Blitz Bureau
Rami Ranger, a British Indian businessman, has criticised the UK Forfeiture Committee’s decision to remove him from the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), calling it an unjust ruling. Astrong critic of Khalistani separatist movement, Ranger announced plans to pursue legal action against the committee’s decision, which includes a judicial review and an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
“Today I lost my CBE for standing up against Khalistanis who wish to break up India and the BBC for producing a two-part documentary with the help of anti-Prime Minister Modi guests to imply that the PM was involved in the Gujarat riots some 20 years after the riots and for which PM Modi was exonerated by the highest court in India,” said Ranger.
He further said, “The decision of the Forfeiture Committee has serious implications for all upstanding citizens, that they should not speak their mind in case they forfeit their honour for standing up against those who wish to harm us and our country.”
The King officially instructed that Lord Ranger’s BCE is to be “cancelled and annulled,” according to a notice published in the London Gazette, cited news agency ANI.
News portal Times of India reported that both Ranger and Anil Bhanot, who is an accountant and managing trustee of the Hindu Council of the UK, had their peerages revoked by King Charles III. Bhanot had his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) title revoked. Terming the process unfair, Ranger requested supporters to express their concerns to the Forfeiture Committee through email, focusing on the fact that the right to freedom of speech has been violated. A spokesperson for Ranger also expressed disappointment, highlighting that the British Indian businessman had not committed any crime or broken any law,unlike others whose honours have been revoked.
“Lord Ranger is devastated that the CBE awarded to him for his services to British business and for promoting community cohesion has been taken away. It is a sad indictment that the honours system, which is designed to empower individuals who go the extra mile and contribute a great deal to the nation, should be used to curtail the basic fundamental rights of free speech and thought process,” said the spokesperson.
