A report released by the Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB), 'Caste in the UK' has found that Caste discrimination is not endemic in British society. The report exposes MPs who have failed to declare in the Members Register that they sit on the Board of lobbying organisations on whose behalf they have run many campaigns in the House of Commons. MPs whose links to Dalit and Christian organisations have not been declared in Members Register even though they have camaigned on their behalf in Parliament include Andy Reed, Rob Marris, Alistair Burt and Jeremy Corbyn.

The HFB Report also calls for a parliamentary enquiry into the activities of these MPs, who have created a strong lobby in Parliament backed by several Christian groups to highlight issues of caste discrimination in India, particularly amongst the Dalit communities. Although MPs do not have to declare unremunerated interests, it could be seen as 'good practice' to declare formal links if they are campaigning in Parliament on behalf of these organisations.

The MPs named in the report have run the Parliamentary Dalit campaign on behalf of organisations like Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the Dalit Solidarity Network. Several of these MPs also have Research Assistants funded by Christian Action Research and Education, a Christian lobying group that has been described in some newspaper reports as being 'right wing'.

Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: "There has been some criticism against the Hindu caste system with regards to the treatment of Dalits in the Britain. However, it is not right for the UK Government to take a position on the rites, beliefs or practices of a particular religion. Social interactions and personal choices are an expression of people's freedom, and any barriers should be removed through education and awareness, not through legislation."

Respondents to the HFB survey say that they have not experienced caste discrimination in the provision of education, employment or goods and services in the UK. However, due to cultural practises and tradition, caste can sometimes play a role in social interactions and personal choices like marriages, conversations and friendships. Respondents have suggested that the extent of the problem has been exaggerated and requested that the Government should not interfere in personal choices and matters of social interaction. Instead, community organisations should be empowered to break any existing barriers to promote further intra-community integration and cohesion.

Rickie Sehgal of Transputec Computers who is Chair of the HFB Governance Committee said, "We believe that this is an important issue that needs to be brought to light. Why should MPs funded by Christian organisations campaign for Dalit discrimination in the Hindu community? Could it be because the evangelists in India keep playing the Dalit card to increase the number of converts? Over 70% of the Christians in India have been converted from the Dalit community under promise of equality in the Christian faith. Our report however highlights that even after conversion to Christianity, Dalits in India continue to face discrimination in the Church by 'higher caste' Christians. They are even buried separately in different parts of the cemetery and often have segregated seating areas during Church services. Recently some people were killed in a riot in South India between higher-caste Vanniyar Christians and lower-caste Dalit Christians. Promising equality on the basis of conversion and then denying them that is misleading."

The HFB report recommends that the Hindu leadership in the UK should find ways of respecting traditions and challenging bias based on family background or religious tradition within the community, as well as supporting the creation of unity across castes, sects and traditions through a structured programme of outreach and positive interaction.

It suggests that community organisations, like the HFB, should be empowered by the Government to undertake education programmes in partnership with Dalit organisations to address cultural and behavioural issues faced through social interactions and personal choices.

MPS WHO CAMPAIGN FOR DALIT & CHRISTIAN ORGANISATIONS

MPs whose links to Dalit and Christian organisations have not been declared in Members Register even though they have camaigned on their behalf in Parliament include Andy Reed, Rob Marris, Alistair Burt and Jeremy Corbyn.

Jeremy Corbyn MP is the Chair of the Management Group of Dalit Solidarity Network and is also a Trustee of the same organisation. Although he has praised the work of the Dalit Solidarity Network several times in the House of Commons, he has failed to declare his link to this organisation in the 'Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests' section of the Register of Members' Interests. Corbyn initiated a Westminster Hall Debate on Dalits on 28 June 2007. He also asked a written question on 5 June 2006 to the Secretary of State for International Development on whether he would list the projects in India that are supported by his Department that were specifically aimed at Dalit peoples.

Rob Marris MP is also a Trustee of Dalit Solidarity Network, and although he has campaigned for Dalit rights several times on the floor of the House of Commons, he too fails to declare his link to this organisation in the 'Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests' section of the Register of Members' Interests. In a statement to the House of Commons on 8 May 2007, Rob Marris says: "There are thought to be 50,000 Dalits in the UK. We do not have numbers because we do not collect figures." Despite admitting that he does not have numbers, and is not collecting figures, Mr. Marris still gives a figure and a number for the Dalit population - 'thought to be 50,000'!

Andy Reed MP, who has a Research Assistant by Christian Action Research and Education (CARE), has not declared in 'Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests' section of the Members' Register that he sits on the Board of Reference of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. He continues to lobby extensively on behalf of CSW on the Dalit issue and has visited other countries in trips sponsored by CSW. He has even led a delegation to the Deputy Indian High Commissioner to discuss the anti-conversion law in India.

Like Andy Reed, Alistair Burt MP, who has a Research Assistant paid by CARE, has also not declared in the 'Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests' section of the Members' Register that he sits on the Board of Reference of Christian Solidarity Worldwide. He continues to lobby on Dalit issues, which is an issue that is high on CSW's agenda.

ABOUT THE HINDU FORUM OF BRITAIN

The Hindu Forum of Britain is the representative umbrella body for British Hindus with formal membership of over 300 Hindu organisations from different regions and cultural backgrounds in Britain. The Hindu Forum of Britain has conducted some of the largest community consultation activities on behalf of the Hindu community to influence Government policy and runs a number of projects for Hindu youth, women and temples. Although the Hindu Forum is a national organisation, it has a large regional presence through its membership from the largest regional umbrella organisations, religious organisations, community organisations and youth organisations.

For more information visit ww.hfb.org.uk