Recall Kashmir resolution, say UK Labour Party MPS
INDIAN-ORIGIN MP KEITH VAZ SAYS THE K-RESOLUTION IS MISGUIDED AND WAS AGREED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE NEC OF THE PARTY
LONDON: Sections of the Labour party have launched a bid to ‘recall’ a resolution on Jammu and Kashmir passed at its annual conference last week, which raised hackles in the Indian community and prompted a near-boycott of the party and its MPS in recent events here.
The resolution, reiterating the party’s longstanding human-rights focused position on Jammu and Kashmir, was termed by New Delhi as “uninformed and unfounded.” Elements in the party are now exerting to assuage feelings, likely in view of the forthcoming elections.
According to senior Labour MP of Indian origin, Keith Vaz, the resolution “has been misguided and unhelpful”, adding that it was “agreed without the approval of the national executive committee (NEC) of the Labour party, or the leader of the party, Jeremy Corbyn. It has created unnecessary distress and division within the party and the country”.
Virendra Sharma, another senior Labour MP, agrees with Vaz that the process by which the resolution was passed needs to be investigated by the NEC. Sharma, a prominent pro-india voice in British politics, is among Labour leaders facing a backlash from the Indian community for the party’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir.
Vaz said in a statement: “People have strongly-held views on Kashmir. Although many have settled in the UK, they have friends, family and emotional links to the region. It would be wrong to allow this matter to distract from the amazing relationships they share in the towns and cities all over Britain”.
“I have therefore written to the chair of the NEC, Andi Fox, and to Corbyn, asking them to recall the motion and hold a proper debate at the NEC to adopt a common party position that does not divide our communities”, he said in a statement.
Labour MPS have been conspicuous by their absence in recent events, including those commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary in London, amidst suggestions that the resolution was passed due to electoral compulsions.
The Hindu Forum Britain, which describes itself as a nonpartisan umbrella body of Hindu organisations in the UK, said it is excluding all Labour MPS from its forthcoming annual Diwali reception in the British parliament.
It said in a statement: “The HFB believes that this resolution was uninformed and based on misinformation and its adoption is an attempt to win over votes of a certain section of the UK community”.