British Sikhs are demanding for an in-depth and further investigation into UK's involvement in 1984 Operation Blue Star under the Conservative government when Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister. It is believed that the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi had allegedly sought UK's advice in how to carry out the operation at the Amritsar temple.
The Labour party this election has included this as a subject in their manifesto, promising further inquiry into the matter. At a political hustings before UK's general election organised by the City Hindus Network and City Sikhs Network on Friday 26 May, at the Chartered Insurance Institute in London, each political party had a representative present, who answered questions raised by the attending audience. Speaking about the investigation, Labour MP Stephen Timms insisted that his party is committed to a detailed investigation into the matter, if they win this election. He also referred to their manifesto which says, “Labour remains committed to an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar.”
But Conservative representative (at the hustings)- Shailesh Vara MP said, there are more informations to come and a further decision needs to be taken about whether a detailed inquiry is required at all. Liberal Democrat party representative Baroness Lindsay Northover however insisted that there are a number of complicating indications, and you have to look at evidences closely to address this concern.
Immigration from India was also one of the concerns that was raised at the hustings. Asian Voice wanted to know why should Indians living in Britain vote for any party that is anti-immigrant, while UK is desperate for a greater friendship with India post Brexit. Commonwealth citizens including Indians living in the UK for more than 6 months are allowed to vote in any of the UK elections. Shailesh Vara MP, an immigrant himself, representing the government said, “Britain's relationship is over 400 years. We are not stopping migration. It is an island nation, with more than 64 million people; we are not saying no to immigration but we want it to be restricted.”
Though the Labour manifesto has not highlighted anything about allowing a free exchange of immigrants from India, Stephen Timms MP emphasised that Tory party's determination to cut down the immigration figure to 100,000 will affect the Indians. He criticised Tory Minister Priti Patel who had promised the Indians a better job prospect in the UK post Brexit. That had indeed influenced many Indians to vote for the 'Leave' campaign. Lib Dem's Baroness Northover added, “India has made clear about free migrants. But Indians are suffering because of the restrictions on foreign students – including them in migration figure.”
Other subjects in the discussion included security issues and 'prevent strategy' in the light of Manchester bombing along with other subjects such as banking and financial crisis, mental health, climate change, peace and security, brexit and benefit cuts. UKIP was represented by David Kurten. The compere for the evening was Jasvir Singh OBE and the panel was moderated by Neel Pattni from the City Hindus Network. Asian Voice was the media partner, among other sponsors at the event.
