Statue of Sikh soldier to mark World War sacrifice vandalised less than a week after it was unveiled

A war memorial honouring soldiers from the Indian subcontinent who fought in both the First and Second World Wars has been vandalised less than a week after it was unveiled.

Lions of the Great War, featuring a statue of a Sikh soldier, was daubed with graffiti just days after it was unveiled in Smethwick, Birmingham, to mark the centenary of the Armistice.

The 10ft-high bronze statue was commissioned by Sikh temple Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick to mark the sacrifices made by South Asian servicemen of all faiths.

It was unveiled on November 4 but by Friday night (November 9) had been daubed with the words “Sepoys no more” while the words “of the Great War” from the statue’s title had been sprayed with a black line.

The term “sepoy” refers to Indian soldiers serving in the British or other European armies.

The words “1 jarnoil” had also been daubed on to the memorial, which some speculated on social media 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.

West Midlands Police said they are treating the incident as aggravated criminal damage.

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The force said CCTV is being recovered and officers are working with worshippers and management at the temple.

Sergeant Bill Gill, from the Smethwick Neighbourhood 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.

He said: “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.”