegally carrying it, it is down to a court to decide if they were carrying it for a good reason or not under UK law.If someone gets charged with illegally carrying it, it is down to a court to decide if they were carrying it for a good reason or not under UK law.