British-Indians Outraged Over 'Asian Grooming Gangs' Label

 Blanket Term Sparks Backlash

British-Indians have expressed outrage over the use of the term "Asian grooming gangs" by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and sections of the media during debates on sexual grooming. They argue that this broad label unfairly implicates communities, including Indians, who have no connection to such crimes. The controversy arose after Starmer defended himself against criticism from Elon Musk, using the term "Asian grooming gangs" despite evidence that the perpetrators are predominantly of Pakistani descent.

Krishna Bhan, chair of the Hindu Council UK, voiced the community's dismay, stating, "We are dismayed that the PM chose to whitewash this heinous atrocity with the word ‘Asian.’ Our Hindu and Sikh girls were also their victims."

Calls for Specificity

Community leaders are demanding precise terminology to avoid unjust generalizations. Jay Shah, spokesperson for Friends of India Society International UK, questioned the blanket classification: "Asian means Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Japanese, Indian, etc. Why should we be classified as part of these gangs? They should specify who they are. It’s an insult to every Asian otherwise." He also criticized politicians for their inconsistency, noting, "When it comes to grooming gangs, we are Asian; when they talk about Kashmir, we are suddenly Indian."

The Sikh Federation UK also condemned the use of the term, highlighting the reluctance of politicians to address the specific ethnicity or religion of the majority of perpetrators. "In the debate on child sexual exploitation, Sikhs, Hindus, and others incorrectly labeled as ‘Asian’ are sick and tired of this political correctness," the organization stated.

Sikh and Hindu Efforts to Address Grooming

Sikh Youth UK, which has spent 15 years supporting Sikh victims of grooming gangs, emphasized the gravity of the issue. Deepa Singh, the organization's head, shared, "We have dealt with thousands of cases of Sikh victims. We have rescued Sikh girls exploited and neglected in the care system who have been groomed by these gangs."

The Hindu Council UK has also been proactive, running awareness campaigns through temples to educate the community about the threat.

Political Fallout and Demands for Accountability

The controversy over labeling has reignited calls for greater transparency and accountability. Labour MP Sarah Champion, who highlighted the issue of British Pakistani men exploiting white girls in 2017, faced backlash and was forced to resign as shadow equalities minister.

The Hindu Council UK and INSIGHT UK have joined Conservative Party calls for a public national inquiry into grooming gangs. They argue that unless politicians specifically identify the perpetrators, they risk being accused of covering up the truth and failing to address the root causes of the problem.

A Demand for Justice and Fair Representation

The use of the term "Asian grooming gangs" has sparked a broader conversation about fairness and justice in public discourse. British-Indians and other Asian communities demand that politicians and the media exercise precision in their language to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and stigmatizing innocent groups.