Sharma don’t think Muslim youth attracting to extremism

Born in Mandhali, a small settlement in Nawan Shehar District in Indian Punjab, Virendra Sharma is Labour Party's parliamentary candidate for Ealing and Southall. Serving the community as councillor in Ealing council for 25 years, he also held the office of Mayor. He was elected as MP in the Ealing Southall by-election, held on 19 July 2007  following the death of the sitting Labour MP, Piara Khabra. He came from India in 1968 and settled in Hanwell town and worked as a conductor on bus No.207. After educating from London School of Economics he worked as a day services manager for people with learning disabilities in Hillingdon. He is governor of Three Bridges and Wolf Fields schools. He remained chairman all parties parliamentary group for Tamils and member of justice select committee and human rights committee. Fluent in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. Mr Sharma is married with a grown-up son and daughter and three grandchildren. He knows well how to communicate himself with confidence. His constituency comprises a large number of British Asians. The Asians’s team interviewed him on the forthcoming general elections and his re-election as an MP.

The Asians: Would you please tell us about your childhood and family?
Virendra Sharma: I was born in Mandhali Sharif in Indian Punjab. Since shrine of a saint Abdullah Shah is situated in my village, it is called Mandhali Sharif. I received my primary education in my village. My father Dr. Laikh Raj had been senior vice president of Punjab congress and commands much respect. He is 94 and pursues a retired life. He played an important role in the development of Punjab before and after independence. I was brought up in an ambience having a political colour and hence politics is in my blood. I remained a member of a student union. If I compare this country with India, we were much behind in that period. Religious differences and caste system were the main hurdles in development of the society. I felt these differences in our community people in this country too and struggled hard against these prejudices in order to change their approach and attitude.
 
The Asians: What made you to come to this country?
Virendra Sharma: It is quite often that younger people want to go outside the country. My two brothers had come here in 1960s for economic reasons and to get higher education. My brothers got me engaged with a girl here as soon as I graduated. I came here to marry in 1968. I have two children Sanjev and Monica and three grandchildren. I enjoy the present position due to my hard work and cooperation from my community.
 
The Asians: What brought you in politics?
Virendra Sharma: I came across many problems after arriving on this land. People faced problems relating to employment, immigration as well as communal hatred. An important issue at that time that pushed me into politics was that Ealing council carried children of this town in buses to schools in other towns. The leading leaders of the Asian community took it as discrimination against them and struggled for setting up schools in this town. Secondly I joined trade union politics.
 
The Asians: You remained MP and councillor at a time. How did you discharge these responsibilities simultaneously?
Virendra Sharma: I was elected councillor in 1982 and yet councillor to this day. My party had decided that I should not resign as councillor. Any how I would not be contesting in next elections as a councillor. As councillor I did my best to help others. One of my staff members helped me to look after council’s work and I paid him from my council’s allowance so that the problems confronting the people of my constituency could be timely addressed.
 
The Asians: Do you think the Kashmir issue is the main hurdle in peace and security of South Asia?
Virendra Sharma: I have made it clear that the issue should be resolved by India and Pakistan. Those sitting on the fence are just onlookers. Such people have their own vested interest. Interfering in the social and political matters of this country, living here and fighting there for their rights are two contradictions. What I understand is that we and our children should work for the betterment of this country. Those who spent their energy in matters relating to those countries are not loyal to this country and their future generations. If someone thinks he would decide the issue between India and Pakistan from here better go back and do whatever he thinks right. If Britain could resolve Ireland’s issue, there should be no problem in finding a solution to Kashmir issue as well. But it’s the responsibility of the governments of both the countries. Those who often indulge in issuing statements from here are politically and socially dishonest.

The Asians: You visit India and are in the politics here since long. What difference do you feel in politics of both countries?
Virendra Sharma: As long as I understand, the difference is of attitude. Here the elected representatives think themselves as public servants while in India and Pakistan the elected representatives whether in ‘panchait’ or assembly don’t think themselves as such, instead their attitude is that of an owner. They treat people in a quite different way. I travel in bus and mix with people and have not much security around me. In India and Pakistan the elected representatives have strong security cordon around them that stop people meeting them. Here in this country we understand that our job is to serve people and that we should not be afraid of them.
 
The Asians: Why did you decide to contest by-election instead of participating in the 2005 general elections?
 Virendra Sharma: It was party’s decision and not mine.
 
The Asians: What are the main community problems in your area? 
Virendra Sharma: Sikh, Muslims, Hindu, Tamil, East European and Afghan immigrants live in my constituency in addition to a large number of local Indigenous people. All communities face same nature of issues. They all need improvement in health, education and social services. But immigration is their basic problem. Those who want to visit this country to meet their dear ones face difficulties in getting visa. At council level their problems are such as battered roads and streets. I raised the issue and pointed out that the Ealing  council did not spent that much amount on improvement of South Hall as it did for other works nor it made any investments.
 
The Asians: You mentioned immigration problems. What do you say on media reports about frequent raids against illegal immigrants?
Virendra Sharma: Unfortunately self styled community leaders had given employments to illegal immigrants and the court fined them according to the law. Raids were also conducted to apprehend such people. However, I see nothing wrong about this.
 
The Asians: What was the reason for your resignation as the private parliamentary secretary of Home Minister Phil Woolas?
 Virendra Sharma: I resigned against government’s decision to construct Third run way at Heathrow Airport. I understand that you could differ from government’s decision at some point. I thought that the houses in my constituency of South Hall would be affected by the proposed flight run way while the residents of Ealing would be affected by noise and environmental hazard. I consulted the people of my constituency on the issue. Majority of the schools were also against the project because of the risk of environmental pollution. There was no pressure from the party to resign and they told me that I needed not to resign but I thought it my moral obligation to resign on principles.
 
The Asians: Why did you vote against government on many occasions including Iraq war issue despite being Labour party member?
 Virendra Sharma: I remained against war from the very beginning. I campaigned along with my friends against Afghan and Iraq wars even before elected to the parliament. I was in the first row with Tony Ben in march against Iraq war in London. It was my principled stand. I, together with brother Sarwar from Glasgow, pressed the government to hold enquiry into Iraq war in view of public demand.
 
The Asians: What policy your party has adopted to win back the estranged voters?
Virendra Sharma: Labour Party has carried out a number of important tasks for the welfare of the people such as minimum wages and maternity leave but unfortunately people forget good works. One should not forget the economic situation of 1997 before coming Labour Party into power. There is a big difference between then and now. Britain suffered credit crunch not because of the policies of Gordon Brown but for international situation.  All world leaders including US President Barack Obama and economists appreciated Gordon Brown’s steps he has taken to save British economy as correct. Other governments also took same measures. People must remember that the country would have become insolvent had there not been Labour party in power. The economy has now started moving slowly towards growth. During the tenure of Tory party, all other countries of the world were progressing while in this country Margret Thatcher’s failed economic policies led banks to bankruptcy and even the houses were auctioned. If Conservatives regained the power we would face still worse economic situation instead of moving towards recovery. I would like to ask the people to get themselves registered and cast their votes.
 
The Asians: BNP is trying to consolidate its position on the basis of unemployment and immigration. What do you say about this?
Virendra Sharma: Right wing parties are making such propaganda while the common man considers immigration policy of Labour party as hard.
In my view, the immigration policies of the Labour Party are quite transparent. Those criticising the Labour party on this point are only helping the BNP. Our community has its influence in all the constituencies especially in those where BNP tries to advance. If someone does not agree with Labour Party policies, he should cast his vote in favour of any other party to block BNP’s attempts.
 
The Asians: There are Muslims in your constituency. Do you feel they are turning to extremism?
 Virendra Sharma: No, I had no such complaint in this behalf. I think extremism is not the problem of any particular community as such elements exists in all communities. We have been living together in religious harmony and no one face any danger from others and, if there is some kind of danger it should be dealt within the law.
 
The Asians: A black became president of the United State. Do you think that one day a member from BAME community will become prime minister of this country?
Virendra Sharma: There was no Asian or black in the parliament when I came to this country. There were only two Asian councillors in the entire England while today there are a large number of councillors, MPs and Prospective parliamentary candidates. If we become part of the political and social structure of this country, no doubt one day one of our children would make to this office.
 
The Asians: Our community does not take interest in politics. What are the reasons?  Whether politics is a difficult job or some fear stops them?
Virendra Sharma: I don’t think so. Albeit our parents do not allow their children to join politics as they think the future of their children in politics as unsafe. Let me say openly that those in politics do not make a good example for others to follow. That is the reason that others hesitate to join politics. Things could be changed if we present ourselves as role models. I am for bringing educated youth in politics as it will help serving the community in a better way while on the other hand one can better his career as well.
 
The Asians: What do you think are the three main weaknesses of the Asian community that should be removed immediately?
Virendra Sharma: Our people avoid their registration. They should get themselves registered for voting in greater number because if only two thousand would vote from a constituency of ten thousand voters than the successful candidate would not take interest in resolving their issues. The people must cast their votes to establish political influence in this environment. They should vote for the candidates of such parties whom they think are useful for the country and the community. 
 
The Asians: Which kind of people you could not tolerate?
Virendra Sharma: I don’t like people, no matter which religion they belong, who fan communal hatred and impose their opinion upon others, want to divide the community on the basis of caste, creed and regionalism or those who pursue only their personal interest in the society.
 
 
The Asians: What message you would like to give the community?
Virendra Sharma: We should demonstrate brotherhood for each other, give respect to all, respect religious sentiments and social life of others and participate in each others’ festivals with open heart.