Humble ‘giant’ of Walsall politics is honoured with memorial plaque

Hugely respected Harbans Singh Sarohi’s life was celebrated at a ceremony at Pleck Library, just over a year after his death, culminating in the unveiling of a plaque by his family.

The former deputy mayor represented the Pleck ward for 22 years and had been due to become the first Sikh civic leader of the borough.

Family, friends and colleagues described him as a selfless, humble and dignified man who worked tirelessly for his community and treated everyone equally.

Born in India in March 1938, Harbans moved to England in 1965 and was joined by his beloved wife, Manjit, two years later.

Despite being a teacher with degrees in maths and physics, he was unable to get teaching jobs and started working as a bus driver and a conductor.

He was soon using his knowledge to help others who had emigrated from India when it came to filling in forms, paying bills and and completing other official tasks.

In his spare time, he did bookkeeping and accountancy and got involved with the local Sikh temple before later getting into politics and joining the Labour Party.

It was former Walsall South MP Bruce George who encouraged him to become a councillor, resulting in the first of five successful campaigns in 1999.

At the plaque unveiling, guests said Harbans faced discrimination for years after he arrived in England – including when he made his first forays into politics.

Granddaughters Kiera Parhar and Asita Parmar said: “We are so proud to have a permanent memory of our grandad’s legacy.

“Although we always knew he was devoted to his community, we never truly realised just how much he did for so many people until this year.

“Our granddad always treated everyone the same regardless of their background or beliefs and he truly embodied the spirit of the Labour Party and the Sikh faith.

“He always practised equality, kindness and selflessness in all his endeavours.

“Although it’s been the saddest year of our lives, it’s opened our eyes about the kind of lives we want to live and how we want to continue our grandad’s legacy however that may be.”

Harbans’ daughter, Shivender Parmar, the eldest of his three daughters, added: “He did lots of voluntary work and got involved with the Labour Party.

“He was quite unusual for the time as he was political but very secular in his approach. He believed in everyone living together in harmony.

“He believed in education very strongly so he got all three of us to go to university and get a degree. He believed it was really important for us as women to get educated so we can stand on our own two feet.

“He was really into women’s rights and women progressing in education. He had lots of strong principles."

She added: “Dad was very humble and quiet. He was very straight talking and only say something if he needed to. He was also very honest in the way he worked.

“He enjoyed community work. We didn’t know what he was doing because it was confidential. We had no idea the impact he had on people’s lives.

“Mum and dad had a great marriage and were devoted to each other. He was very protective of her and us.  He was an amazing dad and a hero.

“He was part of an amazing generation. They all worked really hard and all faced a lot of discrimination.”

The plaque was organised by Walsall Labour Group. and leader Aftab Nawaz said the location was chosen because it is where Harbans held his surgeries.

Councillor Nawaz said: “Uncle was one of our giants of politics in Walsall. He was a dignified person and a very generous person in the way he spoke to us, gave advice and the way he conducted himself to give us an example.

“He showed through his actions and the way he spoke to people and treated others he was a compassionate person. He was a strong willed Labour person and dedicated to the party.

“He was also willing to work with others across the chamber to try to achieve something good for everyone.

Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz added: “It’s been a year and we’re still suffering from his loss.

“This is a small thing we can do to remember what Harbans did. But this is just a plaque.

“I want you all to remember the essence of Harbans. When he first came into the country he faced terrible discrimination, was highly qualified but, as with our parents and grandparents, they never got the jobs they should have done.

“He carried on, worked hard and built a beautiful family. When you get to know them you can see the essence of Harbans in each and every one of them.

“His legacy will continue. The kindness, the spirituality, how he loved his Sikh faith and community and he took that message out into the rest of the community in Pleck. He will always live on in all of us.”