I was perplexed to read Lord Popat's article regarding the Christian heritage of this country. He claims that certain Asian organizations hold the view that public life in this country should be de-christianised. He knows that the word Asian is ambiguous.
The Indian Hindu community has never questioned the Christian roots of this country. Hindu families actually celebrate Christmas because it is their Dharma to respect all paths to God.
For the last 34 years we have been organizing a Christmas Lunch in Croydon for our English friends. When it comes to tolerance the Hindu faith has led the way for centuries. While as he says there are few countries where there is freedom to practice one's faith without fear, I am proud that our country of origin India accommodates all faiths and the Christian community has been present there for 2000 years and flourishing, numbering over 20 million at present.
Lord Popat says that, ' we are becoming increasingly intolerant of Christianity'. Who does he refer to? He says that Ugandan Asians came to the UK because of the Christian values of this country. People came here because as British passport holders they had no other choice. This is not taking anything away from the fact that individual English men and women went out of their way to help us to settle.
The Hindu community will forever be grateful for that. I think that Lord Popat's efforts should be diverted to opposing people like Baroness Butler-Sloss and the increasingly secular organizations of this country.
Nitin Mehta
Croydon
