UK cancels honors of two British Indian figures over remarks against Pakistanis, Sikhs

Two British Indian nationals, Lord Rami Ranger and Anil Bhanot, have been stripped of their honors for exhibiting Islamophobia and making offensive remarks against Pakistan and the Sikh community.

Conservative Peer Lord Rami Ranger, awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 for his business and community services, was accused of harassing journalist Poonam Joshi.

The Forfeiture Committee, which reviews if people should lose their British honors due to their inappropriate, stated that Lord Ranger’s remarks against Pakistanis and the Sikh community violated the standards of honor. Although he issued an apology, his honor was still revoked.

Anil Bhanot, previously recognised for promoting community cohesion and awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), faced scrutiny over a 2021 tweet about Islam and Pakistan, over the maltreatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.

This led the Forfeiture Committee to withdraw his honor.

Despite the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Charity Commission clearing Bhanot of allegations, the committee proceeded to cancel his award.

Both individuals denounced the Forfeiture Committee’s decision, calling it a restriction on the basic right to freedom of speech. They refuted the allegations and maintained their innocence.

Lord Ranger announced his intention to appeal the decision before the European Court of Human Rights.