In 2013 the BBC reported that Sikh weddings were often disrupted by protesters opposed to mixed faith marriages in gurdwaras. In 2014 the General Assembly of Sikh Council UK, a Sikh organisation that coexists with the
Sikh Federation (UK), which is said to be the largest UK Sikh organisation, passed guidelines declaring that temples are encouraged to ensure that both parties to an
Anand Karaj wedding are Sikhs. On 11 September 2016 a group of protesters initially reported to be "in possession of bladed items" disrupted a mixed-faith wedding between a Sikh bride and a Hindu groom at Leamington Spa gurdwara, threatening and intimidating the people inside. A trustee of the temple described the protesters as "fanatical extremists".
Authorised Firearms Officers responded to the scene, arresting 55 men, and seizing "a significant number of bladed weapons", however all but one of which were
kirpans, later determined to be ceremonial rather than functional. Despite it being forbidden as per the
Akal Takht, Gurdwara trustee Jaswat Videe said that the intruders were "absolutely wrong" to think that Sikhism prohibits interfaith marriage. The Sikh Council strongly opposes such mixed marriages. During the Sikh wedding ceremony, Anand Karaj, a couple are making a commitment to live their lives as Sikhs. Many Gurdwara’s worldwide therefore do not allow non Sikhs to partake in the Anand Karaj, but a prayer service like Ardas can be undertaken instead. Similarly, some Christian churches like those of Catholic and other denominations do not allow non practicing Christians to have marriage ceremonies and this is no different with followers of Sikhi. ==References==