On September 18, 2024, the Derby City Council found itself embroiled in a debate that had little to do with local governance and everything to do with the dangerous intersection of extremism and British politics. A motion, pushed by Pro-Khalistani elements in the UK and spearheaded by Councillor Ajit Atwal, sought to address the 1984 riots. While these events deserve remembrance, they are not issues for the United Kingdom. The motion not only overstepped the boundaries of local politics but also opened the door to deeper concerns: the manipulation of British democratic institutions by foreign interest groups.
Councillor Ajit Atwal, whose own profile is mired in controversy due to his known associations with extremism, moved this motion. Atwal’s past is riddled with instances that raise serious questions about his judgment and suitability for public office. In 2014, he posted a photo of himself wielding an AK-47 rifle during a trip to India, a move that led to his removal from his role as a magistrate for serious misconduct. Atwal’s history of poor decision-making and his links to extremism should have been red flags for anyone willing to support this motion. Yet, certain Labour councillors, seemingly under the influence of Pro-Khalistani elements, chose to endorse it.
What is most disturbing about this incident is not merely the attempt to bring Khalistan extremist ageanda into the Derby City Council’s agenda but the broader implications of allowing individuals with extremist ideologies to seep into local UK politics. Labour MP Pat McFadden rightly opposed this motion, calling out the dangerous precedent it sets. He was unequivocal in his warning that Khalistani elements were manipulating British political structures for their own self-serving agenda. He urged Labour councillors to be wary of supporting extreme issues, reminding them that such actions could lead to divisiveness and polarization within the UK. McFadden’s reminder was particularly poignant, given the backlash the Labour Party faced in the 2019 general elections when many British Indians turned away from the party due to its stance on the Kashmir issue.
Pat McFadden is not alone. Expressing his concerns over the recent rise in the incidents of Khalistan extremism in the UK, Colin Bloom, former adviser to the UK government highlighted in his report that the situation has escalated because the ‘Western governments’ have “not done enough” to tackle the sinister and aggressive behaviour of extremists.
The infiltration of extremist ideologies into British politics is not a new phenomenon, but it is one that must be confronted with urgency. Councillor Atwal’s motion is not about seeking justice for the victims of 1984; rather, it is about advancing a divisive political agenda that has no place in the UK. The Sikh community in the UK, like all diaspora communities, deserves the right to live in harmony, but when a handful of Sikhs want to further their own agenda, the expense of UK’s domestic peace or political integrity, it is unacceptable,
This episode highlights a broader issue: the ease with which sentiments can be exploited by local politicians seeking to curry favor with extremist elements. The Pro-Khalistani agenda has been rejected by both the Sikhs in India, and the diaspora, yet some individuals and groups in the UK are determined to resurrect this divisive ideology. By allowing such motions to infiltrate local councils, the UK risks becoming a battleground for extremist ideologies, undermining its own domestic harmony and international standing.
It is worth noting that the original motion, filled with inflammatory language such as “genocide,” “looted,” and “destroyed,” was only passed after significant amendments. The final version, stripped of its most divisive terms, still leaves a lingering question: why was such a motion entertained in the first place? The issue of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is undoubtedly a tragic chapter in Indian history, but it is one that belongs in the purview of Sikhs, not in the halls of British local councils.
The UK prides itself on being a beacon of democracy, tolerance, and fairness. But these values are under threat when local political platforms are hijacked by extremist agendas. Labour MPs like Pat McFadden are right to sound the alarm. Britain cannot afford to allow its political discourse to be shaped by issues that do not directly concern its people, especially when those issues are rooted in extremist ideologies.
The Labour Party, and indeed all political parties in the UK, must take a firm stand against the infiltration of foreign extremist ideologies into local politics. Councillor Atwal’s history of poor judgment, extremist associations, and reckless behavior should disqualify him from holding any position of influence. The people of Derby, and the UK at large, deserve better from their elected representatives.
The events of September 18, 2024, in Derby City Council serve as a stark reminder: British politics must remain focused on British issues. The infiltration of extremist agendas must be resisted at every turn, or we risk undermining the very democratic foundations upon which this country is built. The UK must not allow its political institutions to be used as pawns in foreign conflicts, and it is the responsibility of every politician, at every level of government, to ensure that this does not happen.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
