He raised his voice against the atrocities on Bangladeshi Hindus and lost his respect.

Two prominent personalities of the British Indian community in the UK have been stripped of their positions. Conservative Party member Rami Ranger and Hindu Council UK Managing Trustee Anil Bhanot have had their honors taken back. Millionaire Rami Ranger has been removed from the post of CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). Anil Bhanot has been removed from the post of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).

After this, both personalities will be asked to return their insignia to Buckingham Palace. Anil Bhanot was awarded the post of OBE for promoting community solidarity. Explaining the reason for taking away the post, he said that the complaint filed against him had accused him of Islamophobia.

What is the allegation against Anil Bhanot?

Anil Bhanot said that in the year 2021, he had posted on the social media handle X about the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. He has been accused of Islamophobia for these posts. However, he said that the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Charity Commission had acquitted him in this case on the basis of freedom of expression, despite this he does not know who informed the seizure committee about this.

What is the charge against Rami Ranger?

There is a complaint against Rami Ranger that when a BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” was published, he came to the defense of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticized the documentary. There is also an allegation regarding the US-based group Sikhs for Justice, which is banned in India. Another complaint against him is related to comments made about a trustee of the Southall Gurdwara.

What did Anil Bhanot say about the complaints?

Anil Bhanot has denied the allegations against him. He said, that when temples were destroyed in Bangladesh and Hindus were attacked, BBC did not cover it and I felt that someone should raise voice against it. I have not done anything wrong and I have not defamed the honour system. He further said, freedom of expression has become history in England. I am sad about this.

Rami Ranger will take legal action

Rami Ranger was awarded the CBE in 2016. He was given this honor for British business and community service. Ranger said on the withdrawal of the honor, I am not worried about the post of CBE, but I feel that freedom of speech has been reduced and they are now honoring the wrong people. Rami Ranger also said that he will take legal help in this matter and he is planning to do a judicial review and take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.