When A Sikh British MP Called Out Islamophobia

The first turbaned Sikh MP defended the hijab in the British Parliament back in 2019... #tbt

Transcript

00:00If I decide to wear a turban, or you decide to wear a cross, or he decides to wear a kippah or a skullcap,

00:05or she decides to wear a hijab or a burqa, does that mean that it is open season for Right Honourable Members of this House

00:12to make derogatory and divisive remarks about our appearance?

00:19For those of us who from a young age have had to endure and face up to being called names

00:24such as towel head, or Taliban, or coming from bongo bongo land,

00:29we can appreciate full well the hurt and pain felt by already vulnerable Muslim women

00:34when they are described as looking like bank robbers and letterboxes.

00:43So rather than hide behind sham and whitewash investigations,

00:48when will the Prime Minister finally apologise for his derogatory and racist remarks

00:54which have led to a spike in hate crime?

01:12And given the increasing prevalence of such incidents within his party,

01:17when will the Prime Minister finally order an inquiry into Islamophobia within the Conservative party,

01:23something which he and his Chancellor promised on national television?

01:31Order. Let's hear the answer.

01:33The Prime Minister.

01:35Mr. Speaker.

01:41Order. Order.

01:45Order. The response from the Prime Minister will be heard. The Prime Minister.

01:51Thank you Mr. Speaker. Now can I just say to the Honourable Gentleman

01:55that if he took the trouble to read the article in question,

01:59he would see that it was a strong liberal defence, as he began his question by saying,

02:06of everybody's right to wear whatever they want in this country.

02:10And I speak as somebody who is not only proud to have Muslim ancestors,

02:15but to be related to Sikhs such as himself.

02:21I am also proud, Mr. Speaker, to say that under this Government,

02:24we have the most diverse Cabinet in the history of this country.

02:30And we truly reflect modern Britain.

02:37And Mr. Speaker, what we have yet to hear from anywhere in the Labour party

02:42is any hint of apology for the virus of anti-Semitism that is now rampant in their ranks.

02:50And I would like to hear that from the Honourable Member opposite.