Tragic Ronan Kanda's mother to address congregation over his death as protest called off
A planned protest by some members of a Willenhall Gurdwara against committee members who they claim supported one of the killers of tragic Ronan Kanda in his trial has been called off.
But Ronan's mother Pooja will address the congregation of the Guru Nanak on Sunday to talk about his murder in June 2022 when the 16-year-old was attacked close to his home and died at the scene.
Pradjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill were convicted of his murder in July this year and sentenced to more than 34 years in prison between them.
Some members of the congregation accused the Willenhall Gurdwara’s committee of providing a reference for Shergill to help lessen his sentence at court.
They were due to hold a peaceful protest outside the building, in Walsall Road, but a new committee has been established and Mrs Kanda will now instead address the congregation to talk about the impact of Ronan’s death and her campaign against knife crime.
Since his death she has campaigned against the use of knives and met with Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden at Parliament to present a petition and highlight her case to government ministers.
A march to the Khalsa Academy in Lanesfield close to the spot where Ronan was murdered was also held.
She said: “Ronan’s death is still raw – it is not something I will be able to get over and as a family we are still broken. We don’t know where to go from here, apart from doing what I’m doing which is campaigning against knife crime which has got the backing of Mr McFadden and others in parliament and which is ongoing.
"I am still not happy about the support for Sukhman Shergill which came from members of the committee.
“I want to talk to all members of the congregation about the impact of Ronan’s death and that of other young people through knife crime and violence on the streets and try to get over to them the impact on the victim’s families.”
A spokesperson for the Guru Nanak Gurdwara said they had spoken to the family of Ronan Kanda about the removal of those who were involved in support and provision of a character reference for Sukhman Shergill. They said they had agreed to give them the time to make all necessary changes, as well as speak at Sunday worship about the work going on around in his memory.
