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Indian diaspora plans London protest over BBC documentary

The diaspora is agitated as the documentary comes on the heels of weeks of violence in Leicester, the tenth largest city in the UK, a report by Rahul Kumar

The BBC documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised a storm among the diaspora. Feeling insulted by the documentary, the Indian diaspora in the UK is holding a protest against the British broadcaster on Sunday afternoon, January 29.

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s documentary, “India: The Modi Question” has raised a storm not just in India but also among the diaspora. Part one of the documentary, which has already been aired on January 17 puts the blame of the Gujarat riots on Modi, who was the state Chief Minister when the riots took place in 2002. Part two will be aired today-January 24.

Looking at the sensitive nature of the documentary, the Indian government has banned it from being shown in the country. It has also been taken off Youtube for its divisive content and for fear of creating hatred between communities over incidents that took place two decades back. Indian courts have already given their verdicts and sentenced people of both communities for the violence.

Riots broke out in Gujarat after a Muslim mob set fire to a coach of the Sabarmati Express at the Godhara station. Fifty-nine Hindus, including women and children were burnt alive in what is known as the Godhara train burning case.

India Narrative spoke with Indians in the UK about their protest and their grievances against the BBC.

London-based consultant, Adit Kothari, who has been active in the diaspora movement says, the British Indian diaspora is enraged, agitated & frustrated with the BBC’s deliberate attempts to run covert and sometimes overt malicious Anti-India and Anti Hindu agendas. While with the protest, we may see no change within the BBC to organisationally address our concerns� but we have to demonstrate our displeasure at the BBCs attitude.

The diaspora is agitated as the documentary comes on the heels of weeks of anti-Hindu violence in Leicester the tenth largest city in the UK. The communal violence, which took the British society and the local police by surprise, was directed at Hindu symbols and homes by the local Muslim youth. Weeks of attacks on Leicester’s Hindus led to many families moving out of the city due to threats and fear.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with his United Kingdom counterpart Rishi Sunak on the first day of the 17th G20 Summit, in Bali on Tuesday. (ANI Photo)

The Leicester violence against the Hindus was fanned by fake social media posts by Muslims. The misinformation on social media targeted Hindus and instigated Muslim youth to attack Hindus. Many of these fake posts were published by the British mainstream media like The Guardian and the BBC without verifying, leading to independent investigations into the Leicester violence which highlighted the spread of fake news against the local Hindu community.

British Hindus feel that the BBC documentary will create a similar situation in which the Hindus can again be targeted because of biased coverage.

Kothari says: It is important to raise awareness not only within the British Hindu and the Indian diaspora but also among other communities in Britain so that they get aware of this nefarious (anti-Hindu) agenda. Giving an example, the Indian activist says that the BBC has once called Holi a filthy festival and Jai Shree Ram a provocative slogan which has hurt our sentiments.

The activist says that the protest against the BBC is to raise awareness about the BBC failures regarding its journalistic standards and the royal charter-which aims to provide impartial, high quality and distinctive journalism, to its viewers.

The BBC documentary has evoked a strong reaction across Indian society.

Lord Rami Ranger, well known British MP in the House of Lords wrote a letter of condemnation to Tim Davie, BBC Director General, saying, among other things, that the timing of the BBC documentary is sinister considering that India and the UK are working for a free trade agreement, India has assumed the presidency of G20 and the UK has an Indian-origin prime minister.

In his letter, Lord Ranger says: The producer has shown a lack of vision, common sense and judgment by producing such an insensitive one-sided documentary.

In India too, dozens of bureaucrats, retired officers and judges have written an open letter dubbing the BBC documentary as delusions of British Imperial resurrection.

Many other individuals have launched petitions on the website change.org asking for an independent investigation into the BBC’s actions. Many smell a conspiracy as the diverse nation of nearly 1.4 billion people goes to elections in 2024, saying that the BBC is trying to queer the pitch against Modi.

A petition against the BBC has also been raised in the British parliament, seeking investigation into the anti-Hindu propaganda and hatred attacks on Hindu community

This will be the UK diaspora’s second protest against the BBC is barely three months. The earlier one was related to the BBC’s Hinduphobic” coverage of the Leicester violence.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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Indian Women’s Forum Offers Help For NRI Brides

IIW (Inspiring Indian Women) curates an online workshop- No more Silence to Domestic Violence… A special report by Maheen Nusrat

Indian Inspiring Women (IIW) hosted an online workshop on the topic of ‘NRI Brides session: No more Silence to Domestic Violence’. The event featured Family Law and Immigration experts, domestic violence registered counsellors, charity organisations, and Councillor.   The event was hosted by Jasmine Vithalani; who is a Community Engagement Officer in London, an advocate for the fight against domestic abuse, passionate about empowering women through education. She is also an RJ for BHF Radio and TV show host for women’s program ‘Nari tu Narayani and a freelance writer.

Indian Women’s Forum Offers Help For NRI Brides

Those in attendance had an opportunity to hear at length from legal experts such as Savitha Bansal; who is a qualified solicitor with 20+ years of diverse experience in two different legal systems: UK and India. She shared her wisdom and stories of women who had suffered Domestic Violence at the hands of their husbands; sharing many stories where women successfully got settlement in the UK.  Bansal, also shared some tips for women who may be currently facing such circumstances for women to safeguard themselves; highlighting the importance of documents, what steps to take to protect one’s interest in property and what steps to take before coming as a bride to the UK to ensure protection of jewellery and money.

Audience also had an opportunity to hear from Reema Chugh, who is a solicitor, specializing in property/construction disputes, runs a mediation service and Aum Charity that helps victims of domestic violence and children in Asian countries. Chugh focused on the questions women and their families must ask before marrying, and the responsibility on the families of the women to do their due diligence and not be afraid to ask questions and also be willing to investigate through using social media, or asking local family and friends to check the prospective groom.

 Kashmira Kalsi; who is a Registered Counsellor and works at Sangam, a Charity which provides free counselling for victims of Domestic Abuse shared the psychological impact on victims and highlighted that help is available. She busted the myths that simply having a proposal from the UK is not a guarantee that life will be a bed of roses.

Ritu Sharma, writer of ‘Rich Man’s Poor Daughter’ who manages Kaushalya in Birmingham also chimed in that the temptation to move to the UK is enticing and the risk of losing a potential proposal is so high which is why often even well-educated families will not ask questions or investigate.

Indian Women’s Forum Offers Help For NRI Brides

Garima Jhamb; who is a domestic abuse practitioner, National Women’s Aid trainer on forced marriage and honour-based violence with a passion to help victims of violence but also to advocate for them. Jhamb elaborated on the lack of support often from the family of the victims itself. Jhamb pointed to the reality victims often face where the inlaws and the perpetrator will discredit the victim through character assasination, hurling false accusations of being greedy or simply accuse of mental health problems; all as a way to deter the victim from raising a voice against her own oppression and from seeking help. 

The panel also provided an opportunity to hear from other survivors and how they found their voice having gone through such adversity. One of the victims, Veena shared a heart-wrenching story of the various types of abuse she faced from her perpetrator. All showed immense appreciation for Veena’s vulnerability, honesty and courage. Veena also sang in her beautiful voice-which was a delight everyone who attended got to indulge in.

The event also featured the youngest parish council candidate from Chigwell Row, Cllr. Pranav Bhanot; who shared his experience of helping victims of domestic violence in his capacity as a councillor.  Bhanot shared that one of the highest crimes in Chigwell Row unfortunately is Domestic Abuse, mainly against women and made worse during the lockdown. He also highlighted how a large segment of the population in Chigwell Row is from the South Asian diaspora of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He shared about a campaign called ANI, which is designed as a codeword. ANI allows victims to go into shops and pharmacies and get immediate access to help simply by uttering ANI to someone working there.

Author Harpal Singh of ‘The First Slap’ minced no words when he called out the culture of patriarchy within the South Asian Community which gives impunity to the perpetrators and refuses to acknowledge the deep impact of domestic violence and its prevalence in our communities. He encouraged a strong stance against such abuse and encouraged the families of women to stand by their daughters while dumping this false concept of izzat because the life, and safety of women is far more important than a mythical concept of izzat.

Indian Women’s Forum Offers Help For NRI Brides

We also heard from Meena Nahar who is an IDVA and works for Women’s Aid in Leicestershire and volunteers with Asian Women Foundation in Bedford. She shared with us the work that her charity is involved in and also the work of many other charities that are active within the UK. She provided hope that help is available and signposted to the various aid available to victims of abuse, especially those who are on a spousal visa.

The webinar provided a lot of information, and a list of contacts and organisations that can help victims in need. The recording of the forum can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzZt7jdBjRA. For more info check the IIW ( Inspiring Indian Women ) website – inspiringindianwomen.org               

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Inter-Gen Katha Fest Goes Digital Way

The festival was launched on 15th May on International Family’s Day which broadcast the first set of inter-generational videos created during the pandemic in 2020-21. The videos were launched on Folklogue Studios and Arunima Kumar Dance company’s social media platforms and will be available for 5 days to connect diverse audiences across the world. It will be available at YouTube/Folk Log

London witnessed the launch of a unique digital folk story dance project which links grandparents separated from their grandchildren during the lockdown. Katha festival (Story festival) is an innovative family learning digital project, based on folk stories from India and the rest of the world, envisioned, produced & directed by Arunima Kumar Dance Company, the largest institution of Kuchipudi dance in the UK.

Sudha Murty joins the programme by narrating a story – Inter-Gen Katha Festival Goes Digital Way

The Katha project is in association with Folklogue Studios, one of the most authentic organisations of India striving to protect and preserve the indigenous storytelling forms supported by British Council India in its endeavour. The Katha project is supported by the Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund and DCMS. 

Katha was a dream come true as we could share the love between three generations through ancient forgotten folk stories which are passed on orally through generations. It enabled children to engage with their grand-parents on what they love most. These stories based on ancient literature, folk stories, local languages and texts may remain forgotten if not passed through generations through the ancient art of oral storytelling

The festival was launched on 15th May on International Family’s Day which broadcast the first set of inter-generational videos created during the pandemic in 2020-21. The videos were launched on Folklogue Studios and Arunima Kumar Dance company’s social media platforms at 11 am IST and will be available for 5 days to connect diverse audiences across the world. It will be available at YouTube/Folk Log

The project is conceptualized and executed by Kuchipudi dancer, teacher, choreographer Arunima Kumar.

 

Inter-Gen Katha Festival Goes Digital Way

“During the harsh and lonely months of the pandemic, it was challenging for children, families and communities to weather the storm of coronavirus, stay connected creatively and stay positive,” said Arunima. “Katha was a dream come true as we could share the love between three generations through ancient forgotten folk stories which are passed on orally through generations. It enabled children to engage with their grand-parents on what they love most. These stories based on ancient literature, folk stories, local languages and texts may remain forgotten if not passed through generations through the ancient art of oral storytelling.

“The grandparents narrated the stories online (some in local languages with subtitles in English) while the children dramatized them through Indian dance and music. We are honoured to have grandparents participate so generously including the inspirational Sudha Murty who has narrated a story that she has written.” 

The most special aspect of the project is that it has enabled young children to stay creatively engaged with their elderly, who were lonely & isolating due to social distancing restrictions and lived far away in India. It has kept families motivated and happy, enabling physical and mental well-being of families through a powerful creative outlet.

Arunima Kumar , Artistic Director Arunima Kumar Dance Company

Arunima says the innovative artistic initiatives such as Katha are critical to keep communities connected and positive during global catastrophes.

“We are grateful to Arts council England for their support and faith in us,” she added. “With more and more culture being curated online, and with the severe social distancing restrictions, we hope that in this time we stay connected and positive and cherish the ways culture can unite us.”

Katha will also raise funds for Covid relief for folk artists in India.