British Indian Muslims dismayed at Sadhvi Ritambhara's visit

Council of Indian Muslims—UK (CIM) has requested the British Government to keep an eye on Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP’s) leader Sadhvi, who has been invited by her supporters in the UK.

In a letter addressed to Home Secretary Ms Jacqui Smith CIM’s Chairman Mr Munaf Zeena said, “Ms Sadhvi Ritambhara is one of the main accomplices in the demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India.”

Given the fact that the application form for British visa requires a declaration whether the applicant has ever been involved in any criminal or militant activities, Zeena’s letter reads, “We are particularly dismayed at her visit and fail to comprehend how and why she was issued the visa.”

Mr Zeena urged the Home Secretary to:

Immediately make an enquiry to look into whether Ms Ritambhara had withheld the information and if had not then why was she issued a visa?
If she is found guilty of hiding the truth, deport her immediately;
Alert the security and law enforcement agencies to keep an eye on her to make sure that she does not create inter-communal tension here by her inflammatory speeches and does not engage in raising funds to build the so called Rama Temple at the site of the Babri Mosque.

7 July 2007

Rt Honourable Jacqui Smith MP,

Home Secretary,

2 Marsham Street,
London SW1P 4DF.

Dear Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP,

Re: Visit of Hindu Parishad’s leader-A Terrorist in Britain-Call for Immediate Action by the Home Secretary.

We are writing to express our extreme sense of shock and surprise at Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s leader Sadhvi Ritambhara having been allowed to visit the UK and organize meetings.

Ms Sadhvi Ritambhara is one of the main accomplices in the demolition of the 16^th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, India. A leading member of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Ms Ritambhara is being prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for her role in the demolition of Babri Mosque on 6^th December 1992.^ⁱ

On December 6, 1992, she incited armed Hindu mobs to tear down the Babri Mosque in violation of the order of the Indian Supreme Court to maintain status quo and not to cause any damage to the structure of the mosque^ⁱⁱ. She further incited Hindu mobs to attack Muslims leading to over 3000 deaths in December 1992 and January 1993.

The VHP is not opposed to Muslims alone but is equally hostile to the Christian minority in India and has been involved in various acts of violence against the Christians.^ⁱⁱⁱ On several occasions Sadhvi Ritambhara has urged the youth to take up arms to save their religion.^{^iv}

Notwithstanding her image as a peace-loving ascetic giving discourses on the virtues of religion and bhajan songs, Sadhvi Ritambhara recently started a military academy to train women in the use of firearms.^{^v}

The VHP was also involved in the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat and they called these pogroms as “Rama’s blessings.”^{^vi}

We are particularly dismayed at her visit and fail to comprehend how and why she was issued a visa when the visa application form clearly asks:

“Have you ever been concerned in the commission, preparation, organisation or support of acts of terrorism, either within or outside the United Kingdom, or have you ever been a member of an organisation which has been involved in or advocated terrorism in furtherance of its aims?” (Section 4.15)
“Have you ever been concerned in the commission, preparation or organisation of genocide or crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in the course of armed conflict?” (section 4.16)

It appears obvious that Ms Ritambhara withheld the truth about her past violent crimes and racism when she applied for entry visa to visit the UK.

The British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, promised “change” and the British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, said he would “listen and lead”. We call on the British Government to “change” by applying and lead by clearly distancing itself and the people of Britain from those who have committed crimes against humanity and take a stand by not allowing such individuals the platform from which they can poison and create division within the peaceful communities living in Britain.

We, therefore, urge you to:

Immediately make an enquiry with Foreign and Commonwealth Office to look into whether or not Ms Ritambhara withheld any information that may have been relevant to the issuance of an entry visa to the UK and if she revealed the information why was she issued a visa?
If she is found guilty of hiding the truth, deport her immediately;
Alert the intelligence agencies to keep an eye on the activities of Sadhvi Ritambhara and those supporting her trip in the UK to prevent any collection or transfer of funds that may be used for the commissioning of terrorist activities in India against minorities.
Request the British government to interview Sadhvi Ritambhara to gather information in connection with her role with VHP India, to establish the purpose of her visit and to gather intelligence about any future plans for the instigation of terrorist acts on minorities in India, including the involvement of British Hindus who support the VHP cause.