‘Finally someone from our background’ and ‘This man is very rich and special’. The Indian diaspora in the Netherlands which consists of India and Suriname-Hindostan Netherlands is divided about Rishi Sunak.

Sunak is the first British Prime Minister of color since last week, with roots in India, and is Hindu. ‘I was quite flabbergasted when I heard the news,’ said Steven Singh, 41, from Amsterdam. Singh works for an Indian wholesaler, is a Sikh and has Indian and Surinamese-Hindostani roots. “Finally someone of color in British politics can call himself Prime Minister.”

He didn’t expect it. “We must not forget that not so long ago, India fell under the British colonial empire. With everything British settlers have done around the world, you wouldn’t think their country would now be run by people of color. Many Indian and Hindustani relatives and friends were very happy with Sunak. Finally someone from our background who can hold the highest office in politics. It gives us a certain sense of pride.’

Singh feels privileged that Sunak belongs to the far-right Conservative Party, which wants to drastically limit migration. When his Indian parents migrated to England, Britain welcomed these migrants as they were expected to continue to build the country. But nowadays migrants are seen as a kind of burden. I suspect that’s why Sunak’s parents enjoy the privilege.’

Mixed feelings

Utrecht Nazima Bagkari-Shaikh (48) was also proud when he heard the news about Sunak. Bagkari-Shaikh has roots in India, Pakistan and Suriname. He is a Muslim and helps undocumented people in their daily life. Despite his excitement, he questions Sunak’s political choices: ‘This man is very rich and special. What will he do for the South Asian community in his country?’

‘Sunak will only help the diaspora if he reduces class differences’

Sunak is married to the daughter of a billionaire and comes from a wealthy migrant family, he stressed. “The new British Prime Minister is by no means familiar with the struggles of people from the South Asian community, such as class differences and racism. Sunak can only truly help the diaspora if he reduces class differences in British society and increases wages.’

He had the same feeling when Kamala Harris, who has some Indian roots, became US Vice President in 2020. ‘And to extend that to the Netherlands: we can have hope of finally getting a prime minister of color here too. But do you choose someone because of their roots and recognition, or because you hope that person really means something to our community?’

Says ‘white talk’

Suriname-Hindostan Sarita Bajnath (44) from Amsterdam finds it symbolically beautiful that on the day of the Hindu festival of lights Diwali becomes the prime minister of Hinduism. Bajnath grew up a Hindu and works in the areas of privilege, security and inclusion. ‘It is also special, in view of British colonial history, that someone with Indian roots now holds the highest office.’

But he kept his heart content. ‘Sunak mainly represents the rich and wants to close the borders to newcomers. How does the part of equality return in its own discretion?’

“Sunak is twice as rich as Prince Charles,” continued Bajnath. “He can experience racism as a person of color, but being from a high socioeconomic class I wonder what he can actually do for the average British citizen of color who is the victim of institutional racism.”

Bajnath also saw parallels with the Netherlands, where ‘many people of color ended up copying the white narrative’ and putting white interests first. ‘Then we can start fighting for representation of people of color, but that won’t change anything. Because of that, I don’t see his leadership in a positive light. I have little hope for equality, and I don’t think Sunak represents a fairer economy.’

Just like with Obama

Sunak will be an inspiration for Hindus in England and the Netherlands to also enter politics, thinks Suriname-Hindostan resident Vinesh Lalta (38), Member of Parliament D66 South Holland.

“I was very proud when I heard the news. It really feels like when Barack Obama was president. But now it’s getting closer, because it’s in England and because of our share of roots. If it’s possible there, then it can be done in the Netherlands and around the world, right?’

Lalta said he believed that Hindus could add value to politics. ‘We can make a difference by spreading the message of our religion; namely by showing respect for others, nature and animals. Take the Hindu festival of Holi for example: by throwing colored powder at each other, the differences between them are blurred and we show that everyone is equal. With Sunak in power, and more and more Hindus and other immigrants occupying important positions, we can finally deliver our universal message.

Lalta is not a fan of the Conservative Party, which she considers too conservative and elitist. ‘I slightly compared Sunak’s politics to VVD’s politics. It can still go on. Parties such as the PVV and the Forum for Democracy do not. If Sunak became prime minister on behalf of such a party, UKIP (Eurosceptic party, ed.), for example, I would be ashamed.’

Hope and belief

Despite his conservatism, Sunak provided hope and inspiration for the Indian diaspora, said Amsterdammer Singh. Thanks to him, we learned that we could finally represent ourselves, not having to hide in a corner. Before Sunak became prime minister, we had little hope that the Indian diaspora would also be present in society. Our social engagement is almost invisible. We protected ourselves because we have a multicultural background and thought we wouldn’t fit in.’

Sunak’s leadership has certainly had an impact, says Singh. ‘More and more people with Indian backgrounds now want to show that they also want to be meaningful to society. This time too. It’s now ‘our’ society, and no longer just the natives. I hope that in two years we can proudly say that Indian roots have helped British society move forward.’

‘Thanks to him we learned that we can represent ourselves’

A prime minister with Indian roots? Hindustani and other migrants in the Netherlands have long thought this was impossible, said D66 member States Lalta. ‘Colonization has damaged our confidence. Sunak points out that this ceiling can be broken. We may not all have to be prime ministers, but we can be the best in our field. Sunak’s leadership also gave me, as a Hindu, political ambition, hope, confidence and positive energy. From now on all of us (Indian diaspora and indigenous people, ed.) can move forward and work together again.’

Utrecht Bagkari-Shaikh is more skeptical. ‘British colonialism is still having an impact. Little attention is still paid to the genocide during the partition between India and Pakistan in 1947. De Kohinoor, an Indian diamond, still on Elizabeth’s crown in England; who is still sick. So I wonder if we can get people to show solidarity with the South Asian diaspora.’