Sikhs in Continental Europe

From Norway to Greece and Russia to Portugal

Swarn Singh Kahlon

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780367675813
• eBook ISBN: 9781000294736
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Anthropology
• Index: Social Sciences

This book is the third in the trilogy of books looking at the comparatively less-known destinations of Sikh migration to non-English speaking countries. The first one was Sikhs in Latin America, followed by Sikhs in Asia Pacific.
Earlier Sikh migration was focused on the British Commonwealth and the USA. Once restrictions were placed on entering the UK, the Sikhs were forced to explore the possibility of migrating to other countries including Continental Europe. The pace of migration picked up in 1970s. Later there were more asylum seekers in the 1980s and 1990s adding to the migration numbers. Some could enter Europe through legal channels, while others found alternative routes as undocumented migrants. Sikhs found employment mostly as unskilled labour but now they have been able to create niche professions such as dairying in Italy and restaurants/bars in Finland.
There is now a large second generation who is fully qualified to enter other professions. The author describes how Sikhs have kept up their traditions through 'Nagar Kirtans', Turban, Youth Summer camps, and 'sewa'. There are almost 140 gurdwaras in Europe with a meagre population of less than a quarter million.This book is the third in the trilogy of books looking at the comparatively less-known destinations of Sikh migration to non-English speaking countries. The first one was Sikhs in Latin America, followed by Sikhs in Asia Pacific.
Earlier Sikh migration was focused on the British Commonwealth and the USA. Once restrictions were placed on entering the UK, the Sikhs were forced to explore the possibility of migrating to other countries including Continental Europe. The pace of migration picked up in 1970s. Later there were more asylum seekers in the 1980s and 1990s adding to the migration numbers. Some could enter Europe through legal channels, while others found alternative routes as undocumented migrants. Sikhs found employment mostly as unskilled labour but now they have been able to create niche professions such as dairying in Italy and restaurants/bars in Finland.
There is now a large second generation who is fully qualified to enter other professions. The author describes how Sikhs have kept up their traditions through 'Nagar Kirtans', Turban, Youth Summer camps, and 'sewa'. There are almost 140 gurdwaras in Europe with a meagre population of less than a quarter million.

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CHAPTER 1
AUSTRIA

INTRODUCTION

Located in centre of Europe, it was a convenient entry point to the continent for immigrants coming by surface: prior to Schengen agreement (1985), tourist visa was easy to get being a tourist friendly country. To start with most immigrants sold newspapers, staying in a ‘hyme’ before they gained confidence to move onto other professions within Austria or cross over to other countries. Those immigrants, who had degree qualification in India could get admission in a university (sometimes without any tuition fees) which enabled them get student visa and ID card. I have included the life story of a turbaned doctor who came as a student to Vienna in 1955.

I myself was in Austria during the summer of 1961 for a couple of months (18 July-29 September) as a visiting Mining Engineer with The Alpine Montangesselschaft (English: Alpine Mining Society), in Eisenerz and Koeflach, post my university education and work experience in USA. That story is not included in this book. Suffice it to say that in the small mining town of Koeflach, near Gratz, where I was working, a local photo shop had put up in his show window, a large photo of mine along with that of the Taj Mahal. It is easy to imagine how sought-after I became among the local young freuleins after this. So turban has its exoticism; at least it had in that era.

THE COUNTRY

It is a landlocked country with a population of 8.5 million people. Famous for its spectacular mountain scenery, Austria is no longer the dominant political force it was in Central Europe under the Habsburg dynasty which ruled until World War I. However, its position at the geographical heart of Europe on the key Danube trade route enhances its strategic importance. After being joined to Nazi Germany from 1938–45, post World War II Austria was occupied by the allies, who divided the country and the capital Vienna into separate sectors. However, the 1955 State Treaty—signed by the Allies—guaranteed Austria’s unity. It is now home to several key international organizations. Vienna is at present the 12th richest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a high standard of living. Next to a highly developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy. German is Austria’s official language. Austria has long been an important centre of musical innovation.

HLC REPORT 2001

The Indian community as a percentage of a population of 8 million at around 12,000 is just 0.15 per cent. Early Indian immigrants to Austria were mainly nurses from Kerala, who maintained their links with their homeland. Some Indian professionals in the UN settled down in Austria. There is a small community from rural Punjab, whose members graduated from odd jobs to later become successful businessmen. Some Indians acquired Austrian citizenship by claiming refugee status. There are two gurdwaras (author’s comment: many additions since 2001) and one temple in Austria.

SIKH MIGRATION

Sikhs started to migrate to Austria in the late 1960s but mainly in 1970s, most of them using the country as a transit point. Being a tourism focussed country, it was easy to get entry and even a Tourist visa. The Government was quite supportive in allowing immigrants if they could find some job. Distribution of newspapers was a popular outlet. One 1973 Sikh immigrant, Balbir Singh (see case study later) being a graduate, got admission in the university which enabled him to get a student visa for one year. This also enabled him to get an Identity Card from the university. Interestingly, he had no certificates with him but the university accepted his word. They also waived tuition because he was coming from a third world country. Somehow or the other, he could manage to stay on for five years.

According to the Vienna Sikh Gurdwara ‘Granthi’ (see case study), immigration increased substantially in 1990s. There are around 10,000 Sikhs in Austria with about 5,000 being in Vienna alone. Other cities such as Linz, Graz, Salzburg and Klagenfurt have also Sikh population. About 50 per cent of the immigrants are still on Indian passports. Illegal numbers have come down now because the authorities have become very strict. Devotees coming to gurdwara number around 1,000–1,500 or above on weekends. Some Sikhs from Afghanistan have recently come in.

Professions: As mentioned earlier, initially most Sikhs started with distributing newspapers through a large company called Standard. Another large company has since come up—Kronen (Krone). At that time, if an immigrant could prove that he was working with an organization (in most cases newspaper company), he was given a work visa. The immigrants later on diversified into retailing (fahrer) and wholesale businesses. Some of them run fast food chains of pizza and others act as delivery boys. Sikhs also have a small presence in transport and agriculture. Some of the more successful Sikhs are running grocery stores, wholesale of textiles and garments. Punjabis own about 150 shops in Vienna. Of course, some Sikhs work as salaried employees.

GURDWARAS

There are seven gurdwaras in Austria, three in Vienna and one each in Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Linz and Graz.

1. Gurdwara Nanak Prakash, Langobarden Strasse 47–49, 1220 Wein (Vienna).
2. Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Ruckergasse 12, Vienna.
3. Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha, Pelzgasse 17/1 Saal, Vienna.
4. Gurudwara Nanaksar Sahib, Galicija, 9132 Galicija 28, Gratz Galicija, Austria.
5. Gurdwara Sanjhiwal Singh Sabha, Schallmooser Hauptstrasse 40, Salzburg, Austria, 5020.
6. Gurdwara Klagenfurt, Tessendorferstrasse 109, Klagenfurt, 9020.
7. A New Gurdwara in Linz, this opened on 25 May 2014. The community was holding services in rented premises earlier.

Sikh religion is not acknowledged as one of the religious communities according to Austrian law. Therefore, Sikhs who wear turban sometimes face problems at work. Cases are known in which people lost their job as they did not comply with the regulations of the employer. Over the past several years, there has been an improvement in this respect, as Sikhs wearing a turban have since been accepted as bus drivers by public transportation system; further more Sikhs serving in the military (as Austrian citizen) are now allowed to keep their hair uncut and wear a turban even as soldiers.

SOME INTERESTING EVENTS

ATTACK ON VIENNA GURDWARA 2009

On 24 May 2009, six men armed with daggers and a gun entered the Shri Guru Ravidas Gurdwara in Vienna, and started shooting, aiming at the two visiting ‘sants’ (holy men) from India who were giving a sermon at the time. The ensuing bloodshed resulted in the death of Sant Ramanand, due to gun injury, and serious injury of Sant Niranjan Das, the spiritual head of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, a religious centre in the Punjab devoted to Guru Ravidas. Hours after news of the death Sant Ramanand spread, Punjab erupted in violence, a state curfew was imposed, and the army was called in to restore order.

Around end May, the Austrian police had identified six suspects involved in the attack that killed one and left 17 injured. The six men were all from Punjab or other northern Indian states. All six were in custody, although one of them, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, was still in hospital in an induced coma after a shot in the head. Two of the men—named only as Charanjit, 24, from Uttar Pradesh, and Hardeep, 33—had come to Austria illegally in 2001 and 2008. The other four were seeking asylum. Sukhwinder, 28, from Haryana, arrived in 2001, citing a family feud for fleeing India, while Jaspal, 34, came in 2008 and requested asylum on religious grounds. Satwinder, 28, from UP, and Tarsem, 45, from Gujarat, made only vague asylum claims. None of the men were related or had a prior criminal record. The Austrian police are also investigating reports that Khalistan Zindabad Force had claimed responsibility for the attack.

SIKHS WIN HEARTS OF SYRIAN REFUGEES WITH ‘SEWA’ 2015

Neetika Walter, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh

9 October 2015

In Vienna, the Sikh community, under the banner of ‘Sikh Help Austria’, is providing food to the refugees at a railway station. ‘Our gurdwara has always been a place where all can expect a warm meal. And with the big community we have in Vienna this requires a big kitchen’, says the group’s Sanjit Sandhu. Sandhu says the community’s help has filled a gap in the local refugee assistance in Vienna. His colleague, Hans Sandhu, says another Sikh is working at the border to Hungary, where the situation is serious.

‘I have never seen a situation quite like this. Refugees would arrive on a daily basis, tired, confused, and in need of food. There, however, were also moments of joy amid the stress. ‘Sikh Help Austria’s’ Gunit Mehar smiles as she recalls how refugees, amid all the stress, would burst into Bollywood songs after knowing that the relief workers were Indians. ‘It’s wonderful to see people who ask “you Indian?” and start singing songs from Amitabh Bachchan movies. All these small moments make “sewa” a more precious experience,’ she says.

VISIT OF SANT KIRPAL SINGH, 1963

‘When I came for the first time in 1955, I sent out one pamphlet, “Man! Know Thyself”, and the world invited me,’ says Sant Kirpal Singh.

Sant Kirpal Singh left India for his second world tour on 8 June 1963 and arrived at Frankfurt, Germany, where the European tour started covering several cities. Thereafter he visited Austria. His visit to Innsbruck from 14–22 July meant a busy schedule. A radio interview was broadcast on the ‘All Austrian Radio Network’ and a conference with various religious leaders was held. He addressed the student priests at the Jesuit College at Innsbruck. A conference was held with the Roman Catholic Bishop and his assistants about various aspects of spirituality and religious worship. Sant Kirpal Singh was also received by the Cultural Representative of the Italian Government, and the visit to Austria ended with a Conference given by the Governor of the Tyrol and the Mayor of Inns-bruck.

CASE STUDIES

DR. AVTAR (BILLA) SINGH SETH–A 1955 IMMIGRANT

(A turbaned Sikh—what a story!)

Based on our visit with him in his house in Forchtenstein where we stayed from 8–10 July 2017 and his correspondence with me.

I live about 65 kms. south-east of Vienna, less than an hour’s drive. My wife belongs to Klagenfurt. I am a vintage of 1936, born in Lahore. From early childhood onwards I was brought up in Amritsar. In January 1948, my father’s office, the Head Office, The Punjab & Sindh Bank, was shifted to Dehradun on short notice due to the onset of Kashmir War. That is how I matriculated in 1950 from Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School, Dehradun and graduated, BSc. 1954 from DAV College, Dehradun. Twice I took part in the competitive exams for the Medical Colleges of Lucknow and Agra but did not qualify for the admission. Then came the option of studying abroad. The University of Vienna accepted me promptly.

I reached Vienna on 20 September 1955, via Bombay, Karachi, Aden, Port Said, Naples and Genoa. The Sud Bahnhof and hundreds of buildings in central Vienna were still in war-time ruins. The Indian Colony had less than 20 persons including the staff of the Legation of India. I was the only Sikh. The housing situation was very acute. The low budget accommodations offered to the students did not have running water, equipped only with a wash bowl for the morning wash, and the rooms were unheated. To have a shower, like almost half of the Viennese, I had to go to public baths. Imagine the plight of washing and drying hair or drying the turban in a cold and small room!

I had come to Vienna, with a misconception that the duration of studies will be 5 years as written in the prospectus. In reality, 8 years was and is even nowadays, a good Austrian average. From 1959 onwards, I became a self-supporting working student. It turned out to be a change for the good. It freed me from the tight budget living. From 1960 onwards I had a lucrative job as a barman, in a Dance-Discotheque. I found a decent accommodation in a house with a small garden, bath and a kitchen. I could soon afford a scooter and later, an Austin Mini, the trend car of 1960s. I learnt swimming and skiing and enjoyed the life. The routine of late night working hours till 2 a.m. and often even longer, distracted me from my studies. I kept this job for 9 long years, sharing the work with a fellow student, Satpal Singh for about 6 years. Finally in 1970, I became a Doctor of Medicine.

After receiving the Degree, I got a job at the General Hospital in Wiener Neustadt, where I worked till the end of 1973 getting training in six different departments. I had shifted my domicile to Wiener Neustadt. In the summer of 1973, I decided to settle down in Austria as a GP and decided for a country-side place rather than Vienna. I could choose between a dozen small townships. I chose Forchtenstein in Burgenland. Many of my doctor colleagues and friends were sceptical, advising ‘Billa, go to the cosmopolitan Vienna. The rural and orthodox catholic gentry, in Burgenland may not accept you!’ I had to give up the Indian nationality and acquire Austrian nationality, which was a pre-condition to get a ‘practice licence’ as a doctor.

I started my private practice clinic, on 2 January 1974 in Forchtenstein. The people accepted me with open hearts and arms. On the very first day more than 40 patients came to my clinic and another 10 had called me for home visit. In addition to the private clinic, I was also appointed as the Municipal Doctor of the area, a pension...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction
• 1. Austria
• 2. Belgium
• 3. Denmark
• 4. Finland
• 5. France
• 6. Germany
• 7. Greece
• 8. Iceland
• 9. Italy
• 10. Netherlands
• 11. Norway
• 12. Poland
• 13. Portugal
• 14. Russia
• 15. Spain
• 16. Sweden
• 17. Switzerland
• 18. Gurdwaras
• 19. Sikhs in World Wars I and II
• 20. Illegals
• 21. Conclusion
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index