The Anti-India (Kashmir) Propaganda in UK Parliament
Coming back to the debate, for those of you who recall the Kashmir debate in 2014, you will remember there were an equal number of contributors on both sides, making it a fairer debate. This time it was 27 MPs for the motion and 2 opposing it. I am forced to question the very passion and interest of the Indian diaspora in human rights issues and their discussion in the UK Parliament, especially those that are aimed at vilifying India. I am deeply concerned at the lack of any political lobby in defence of India in the UK, even though there are numerous organisations, facebook groups representing the direct interests of India and Indian diaspora. 70,000 people gathered at Wembley stadium to welcome the beloved PM Modi and a few thousand could gather again at Wembley to protest against the ban on traditional bull fight in Tamil Nadu. Where were these same people who claim to be proud Indians when their motherland was being insulted in the UK Parliament by utter twisting and partial representation of facts? Hardly any interest was noticed, despite numerous calls and requests to members and community leaders for lobbying local MPs. The various political parties, especially Labour, Conservatives and Lib Dems who have Friends of India groups were silent – none of their members came to speak in defence of India. I personally wrote to a number of MPs requesting them to speak in the debate which was otherwise one sided – I am yet to hear back!
A couple of Indian media groups were stationed outside the parliament but no British Indian media came to speak to Parliamentarians. A day before this debate, Bob Blackman MP, even hosted a seminar that was organised by Kashmiri Pandit’s Cultural Society to discuss the truth about human rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir – no other MP took interest despite invitations and briefings. The question I am forced to ask of the otherwise influential Indian diaspora is – when will you wake up? Why were you silent?
In a relentless effort to carry on my efforts to reach out to each of you, I have launched a social action project –
#We Care 4 India
which attempts to help each of you learn the basics of lobbying your own MP and demanding your constitutional rights. When you get into the habit of engaging with the political system, the debates such as the one in question, will always have your representation. Knowledge is power, remember?
International lobbying is not always aimed at direct intervention and helping in resolution of regional issues, it never-the-less, plays a very strong role in building the right or wrong narrative and global discourse. The impact of such an effort to skew the narrative cannot be undermined.
As pointed out by a student of sociology, Shireen Moti, a young Kashmiri Pandit studying in the U.K., ” there are only two basis of all inaction – first, Someone else will do it, its not my job; and second, bad things won’t happen to me. “How true!
Source-All India Kashmiri Samaj, NAAD February 2017 Edition
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