UK’s Hindu, Sikh Groups Criticize Use of ‘Asian’ Label for Pakistani Grooming Gangs

Several Indian diaspora groups in the UK have expressed strong opposition to the use of the broad term “Asian” in reference to a historic child sexual abuse scandal involving gangs of men primarily of Pakistani heritage.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently defended his track record by highlighting his role in reopening such cases and securing the first prosecution of an “Asian grooming gang” in Rochdale during his tenure as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008 and 2013.

Calls for Greater Accuracy

The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) criticized Starmer’s use of the term, calling it “vague” and misleading. The NSO pointed out that it had raised concerns about this terminology as early as 2012, arguing that it unfairly implicates the broader South Asian community.

“This vague reference to ‘Asian’ grooming gangs is extremely disappointing from the Prime Minister,” the NSO said in a statement. “Part of the problem has been a reluctance to openly address the ethnicity or religion of most perpetrators, which, in some cases, has worsened the situation for victims.”

The group emphasized the need for “greater accuracy in reporting” on such cases, highlighting the significant public interest and its impact on various communities.

The Sikh Federation UK echoed these sentiments, warning against the use of generic labels in the name of political correctness. Insight UK, another community organization, criticized authorities for avoiding specific references to avoid accusations of racism or Islamophobia, arguing that this approach has hindered efforts to tackle the problem.

Government Response

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper addressed the issue in the House of Commons, announcing plans to introduce tougher measures under the Crime and Policing Bill. These measures would make it mandatory for organizations and institutions to report child sexual abuse.

Cooper cited official reports from a decade ago that revealed the exploitation of 1,400 children, including cases of rape by multiple perpetrators, trafficking, abduction, and threats with firearms. She criticized past failures to confront the role of Pakistani heritage gangs, noting a “widespread perception” that authorities downplayed the ethnic dimension to avoid accusations of racism.

Broader Implications

The issue has gained renewed attention following comments by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who criticized the UK government’s handling of the scandal on his X platform (formerly Twitter). This has sparked a war of words between Musk and Starmer’s government. Meanwhile, the Opposition Conservatives have seized the opportunity to criticize Labour, while ministers have pointed to previous failures under Tory leadership.