[Published 28 October, 2017]
Bob Blackman, a Tory MP and patron of the Campaign Against AntiSemitism, recently hosted a Diwali celebration event in the UK’s House of Commons with extremist, Tapan Ghosh.
The event was also attended by Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, who issued an immediate apology.
Ghosh, a Hindu Nationalist, has previously called for the genocide of Muslims in Kashmir, as well as praising the forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Myanmar.
Ghosh, also founder of the Hindu Defence League, has also been praised by former English Defence League founder, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is more well-known by the name, Tommy Robinson.
Did Blackman apologise or distance himself from Ghosh?
Answer: No.
In response to questions and criticism of attending an event and meeting with Ghosh, and despite having organised it, Blackman shrugged it off, simply saying he was not aware of who was invited and did not see what all the fuss was about.
In a statement, he gave to the press, he also defended Ghosh, stating that his presence was relevant to the event taking place. Blackman did state that he would have challenged Ghosh had he made any similar comments but that free speech was paramount.
However, it now transpires, that Blackman is also associated with Robinson, having interacted with him and apparently shown agreement with his views on social media. In one such interaction, Blackman retweeted a tweet in which Robinson states that Hindus in Bangladesh are surrounded by Muslims.
What neither Blackman nor Robinson seem to have grasped is that it was the brutalism of British colonialism and policy of divide and rule, which has created and exacerbated religious tensions and the unequal religious makeup of Bangladeshi society; first after the partition of India and then, when Bangladesh became its own country after civil war with and separation from Pakistan.
Blackman and Robinson also seem to ignore nor the fact that it is Bangladesh which is bearing the brunt of the ongoing refugee crisis of the Rahimyar Muslims – who are being driven out of Rakhine and over the border by the Myanmar government – which is arguably adding to the tensions and religious divide.
Blackman’s links with and apparently ardent support for Hindus does not go unmissed or without some questioning as to where his loyalties may lie.
A quick view of Blackman’s expenses, shows that he was paid several hundred pounds to attend an anti-Iran event organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran and the Welle Association, which supports and explicitly promotes regime change in Iran.
In addition, he also receives regular donations from two Hindu businessmen; a significant donation received from the former hedge fund manager, Lord Fink for undisclosed remunerations; and a donation from a property company to attend a conference in Israel.
There is an even larger donation received from the Indian High Commission.
India, incidentally, conspired with Bengali and Hindu Nationalists, for the civil war that brought about the creation and establishment of Bangladesh, which was also funded and supported by Israel and British governments.
Not directly, but by repeatedly ‘liking’ and ‘retweeting’ criticism and hatred toward Muslims, Blackman, indirectly, shows himself for who he really is and who he supports.
Rajnish Kashyap, Director of the Hindu Council of Britain, was asked to comment and condemn the invitation of Ghosh to the House of Commons event hosted by Blackman, but has failed to respond.
And, whilst the Campaign Against AntiSemitism maliciously and wrongly accuses the European Forum for Ethnic Minority Individuals, Communities, Individuals, and Organizations of creating tension between Sikhs and Muslims, it has so far refused to remove Blackman as its patron.
All the while, Campaign Against AntiSemitism, has recently called for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to remove as a patron and disassociate itself from the Jewish comedian, Alexi Sayle, following an interview with Sky News in which he claimed that all allegations of antisemitism “amongst supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are a complete fabrication.”
Presumably, Blackman remains as a patron of the fake charity, Campaign Against AntiSemitism because of his support and associations with and for Hindu Nationalists against Muslims, which, naturally, serves Israel’s interests best.
Watch this space for the Campaign Against AntiSemitism to come back with a smear, making false accusations of antiSemitism.
Sadly, it would appear that Muslims are now under attack from all sides of the fascistic spectrum.
Since publishing this blog, Blackman has sadly blocked on Twitter.
Author: Jason Schumann