New Delhi 16 May 2020
In a first case of its kind in New Zealand, a well-known Kiwi-Indian community leader based in Wellington, Mr Kantilal Bhagabhai Patel, has lost his membership of the Wellington Justices of Peace (JP) Association, after some of his social media posts were deemed anti-Muslim in nature.
Ms Ann Clark, who is the Vice President of the Association, informed, “The Association received a complaint and it was investigated. Mr Patel is no longer a member of the Wellington JP Association.”
She further added, “Wellington Justices of the Peace Association has referred the matter to the national body representing Justices of the Peace and asked them to consult with the Ministry of Justice.”
Ms Clark was replying to a query by this newspaper on the authenticity of an email she had sent to one of the complainants against Mr Patel, which was posted on a Facebook group. To which she noted, “The email as posted is authentic.”
In that email, Ms Clark wrote to the complainant, “We were appalled at the posts.”
“We have completed our investigation and have concluded that these posts were not consistent with the standards expected of a Justice of the Peace. Mr Patel has been advised of that and the consequences for him. We are in the process of dealing with that. As you will appreciate not all the usual government systems are working at this time. Justices of the Peace are appointed through a government process and to cancel that appointment is also a government process. So in the meantime I hope you are willing to accept the apologises of the Wellington Justices of the Peace Association for the actions of this now former member of our Association,” she added.
Notably, Mr Patel, who was awarded the Queen Service Medal (QSM) in 2004 and Pride of India Award in 2005, is a former General Secretary of Auckland Indian Association and past Assistant Secretary of the Wellington Indian Association.
Meanwhile, on being approached by this newspaper for his comments on the action taken by the Wellington JP Association, Mr Patel declined to comment. This story will be updated when we receive a reply from Mr Patel.
*As a responsible media organisation, The Indian News is choosing not to publish the social media posts in question.
In the past few months, several reports have emerged, mainly in the Middle East but also in Canada, where Indians or people of Indian-origin have indulged in online hate-speech against Muslims, and have faced consequences.
Now this has happened here in New Zealand, which is sad, as just last year this country suffered its worst-ever terrorist attack carried out by a Islamophobic white supremacist. Hence our appeal.
The Indian News urges everyone in New Zealand, in India, and elsewhere, to spread the message of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood.” ( The Indian News )
