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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/10/statue-sikh-soldier-vandalised-smethwick-birmingham-war-memorial
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|---|---|
| Statue of Sikh soldier vandalised in Smethwick | Statue of Sikh soldier vandalised in Smethwick |
| (2 months later) | |
| A war memorial featuring a statue of a Sikh soldier has been vandalised less than a week after it was unveiled. | A war memorial featuring a statue of a Sikh soldier has been vandalised less than a week after it was unveiled. |
| Lions of the Great War in Smethwick, Birmingham, was commissioned to honour people from the Indian subcontinent who fought in the first and second world wars. | Lions of the Great War in Smethwick, Birmingham, was commissioned to honour people from the Indian subcontinent who fought in the first and second world wars. |
| The three-metre (10ft) bronze statue was unveiled on 4 November, a week before the centenary of the armistice, but it was found on Friday night to have been sprayed with the words “sepoys no more”. | The three-metre (10ft) bronze statue was unveiled on 4 November, a week before the centenary of the armistice, but it was found on Friday night to have been sprayed with the words “sepoys no more”. |
| The memorial was commissioned by Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, a Sikh temple, to mark the sacrifices made by South Asian servicepeople of all faiths. | The memorial was commissioned by Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, a Sikh temple, to mark the sacrifices made by South Asian servicepeople of all faiths. |
| The term “sepoy” refers to Indian soldiers serving in British or other European armies. | The term “sepoy” refers to Indian soldiers serving in British or other European armies. |
| The words “of the great war” from the statue’s title were covered with a black line, while the words “1 jarnoil” had been graffitied on to the memorial. | The words “of the great war” from the statue’s title were covered with a black line, while the words “1 jarnoil” had been graffitied on to the memorial. |
| Some speculated on social media that the phrase could refer to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale – a controversial figure in Indian history considered by some to be a terrorist who wanted to create a Sikh state. | Some speculated on social media that the phrase could refer to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale – a controversial figure in Indian history considered by some to be a terrorist who wanted to create a Sikh state. |
| He was killed in 1984 in a gun battle with the Indian army after his organisation occupied the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. | He was killed in 1984 in a gun battle with the Indian army after his organisation occupied the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. |
| West Midlands police said they were treating the incident as aggravated criminal damage. | West Midlands police said they were treating the incident as aggravated criminal damage. |
| The force said CCTV was being recovered and officers were working with worshippers and management at the temple. | The force said CCTV was being recovered and officers were working with worshippers and management at the temple. |
| Sgt Bill Gill from the Smethwick neighbourhood policing team said: “We understand that this attack has caused a lot of concern in the community, and we are working to understand the reasons behind it and identify whoever is responsible. | Sgt Bill Gill from the Smethwick neighbourhood policing team said: “We understand that this attack has caused a lot of concern in the community, and we are working to understand the reasons behind it and identify whoever is responsible. |
| “Officers had already planned to be at the remembrance event which is happening tomorrow at the statue. I’d urge anyone with concerns to speak to the officers attending the event.” | “Officers had already planned to be at the remembrance event which is happening tomorrow at the statue. I’d urge anyone with concerns to speak to the officers attending the event.” |
| Anyone with any information is urged to contact West Midlands police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Anyone with any information is urged to contact West Midlands police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
| Birmingham | Birmingham |
| Armistice centenary | Armistice centenary |
| First world war | First world war |
| Second world war | Second world war |
| British army | British army |
| Military | Military |
| news | news |
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