A KEY battleground seat in the upcoming election has been engulfed by sectarianism rows – after one MP hopeful made offensive social media posts about “mixed breed” people.
Candidates for both the Alba Party and George Galloway’s Workers’ Party are under fire over their social media activity.
Alba are standing Dhruva Kumar, a committed Hindu nationalist, in Glasgow South, which is believed to be the most Muslim constituency in Scotland.
He is a staunch supporter of Indian politician Narendra Modi (below), who will be sworn in for his third term as prime minister today.
Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the political wing of a militant paramilitary organisation repeatedly accused of orchestrating attacks on Muslims.
His premiership has been marred with large-scale violence against India’s Muslim minority.
In 2020, riots in Dehi – widely thought to have been stoked by Modi's government – saw more than 40 people killed, with some burnt alive or lynched.
Kumar, who hopes to win the seat for Alex Salmond’s Alba Party, has made xenophobic comments on social media and praised the BJP, while inviting senior representatives of the party to Scotland.
In a tweet from 2014, Kumar said: “Nationalism does not get inherited in mixed breed. Mix breed alwys [sic] loose [sic] the original quality. Nehru Dynasty a exmpl [sic].”
In another post made on the same day, he said: “Nehru dynasty has the characterless in their blood and India has paid the price. But no more…”
Jawaharlal Nehru is one of the key figures in the liberation of India from British rule and promoted the creation of a secular and democratic state.
Meanwhile, Workers’ Party candidate Nick Stewart is under fire for his Facebook cover picture, which depicts a piece of graffiti reading: “Fuck the moderator of the general assembly of the Church of Scotland”.
Dave Scott (above), the director of Nil by Mouth, said: “Sadly too often social media is a race to the bottom and this individual has clearly jumped head first into the pool of idiocy.
“Whilst I’m not Scottish in my time living here the moderators of the Church of Scotland have been thoughtful, open and keen to listen to views different to their own.
“I’d like to see Nick Stewart admit his mistake, apologise to the Church and follow the various moderators’ example of listening to and respecting opinions different to their own.”
Niall Christie, the Scottish Greens candidate in Glasgow South, blasted both candidates – saying the revelations were a “real mask-off moment for Alba and the Workers’ Party”.
He added: “Rather than working for Scotland or the working class, both parties’ candidates are much more interested in capitalising on the worst elements of right-wing politics.
“Driving a wedge between different groups in society has no place in Glasgow, though I’m sure Nigel Farage’s Reform Party might be interested.
“What does support for the BJP and Narendra Modi – a party who have consistently demonised Muslims – say to voters in Glasgow South? As the genocide rages on in Palestine, Islamophobia is skyrocketing. Meanwhile, we have another wannabe MP who willingly abuses faith leaders in a city scarred by sectarianism. We need candidates that will stand up for equality and put human rights at the forefront of their campaign.”
He also gave both barrels to Labour’s man in Glasgow South, Gordon McKee, who was recently exposed by The National as saying that Alastair Campbell (below) was his “hero”.
Christie said McKee was “more interested in idolising architects of the disastrous Iraq War than improving the lives of ordinary people”.
He added: “This latest scandal just further underlines the need for radical change in this constituency and across the country.
“The Scottish Greens will always oppose genocide. We fight hateful comments. We want to work towards peace and will never seek to sow division between communities, in Glasgow or across the world.
“That this sets me apart from the binfire of other candidates in Glasgow South echoes what we are
hearing during our campaign. Voters are willing to give the Greens a chance, and more and more will be backing our candidates on July 4.”
Alba have stood by their candidate, accusing the Greens of trying to “import sectarian divides into the General Election campaign”.
Chris McEleny, the party’s general secretary and candidate in Inverclyde, said: “Of course, with the sustained attacks of the Scottish Green Party on Catholic schooling in Scotland this isn’t the first time the Greens have tried to politicise religion but for a party without a single prominent Muslim in its ranks, and as far as I am aware not a single Asian candidate, to make such an unprecedented attack on an Alba Party candidate of Indian heritage based on issues of religion and race shows you why the Greens should be as far away from Government in Scotland as possible.”
The Workers’ Party did not respond to a request for comment.
