While the Indian diaspora awaits eagerly for the visit of Shri Narendra Modi, many of them have been shocked by a recent comment by Mr Corbyn at the Uk Parliament.
Dipankar De Sarkar, a veteran Indian journalist in Live Mint reported, that recently Corbyn told the UK Parliament, “It cannot be right that a country with India’s aspirations to modernity and to taking its place in the world, including a permanent place on the UN Security Council—a country that is obviously a major power in every aspect—can allow such (caste) discrimination to continue.
“Dr Ambedkar’s constitution is a remarkable document and clearly outlaws discrimination on the basis of caste or descent. However, it is equally clear that in reality Dalit people’s opportunities to get access to justice do not exist in many parts of the country.”
Corbyn had also spoken up strongly against the 2002 Hindu-Muslim riots that took place in Gujarat when Modi was chief minister of that state. He was also one of the six signatories of an Early Day Motion in the British Parliament following the Gujarat riots in 2003, which spoke of MPs’ concern at “authorities in Gujarat leading the efforts to dismantle a secular India”.
Now Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is all set to visit the UK in November. While many of the Labour MPs including Rt Hon Keith Vaz, MP have pledged their pay rise to the funds for the big gala organised for Modi's visit, it is evident the NaMo at some point will come to know Her Majesty's Opposition Leader's stand.
Chuni Chavda, who has been a former Lib Dem party councillor, on behalf of the diaspora has written an open letter to Mr Corbyn asking for answers, which they have not received as yet. The diaspora is hoping that Mr Corbyn will be able to give answers before NaMo reaches UK.
