My dear readers,
I know, I have been absent for a few years, but I am back now and so is Kapil’s Khichadi. May I take this opportunity to thank the huge number of people who have shown their support for my column over the past decade or so.
What has been happening in my absence? At one level, not a lot given the impasse of Brexit. However, at another level we have seen some dramatic revelations that impact our community markedly. The most important date now for all of us is 12 December, i.e. DDay or Decision Day. What we as a nation decide will either make us or break us. This election is not only about Brexit which affects every citizen, it is fundamentally also about who we elect to govern us and their fitness to do so equitably.
Brexit is a people’s mandate. The EU Referendum was very clear, and it was a once in a generation vote. Whilst we have seen many MPs mislead the public with their claims that the EU vote is only ‘advisory’, let us be clear, each and every MP and Party accepted before the vote took place that they would honour the result. In effect, it was not ‘advisory’, it had become ‘mandatory’. Brexit has to be delivered and to that extent the choice between all the parties is very clear. Vote for the Conservatives if you still want Brexit, vote for the LibDems if you want to revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU. Or vote for the Labour Party if you wish to remain in limbo.
However, there is something even more important than this Brexit issue.
Is the current Labour Party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn fit to govern? That is a fundamental issue that should tax your mind when you assess the political parties and decide which box to tick.
The Labour Party is embroiled in one of the most disgusting racist antisemitic free for all that we have seen of any political party for more than a century. The rampant antisemitism that seems to be prevalent in Labour has made even the independent commentators to conclude that it is institutionally antisemitic and racist. This is an incredibly grave charge on any political party; however, it is not without foundation. On the 1st of August 2019 the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) launched a formal investigation into the Labour Party.
The vast majority of the Jewish Community has abandoned the Labour Party now. Equally remarkable, the Jewish Chronicle on 7 November 2019 splashed on their front page an open declaration against the Labour Party and their total mistrust in Jeremy Corbyn and his fitness to be the Prime Minister. This is unprecedented. I salute the Jewish community, its leaders and its media for having the guts to come out and call a spade a spade. I salute them for telling the whole nation, don’t put this Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn in power. All too often in history we have seen that minority communities appease too easily hoping that everything will work out in the end. I have never believed in that concept.
This brings me to our community, on 25th September the Labour Party passed a motion with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. Essentially for most observers it was a pro-Pakistani and an anti-India motion. Surprisingly when I approached a number of Labour Party members/councillors of Indian origin, they seem to suggest that all of this was a huge surprise to them. However, when Jeremy Corbyn was asked about the motion, he indicated that it had gone through the due process within the Labour Party before it was brought to the floor of the Party Conference. I sense someone somewhere is lying about what they knew and when! Contrast this with the Pakistani community who seemed to be aware not only of the motion but were waiting in readiness to exploit it as soon as it was passed. I have to commend them for the grip they have on the Labour Party. They have clearly worked very hard to make sure that when it comes to any matters related to their community, the Labour Party will bend over backwards to accommodate.
So I ask myself, are we witnessing the Labour Party now targeting Hindus, Sikhs and Jains? Has the anti-Israel faction of Labour now turned its aim at India and Indians? To me it is very clear that this Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn is not only anti-India, but also anti-Hindu. That is my personal view and a genuine belief. You don’t have to agree with my conclusions. However, I do ask each and every citizen that you should look at the evidence emerging with regard to antisemitism as well as the anti-India rhetoric emanating out of the Labour Party now.
On 12th December you the voter have the power. You decide what happens to this great nation of ours. It will be your vote that will determine whether this country rises on the world stage and prospers, or will it descend into the gutter of racism and prejudice that belittles and undermines many of the minority communities?
I applaud the Jewish community for nailing their colours to the mast. Is it time we did the same?
