Apparently the Harper government has posted billboards in Hungary aimed at Roma (Gypsy) would be asylum-seekers that some Hindus have denounced as inappropriate and blatantly racist.
"Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said
that this unprecedented billboard and other media campaign in Miskolc
(second largest urban center of Hungary in northeast), which reportedly
had higher concentration of Roma community and home of many Canadian
refugee applicants, with such an unwelcoming tone was prejudiced,
intolerant and racist.
"Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested
that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Immigration Minister
Jason Kenney should live the life of a Roma in Miskolc for few weeks to
realize, recognize and understand the rights violations and
maltreatment of Roma in Hungary and Europe and the apartheid conditions
they faced day after day.
"It was unfortunate that Canada was spending taxpayer’s money on a
campaign which besides billboards, also reportedly included newspapers,
radio-spots, and bus-shelter notices; and which smelled of racism, Zed
noted."
There you go. Now Harper has the Hindu world pissed off with Canada over Gypsies. Way to go, Steve!
I doubt the Hindu world gives two hoots over a Canadian billboard in Miskolc, Hungary.
ReplyDeleteAnd if they really cared about the Roma (who, by the way, are a favored EU minority in receipt of numerous grants not available to non-Roma), the Indian Government could extend asylum to such Roma, and invite them to live there.
I further suggest Rajan Zed moves to Miskolc to dispense his wisdom to the Roma Community in person. I doubt he would last the day...
Hapax