British Indians and other South Asian communities in the UK are voicing growing frustration with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The recent use of the term “Asian grooming gangs“ has sparked outrage, with community leaders accusing him of unfairly implicating diverse Asian ethnicities in crimes predominantly committed by individuals of Pakistani heritage. This controversy follows last year’s backlash over Starmer’s culturally insensitive Diwali reception at Downing Street, where alcohol and meat were served, further alienating British Hindus.
The ‘Asian Grooming Gangs’ Debate
The term “Asian grooming gangs” came under scrutiny again after Starmer used it while defending his record as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 2008 to 2013. This followed sharp criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, who accused Starmer of failing to address systemic issues related to grooming gangs during his tenure.
British Indian and Sikh leaders argue that such terminology unfairly stigmatizes entire Asian communities, including Indians, Sri Lankans, and others, for crimes predominantly linked to men of Pakistani heritage.
“We are dismayed that the PM chose to whitewash this heinous atrocity with the word ‘Asian,’” said Krishna Bhan, Chair of the Hindu Council UK. “Our Hindu and Sikh girls were also victims of these grooming gangs, and using this vague term insults all Asians.”
Jay Shah, spokesperson for Friends of India Society International UK, added, “Why should we be classified as part of these gangs? When it comes to grooming gangs, we are ‘Asian.’ When it’s about Kashmir, we’re ‘Indian.’ This inconsistency is deeply offensive.”
Community leaders also point to the harm caused by such terminology in perpetuating stereotypes and undermining trust between ethnic groups. The Sikh Federation UK criticized politicians for political correctness, accusing them of failing to address the root causes of the issue.
Past Diwali Controversy
The anger over Starmer’s remarks comes in the wake of another misstep last year, during the 2024 Diwali celebrations at Downing Street. The reception, hosted by Starmer, included traditional elements like diya lighting and prayers but sparked outrage after attendees discovered that alcohol and meat were part of the menu.
Many British Hindus, for whom vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol are significant cultural and religious practices, felt disrespected. Guests who raised objections to the catering were informed that these items were specifically requested. This marked a stark contrast to the previous year’s Diwali event under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a practising Hindu, where neither meat nor alcohol was served in respect of cultural sensitivities.
A spokesperson for Starmer’s office later apologized, calling the incident a “mistake.” “We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and apologize to the community, assuring that such an oversight will not happen again,” the spokesperson said.
Conservative MP Shivani Raja, a practising Hindu, publicly criticized the Labour government for failing to align the event with Hindu customs. “It speaks poorly of the organization and understanding of traditions that British citizens hold dear,” Raja wrote in an open letter. She offered to assist the government in ensuring that future events adhere to cultural norms.
Broader Context
The controversies reflect deeper tensions between the Labour Party and British Indian communities, many of whom feel alienated by the party’s handling of cultural and community-specific issues.
British Indians, Sikhs, and Hindus have long contributed significantly to the UK’s social and economic fabric, yet many feel overlooked or misrepresented in political discourse. From the use of terms like “Asian grooming gangs” to perceived insensitivity during key cultural events like Diwali, critics argue that Labour under Starmer has failed to build bridges with these communities.
A Call for Transparency and Sensitivity
Advocacy groups are now demanding greater accountability and cultural awareness from Starmer’s government. Leaders have called for a shift in the narrative, urging the media and politicians to use specific terminology when addressing grooming gang scandals and to avoid lumping diverse communities into broad categories.
“Such language stigmatizes entire communities while protecting the real perpetrators,” said Deepa Singh of Sikh Youth UK. “It also diminishes the suffering of victims, including our Sikh and Hindu girls.” The past controversies highlight the importance of nuance and cultural sensitivity in fostering trust between the government and ethnic communities. As Starmer continues to defend his record and address systemic failures, the calls for transparency and respect grow louder. Whether Labour can mend these frayed relationships remains to be seen, but for many British Indians, the damage has already been done.