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THREAD: It’s come to our attention that Hindu Council UK has penned an open letter expressing support for Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’ condemnation of Jeremy Corbyn over anti-semitism in Labour. 1/
In the letter @AnilBhanot references Sikhs - it is for this reason that we as Sikhs feel duty-bound to respond. Furthermore, @SikhFederation have joined the fray with a short-sighted and frankly irresponsible contribution. 2/
To be clear, we do not deny that Labour has a serious anti-semitism problem-but we view the letter from @HinduCouncil as dangerous and disingenuous. The attempt to align anti-semitism in the Labour party with anti-Hindu sentiment in particular is problematic on multiple levels 3/
While it’s arguable that the Labour party is institutionally racist in much the same way that society is institutionally racist (and the Tory Party in particular), the implied equivalence of scale between anti-semitism and specifically anti-hindu sentiment is unsubstantiated. 4/
For Anil Bhanot OBE, objecting to violent Hindutva settler-colonialism in Kashmir is equivalent to anti-Hindu prejudice. It therefore makes sense that his letter makes reference to anti-zionism rather than the many instances of anti-semitism within the Labour Party... 5/
...in an attempt to align the entire Hindu diaspora with Mirvis.
This is being done in the context of the Indian state aligning itself more closely with the Israeli state on the international stage. Important to note Hindu Council is pro-Modi,islamophobic and pro-Tory. 6/
This is being done in the context of the Indian state aligning itself more closely with the Israeli state on the international stage. Important to note Hindu Council is pro-Modi,islamophobic and pro-Tory. 6/
The assertion that Labour has never condemned outright the "biblical exodus" of Kashmiri Pundits/Sikhs is immediately followed by “Jeremy Corbyn always speaks against Islamophobia, whereas any ant-Semitic [sic] and anti-Hindu positions remain unchallenged.” 7/
This is a direct attempt to pit minority against minority.
This is despite the regrettable fact that following anger after Labour’s conference motion condemning the unlawful revocation of article 370 Indian occupied Kashmir, the party appeared to roll back on its position. 8/
This is despite the regrettable fact that following anger after Labour’s conference motion condemning the unlawful revocation of article 370 Indian occupied Kashmir, the party appeared to roll back on its position. 8/
The letter then refers to Labour councils staying quiet over child abuse “for fear of a muslim backlash." Bhanot is attempting to use the media spotlight on anti-semitism to equate critique of the Indian state with anti-Hindu sentiment and implicitly legitimise Islamophobia. 9/
As Sikhs who stand against all oppression, we abhor his disingenuous attempt to use our community to further his own extremist ideology.
We are also, however, disappointed by the @SikhFederation’s contribution to this toxic discussion. 10/
We are also, however, disappointed by the @SikhFederation’s contribution to this toxic discussion. 10/
The organisation could have used this opportunity to stand in solidarity equally with victims of anti-semitism and islamophobia, and to promote resistance to the evident divide and rule tactics at play here. 11/
Instead, the Federation bemoans the “monopoly” on racism and discrimination that Muslims and Jews are allegedly regarded as having in the UK. Instead of rejecting a hierarchy of oppression, it clamours for a higher ranking within it. 12/
This is serious and dangerous. If we do not stand together as communities of faith and radicalised minorities united against bigotry wherever it is found, we will all pay the price. 13/13
