The Indian diaspora is alarmed after the Conservative Friends of Kashmir (CFoK), a fringe group supporting anti-India sentiments, have been found gaining 'increasing support' from Conservative MPs in the UK.
Stoke-on-Trent North Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis has become the latest politician to join the group that campaigns for self-determination in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. In a tweet the group announced, “Super to have the support of Stoke-on-Trent North Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis. Our number of parliamentary members continues to grow!”
Asian Voice has learnt that Lord Rami Ranger CBE, Patron of the Conservative Friends of India and Lord Dolar Popat in a private meeting had explained to the MPs who relaunched the group that CFoK should rather promote legitimate interests of the British Kashmiris without interfering in the internal affairs of India and definitely not encourage anti-India sentiments. But Lord Ranger was left angered after hearing the news of the group’s latest addition.
However in a separate tweet, CFoK mentioned, “@CFoKashmir have not sought to be ‘officially affiliated’ to the Conservative Party. Like many others in the Conservative family, we want to be able to compliment and criticise policy. But most of all we want to show the Party is open to the UK Kashmiri diaspora.”
Seven MPs from the Conservative Party re-launched this fringe group in mid-September to campaign for self-determination in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 7 Tory MPs in the group include Paul Bristow, James Daly, Jack Brereton, Steve Baker, Mark Eastwood, Sarah Britcliffe and Antony Higginbotham. Jonathan Gullis has become the latest addition.
These MPs mainly represent constituencies with significant Pakistani population and Jack Brereton, James Daly and Paul Bristow are also members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir (APPGK), chaired by Labour MP, Debbie Abrahams.
Indians in the UK are a major vote bank for the Conservative party. While Labour party was a natural choice for the Indian immigrants since 1947, former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron’s welcoming spirit and friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘swang’ the voters towards the Conservative party in 2015.
Cllr Reena Ranger OBE and Cllr Ameet Jogia, co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India recently told Asian Voice, "The Conservative Friends of India, along with our Patrons, Members and the wider Indian diaspora were naturally very disappointed to learn about the formation of the Conservative Friends of Kashmir. We have been in contact with the Chairman of the Conservative Party to express our concerns and the concerns of our members. This group is not an official or affiliated Conservative Party group. We remain in conversation with the Party Chairman and will keep our members updated. We have received significant support and solidarity from many MPs, whom clearly support the policy work and ethos of CF India.”
