British Asians and British Indians, the community, various organisations and leaders are outraged following the exposure of the malicious intent to divide the community.
They opposed the proposed launching of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Gujaratis and welcomed the stand of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar.
Lord Rami Ranger CBE raised his concern in a letter that no one should divide British Indians on the basis of their ethnicity. British Indians should remain united and be mindful of this slippery road of ‘Divide & Rule’. Lord Dolar Popat urged all involved to reconsider the proposal to create a Gujarat APPG and instead focus on working together to address the issues faced by the Hindu community as a whole.
Involving the emotions and feelings of the community, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar have written an open letter to Gareth Thomas MP stating, “Don’t be the divider of the British Gujaratis or British Indian Community. We are a responsible media house urging all involved to stop this counterproductive venture.”
Don’t be the divider of the British Gujaratis or British Indian community
As the community-bound newspapers Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar wrote an open letter to Gareth Thomas MP and urged him to not be the divider of the British Gujaratis or British Indian Community.
Here is the summary:
Dear Mr Thomas, you have been a friend of the community of British Asians and especially the British Indians. A large number of your constituency is hailed from this community. We are shocked to see you and others at the start or even think about launching an APPG for Gujaratis.
Some misguided opportunists might have approached you. But you are fully aware that NCGO is the only active, respected and united umbrella organisation for all Gujarati organisations irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
Regarding the whole issue, you have already been approached by various organisations. We are amused by your lukewarm response. Leaders of various organisations have requested and urged you to stop this counterproductive venture. You should have immediately stopped and withdrawn yourself. This venture is not in the favour of India, the UK, the community and the labour party as well as yourself. We urge you to reconsider very promptly. Don’t be the divider of the British Gujaratis or British Indian Community.
No one should divide British Indians on the basis of their ethnicity: Lord Ranger
Lord Rami Ranger CBE said, if an organisation designed to unite the community ends up dividing, then the organization has defeated the objective.
The All-Party Parliament Group of British Gujarati has divided the British Gujarati with its formation and it has become embroiled in a controversy before it began. Many believe it is a political stunt to divide the Indian diaspora to make them politically weaker in the UK.
“I for one cannot understand the need for a regional group when we already have an APG for Hindus and also an APG for India representing the interests of India and Hindus well. Who so ever came up with the idea that did not calculate the risk of setting a precedent for other regions of India to have separate APGs pursuing their own interests and not that of India as a whole?
“Finally, no one should divide British Indians on the basis of their ethnicity. British Indians should remain united and be mindful of this slippery road of ‘Divide & Rule’.”
Separate Gujarat APPG could also send the wrong message to other minority communities in the UK: Lord Popat
Lord Popat expressed his concern about the proposal to create a Gujarat All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the UK Parliament. He said in a letter, “While I understand that there may be a desire to highlight the issues and interests of the Gujarati community in the UK, I believe that creating a separate APPG for this purpose is not the best approach.”
He mentioned in the letter, “In the 90s I came up with a phrase, ‘Proud to be British. Proud to be Hindu.’ This phrase sums up my identity and feelings towards ensuring we integrate into British society whilst also being proud of our history and religion. I have worked closely with the Hindu Forum over many years and know that they work to promote and represent Hinduism in its various forms.”
Lord Popat said, “An All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hinduism exists and serves the Hindu community in the UK which is diverse and encompasses people from various regions, including Gujarat. By creating a separate Gujarat APPG, we risk creating division unnecessarily by focusing too much on what separates us rather than what unites us as a community.”
“Furthermore, creating a separate APPG for Gujarat could lead to a duplication of efforts and resources. The issues faced by the Gujarati community are not unique to this region alone, and many of them overlap with those faced by other communities within the Hindu diaspora. Rather than creating a separate APPG, we should be working together to address these issues and find solutions that benefit all.”
“In addition, we must acknowledge that the creation of a separate Gujarat APPG could also send the wrong message to other minority communities in the UK. We should be promoting inclusivity and diversity, and creating a separate APPG for a specific region within a community may be perceived as discriminatory and exclusionary.”
Lord Popat said in the letter, “I would urge all involved to reconsider the proposal to create a Gujarat APPG and instead focus on working together to address the issues faced by the Hindu community as a whole. By doing so, we can send a strong message of unity and inclusivity.”
NAPS objects to the formation of APPG for Gujaratis
Pravin Amin, President National Association of Patidar Samaj wrote in the letter, “We are concerned to learn about the proposed formation of APPG for Gujaratis from various mediums. We want to make it very clear that NAPS has not received any communication regarding the proposed formation or intention to launch such a group. APPGs are already there and cover the issues relating to Gujaratis. There is a lack of consultation with the wider Gujarati community. NAPS objects to the formation of an organisation representing our members without identifying a real need for it.”
