On 15th December, the 167th death anniversary of revolutionist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will be commemorated across the world. United and independent India which was rightfully achieved after hundreds of years of being ruled, is attributed the herculean efforts of this Iron Man of India. Some iron, some steel!
Up until August 1946, Vallabhbhai Patel was wholeheartedly supporting Mahatma Gandhi's efforts for undivided India after the British rule. Gandhiji even offered prime ministership to Muhammad Ali Jinnah; a price he was willing to pay to avoid division on religious lines.
In August 1946, Muslim League headed by M.A. Jinnah along with then chief minister of Bengal Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy called for the notorious Action Day in Kolkata. One of the darkest times in Indian history, at least 12,000 people, predominantly Hindus and Sikhs, were butchered in a single day.
Vallabhbhai Patel and M.A. Jinnah had been close colleagues up until 1935, when Jinnah, a self-claimed nationalist Indian, began to support the call for division of India. Earlier in 1937, under British-promoted “reforms”, Indian provinces, after election of provincial assemblies became more or less semi-self governing under the tutelage of British governors.
Punjab and Bengal were governed by the Muslim League and allies, and Vallabhbhai Patel became increasingly concerned about several policies and administrative manoeuvres supporting one religious group against another. To put it bluntly, Hindus and Sikhs were being progressively marginalised in both provinces.
Patel and Jinnah were similar in more ways than one. Both were Gujaratis, Bombay residents, qualified barristers, excellent criminal lawyers, and yet after the Action Day, 16 August, 1946, it was Sardar who came to realise that unless he “cut the losses” independent India will face religious strife and possibly, anarchy.
It is a sad part of history. Jinnah never desired a religiously fanatic Pakistan. Yet the forces unleashed by the Muslim League, resulted in present-day Pakistan. The hatred, religious bigotry has created the present state of affairs in that country. It is indeed very tragic. But the fact is the blame should be laid at the door of Jinnah, whose lust for power at any price created a horrendous situation.
(For further details, see Back to Roots on Page 25)
Wedding Bliss, or a Miss?
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged and wedding bells are likely to be heard in May next year. Even with all its limitations, a wedded bliss is the most preferable form of co-habitation and British tradition correctly welcomes that. But since 2012, the Home Office, run for a steady six years by Theresa May, has created enormous hurdles and time delay before two loving individuals can manage to live together.
I recently received the set of Immigration Rules necessary to bring your soon to be betrothed to the country, from Mr Kant Nagda of the Sangat Community Centre, who is well-known in the community for his selfless services. The length of the process and the financial burden the government has put at the smallest of step, makes me sad.
Immigration Rules
- If she/he comes on a Fiancée/Fiancé visa, they have to pass an English language test (not necessary if from an English speaking country) and has to get married within six months of arrival. Visa processing fee is £1464.
- Immigration health surcharge for two and a half years. Fee £500.
- Once married, they have to apply for spouse visa. Visa fee is £993. Those opting for a one day service would have to pay £1583. Spouse visa would be granted for two and a half years.
- After that period, apply for extension of visa, another two and a half years. Fee is £993 and £1583 for one day service.
- Pay £500 for Health surcharge again for another two and a half years.
- After completing five years stay in the UK and if the marriage is still subsisting, apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Fee for this process is £2297.
- Need to pass “life in the UK test” (even if one is from an English speaking country). Fees is around £50.
- After getting ILR, apply for British citizenship. Fees is £1282.
- Once naturalised, one gets a citizenship certificate. They can then apply for a British passport for a fee of £75.50 pounds.
- All the fees are as per recent updates. The Home Office normally raises the prices every April.
One of my colleagues experienced the same set of hurdles and for almost two years, she had to experience an agonising wait. The British government considers its immigration laws, especially for those set to marry, as a milking cow. Perhaps the intention was to restrict the number of new arrivals. Was it worth it? Is it civilised of our nation to exploit love between two people?
As You Sow, So Shall You Reap
On Monday, Prime Minister Theresa May was fighting to save Brexit deal after the Unionist veto. In less than a week, UK has to complete the procedure to get the Brexit negotiation up and running along a previously agreed time-table. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) dynamited the Brexit deal which was negotiated with Brussels late into the night with EU and UK bureaucrats. Guess our beloved Mrs May must address the Irish question prior to any agreement from Brussels.
This political knot is creating so much confusion and problems for businesses as well as for people. It is foolhardy to say that British people decided to leave the EU in the referendum. It has become transparently evident now that the referendum campaign, especially from leave promoters was based on falsehood and misleading promises. It was impossible to create a free and fair referendum. It was outright fraudulent as most people recognise now. Such a state of affairs will not stand on its feet in any court of law.
After the referendum of disaster, prime minister David Cameron resigned in matter of hours, and Theresa May became PM with a reasonable Tory majority in the Commons. She gambled for a larger majority and ended in a minority party, made a deal with the DUP for its 13-member support. Agreed a bribe of billions of pounds to cement that relationship, and historic problem between Northern Ireland and Irish Republic come today to stop the negotiation about departure from EU.
Other than going from frying pan into the fire, is it not wise to accept the illogicality and admit that the referendum was not fair and justifiable? Arrogance almost always leads to major disaster. The Conservative Party, first with Cameron, and now May, are reaping exactly in proportion to what they had sown. It is un-British to commit harakari. Britain became 'Great' because it has historically maintained its focus on values, standards, along with pragmatism. It is painful to watch current leaders of the country losing out on the basic principles the country once stood for and prospered.
