On May the 7th the country faces a clear choice. Labour protecting services and delivering quality of life for ALL in our community against the Conservatives who are for Bankers, millionaires and NOT for millions of people who have suffered during the Conservative LibDem coalition. This is why it is important that you vote, and vote wisely. And that is why I will be voting Labour and urge you to vote Labour too.
Understandably, during run up to the election, every opportunity is taken for strong lobbying of political parties and I respect that. The emergence of ‘British Indian Manifesto’ is one such example of this. However, Indians / Hindu community members do not live in vacuum. Like all other people - the state of economy, NHS, housing, economy, employment, immigration, equality and welfare reforms etc. are of huge priority and matter to us too. Bear this in mind when you decide whom you wish to vote for – not just the bogus and dangerous propaganda orchestrated falsely under the banner of Hindu community – in my and your name! I have known, worked with and respected for many years some members who now seem to support this campaign but with respect I believe they are misguided and wrong. My submission today is not aimed at anyone personally but enough is enough. It is time to speak up against forces which are divisive and dangerous. I urge a note of caution, don’t be fooled by self-appointed leaders / spokes people.
It saddens and angers me in equal measures to see gutter politics promoted in the guise of ‘Hindu’ agenda and protection of ‘Dharma’. If anything this cheapens Hindu values and what we Indians stand for. As a Hindu - Jain I’m disgusted by the propaganda based on myths, distortions and innuendos aimed at blatant Labour bashing.
Some of the filth thrown at Labour under the banner of Hinduism baggers belief. Ed Miliband became leader of the party based on a legitimate election process of Labour Party. Given this, I find it disgusting that Ed is accused of stabbing his brother in his back. If you want to attack a politician do so on policies she/he is offering but do not indulge in character assassination. Linking Labour and actually accusing it with pro-Pakistani ‘atrocities’ and alleging Labour of negligence to protect its vote banks is ludicrous and crosses all boundaries of ethics and basic decency. Tories remain ‘nasty party’ as described by their own Theresa May MP and now it seems they’ve found likeminded ‘friends’ from our community who would stop at nothing in their efforts to malign the Labour Party.
Looking around the political spectrum, Labour Party is the only one with a true and demonstrable record of standing up for equality, justice and fairness. For those who think Tories are friends of Hindus or diverse communities - how wrong they are. How can we forget who made the ‘rivers of blood’ comments – accused immigrant communities of ‘swamping’ the country – demonising immigrants and using immigration as a race card? I see Tories as fair-weather friends. In their hearts they have no real commitment or belief in multicultural communities. Labour is accused, wrongly and maliciously in my view, of creating ‘Muslim Vote Bank’. Could it not be that Tories have this new found affinity with Indians for their own ‘Hindu vote bank’? I’m convinced that Tory interest in Indian community is all about electoral gain and very little else. It does not help when our community is called ‘ignorant’, not being ‘bright enough to learn’ for following the Labour Party and accuse the Indians/Hindus affiliated with Labour of having sold their soul and turning a blind eye.
Interesting to see those claiming to be ‘Dharmik’ and allegedly promoting Hindus & Hinduism are actually asking Indians to vote against Uma Kumaran – Harrow East’s Labour candidate who’s a young promising Hindu. What hypocrites! Also interesting to note that no credit is given to Labour for helping to establish the first ever voluntary aided Hindu School in Harrow and providing continuing support for further expansion of this Hindu School.
CB’s hard hitting piece in Asian Voice of 25 April is spot on where it says ‘let’s not mix politics and religion’. I would respectfully urge the readers of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar to analyse objectively what different political parties have to offer to help improve your quality of life and decide whom you want to vote for in an informed manner. Make sure you are not fooled by those who are playing very dangerous divisive game which can only divide and harm richness of cultures and values that diversity brings.
