Sikhs working with the BNP?   On Thursday 6 September the Radio 4 Today programme featured a report which claimed that the British National Party (a far right fascist group) is changing their policy towards ethnic minorities. The programme heard from Nick Griffin the leader of the BNP saying after the riots in Oldham; "There's Hindus in Oldham who've been burned out of their homes (sic). There's West Indians who've been pushed out as well (sic). This is not an Asian problem...this is a Muslim problem."    The programme then interviewed Hasmukh Shah an international trustee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who said that Nick Griffin came to meet him following the Bradford riots looking to make some sort of joint statement against Muslims. In the past Mr Shah had criticised the Muslim community for troubles caused by Muslim thugs. When asked about this meeting Nick Griffin said he has never met Mr Shah, but now that he had heard of him may well seek to speak with him.   The programme then took a strange twist, which has led to repercussions for Sikhs all over Britain. Nick Griffin announced that he has been speaking to a Sikh leader in Southall and said that "although we may disagree with some things we found we have a great deal in common and were able to exchange a great deal of information about the problems our people and their people have had with Muslim extremists".   The rest of Thursday featured a number of newspapers and web sites interviewing various Sikh leaders who expressed their alarm at a Sikh speaking with the far right party. Many of them stating that although there have been specific incidents overall relations between the Sikh and Muslim communities are amicable.   However, Monday morning's Today programme (real audio link) featured the alleged Sikh leader (with a disguised voice) saying that he approached the BNP after concern that Sikh and Hindu girls were being converted to Islam.    How could approaching a fascist group possibly help the Sikh community? The BNP's declared policies are to re-patriate all those they feel are not British (i.e. all non whites). We know that that BNP is good at raising racial tensions (witness the race riots that have occurred in this country in the past). The leader of the party has also been convicted of inciting racial hatred. If there are concerns among Sikh and Hindu communities that Muslim groups are proselytising (converting) the answer is not to speak with racist groups. Rather, these concerns should be raised within the communities affected, maybe with an awareness campaign. The extent of the problem should also be examined and talks should also be held with the Muslim community to clear up any suspicions.    Sikhs in the UK have been known to be active anti-racist activists and it is clear that over 1/2 a million Sikhs that have made the UK their home do not wish to have any dealings with the BNP. The Sikh community is a strong vibrant community capable of dealing with any problems it has without resorting to asking for help from far right groups.

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