Indian-origin MPs call for unity

MPs who were inside the British parliament and were caught up in the aftermath of Wednesday’s terror attack called for unity among communities on Thursday as Prime Minister Theresa May and Scotland Yard linked the attack to “Islamist-related terrorism”.

Proceedings of the House were suspended soon after the attack, and nearly 400 MPs and others were told not to leave the building until it was safe. Among those MPs confined to a chamber were Labour MPs Keith Vaz, Valerie Vaz, Virendra Sharma and Seema Malhotra, and Conservative MP Shailesh Vara .

Sharma asked people not to jump to conclusions about the attacker and called for peace, unity and cooperation.

“We must not sink to the level of people who hate us, we must stand together as a community not apart and not scared, unbent and unbowed,” he said.

Vara participated in a debate after May made a statement in the House of Commons on the attack. The attacker, he said, showed an ideology which “is an evil that seeks to destroy a way of life across the globe”.

Malhotra tweeted: “Could not be more grateful for our amazing police and security forces. You take such risks to keep us safe and are true heroes.”