But the fact is just the contrary. Actually the elevation of Sadiq Khan, the son of a Pakistani-origin bus conductor, to the post of London Mayor provides direct proof of the unfathomable broad-mindedness of the British society. Yes, cosmopolitanism is neither a gift of the God nor it just falls from the sky at a particular place. Cosmopolitanism is nothing but the end product of supreme liberalism and humanity. Unlike the rest of the globe (barring a few exceptions) which builds an Iron Curtain so as to prevent the entry of migrant population and suppress the human rights of the minorities or marginal groups; Britain offers a fertile ground to all so as to prosper in each and every sector irrespective of their roots.
Instead of exploiting Khan’s elevation to the post of London Mayor so as to flaunt the “victory over the British Empire” and viewing it as a “triumph” of Indian sub-continent, Muslims or other narrow identities; India and the rest of the world should learn from Britain what liberalism and humanity are all about.
UK offers what a contrast to this self-declared liberal nation which shamelessly brands a certain lady politician as a “foreigner” despite her Indian citizenship or belittles another leader by invoking his childhood avatar of tea-seller! Yes, narrow regional identities and “colour of blood” shamelessly dominate the Indian society which beats its own trumpet of liberalism, equality and democracy.
I vividly remember how the country, specially the North Indian heartland, raised a shrill hue and cry when H.D. Devegowda assumed the post of Prime Minister!
If a Kannadiga, Bengali or Gujarati Hindu has to face such predicament; it is a foregone conclusion what would happen if a Muslim or Christian (specially in this communally vitiated times), South or North-East Indian (specially if Hindi-ignorant) vies for the post of Prime Ministership! Even a ticket for a Panchayat/Municipal election gets handed to an individual by taking into account the demography of the constituency and his/her racial, linguistic, religious, caste and even sub-caste status! Yes, election results do get influenced not by the intellect, efficiency or honesty of the candidate; but by his/her demographic credentials! Yet we are all Indians and have to raise the slogan “India First”! And also Royalty and “blue blood” in the veins act as a great qualification for garnering tickets and votes!
So instead of engaging in cheap rhetoric, Indians should draw lessons of humanism and liberalism from the Sadiq Khan saga and try to raise themselves above all divisive credentials of race, religion, caste and “colour of blood” which are nothing but accident of destiny. Let Equality and Humanity be our only guiding force.
