In his column a few weeks ago CB Patel indicated that Sajid Javed as a Home Secretary is not only the right man for the right job but hinted that at some stage the British media will have a go at such an outstanding Asian politician, however capable he may be.
On one hand there was a positive reaction to the Home Secretary decision about the possible ISIS death penalty in the US. Now I can feel that certain quarters are up in arms about that very correct decision. The former Foreign Secretary no doubt will use this and other opportunities to have a go at the May government. There are views within the Labour party itself which puts so called human rights far in front of national security.
For the last few weeks many Asian names are also being mentioned for the successor to replace Mark Carney as the Governor of the Bank of England. At one stage amongst the six potential names that were floating in the British media were two Asians of Indian origin. One of them, Mr R Rajan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, has already clearly and categorically expressed that he is happy with his academic work in the US.
Another worthy name, Baroness Shriti Vadera was mentioned in a backhanded way by the Deputy City Editor, Mr Russell Lynch of the Evening Standard on Monday. He lavishly acknowledged the talents and capability of Baroness Vadera and also in a way justified her appointment at the bank to enhance diversity. But the use of the term “Shriti the Shriek” is not accidental and certainly not in good spirit.
If her juniors at the time of Prime Minister Gordon Brown had a whispering campaign about the brilliant minister who happened to have a different shade of skin tone why bring that up into focus today? We the non white britishers are in a way reminded of our skin colour and its disadvantage.
Jayesh Patel
Northwood, Middx
