University lecturer speaks out after he’s sent a racist letter
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A ROYAL Agricultural University lecturer has spoken out on a racist letter he received from an anonymous source.
Navaratnam Partheeban got a letter on November 30 telling him “go back to your parents’ world”.
The senior livestock production lecturer at the Cirencester university branded the message “unacceptable and shocking”.
The university has voiced its support for practising vet Mr Partheeban, while the Labour party’s deputy leader Tom Watson tweeted in solidarity with him.
The tirade was sent in response to a column Mr Partheeban wrote in Farmers Weekly magazine calling for more tolerance in the agricultural industry.
The lecturer wrote that he was born in Scotland, has lived in the UK all his life, has a British passport and has dedicated his life to British agriculture.
But he revealed he has been targeted because of his skin colour by some in the industry, including one farmer who refused him on to his land.
Mr Partheeban, who lives in Cricklade, said he is thankful for the “huge amount of support” he has received since sharing the letter.
He added: “It exposes the extreme end of the spectrum of a problem that has to be addressed.
“I teach the new generation of students who want to get involved in farming here in Gloucestershire and work alongside some of the farmers here.
“The vast majority of people I meet treat me with warmth, friendship and respect.
“It is incidences like this that increase the awareness and start the conversation to help lead to change.”
The vet hopes his children will be able to come into the industry without experiencing similar abuse.
Gloucestershire county councillor Joe Harris (LD, Cirencester Park) said: “We have a kind and generous community in Cirencester and our community will not tolerate racism or discrimination of any kind. We stand with Navaratnam”
The Royal Agricultural University’s Vice-chancellor, Professor Joanna Price, said: “We are proud of our senior lecturer Navaratnam Partheeban’s campaigning work against prejudice in all its forms and he has our complete support.
“The abhorrent views in the letter he courageously shared highlight the need for universities, colleges, schools, industry, policy-makers and other organisations to work together to fight ignorance and prejudice with education and to promote diversity and tolerance.”