Two prominent British Indian figures, Lord Rami Ranger and Anil Bhanot, have been stripped of their honours. Ranger, a wealthy Tory peer, lost his CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), while Bhanot, an accountant and community leader, had his OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) revoked.
Announcement of the Decision
The forfeiture committee made this decision public in the “London Gazette.” The committee stated that their actions had brought the honours system into disrepute. Consequently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer passed the recommendation to King Charles III. As a result, both men must return their insignias to Buckingham Palace and are no longer allowed to claim these titles.
Accusations Against Bhanot
Bhanot was awarded his OBE for promoting community cohesion. However, he recently faced accusations of Islamophobia due to tweets from 2021. Specifically, his posts addressed violence against Hindus and temple attacks in Bangladesh.
In his defense, Bhanot explained, “At the time, our temples were being destroyed, and Hindus were being attacked and killed. Someone had to say something.”
Both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Charity Commission reviewed the complaints and cleared him, citing free speech. Despite this, the forfeiture committee decided to strip him of his honour. Bhanot expressed his disappointment, stating, “I did nothing wrong. Free speech is disappearing in England. I am upset by this decision.”
Allegations Against Ranger
Ranger, who received his CBE in 2016, was also accused of making controversial statements. The group Sikhs for Justice filed complaints about his remarks, which included defending Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticizing a BBC documentary, “India: The Modi Question.” Additionally, one complaint mentioned a tweet about a gurdwara trustee.
In response, Ranger called the move an attack on free speech. He said, “I don’t care about the CBE, but this decision undermines free speech. They are empowering the wrong people.” He vowed to fight the decision, stating, “I will challenge this in court and take it to the European Court of Human Rights.”
Public Reactions
Both Bhanot and Ranger condemned the decision as politically motivated. Bhanot asserted, “This is about politics. They ignored my defense entirely.”
A spokesperson for Ranger echoed his sentiments, saying, “Lord Ranger broke no laws. The honours system should empower, not silence, people.” Ranger also criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “The way this was handled is shameful.”
Implications
This decision raises important questions about the limits of free speech. Critics argue that the forfeiture undermines democratic values, while others believe it is necessary to protect the integrity of the honours system. Regardless, the controversy has ignited debates about the balance between free speech and public accountability.