Leicester MP Keith Vaz has put forward a parliamentary motion welcoming the unveiling of a statue of the Indian philosopher Basaweshwara on the banks of Thames, in London.
Mr Vaz paid tribute to the philosopher for "propagating democratic ideals and gender equalityâ in the 12th century. It is believed that Basaweshwara pioneered the idea of democracy much before the Magna Carta.
The statue was was unveiled in Lambeth by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his recent state visit to the UK. In his tribute, the Prime Minister said: "Basweshwara stood for civil liberties even before Magna carta was signed and preached the idea of democracy 700 years before Abraham Lincoln."
Present at the unveiling of the statue was Speaker of the British Parliament Rt Hon John Bercow, Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP for Leicester, Minister of State for Employment Priti Patel, MP for North Croydon Steve Reed and Lord Jeffery Archer.
Early Day Motions are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons and other MPs are able to sign EDMs to show their support for them. Sources reveal that seven of Mr Vaz's colleagues have signed his EDM so far.
