Keir Starmer changes Jeremy Corbyn's Kashmir stand as he woos British Indians

[MenInG]

Keir Starmer, the newly-elected leader of the United Kingdom's main opposition Labour Party, has changed the party's stance on the Kashmir issue - a step that has raised a debate on the contentious matter.

"Any constitutional issues in India are a matter for the Indian Parliament, and Kashmir is a bilateral issue for India and Pakistan to resolve peacefully. Labour is an internationalist party and stands for the defence of human rights everywhere," Starmer said on April 30 after a meeting with the members of Labour Friends of India group.

"I am committed to working closely with Labour Friends of India to rebuild trust with the community. We must not allow issues of the subcontinent to divide communities here.

"A Labour government under my leadership will be determined to build even stronger business links with India and to cooperate on the global stage on issues such as climate change," Starmer added.

People of Indian origin are the UK's largest ethnic minority community, making up more than 2.3 percent of the population, some 1.5 million people.

A large share of both people of Indian and Pakistani origin vote for the Labour.

'Assault on basic liberties in Kashmir'

Starmer's comments are controversial for advocates of the Kashmiri cause, as they believe the region should have the right to self-determination via a referendum, rather than have their fate decided by others.

Mirza Waheed, a Kashmiri novelist and journalist based in London, expressed shock, saying that "Starmer's assertion that Kashmir is a 'constitutional issue' in India could be seen as support for the Modi regime's brutal assault on all basic liberties in Kashmir".

"The future of Kashmir can only be decided by the people of Kashmir. I'm shocked to hear the Labour leader callously disregard the agency of millions of long-suffering Kashmiris. Mr Starmer ought to know that Kashmir is a bloody legacy of the British empire," Waheed tweeted.

Labour Friends of India said that relations with Labour under previous leader Jeremy Corbyn were "strained" after party members passed a motion at their annual conference last September criticising India's actions towards Muslim-majority Kashmir.

Last August, New Delhi stripped the region of its semi-autonomy and downgraded it into two federal territories.

Subsequently, the nearly seven million people in the Kashmir valley were put under a strict security lockdown with tens of thousands of additional troops deployed in one of the most militarised regions in the world.

Mobile phones and limited internet connections were revived in January this month.

The 2019 Labour motion said Kashmir was a "disputed territory and the people of Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions".

"The enforced disappearance of civilians, the state-endorsed sexual violence of women by armed forces and the overall prevalence of human rights violations in the region not only continues but has exasperated further in the past week," it said.

At the time, Labour Friends of India condemned what they saw as the "anti-Indian rhetoric contained in the emergency motion on Kashmir".

Seema Chandwani, the vice-chair of London Labour, tweeted on April 30: "Keir Starmer cannot meet with an unaffiliated unaccountable group of people and change the Conference position on Kashmir unilaterally."

In his maiden speech earlier this year, Labour MP Tahir Ali said: "This is not, in my view, a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan - the international community needs to take responsibility.

"My role is not to take sides, such as to be pro-Pakistan or anti-India. I believe, as a Kashmiri, that it is my duty to highlight the abuses and human rights violations to this House," he added.

"Even after seven decades, the people of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for their right of self-determination promised by the UN."

'Promote UK-India ties'
The change in Labour's position was welcomed by the Labour Friends of India, however.

"I congratulate Keir Starmer on his election as leader" Rajesh Agrawal, the co-chair of Labour Friends of India, said after meeting with Starmer.

"I really welcome his commitment to rebuilding strong links between the Labour Party and the Indian community. This has been a great start and Keir has achieved a lot in the short span of a couple of weeks.

"Labour Friends of India will work closely with him and will continue to promote UK-India ties as well as continuing to raise any issues from the community to the leadership."

Kashmir is held by India and Pakistan in parts, and claimed by both in full. A small sliver is also held by China.

Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought four wars - in 1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999 - three of them over Kashmir.

Some Kashmiri groups have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or unification with neighbouring Pakistan.

According to several human rights groups, thousands of people have been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989, when armed rebellion erupted against Indian rule.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...and-woos-british-indians-200506095940594.html

 

[GBK_Fan]

Geez!! Never saw that coming!!

The damage has already been done though. I know people who were vehemently anti-Conservative vote for Lib Dem instead of Labour, because they could not reconcile with JC. Wooing those people back will take more than just token statements.

 

[Knight_Rider]

This will come at the cost of Brit pakistani vote, if he carries on taking this line. People are disappointed by the labour because of their wishy washy approach on everything.

 

[cricketjoshila]

This will come at the cost of Brit pakistani vote, if he carries on taking this line. People are disappointed by the labour because of their wishy washy approach on everything.

Indians are more in number.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Geez!! Never saw that coming!!

The damage has already been done though. I know people who were vehemently anti-Conservative vote for Lib Dem instead of Labour, because they could not reconcile with JC. Wooing those people back will take more than just token statements.

They lost a lot of perspective donors as well. Indian origin community not only were big labour voters but also big donors.

 

[Rajdeep]

It was kind of expected after Labour suffered its heaviest defeat in last election. Overseas BJP in UK did a anti Labour campaign and asked massive Indian fraternity in Britian to not vote for Corbyn. Labour learner a painful lesson of keeping its anti India stance and bypoking its nose on matters where it was not required. Had Corbyn just concentrated on the failed Brexit plans of Torries, the election result would have been much closer.

Though it does not make an iorta of difference to Indian government on its stance on Kashmir but its good to see a change in heart from Labour party.

 

[GBK_Fan]

They lost a lot of perspective donors as well. Indian origin community not only were big labour voters but also big donors.

Not only Indian, but also a lot of neutral white voters. UK has enough local issues to focus on and people did not see why JC should be sticking his nose into every international issue. And this from a guy, who refuses to take a side on Brexit, one of the foremost issues in Britain

There was no debate or rational behind most of his decisions and his supporters were extremely vitriolic for anyone with different ideas. You were either with them or "a Nazi". It will take them a few years to win those votes back. Its telling that even with Boris bungling Covid, people will still choose him over Labour.

 

[Robert]

Geez!! Never saw that coming!!

The damage has already been done though. I know people who were vehemently anti-Conservative vote for Lib Dem instead of Labour, because they could not reconcile with JC. Wooing those people back will take more than just token statements.

And plenty of Liberals voted Tory to keep Corbyn out.

Now moderate Labour supporters will come back. I hope a Labour-Lib Dem coalition becomes possible in 2024.

 

[Romali_rotti]

It was absolutely hilarious to see Corbyn and Sadiq Khan trying to suck up to the Indians by participating in Diwali celebrations after the damage was done .... Well this is what happens when you support a useless cause that has nothing to do with Britain.. Sadiq Khan, I can understand his stance after all he is a Pakistani however Corbyn was a dead duck.. Pissing off your second largest minority (need further clarification) is a pretty stupid thing to do when Kashmir issue will bring nothing to Britain either way...

 

[GBK_Fan]

And plenty of Liberals voted Tory to keep Corbyn out.

Now moderate Labour supporters will come back. I hope a Labour-Lib Dem coalition becomes possible in 2024.

They still need to get rid of the regressive economic polices. I am not sure that’s possible given the high number of momentum members.

And if I were Lib Dem I would not join up with Labour. They have a sensible set of policies and joining forces with Labour will wipe out the vote share gains they made last elections.

 

[Robert]

Geez!! Never saw that coming!!

The damage has already been done though. I know people who were vehemently anti-Conservative vote for Lib Dem instead of Labour, because they could not reconcile with JC. Wooing those people back will take more than just token statements.

And plenty of Liberals voted Tory to keep Corbyn out.

Now moderate Labour supporters will come back. I hope a Labour-Lib Dem coalition becomes possible in 2024.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It was absolutely hilarious to see Corbyn and Sadiq Khan trying to suck up to the Indians by participating in Diwali celebrations after the damage was done .... Well this is what happens when you support a useless cause that has nothing to do with Britain.. Sadiq Khan, I can understand his stance after all he is a Pakistani however Corbyn was a dead duck.. Pissing off your second largest minority (need further clarification) is a pretty stupid thing to do when Kashmir issue will bring nothing to Britain either way...

What is wrong with Labour leaders showing support for Hindu religious festivals? Do you understand there is a difference between cultural events and political stance based on human rights?

As for Starmer, he is welcome to woo Indian votes, but I doubt it will win any of them over. Most Indians are Tories by nature, India itself has always culturally divided by class.

Personally I don't trust Starmer at all. With Corbyn you knew what he stood for, with Starmer, you never know if he is saying one thing in public, while believing something entirely different.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Not only Indian, but also a lot of neutral white voters. UK has enough local issues to focus on and people did not see why JC should be sticking his nose into every international issue. And this from a guy, who refuses to take a side on Brexit, one of the foremost issues in Britain

There was no debate or rational behind most of his decisions and his supporters were extremely vitriolic for anyone with different ideas. You were either with them or "a Nazi". It will take them a few years to win those votes back. Its telling that even with Boris bungling Covid, people will still choose him over Labour.

Neutral whites too may believe that labour was making UK a battle ground between two minorities in a matter Britain had nothing to do with.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What is wrong with Labour leaders showing support for Hindu religious festivals? Do you understand there is a difference between cultural events and political stance based on human rights?

As for Starmer, he is welcome to woo Indian votes, but I doubt it will win any of them over. Most Indians are Tories by nature, India itself has always culturally divided by class.

Personally I don't trust Starmer at all. With Corbyn you knew what he stood for, with Starmer, you never know if he is saying one thing in public, while believing something entirely different.

Indians were Labour voters mostly, who have now drifted and drifting to Tories, due to Labours anti India stance.

Same way Indians in US have drifted from Dems to Republicans due to people like Sanders and Clinton.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Indians were Labour voters mostly, who have now drifted and drifting to Tories, due to Labours anti India stance.

Same way Indians in US have drifted from Dems to Republicans due to people like Sanders and Clinton.

If British Indians are more bothered about what goes on in India, maybe they should buy a one way plane ticket out there and leave Britain to those of us who are concerned about the welfare of British citizens.

Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

 

[TSA321]

Not only Indian, but also a lot of neutral white voters. UK has enough local issues to focus on and people did not see why JC should be sticking his nose into every international issue. And this from a guy, who refuses to take a side on Brexit, one of the foremost issues in Britain

I doubt 99% of White Brits even knew or cared about his Kashmir stance. It only seemed to have irked a minority of nationalistic Indians in the UK.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It was absolutely hilarious to see Corbyn and Sadiq Khan trying to suck up to the Indians by participating in Diwali celebrations after the damage was done .... Well this is what happens when you support a useless cause that has nothing to do with Britain.. Sadiq Khan, I can understand his stance after all he is a Pakistani however Corbyn was a dead duck.. Pissing off your second largest minority (need further clarification) is a pretty stupid thing to do when Kashmir issue will bring nothing to Britain either way...

Ive been to Diwali celebrations too, many people do in the UK. It's a mutlicultral nation and we dont have issues with Hindus , just the extremist Hindus in the BJP/RSS and the occupation, oppression of Kashmiris.

The Labour policy still stands, dont let the new leader fool you to as he is fooling many Indians for votes.

"“We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle against the world’s largest military occupation.

In accordance with the motion passed unanimously at Labour conference in 2019, and as enshrined by multiple UN resolutions, we recognise that Kashmir is a disputed territory and demand the realisation of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as mandated by UN Resolution 47.

“We are deeply concerned by the ongoing human rights violations, including torture, rape, extrajudicial execution and illegal detention, that continue to take place in Kashmir that have been widely documented by numerous human rights organisations and that have been intensified by Narendra Modi’s government.

“Furthermore, in August 2019, the Indian government unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35a of the constitution that granted Indian occupied Kashmir autonomy reflective of its status as an occupied territory, and subjected the Kashmir people to a seven-month long lockdown and repressive communications blackout that was brutally enforced by Indian Security Forces.

“We recognise the UK’s responsibility regarding the ongoing situation in Kashmir due to the historic role played in this conflict during the partition of the Indian sub-continent that laid the groundwork for the oppression faced by the Kashmiris.

“Our internationalism acknowledges the role of British colonial injustices and the inalienable nature of universal human rights.”

Labour members passed a motion and it will stand until it's voted out or a new motion is set. I assume most British Indians are too busy with Diwali to notice.

 

[TSA321]

It was kind of expected after Labour suffered its heaviest defeat in last election. Overseas BJP in UK did a anti Labour campaign and asked massive Indian fraternity in Britian to not vote for Corbyn. Labour learner a painful lesson of keeping its anti India stance and bypoking its nose on matters where it was not required. Had Corbyn just concentrated on the failed Brexit plans of Torries, the election result would have been much closer.

Though it does not make an iorta of difference to Indian government on its stance on Kashmir but its good to see a change in heart from Labour party.

Almost every heavily Indian constituency in the UK elected a Labour MP.

A poll taken just before the election showed that 34% of Indians were going to vote Labour vs 24% who were going to vote Conservative. British Indians likely had a very minimal contribution to the huge Conservative majority that was won.

 

[GBK_Fan]

I doubt 99% of White Brits even knew or cared about his Kashmir stance. It only seemed to have irked a minority of nationalistic Indians in the UK.

You have extrapolated my argument to imply it was the primary reason for the loss. JC and his policy failures have been done to death here. My point was to highlight how his unnecessary gambit into Kashmir managed to alienate yet another section of voters

 

[Local.Dada]

If British Indians are more bothered about what goes on in India, maybe they should buy a one way plane ticket out there and leave Britain to those of us who are concerned about the welfare of British citizens.

Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

May be the Indian British expat community pay taxes on time, keep their head down, don’t protest against the government for everything as a violation of their religious freedom and work hard and don’t leech off of welfare, which makes them valuable to Britain and obviously are not an internal security risk like some others , so their patriotism towards India may be over looked on the contrary to other minorities.

 

[Knight_Rider]

May be the Indian British expat community pay taxes on time, keep their head down, don’t protest against the government for everything as a violation of their religious freedom and work hard and don’t leech off of welfare, which makes them valuable to Britain and obviously are not an internal security risk like some others , so their patriotism towards India may be over looked on the contrary to other minorities.

I am in IT and know plenty of indian IT contractors, who work under 1 man ‘limited company’ and don’t really pay much taxes at all. Indians are well known for ‘working the system’ wherever they are. As you acknowledged on the other thread, they are also well known H1b fraudsters. Similarly there are lots of Indian (Sikhs) in the building trade in the UK and majority of them only do the ‘cash in hand’ jobs. I employed a few myself, so know how they operate in terms of tax.

If that’s not leeching the system, than not sure what else is.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

May be the Indian British expat community pay taxes on time, keep their head down, don’t protest against the government for everything as a violation of their religious freedom and work hard and don’t leech off of welfare, which makes them valuable to Britain and obviously are not an internal security risk like some others , so their patriotism towards India may be over looked on the contrary to other minorities.

What an absolutely stupid post. How was that relevant to what I said? If you are going to butt into a conversation then at least have the decency to stay on track. I know you aren't British, but if you have comprehension issues then just say so and I can use simpler language.