Gransnet forums

Chat

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

British Values?

(8 Posts)
Add comment | Report
Eloethan Sun 17-May-15 21:32:25

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2015/may/15/one-rule-for-hindus-another-for-muslims

I came across this article by Giles Fraser in the Guardian on Saturday.

I was amazed to read that Trupti Patel, president of the Hindu Forum of Britain, wrote an open letter on the Forum's website attacking Labour and the Lib Dems for insulting Hinduism by supporting legislation to outlaw caste discrimination. She said: " Only the Conservative party has stated that if they are in a majority government, then this piece of unwanted legislation will be repealed,” She went on to say: “In these elections, the very honour of your faith is in danger of being undermined.” (Giles Fraser commented "In short, vote Tory".)

I remember listening to a programme on Radio 4 some years ago where Dalits - "untouchable" Hindus - living in this country said they were being subjected to bullying and ill-treatment by higher caste Hindus at work and in the community. It was a very upsetting programme and I was furious to think that such a thing could be happening here. I wasn't actually aware that, under equalities legislation, this type of discrimination is now outlawed.

So, along with getting rid of the hunting ban, the Tories are also keen to get rid of a law that prevents this horrible form of discrimination. So much for "British Values".

Add comment | Report
durhamjen Sun 17-May-15 23:13:23

I wonder how many Hindus were swayed by this letter from Patel.
Mind, what's the difference? Cameron has his own caste system in this country, those on welfare being the untouchables.

Add comment | Report
thatbags Mon 18-May-15 07:45:32

I don't think the current law prevents caste discrimination. It outlaws it. But so do other equality laws. Every basic equality law makes discrimination of this kind unlawful. Any religious law that contravenes proper human equality is an unjust law and should, in my opinion, be over-ruled by universal human rights law.

Add comment | Report
Brendawymms Mon 18-May-15 08:04:55

I'm amazed that anyone can believe that discrimination through the caste system is legitimate. Or that the caste system should even be recognised today in anyway.
We are all humans respect everyone as such and are of equal value.

There is a caption on my Facebook page today about it does not matter how much wealth, how big your house or car is. You still need the same size grave. Be humble.

Add comment | Report
durhamjen Mon 18-May-15 08:10:01

The new minister for equalities is against gay marriage. What else is she against?

Add comment | Report
whitewave Mon 18-May-15 08:46:49

They should be protected by the anti-discrimination act both by the UK law and the EU.

Add comment | Report
Eloethan Mon 18-May-15 09:29:25

Giles Fraser wrote:

"David Cameron has a longstanding relationship with the 600,000-strong Hindu community. Just three days before the general election, he was back at the temple in Neasden, north London, taking part in the ceremony. The Conservative Friends of India even rewarded him with his own campaign song in Hindi: “The sky is blue and glorious. This is colour of Britain’s pride. Let’s join together with this blue colour. Let’s join together with David Cameron.” Mind the contents of your stomach, it gets worse. “Your dreams will be fulfilled; He’ll keep his commitments; The job which David has started; He’s determined to finish.”

Of course, it isn't uncommon for political parties to receive support from various interest groups or to court those which they feel might be sympathetic to their party's ideology. But surely where there is a clear conflict between a cultural practice which enshrines inequality and our own equality laws, our politicians should strongly uphold our laws rather than undermine them.

Add comment | Report
durhamjen Mon 18-May-15 09:56:44

Another example of British values?

www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2015/05/17/never-face-a-migrant-in-your-household-the-website-that-show

This goes back to the 50s. I thought it was illegal now to say things like this.

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise