Many readers have sent messages asking what has happened to Kapil and his Khichadi, and when I would be back. Well folks, I have been on a long vacation to India and then Spain. I saw a lot, learnt a lot, and of course enjoyed a lot as well.
In the few months I have been away, it seems all hell broke loose in the UK as well as across the world. The number of important issues is quite long, so what I will do is share my first thoughts on a few of the most recent ones.
APPG Gujarati: I was flabbergasted to learn that some MPs, with some very bad advice from a few self-interested Gujjus, decided that they would create an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Gujaratis. One of the silliest ideas I have come across in a long while. I informed all the MPs concerned of my objection and I hope that they see sense and terminate this grave error of judgement that is more to do with dividing Indians. So let me make this clear, we already have the APPG for British Hindus which serves all our needs. Likewise, there are others for Muslims as well as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The sheer stupidity in creating one for Gujaratis (by the way, as far as I can make out, most leading organisations don’t support this travesty) suggests that you’ll end up having one for every state in India! India was once divided and oppressed. It took Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a Gujju, to unite more than 500 princely states to make India one nation and one people. And today, we have a Gujju PM, Shri Narendrabhai Modi ji who continues to lead a united India in the 21st C.
I have also been alerted by people in the know that there is a plan by Labour politicians to hijack the APPG so they can condemn the BJP and PM Modi about the Gujarat riots. It seems this is the playbook of the left in the west to influence the elections in India in 2024. It’s time to stop this madness in trying to divide us in the UK to profit some politicians. I say to each MP concerned, stop this madness, you do not do this in my name or that of any true Indian.
APPG British Hindus: Had its relaunch and celebration of Holi event on 20th March. The Chair of the APPG, Bob Blackman MP comments: “I have been working towards the creation of a strong forum for British Hindus to interact with Parliament since being elected, so I am delighted that this cross-party group has now formed and is receiving a lot of support across the board”. I support this group wholeheartedly. For those who wish to follow its work, please check out their website: https://www.appgbritishhindus.com
Leicester Labour and Racism: Last week I came to know that the vast majority of Hindu Councillors in Leicester were summarily deselected by the local Labour Party. These councillors have been with Labour for decades. Their loyalty rewarded by being thrown out of the party because they finally challenged it when Islamists attacked Hindus in Leicester. They dared to take on the Labour Mayor of Leicester who appeared to have compromised his own position with respect to the investigation into how Islamists attacked Hindus in Leicester. Am I surprised with what Labour has done? Not really. I have been warned about the inherent Hinduphobic nature of the Labour Party. Today, hopefully even the diehards in the Indian community who vote for Labour will realise that they are just slaves to their white masters. It’s time for people in Leicester (and nationally) to wake up and kick this racist party where it hurts. Enough is enough, surely.
I end by congratulating Humza Yousaf in becoming the First Minister of Scotland and the leader of the Scottish National Party. In the UK we now have our Prime Minister who is of Indian heritage, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and of course Humza who are both of Pakistani heritage. We even have the PM of Ireland, Leo Varadkar who is also of Indian heritage. So, whilst we have issues in this country, and yes, we have much to do with equalities and stamping out racism in all its forms, we can be proud of Britain and the British people. One wonders though, are we going to see the First Minister ask the Prime Minster for the partition of the UK (the Jinnah effect!)? Let’s hope they put our nation and its people first, before any ideology of division.
