The Indian community in Britain is awaiting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit with much anticipation amidst deep concerns from some Muslims about offering the PM a 'big and flashy' reception.
The Indian Prime Minister is due to visit UK in November 2015, where he is believed to address a mass gathering at the Wembley Stadium, that holds upto 90,000 people. He is also speculated to address a crowd of Hindus at a temple in Wembley, soon after the Diwali celebrations. He will be the first Prime Minister to visit Britain for nearly a decade.
Modi’s address to about 20,000 NRIs at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden was the highlight of his visit to the US last September. The Downing Street arrangements are promised to outdo the NY program, to boost the trading relations between the governmemt and diaspora.
But some of the Muslim groups are unhappy about what they see as an uncritical welcome being afforded to Mr Modi. According to a report in Finacial Times on Monday 13 July, Shamsuddin Agha, the President of the Indian Muslim Federation in the UK said, “We know David Cameron has to look after business in this country, but he should be more careful about how he deals with Mr Modi.” The group is also allegedly arranging a possible protest against the visit and may be joined by other organisations with similar view. Asian Voice tried to contact Mr Agha but he was unavailable for any comments.
After the 2002 Godhra incident critics had accused Mr Modi of being complicit towards the death of many Muslims, in his home state of Gujarat.
During Mr Modi's last visited UK in August 2003, he inaugurated the Shakti hall, at the offices of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar in Hoxton, on 20th August.
While some Muslims continue to show deep displeasure, not all Muslims are actually against this possible visit. MPs and Peers of cross party reference have also shown interest in welcoming the Indian PM in November.
Mr Munaf Zeena, the former Chair of Council of Indian Muslims (UK), told Asian Voice, “Things have changed since 2002. Hon. Narendra Modi is not the Chief Minister of Gujarat but the Prime Minister of India. Whilst justice should prevail that is for the courts to decide but in the meantime engagement is necessary for the development of the community. An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost and therefore I will welcome the Hon. Indian Prime Minister to the UK.”
Abdulkarim Gheewala, Chair of Indian Muslims Association (Leicester), a member of Islamic Education Trust (Leicester), Masjid Al Falah, Federation of Muslim Organisation (Leicester), on asking about Mr Agha's statement, told Asian Voice, “We certainly have a different stand. When Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India, the overseas BJP party organised an event in Leicestershire, which I attended, as well as spoke at.
“I believe now that Mr Modi has become the Prime Minister, he should be able to resolve the minority issues, in a much amicable way. We believe in engagement and we must continue open dialogue.
“As British Indians, we should be proud of our link with India and to both countries' interests, we should welcome Mr Modi here. Any issues that need to be debated - all channels are open for further discussions at personal level.”
Labour MP and the Chair of Home Affairs Committee, Rt Hon Keith Vaz told Asian Voice, “Prime Minister Modi’s visit in November will be an important moment in relations between the United Kingdom and India.
“The welcoming nature of the government is entirely justified for such an important visit. It is long overdue for Prime Minister Modi to visit the United Kingdom, given our historical relationship and the rising status of India as a global power.
“There are some big issues for the two governments to focus on, such as improving levels of trade, engaging the Indian diaspora living in Britain and building our bilateral relationship. Quite simply, it is correct to pursue these objectives, and correct to seek a good relationship with the Indian government.”
Tory MP and Co-Chair of the Conservative Friends of India Alok Sharma told Asian Voice, "Mr Modi is the Prime Minister of a majority government in the world's largest democracy, India and UK have a long shared history, are important trading partners and David Cameron attaches huge importance to the relationship between the UK and India. It would therefore be very odd indeed if the British government is muted in its response to Mr Modi's visit."
Tory Lord Dolar Popat, told Asian Voice, “Since 2010 the Conservatives have placed a huge emphasis on building stronger relations with India. As the democratically elected leader of India – the largest democracy in the world - it is absolutely right that, as part of our efforts to strengthen UK-India relations, we give Modi a very warm welcome on what will be an historic visit.
“I was very proud to have helped to play a role in re-establishing diplomatic relations with Gujarat when Modi was Chief Minister and, like hundreds of thousands of Gujaratis living in Britain, I very much look forward to welcoming him here.”
Words differ from actions
PM Cameron is also keen to play down the above mentioned Muslim concerns, having promised to double trade with India. Despite carrying out high profile trade missions to the country, the PM's policies are standing between his promises and practice. Last month the Confederation of Indian Industry expressed deep concerns over Mr Cameron's latest immigration policies. The FT reported that Sumit Mazumdar, CII President said, “There are over 800 Indian companies operating in the UK. Many companies avail the ICT visa and their operations may be severely disrupted.”
Reports suggest, the CII itself is facing a bizarre situation. The current head in the UK, Shuchita Sonalika, has not been granted a long term UK visa, six months after the document was submitted to the UK Home Office. While previous heads were brought to the UK under the Tier 1 visa, with the government doing away with it now, a registered charity organisation, CII is not even eligible to bring people over through Intra Company Transfer (ICT) routes. This has left Ms Sonalika with no choice but come into the UK only during CII UK conferences on Business visa and leave thereafter for New Delhi. Ms Sonalika was not available for a comment.
