UK Racism? Hindu Forum Requests Your Input on 'Shilpa' Debate

[Guest guest]

[For members outside the UK, these two articles relate to a

controversy about British racism toward Indians and people of Indian

descent. It was sparked by comments made by one participant on an

English "reality TV" program, to and about Bollywood star Shilpa

Shetty, who also appears on the show.]

 

* HINDU FORUM LAUNCHES PILL ON SHILPA ABUSE

 

LONDON (January 20, 2007): The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) has

launched a poll [NOTE: link below - DB] on its website seeking

people's views on the controversial racial bullying of Bollywood

actress Shilpa Shetty on reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother".

 

Jane Goody, who was voted out of the show late Friday, had referred to

Shetty as "Shilpa Poppadom." Goody's mother Jackiey Budden had called

her "the Indian" and refused to pronounce her name properly.

 

In its poll, the HFB has asked people whether the abuse suffered by

Shetty and the name 'poppodom' is racist or cultural.

 

The forum said it had been inundated by calls from members of the

community about the treatment meted out to the Bollywood star. HFB

said the poll was expected to offer insights into the impact the

reality show had on the Indian community in Britain.

 

Said Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the forum: "The behaviour

of some of those in the 'Big Brother' house is unacceptable in today's

society. While it might not be overt, this more subtle form of abuse

is something many Indians experience everyday.

 

"There is also the bigger problem of ignorance of Shilpa's culture and

background as well as out and out bullying. While Jade Goody does not

represent the majority of people in this country, her behaviour is

something common to many people of all creeds and races. The show has

highlighted just how difficult it is to prove racist or bullying

behaviour."

 

TO TAKE THE POLL:

http://www.hinduforum.org/Default.aspx?sID=806&lID=0

 

SOURCE: Indians Abroad, Hindustan Times

URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_1905169,001600060001.htm

 

* RUSHDIE CALLS SHILPA ABUSE 'UNPLEASANT'

 

JAIPUR (January 21, 2007): Renowned author Salman Rushdie has said

that the way in which Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty was abused in a

British reality TV show was "unfortunate" and "unpleasant".

 

"Big Brother (show) is not of my choice. But unpleasant things were

said to her, also at her back.

 

"It was unfortunate that the girl was target of such abuse. I hope she

wins and gets the big prize," Rushdie told reporters at the 'Jaipur

Virasat Literary Festival'.

 

However, he indicated that Shilpa had an option to walk out. "If you

can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

 

'NARROWNESS OF MIND'

 

Terming beauty therapist Jade Goody, the chief tormentor of Shilpa in

the Celebrity Big Brother, as a "foul-mouthed ignorant girl", Rushdie

said, "She is famous for nothing except being on reality TV."

 

He also said Indians are extra-ordinarily prejudiced about skin colour

and quite prejudiced about religion. There could be no country without

such "narrowness", Rushdie said.

 

The problem of racism did exist in the world because "narrowness of

mind" is a common heritage due to culture, religion, region and

prejudices in the society of each country, he said.

 

"There were problems with the degree of racism in USA, UK and

elsewhere, but cultural migration has narrowed down the identity

problem and people are not making it complicated further as they move

in a pluralistic society."

 

RACE RELATIONS

 

In a new twist to the racism controversy, the board of Channel 4 will

meet on Monday to discuss whether reality show Celebrity Big Brother

should be axed after the present series ends this week.

 

According to a report in The Sunday Times in London, several members

of the board now believe last week's allegations of racism have so

discredited the show that it is doing immense harm to the channel and

damaging race relations.

 

SOURCE: NDTV (With PTI inputs)

URL: http://tinyurl.com/3y54md

[Guest guest]

Well I remember my experience in London long time ago. While walking

with an Asian friend, a group of not to young people in a car, threw

racist remark at us. This is not an isolated case. One day while

roaming in London town, I went into Pizza hut, I couldnt understand

what the cashier is trying to tell me. I ask, is there anything else

for me, he [ an english boy with a strong accent ] remarked at

me: "Just please go back to where you come from!". I stood there

still and shot back at him him : "Oh! Yes I know where I come from.

Do you?".

 

That was my first trip to London. I'm just a young nursing student

then, not to mention the cold treatment we received from the other

English Nursing Students and also the whole community on the whole.

Im being told once by a friend who have have been staying in London

for years. She said, you must learn to fight back, only then they

will be afraid to bully you.

 

LOL. Well I believe its good this reality show controvery. A lot of

good will come up from all these. But again how much effect it will

have on the whole community on the whole, im not so sure. I left

London with this impression that British are snobbish and racist

community. My thoughts about them still have not change. I'm come

up from a muti racial society : Chinese, Indians, Malay etc live

side by side for generations. My experience in London is an eye

opener for me. Makes me want to look at my own community further.

Maybe Shilpa and all Indians should do the same.

 

Look at your own country and see how your own people are being

treated. Recently I coordinate a charity show for my carnatic

teacher, it suppose to be a joint effort between the local Indian

and the Indian Expat community. The behaviour of the Indian Expat

especially those from India are much to be desired.

 

 

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta wrote:

>

> [For members outside the UK, these two articles relate to a

> controversy about British racism toward Indians and people of

Indian

> descent. It was sparked by comments made by one participant on an

> English "reality TV" program, to and about Bollywood star Shilpa

> Shetty, who also appears on the show.]

>

> * HINDU FORUM LAUNCHES PILL ON SHILPA ABUSE

>

> LONDON (January 20, 2007): The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) has

> launched a poll [NOTE: link below - DB] on its website seeking

> people's views on the controversial racial bullying of Bollywood

> actress Shilpa Shetty on reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother".

>

> Jane Goody, who was voted out of the show late Friday, had

referred to

> Shetty as "Shilpa Poppadom." Goody's mother Jackiey Budden had

called

> her "the Indian" and refused to pronounce her name properly.

>

> In its poll, the HFB has asked people whether the abuse suffered by

> Shetty and the name 'poppodom' is racist or cultural.

>

> The forum said it had been inundated by calls from members of the

> community about the treatment meted out to the Bollywood star. HFB

> said the poll was expected to offer insights into the impact the

> reality show had on the Indian community in Britain.

[Guest guest]

Pranam, Noraji. As you know, I am a Singaporean currently residing in London. I am sorry that you had such bad experiences. Before my family migrated to the UK, we used to take our vacations here. We had both good and bad experiences. However, the good far outweighed the bad. There were some racists but the majority of people I faced then and now were helpful and tolerent. I just wished to state that there are always two sides to an issue. The French were more rude than the British, but I also know a French guy who is really nice.

Just my 2 cents..

With love

Shankaree

 

NMadasamy <nmadasamy (AT) nmadasamy (DOT) com> wrote:

Well I remember my experience in London long time ago. While walking

with an Asian friend, a group of not to young people in a car, threw

racist remark at us. This is not an isolated case. One day while

roaming in London town, I went into Pizza hut, I couldnt understand

what the cashier is trying to tell me. I ask, is there anything else

for me, he [ an english boy with a strong accent ] remarked at

me: "Just please go back to where you come from!". I stood there

still and shot back at him him : "Oh! Yes I know where I come from.

Do you?".

 

That was my first trip to London. I'm just a young nursing student

then, not to mention the cold treatment we received from the other

English Nursing Students and also the whole community on the whole.

Im being told once by a friend who have have been staying in London

for years. She said, you must learn to fight back, only then they

will be afraid to bully you.

 

LOL. Well I believe its good this reality show controvery. A lot of

good will come up from all these. But again how much effect it will

have on the whole community on the whole, im not so sure. I left

London with this impression that British are snobbish and racist

community. My thoughts about them still have not change. I'm come

up from a muti racial society : Chinese, Indians, Malay etc live

side by side for generations. My experience in London is an eye

opener for me. Makes me want to look at my own community further.

Maybe Shilpa and all Indians should do the same.

 

Look at your own country and see how your own people are being

treated. Recently I coordinate a charity show for my carnatic

teacher, it suppose to be a joint effort between the local Indian

and the Indian Expat community. The behaviour of the Indian Expat

especially those from India are much to be desired.

 

, "Devi Bhakta"

<devi_bhakta wrote:

>

> [For members outside the UK, these two articles relate to a

> controversy about British racism toward Indians and people of

Indian

> descent. It was sparked by comments made by one participant on an

> English "reality TV" program, to and about Bollywood star Shilpa

> Shetty, who also appears on the show.]

>

> * HINDU FORUM LAUNCHES PILL ON SHILPA ABUSE

>

> LONDON (January 20, 2007): The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) has

> launched a poll [NOTE: link below - DB] on its website seeking

> people's views on the controversial racial bullying of Bollywood

> actress Shilpa Shetty on reality TV show "Celebrity Big Brother".

>

> Jane Goody, who was voted out of the show late Friday, had

referred to

> Shetty as "Shilpa Poppadom." Goody's mother Jackiey Budden had

called

> her "the Indian" and refused to pronounce her name properly.

>

> In its poll, the HFB has asked people whether the abuse suffered by

> Shetty and the name 'poppodom' is racist or cultural.

>

> The forum said it had been inundated by calls from members of the

> community about the treatment meted out to the Bollywood star. HFB

> said the poll was expected to offer insights into the impact the

> reality show had on the Indian community in Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

Let my every word be a prayer to Thee,

Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee,

Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image,

Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee,

Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet;

Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do,

Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee."

 

>From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari

 

 

 

Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading protection and 1GB storage with All New Mail.

[Guest guest]

, Shankaree Ramatas

<shankaree wrote:

>

> Pranam, Noraji. As you know, I am a Singaporean currently residing

in London. I am sorry that you had such bad experiences. Before my

family migrated to the UK, we used to take our vacations here. We

had both good and bad experiences. However, the good far outweighed

the bad. There were some racists but the majority of people I faced

then and now were helpful and tolerent. I just wished to state that

there are always two sides to an issue. The French were more rude

than the British, but I also know a French guy who is really nice.

>

> Just my 2 cents..

>

> With love

>

> Shankaree

 

 

of course you are right. There are indeed two sides to ever issue.

Again Look at my statement: I said, the experience is an eye opener.

I did not consider it as bad. As I personally believe all experience

will be good, if you look at the goodness that surface from it all.

It can be considered as unpleasant experience, but never bad. I came

back a different person. I began to want to see my own community and

began to feel very strongly about a lot of issues especially with

regards to our treatment of our own foreign workers, the immigrants

who have contribute tremendously to the social, political and

economic growth of Singapore. Isnt this a good outcome. So in a

sense, I thank England for all this change.

 

You see, I went there with a different image of England. A very

pretty image and all good about England and everything associated

with her. That experience smash everything there is. Like a mirror,

it just crack into pieces and never can I assembled them back

together. I thus create a different image, based on that experience.

I have not gone back, perhaps I should and my experience will be

different altogether. Im no longer a young nursing student and my

whole viewpoint and reaction will be totally different.

 

Racial attack have been there for a long time. You heard and read

about it in the news on and off but it didnt get that much attention

as Shilpa issue why? Because Shilpa is the Darling of India. The

Bollywood actress, thus such reaction. Suddenly everybody wants to

create poll, wants to discuss about it. Why not before?

 

During the Indian Independence Day, we all put up the image of

Durga. The so call symbol of India. All indians feel so proud of

her, but hey! look at your Bollywood actress what does she do? Did

she fight back or just stood there helpless and shed tears when

being racially attack? I dont know I never got the chance to watch

the show. So I just comment based on what I hear and read in the

papers. Perhaps that is why I do not have much opinion about

Bollywood actress. I believe in fighting back , instead of standing

there feeling so helpless waiting for my knight of shining armour to

swept me off my feet and rescue me : not a true attribute of Durga

as far as Im concern. Well I might get in trouble for saying this,

but oh! well...

 

Again, I never understood this thingy most people have about movie

stars. The only encounter I have of any real movie star is when one

fine day, while having lunch with my Filipino Nursing Friends at

Apollo Banana Leaf Restaurant, enter this macho looking movie star.

Looking so famous and elegant, with his two guides by his side. They

deposited themselves 3 tables away from us. My Filipino friends were

all excited "oooo! do you know who just walk in... oooo! anybody

bring camera etc... all the oooos and the aaah!.. come on Nora lets

take picture with him... No! im not going to ... you all go

ahead...." Don't know for that particular moment in time my Fish

Head Curry looks more exciting than Jean-Claude Van Damme... unless

of course he walks in wearing Spandex Bicycle Pant. Then it will be

a different situation all together. * LOL *

[Guest guest]

Pranam, Noraji.

*A very pretty image and all good about England and everything associated

with her.*

I know. When I first went to London, I was expecting gently rolling green fields and snow. But, all I could see was grey buildings, grey roads and grey skies. Everything was So Grey. And, although it was cold, there was absolutely no snow at all. To say I was disappointed was nothing. All my expectations went down the toilet. But, it was good in a way because I appreciated India even more. That's how our vacations worked. An european country followed by India. My mom is Indian so we go ther every year to visit all the relatives.

* Don't know for that particular moment in time my Fish

Head Curry looks more exciting than Jean-Claude Van Damme... unless

of course he walks in wearing Spandex Bicycle Pant. Then it will be

a different situation all together. * LOL * *

Ha, Ha!!

With Love

Shankaree

 

 

 

 

Let my every word be a prayer to Thee,

Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee,

Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image,

Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee,

Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet;

Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do,

Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee."

 

>From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Hi Nora:

 

Thanks for your thoughts on this interesting topic.

Here's my perspective, for what it's worth:

 

*** Racial attack have been there for a long time. You

heard and read about it in the news on and off but it

didnt get that much attention as Shilpa issue why?

Because Shilpa is the Darling of India. The Bollywood

actress, thus such reaction. ***

 

Exactly! But what's wrong with that? It starts a

conversation that's worth having. Just like when Lance

Armstrong got testicular cancer, or Mary Tyler Moore

got diabetes, or when Oprah Winfrey was racially

discriminated against by a Paris storekeeper who

didn't recognize her. Suddenly the media has the "WOW"

element and "hook" it needs to talk about a problem

that is always there, but not always "news."

 

*** Suddenly everybody wants to create poll, wants to

discuss about it. Why not before? ***

 

Because now it's in the news. When a serial killer

strikes, suddenly the news talks about the phenomenon

of serial killing. When a pop singer gets killed by a

drunker boater while swimming, the news talks about

boating safety. When a beloved celebrity dies of, say,

lung cancer, suddenly all the news magazines have

stories on lung cancer.

 

A couple of years ago, trying to divert attention from

his Iraq follies, Bush gave a speech about the evils

of human trafficking. Afterward, the head of an NPO

who has fought such practices for years was asked if

she was offended that Bush -- who never expressed any

knowledge of or interest in the topic before -- had

"used" her issue like that. She said absolutely not,

because now people are talking about it, the media is

calling me, awareness has grown.

 

Same with racism against South Asians in Britain. When

it happens to someone famous, all of the "nobodies"

who have borne the pain for years are suddenly

vindicated.

 

That's why Shilpa Shetty's experience drew such a

reaction from people. Not because she's "India's

darling" -- her Bollywood heyday is past; her last hit

movie was six or seven years ago. Why do you think

she's appearing on "Big Brother" anyway? ... No,

people are reacting to her as a SYMBOL -- a public

face for the indignities they've suffered alone and

anonymously for years.

 

*** look at your Bollywood actress what does she

do?did she fight back or just stood there helpless and

shed tears when being racially attack? I dont know I

never got the chance to watch the show. ***

 

Here's your chance:

 

PART 1:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdMotlJwat0

 

PART 2:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPQSIwvKH8

 

*** Perhaps that is why I do not have much opinion

about Bollywood actress. I believe in fighting back,

instead of standing there feeling so helpless waiting

for my knight of shining armour to swept me off my

feet and rescue me : not a true attribute of Durga as

far as Im concern. ***

 

I don't know if you'll feel she qualifies as Durga,

but she didn't wither and wilt by any means. She

reacted as most people would under the circumstances

-- at first a little wide-eyed and incredulous, then

insulted, then angry, then firing back. Overall the

whole attack was pretty ignorant and the subject

pretty inane. But between the two of them, Shilpa

definitely showed a lot more breeding and class, and

emerged with more a lot more dignity.

 

For all of these reasons , I think she qualifies as a

decent "Devi Is Everywhere!" photo for the week. No?

;-)

 

DB

 

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

[shilpa Shetty's comments addressing alleged racism, from the

post-"Big Brother" interview, Sunday, 29 Jan 2007:]

 

.... Though she now sat flanked by Dirk, Jermaine and "H", most of the

questions were fired at Shilpa and centred on the alleged racism and

bullying she had suffered.

 

"I really didn't know how things were perceived by people outside the

Big Brother House," she began. "I saw the footage for the first time

and it looked pretty ghastly and I am someone who likes to look

forward in life and I want to put it behind me. It wasn't a very

pleasant episode but (this is) not in Jade's defence and I am not

trying to be politically correct here," she said.

 

The actress added: "I would just like to say that it may have seemed

like it was bad but I can say that Jade is not a bad person and she

didn't really contrive to behave like that. She is young and people

are fallible so there is nothing in my heart - the day we hugged, it

was all gone, it was all forgiven and forgotten, really. I really want

to make that clear."

 

What about the listeners of Asian radio stations who were incensed?

 

"I just want to thank them for all their support and I just want them

to know that there's no reason to feel what they feel as long as you

carry yourself well with dignity, with kindness in your heart," she

said. "It can never go wrong, so it does not really matter what people

think of you and what they perceive of you. So everything in Big

Brother House is really, really magnified. I just want them to

understand it was just a game. It's over, it's out of the way. Let's

move on."

 

A woman from the Sun pointed out there had been 46,000 complaints.

 

"I just take it as a huge compliment, let me say it that way," was

Shilpa's reaction. "And I also would like to thank the people here in

England for supporting me, for knowing which side to be on - and I

heard that more people supported me - and it's just a great platform

to thank them on."

 

Another woman, from an Indian TV channel, wanted to ask a question in

Hindi, which delighted Shilpa. "I would love to answer in Hindi - I

hope I haven't forgotten it. I was trying to understand all the

different accents and trying to put on an accent so that they

understood me. But Hindi would be great."

 

What effect would appearing on the show have on her life and her career?

 

"I did not do this to boost my career," she replied in Hindi. "I came

to represent my country and do it well and with dignity. I would not

tolerate anything that would impinge on my dignity and I am glad all

of India united to support me. All the Indians here, as well as

Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - the Asian community - are supporting me,

so after hearing this I am very, very happy."

 

Any messages to the people of India?

 

"I am an Indian, I feel very proud to be an Indian and I have tried to

keep the name of my country high with pride and I hope I succeeded."

 

What of her comment that "Is this today's UK? It's scary?"

 

She told The Telegraph that she would return to Britain in June for

the IIFA awards to be held in Yorkshire and then added: "That's a

really tough question because I can't really form an opinion about a

whole country based on one person. I just reacted to whatever she

(Jade) said. On the spur of the moment, you say things and when you

are hurt, especially you just say things that just come to your mind,"

she said.

 

"But in hindsight today, I think Britain has given me so much love and

it has bestowed such a huge honour upon me, I would be really

ungrateful to say that they have not supported me or they haven't been

kind or just towards me. So I would like to take this opportunity to

also thank the people here in Britain for knowing what's right and

sticking by it and for supporting me. So thank you all so much, really."

 

The Sun returned to the racist abuse.

 

"I know at that point of time, I perceived it as racist and I am not

trying to make any statements to retract from what I said or felt,"

Shilpa countered. "I am saying what I feel right now, and even at that

point of time, after getting to know Jade slightly better, I realised

that may be it stemmed out of insecurities, stemmed out her being more

aggressive. Jade did not mean to be intentionally racist. I would like

to clear the air."

 

But what of the comments made behind Shilpa's back by Jo 'Meara, 27,

the S Club singer?

 

Shilpa laughed: "Women are like that, I am sorry. When they get

together, you are a young lot of people. It was, maybe, fun and cool

to be just part of that pack and I really like Danielle today. She has

been really nice, really kind to me. She has changed."

 

And Shilpa "Poppadom"?

 

Shilpa's reply: "The press made a big deal of it, really. She did not

remember my last name - big deal. I don't know Jade's last name - oh,

Goody!"

 

Would Shilpa meet up with her former enemies?

 

"Why not? Jade and I met up in the garden. I don't know if you all saw

that bit (viewers did) where we literally kissed and made up. And that

wasn't an act. It is reality television. It wasn't an act and let me

give her credit that she was the one who came and said, 'I need to

speak with you.' I wouldn't have made that effort."

 

But Jade's apology had come after she had been summoned to the Diary

Room and admonished by Big Brother?

 

"I can't comment on that because that was Jade. All I know is she at

least made an effort and when she made that effort, I forgave her

instantly. The minute we hugged it was out of the window. It did hurt

me for a bit. I am human. But it is over and done with," Shilpa said.

 

"I feared for her when I saw the press cuttings (about her family

being threatened), when I saw this entire thing being blown out of

proportion. I fear for her because she is a mother of two and I don't

want someone suffering for something that we have done on TV. It's

really small. Lives are bigger than that. I really want people to be

happy and I don't want to leave this country having anyone in trouble,

really."

 

What about British Asians seeing her experience as a microcosm of the

prejudice and bullying that many of them had suffered and who now saw

her as a "hero"?

 

"I feel elated when you say they actually look up to me as a hero,"

she said. "That's fantastic. I wish my films had that effect on them.

All I would just like to say is that just be proud of who you are,

what you are. You don't have to be a celebrity to stand up for your

rights to carry yourself with dignity. India is a country that is so

rich in culture and heritage and I just want to urge all those young

Asians out there to remember that and just be proud of that."

 

SOURCE: The Telegraph, Calcutta

URL: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070130/asp/frontpage/story_7325092.asp

 

, Devi bhakta <devi_bhakta

wrote:

 

 

> Same with racism against South Asians in Britain. When

> it happens to someone famous, all of the "nobodies"

> who have borne the pain for years are suddenly

> vindicated.

>

> That's why Shilpa Shetty's experience drew such a

> reaction from people. Not because she's "India's

> darling" -- her Bollywood heyday is past; her last hit

> movie was six or seven years ago. Why do you think

> she's appearing on "Big Brother" anyway? ... No,

> people are reacting to her as a SYMBOL -- a public

> face for the indignities they've suffered alone and

> anonymously for years.