Rajinder Singh - is a bitter and sad Islamaphobe to be the first BNP Asian member?

Reports in both the Independent (Thursday) and The Times yesterday suggest that Rajinder Singh from Wellingborough may be the first "non-white" member of the BNP. In both reports Rajinder, a self described "Sikh", appears to be wearing a turban (but without a beard) - all rather surprising since over the past 25 years that I have known him he has never worn a turban!

In addition, he is described as a "schoolteacher" but, as far as I am aware, he has never taught in a school but was an English as a Second Language tutor at Wellingborough College - teaching adults who had recently arrived in the UK - just the sort of people BNP members love to hate.

But even more important than these deceptions (or misreporting by the press?) is Rajinder Singh's views about Muslims.

About six years ago I had cause to engage Mr. Singh in discussion about Muslims and, following a question to him about the 100 million plus Muslims living in India, he said that he would (whilst spitting venom) "eliminate them all" - and he was being deadly serious! At this point I immediately and firmly, but peacefully, escorted him from the multi-racial/faith Victoria Centre in Wellingborough where the discussion had taken place. He was not pleased!

My understanding is that Mr. Singh's hatred of Muslims comes out of the tragedy that was the partition of India in 1947 - where Muslims killed Sikhs and Hindus and Sikhs and Hindus killed Muslims - a tragedy for India and the world that saw over two million dead when the carnage ceased. Mr. Singh's family were caught up in this madness - with tragic consequences - and since this time he has carried a deep hatred for those who killed his family. But he has gone further - much further - now blaming all Muslims, and the Islamic faith itself, for his personal loss and now turns this into a personal crusade to warn us all of the "Muslim threat".

Such hated clearly goes deep and has affected his whole life. So the tragedy and the madness continue - this time for Mr. Singh as well, but now in the context of the UK and potentially within the fold of a racist and hate-filled political party.

If Rajinder Singh is prepared to advocate the murder and genocide of all Muslims in India, surely he would have little hesitation in recommending such a course of action against the much smaller British Muslim community? His hatred of Muslims in palpable.

Although it seems rather bizarre for Rajinder Singh to become a member of the racist BNP (who no doubt would have originally kept him and his family out of the UK - let alone their Party - or would now deport him and other like him if given half a chance) there is nevertheless a certain logic. He will, after all, be joining with like-minded people in the BNP - who have, or still do, support genocide and deny the holocaust. At one time it was "the Jews" they hated and wanted to eliminate, now it is "the Muslims". Who will be next on the list... I am sure people like Mr. Singh will be there somewhere?

Supping with the devil can be a dangerous game.

*****

It's Islamaphobia, Stupid

Without getting into the detail of the Archbishop’s intervention around different legal systems for different religious groups, the more interesting issue arising from this fiasco is the way it illustrates the extent of Islamaphobia in the UK today, and how rapidly British society is back-tracking on its commitment to respect diversity and to integrate new communities (and some – such as Muslims - who are not so new!).

One would have thought, by the reaction to Dr Rowan Williams’ proposals, that he was suggesting the end of British civilisation as we know it and the destruction of all that is dear. In fact all he was proposing (rightly or wrongly – and I think wrongly!) was that Muslims enjoy the same rights that are currently enjoyed by Christians (as the established church enjoying centuries old traditions of Ecclesiastical Law) and the Jewish community, who have parallel arrangements for dealing with Jewish family or civil law that is at least 100 years old. Having parallel legal traditions for civil law (particularly family law) was well established by the British when ruling India and the secular Indian state still has separate family law jurisdictions for Hindus and Muslims. So his proposals were not radical afterall, just miss-timed during a period in which anything suggesting Muslims may want to do some things differently is seen as either a threat or (in SUN-speak) "daft". Remember the simialr hysteria not so long ago over headscarves and the Burka?

But this row is really about something very different and much more serious. In the current climate it is almost impossible to suggest any accommodation to Muslim sensitivities without being accused of treason or being someone undermining "British" traditions or values (even if its blatently not true). What is being whipped up is Islamaphobia pure and simple and it must be stopped in its tracks! It may be Muslims today (and they are currently the vicitims of a rising tide of racist attacks and vilification), but watch out - other minorities will also come under threat as the frenzy intensifies against “the other”. This is the real danger in the situation and it is time that all people of good will, who believe in a society grounded in toleration, respect for difference, human rights and equality, stand up against those who wish to ferment more hatred, resulting in even more isolation and alienation within the Muslim and other minority communities.

If Dr. Williams can be labelled a “supporter of terrorism” by the SUN, watch out, YOU (and me) might be next. Therein lies the road to tyranny.

India Republic Day in Wellingborough

Yesterday evening Wellingborough District Hindu Association celebrated the annual India Republic Day with a cultural programme of dance and drama, performed by young people. Bollywood routines featured prominently but there were some traditional Indian dances. Although I could not attend for the whole evening it was clear that the hundreds of people present were receiving a real treat. Also present were local dignitaries, including Wellingborough's Mayor and a representative from the Indian High Commission.




See a full set of photos from the event