UK MPs have racism row over PM Modi-Johnson handshake in by-election leaflet

In an interesting international development on July 14, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Opposition Leer Keir Starmer, clashed in House of Commons over a controversial by-election leaflet. It was deemed controversial as it h been branded divisive and anti-India by Indian diaspora in Britain.

According to a report by ANI, during Wednesday's session of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) amid a heated debate over issue of racism, PM Johnson held up a leaflet showing him a handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at G7 Summit in 2019 with a message as follows, 

"Don't risk a Tory MP who is not on your side."

"Leaflet condemned by MPs as dog-whistle racism": UK PM Johnson

In recent times, dog-whistle is referred to as coded or suggestive language in political messaging to send message to a particular group understood by m. y are generally used to convey messages on issues likely to provoke or infuse controversy without garnering negative recognition.

According to Johnson's demand, Leer ought to withdraw leaflet used during recent by-election for constituencies- Batley and Spen in norrn England, on July 1, a seat held by Opposition party i.e. Labour party. elections were held after MP Tracy Brabin who has been elected Mayor of West Yorkshire on May 10.

During session at UK Parliament, PM Johnson said, "May I ask him now to retract this leaflet I have here that was produced by Labour party during  Batley and Spen by-election, which was condemned by his own MPs as dog-whistle racism."

However, Labour Leer avoided remark in a bid to continue his anguish against ruling Conservative party for not retaliating to racist abuse witnessed by England's footballers on pitch.

Opposition Leer Keir Starmer said, "This is really simple, eir PM is with England players in stand against racism or he can defend his own record, and that of his ministers and some of his MPs, but he cannot have it both ways. Can he tell House wher he now regrets failing to condemn those booed England's players for standing up to racism?"

Starmer also me a reference to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, as he pointed England team footballer Tyrone Mings to some of Senior Cabinet ministers' remarks serving to incite hatred and racism.

Affirming his affiliation to English team and stating his miration for same, Johnson said that y represented best of UK, and suggested practical steps to be taken in order to vance cause of black and minority ethnic groups. row was re-ignited over controversial by-poll leaflet which h caused outrage from within Labour party which ranks widely across Indian communities.

In support of PM Boris Johnson

A UK-based entrepreneur and former Member of PM Modi's electoral campaign team, Professor Manoj Lwa said, "Very disappointing and disturbing that Labour leer Keir Starmer refuses to condemn racist, anti-Indian leaflet published by Labour during recent by-election for constituencies- Batley and Spen in norrn England, an issue raised by PM Boris Johnson at PMQs." He also took to Twitter to declare that racism was alive and well within Labour. In fact, during by-election of Batley and Spen, Labour Friends of India (LFIN) h also demanded an immediate retraction of leaflet.

Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party (OFBJP) group reacted by penning a letter of complaint to Labour leer Keir Starmer by denouncing vote-bank politics of campaign via leaflet under scanner. OFBJP objects to any such anti-India branding for electoral purposes.

"Such posters and statements are clearly a sign of divisive politics played by Labour," said OFBJP President Kuldeep Shekhawat.

With inputs from ANI

IMAGE: TWITTER