‘Leadership is ultimately about empowering others’
‘Leadership is ultimately about empowering others’
Community leader, inter-faith champion, media commentator, LGBTQ+ advocate, barrister… Jasvir Singh CBE (History, 2001) is a busy man. We caught up with our 2023 Alumnus of the Year to discuss leadership and discover what else he’s been up to in the last 12 months.
‘I never saw myself as a leader,’ says Jasvir Singh, with typical humility. ‘But I was able to articulate views that other people had and I took the opportunity to act as an advocate for them. I’ve sort of fallen into leadership roles.’
Accidental leader
Jasvir’s CV of ‘accidental leadership roles’ is impressive. Alongside his day job as a barrister, he’s the Vice-Chair of the Faiths Forum for London and a founding member of City Sikhs. These UK-based advocacy groups have national and international reach.
In the last 12 months, he’s also been included in Who’s Who 2024, the illustrious tome that profiles noteworthy and influential people who affect British life.
‘It’s nice to be included,’ laughs Jasvir. ‘Some of my friends joked, “You’re part of The Establishment now!”’
‘I never saw myself as a leader,’ says Jasvir Singh, with typical humility. ‘But I was able to articulate views that other people had and I took the opportunity to act as an advocate for them. I’ve sort of fallen into leadership roles.’
Accidental leader
Jasvir’s CV of ‘accidental leadership roles’ is impressive. Alongside his day job as a barrister, he’s the Vice-Chair of the Faiths Forum for London and a founding member of City Sikhs. These UK-based advocacy groups have national and international reach.
In the last 12 months, he’s also been included in Who’s Who 2024, the illustrious tome that profiles noteworthy and influential people who affect British life.
‘It’s nice to be included,’ laughs Jasvir. ‘Some of my friends joked, “You’re part of The Establishment now!”’
South Asian Heritage Month
Despite the teasing about this latest accolade, Jasvir’s been a prominent figure for some time. One significant success involved co-founding South Asian Heritage Month, an annual awareness month which commemorates, marks and celebrates South Asian cultures, histories and communities.
‘South Asian Heritage Month is a huge part of my life,’ says Jasvir. ‘It’s grown massively and it’s great to see so many organisations wanting to take part.
‘The summer race riots in the UK were a grim reminder that we can’t afford to be complacent about multiculturalism. But seeing the counter-protests to those rioters come together was an uplifting moment. Here were people publicly showing their solidarity and their allyship. It sang to my heart. That’s the kind of society I hope we can all live in.’
Enabling access
South Asian Heritage Month also co-hosted two events in the Houses of Parliament this year.
Jasvir explains: ‘These enabled us to bring together diverse groups of people who wouldn’t normally have access to that space. Two guests at one event became very emotional to have their heritage celebrated and be made to feel so welcome in that revered place.
‘Working in the interfaith world isn’t easy. Being able to facilitate safe spaces to bring people together to celebrate the things that unite them – and discuss potential points of difference – is important. That’s what leadership should be about.’
Addressing discrimination
This approach is exemplified by Jasvir’s support for the Kaleidoscope Trust. This international advocacy group provides support for LGBTQ+ people around the world by empowering them to address discrimination, human rights issues and the legal systems that support them.
‘During the Victorian era, the British Empire exported its restrictive penal codes around the world to its various colonies,’ explains Jasvir. ‘In the UK, the law moved on. In many parts of the world, it hasn’t.’
Jasvir also draws on his own experiences to bring new perspectives to Kaleidoscope.
He adds: ‘I’m fortunate to be the main Sikh contributor on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. That gives me a huge platform to talk openly about my identity as a gay man. This helps change perspectives within the Sikh community and beyond. The majority of people respect and support this openness.’
Addressing discrimination
This approach is exemplified by Jasvir’s support for the Kaleidoscope Trust. This international advocacy group provides support for LGBTQ+ people around the world by empowering them to address discrimination, human rights issues and the legal systems that support them.
‘During the Victorian era, the British Empire exported its restrictive penal codes around the world to its various colonies,’ explains Jasvir. ‘In the UK, the law moved on. In many parts of the world, it hasn’t.’
Jasvir also draws on his own experiences to bring new perspectives to Kaleidoscope.
He adds: ‘I’m fortunate to be the main Sikh contributor on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day. That gives me a huge platform to talk openly about my identity as a gay man. This helps change perspectives within the Sikh community and beyond. The majority of people respect and support this openness.
Strengthened resolve
But that wasn’t always the case. Jasvir’s candidness about his sexuality and his marriage has drawn criticism – and worse – from some quarters.
‘I’ve had dark periods where I underwent horrendous abuse,’ recalls Jasvir. ‘I was called an infidel. I received death threats. It was brutal. But I emerged from it and it strengthened my resolve to continue doing the work I’m doing about changing attitudes.
‘Now I no longer carry the burden of trying to hide aspects of my identity, I’m more able to fully be who I am. So I keep a long uncut beard. I’ve introduced more colour into my life when it comes to my turbans and my outfits.
‘Just being able to talk about my husband more freely has made life much easier. It’s wonderful to have people coming up to me and congratulating me on my marriage, knowing full well that I’m a married gay man. It’s been deeply heartening.’
Strengthened resolve
But that wasn’t always the case. Jasvir’s candidness about his sexuality and his marriage has drawn criticism – and worse – from some quarters.
‘I’ve had dark periods where I underwent horrendous abuse,’ recalls Jasvir. ‘I was called an infidel. I received death threats. It was brutal. But I emerged from it and it strengthened my resolve to continue doing the work I’m doing about changing attitudes.
‘Now I no longer carry the burden of trying to hide aspects of my identity, I’m more able to fully be who I am. So I keep a long uncut beard. I’ve introduced more colour into my life when it comes to my turbans and my outfits.
‘Just being able to talk about my husband more freely has made life much easier. It’s wonderful to have people coming up to me and congratulating me on my marriage, knowing full well that I’m a married gay man. It’s been deeply heartening.’
Partition monument
Jasvir’s latest project involves marking the independence of India, the creation of Pakistan, and the partition of Punjab and Bengal in 1947.
He explains: ‘This project is led by Sadiya Ahmed, who’s from a heritage organisation called Everyday Muslim. We are hoping to create a memorial for this major historic event in London in time for the 80th anniversary in 2027.
‘I’ve had the privilege of going to the Partition Museum in Punjab. It was a deeply moving experience. Some 10 million people were displaced and more than one million people killed.
‘It’s important for us to remember that decisions made here in London had a lasting impact in South Asia which continues to impact the region today. We need to be able to discuss this openly. I hope the memorial will provide a focal point for this.’
Leading change
Jasvir still has fond memories of his time at King’s. He credits his history degree with giving him the ability to ‘analyse everything carefully and never take anything at face value’.
He continues: ‘My various leadership roles involve bringing communities together to analyse and tackle many different issues.
‘A lot of this work involves me being a facilitator and a custodian, and not acting as a gatekeeper. I want to provide spaces for people to come through and grow, for them to be the best versions of themselves and be leaders in their own right. It’s ultimately about empowering others.’
Partition monument
Jasvir’s latest project involves marking the independence of India, the creation of Pakistan, and the partition of Punjab and Bengal in 1947.
He explains: ‘This project is led by Sadiya Ahmed, who’s from a heritage organisation called Everyday Muslim. We are hoping to create a memorial for this major historic event in London in time for the 80th anniversary in 2027.
‘I’ve had the privilege of going to the Partition Museum in Punjab. It was a deeply moving experience. Some 10 million people were displaced and more than one million people killed.
‘It’s important for us to remember that decisions made here in London had a lasting impact in South Asia which continues to impact the region today. We need to be able to discuss this openly. I hope the memorial will provide a focal point for this.’
Leading change
Jasvir still has fond memories of his time at King’s. He credits his history degree with giving him the ability to ‘analyse everything carefully and never take anything at face value’.
He continues: ‘My various leadership roles involve bringing communities together to analyse and tackle many different issues.
‘A lot of this work involves me being a facilitator and a custodian, and not acting as a gatekeeper. I want to provide spaces for people to come through and grow, for them to be the best versions of themselves and be leaders in their own right. It’s ultimately about empowering others.’
WRITERS
Emily Barton
Paul Brooks
Hermione Cameron
Ruthy Stevenson
Ellie Stone
DESIGN
Principal design by Jonathan Vickers
Illustration work by Caroline Tomlinson
Additional design support from psLondon
Approved by brand@kcl.ac.uk
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO
Katherine Chinn
Abbie Coburn
JH Norris
Carly Yung
ALUMNI & EDITORIAL OFFICE
King’s College London
Virginia Woolf Building
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London, WC2B 6LE
King’s College London 2024 ©
InTouch is published by the University’s Department of Fundraising & Supporter Development. The opinions expressed in it are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the University.
If you have a story for our Spring 2025 issue, email us at forever@kcl.ac.uk
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Accessibility Statement
ALUMNI & EDITORIAL OFFICE
King’s College London
Virginia Woolf Building
22 Kingsway
London, WC2B 6LE
King’s College London 2024 ©
InTouch is published by the University’s Department of Fundraising & Supporter Development. The opinions expressed in it are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the University.
If you have a story for our Spring 2025 issue, email us at forever@kcl.ac.uk
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Accessibility Statement
WRITERS
Emily Barton
Paul Brooks
Hermione Cameron
Ruthy Stevenson
Ellie Stone
DESIGN
Principal design by Jonathan Vickers
Illustration work by Caroline Tomlinson
Additional design support from psLondon
Approved by brand@kcl.ac.uk
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO
Katherine Chinn
JH Norris
Carly Yung
Built with Shorthand