A certain section of the United Kingdom still continues to remain in the colonial era as if racism and bigotry runs in their veins. Indian origin Britishers are leaving their mark in the UK Politics with the both major national parties of the country – the ruling Conservatives and the opposition Labour consisting of important and powerful leaders of Indian origin. In a matter of great pride, the Boris Johnson cabinet has two people of Indian origin occupying two of the most powerful positions after the Prime Minister as Rishi Sunak is the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Priti Patel as the Home Secretary.
Sunak was targeted by a certain section for openly embracing his Hindu roots and now Priti Patel is the new target of the racist bigots as one the UK’s leading publications has published a racist cartoon of Priti Patel in a desperate bid to mock her, that too on the occasion of Women’s Day.
Whenever a woman reaches the upper echelons of the corridors of power, she has to battle various unsubstantiated allegations from the people with extreme heartburn. Priti Patel has been in the storm over allegations of bullying — which she has vociferously denied.
The Guardian took it as an opportunity to mock her as the publication published a racist cartoon that depicts Home Secretary Priti Patel along with PM Boris Johnson as bulls, with horns and rings through their noses. By portraying Patel as a bull, The Guardian only exposes its racist and misogynist mindset.
Reminiscent of anti-Semitic cartoons from the last century. Incredibly offensive. @guardian should know better. pic.twitter.com/Btl7bmVz3l
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) March 8, 2020
This cartoon is offensive on every level.
– Its anti-Hindu. It portrays the Home Secretary, of Hindu origin as a cow. A sacred symbol for Hindus.
– Its racist and
– Misogynist.
It’s plainly unacceptable! It may constitute a hate crime. @guardian @patel4witham pic.twitter.com/jxmQMBygyi— British Tamil Conservatives (@BTConservatives) March 8, 2020
It seems that The Guardian knowingly published the racist cartoon on the occasion of Women’s Day as it used Patel as a weapon to target the successful and the powerful women across the globe. It is important to note that Patel is the first ethnic minority woman to hold the office of Home Secretary — arguably the second most powerful cabinet post after the Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak had also faced criticism in the past due to his refusal to shy away from embracing his Hindu culture. His decision to take oath under the name of Bhagavad Gita had resulted in protests from a section of British citizens and hence when a British newspaper asked him a question about this, Sunak replied with a great amount of pride that “I am now a citizen of Britain. But my religion is Hindu. My religious and cultural heritage is Indian. I proudly say that I am a Hindu and my identity is also a Hindu.”
What Priti Patel is facing currently is a targeted hit job to discredit her achievements. One hopes that Patel finds the strength and courage through this hit job.