In the British Raj ruled by the British Crown in former British India laws were made against ‘Sati’ (a wife immolating herself on her husband’s pyre) erc, but the evil of untouchability was left untouched, consequently Mahatma Gandhi, committed to freedom, truth, non-violence, equality and eradication of untouchability and class discrimination, taught and inspired peaceful Hindu people in 1992 that untouchability is a social evil; and explained that we all are equal by the same God, and so Dalits are ‘Harijan’ - people of God, and so are not ‘untouchable’; and an enactment is made in the Indian constitution in 1947 against the social evils, and certain reservations are made to raise their status; but the self-centered groups of politicians are trying to keep the class discrimination reviving deepening their roots.
Hindu people have not entered Britain for the express purpose of reviving the evil practices, not to circumvent the Indian legislation; and they do not experience the evil social practices among people in Britain.
The culture of Britain formed by industrial, economic, legal and social changes is being pursued rapidly by the Indians here and in India.
In this situation the existing Equality Act 2010 amongst other laws is sufficient to protect everyone. The envisaged amendment, if passed, will be proved to be a retrograde move legally and soacially; and it will be an insult to Mahatma Gandhi, the inspiration of the world, whose statues are installed with reverence and full faith near the British Parliament, and it will demean Hindu people.
RN Patel
Essex
