Gujarat riots - Central News Hub

Nation-wide rage against BBC by UK Indian Diaspora

Protesters included people representing different diaspora organisations & from all walks of life, reports Ragasudha Vinjamuri

Multiple nation-wide demonstrations took place in Britain today in front of BBC offices in England, Midlands, and Scotland, condemning its recent documentary on Prime Minister Modi titled India-The Modi Question.

A large number of enraged and infuriated Indian Diaspora members registered their objections and disappointment with and in front of the BBC offices citing its continued anti-India stance. Slogans such as “Shame on BBC” “Boycott BBC” “Vande Mataram” and several pro-Modi chants have reverberated through the areas in Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and London.

Protest at Glasgow, Scotland

Protesters included people representing different diaspora organisations & from all walks of life, among who there was a clear sense of frustration and dejection as they felt the broadcaster’s piece was totally biased, deliberately eliminating key facts.

Speaking to Asian Lite, Siva Kotamarthi who attended the protest in Birmingham, said “The documentary on Modi was a very carefully articulated piece against India demonising her leader. The ground reality is the rising strength and power of India globally under Modi’s leadership, hence the historically anti-India BBC looks for avenues to hurt and takes it to a different level. Although BBC claims it is independent, it may apparently be serving some vested interests. This commotion across several cities must act as a deterrent to BBC for its future broadcasts.”

Protesters at Birmingham

Another protester, who did not want to be named, said “BBC’s narrative presents danger of creating rift and provoking tensions between communities in Britain, which is not really needed at this hour. Moreover, it upsets thousands of those who appreciate the progress India is making under the able leadership of PM Modi. Insinuating such a globally respected leader and people’s champion, who does it really benefit? Ofcom should take note of it.“

Thousands have complained and signed petitions immediately following the documentary telecast by BBC last week and Members of Parliament including Lord Popat and Bob Blackman have expressed their dismay.

Protest at Newcastle Upon Tyne

Protest at Manchester

Protest at London

Kim Leadbeater seeks return of bodies of 3 UK nationals killed in 2002 Gujarat riots

MP Kim Leadbeater spoke on behalf of her constituents from Batley and Spen in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England…reports Asian Lite News

During a debate on the ‘20th anniversary of the 2002 Gujarat riots’ in the UK Parliament on Wednesday, Labour Party MP Kim Leadbeater called for the repatriation of the mortal remains of three British victims of the riots. She also sought a coroner’s inquest in the UK into the circumstances of their deaths.

MP Kim Leadbeater spoke on behalf of her constituents from Batley and Spen in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England.

Foreign office minister Amanda Milling, speaking on behalf of the government, said the demand for the return of the bodies would be supported by the British government.

Reacting to these developments in the UK Parliament, the Indian High Commission in London said it “took note” of the discussion held in relation to the “tragic sequence of events that took place in India twenty years ago”. However, the families of the victims had not yet approached the Indian mission, it added.

Vishwesh Negi, Minister (Political, Press & Information) at the Indian High Commission, added, “High Commission of India would like to state that it has not so far been approached by the MP who sponsored the motion or any other participants in today’s discussion to engage on the subject – including on the specific request of the families of three British victims.”

Kim Leadbeater

She narrated, “On February 28, 2002, four tourists were on their way back after visiting the Taj Mahal, which should have been the trip of a lifetime. Their names were Shakeel and Saeed Dawood, their 18-year-old nephew Imran and their childhood friend Mohammad Aswat. Not long after they crossed the state border into Gujarat, their jeep was stopped at a roadblock. A mob encircled the vehicle, demanding to know their religion. They replied that they were Muslim and that they were British citizens on holiday. In the violence that followed, Shakeel, Saeed, Mohammad and their driver were all killed. Miraculously, Imran Dawood survived, and he is with us today. It is only through his testimony that we know the circumstances of what happened. He remembers Saeed and Shakeel pleading for their lives to be spared.”

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