This story is from December 1, 2005

Hindu mayor fuels UK row

RASHMEE ROSHAN LALL / TNN / Dec 1, 2005, 01:33 IST

Share

AA

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Bhikhu Patel recently issued a decree that his mayoral term would see the end of carol singing in the Christmas season.

LONDON: The Hindu mayor of the showcase 'India shining' city of Preston has become the fulcrum of a gathering row over 21st-century British political correctness and undue deference to ethnic minorities after the man in question, Gujarat-born Bhikhu Patel, was deemed to have trodden on English toes by virtually 'cancelling Christmas'.
Patel, who left Navsari for Britain 40 years ago, recently decreed that his mayoral term would see the back of a badly-attended carol-singing charity fund-raising event traditionally held in Preston and other English cities in the Christmas season.
Instead, Patel's spokeswoman, Majorie Barnes told TOI on Wednesday, the mayor's office would organise a New Year event complete with songs from many faiths.
...

...
Barnes said the mayor believed the multi-faith event would attract wider participation, raise more funds and be more appealing to his mainly Hindu guests.
The apparently trivial decision to do away with a Christian carol service comes at a sensitive time for Britain, where excessive political correctness is deemed to be increasingly putting Christmas in the shade, while the administrative and publicity sun shines ever more brightly on 'ethnic minority' events such as Diwali and Eid.
Patel's decision has sparked a storm of protest among white members of his council, who have denounced him for 'politically correct stupidity'. Councillor Ken Hudson, leader of the opposition Conservative party, said Patel's decision 'bloody ridiculous It feels like they have cancelled part of Christmas. I am devastated."

End of Article

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA