Gandhi erected in Leicester

[Webbo]

The link's on the previous page, and states quite clearly that the statue is being funded by a PRIVATE organisation.

If enough chavsfolk decide that Jade deserves her own statue, and are willing and able to raise funds for it, I don't see why the council in Leicester or anywhere else should mind.

What about Enoch Powell?

[Ultra]

What about Enoch Powell?

Not a hope in hell. Even sections of the far-right would have no time for that.

[Guest Bilo]

What about Enoch Powell?

Obviously tongue in cheek, but you raise a good point. Should we really have the attitude that says 'if it's private money, you can build what the hell you like?' I don't think that's a good attitude to have personally, and I think the views of Leicester residents should be considered before allowing planning permission for statues like this. If the majority of people are against it, it shouldn't be built, even if that result doesn't necessarily suit the PR of a council's multi-cultural ideal. Gandhi had nothing to do with the city of Leicester, and I somehow doubt that we'll see thousands of people descending on Belgrave Road from India to see the statue so what exactly is its purpose? This isn't racism, this isn't Little Englander xenophobia, it's common sense.

[Ultra]

Obviously tongue in cheek, but you raise a good point. Should we really have the attitude that says 'if it's private money, you can build what the hell you like?' I don't think that's a good attitude to have personally, and I think the views of Leicester residents should be considered before allowing planning permission for statues like this. If the majority of people are against it, it shouldn't be built, even if that result doesn't necessarily suit the PR of a council's multi-cultural ideal. Gandhi had nothing to do with the city of Leicester, and I somehow doubt that we'll see thousands of people descending on Belgrave Road from India to see the statue so what exactly is its purpose? This isn't racism, this isn't Little Englander xenophobia, it's common sense.

The majority of responses from city residents were IN FAVOUR of the statue. And it was a similar story on various website polls.

By your reasoning, we wouldn't have any churches in Leicester, since Christ never came here either.

[Webbo]

Not a hope in hell. Even sections of the far-right would have no time for that.

So if people are offended by a statue of Powell it's not allowed but if people are offended by a statue of Ghandi too bad?

[Ultra]

So if people are offended by a statue of Powell it's not allowed but if people are offended by a statue of Ghandi too bad?

At least show him enough respect to spell his name right..

I'd quite like to see a non-racist, non-sectarian explanation as to why a Gandhi statue would cause offence.

But I didn't see any such case last year, and don't expect one to appear now.

[Guest]

The majority of responses from city residents were IN FAVOUR of the statue. And it was a similar story on various website polls.

By your reasoning, we wouldn't have any churches in Leicester, since Christ never came here either.

Yes..... that's exactly the same thing as erecting a statue isn't it?

[Guest Bilo]

The majority of responses from city residents were IN FAVOUR of the statue. And it was a similar story on various website polls.

By your reasoning, we wouldn't have any churches in Leicester, since Christ never came here either.

Who conducted these polls? Who answered them? Was it a cross-section of different communities or was one particular community disproportionately represented? Poll results are after all statistics, and as has been said before, statistics cannot always be trusted. If you were to ask 1000 Tories if they'd like to see a statue of Margaret Thatcher near the clock tower, you could bet your arse the answer would overwhelmingly be yes. Would that be representative of my views? Of yours? No. Website polls are completely untrustworthy as well, as we saw with the Blank Shirt/Forever Foxes fiasco on the OS, how can we be sure that the people voting were even from Leicester?

[Corky]

The majority of responses from city residents were IN FAVOUR of the statue. And it was a similar story on various website polls.

By your reasoning, we wouldn't have any churches in Leicester, since Christ never came here either.

He might have done

[Guest Bilo]

He might have done

Manager between 1995 and 2000. Or was that God?

[Webbo]

I'd quite like to see a non-racist, non-sectarian explanation as to why a Gandhi statue would cause offence.

That's the problem with the left, anyone who objects is automatically assumed to be racist/sectarian and therefore their opinions can be ignored.

I don't want a statue in my city because it has nothing to do with our city any more than I'd want a statue of Charles De Gaulle or Bill Clinton.

[Edmund]

What about Enoch Powell?

fook it why not have Hitler, Stalin and Mousilinni. Also whilst were at it get rid of that crappy sports statue at the clock tower and lets have one of Saddam, Bush and Bin laden sipping tea together.

[Alexikokopops]

By your reasoning, we wouldn't have any churches in Leicester, since Christ never came here either.

No, because a church isn't built to remember the work Christ did (like the statue of Gandhi), it's built as a building for followers of Christ to worship him/God and his teachings. They're completely different things.

[Webbo]

fook it why not have Hitler, Stalin and Mousilinni.

Little bit of a silly comparison but anyway.

Ultra said that you could put up a statue of anyone as long as it was with private money. I was just pointing out that he was talking out of his arse as usual.

[Edmund]

because it has nothing to do with our city

This.

Im not overly fussed if it got built or not as long as the council aren't stumping the bill and that means restoration/cleaning etc but what has it got to do with Leicester? Thought that was the whole point of statues, suppose to be symbolic.

[Edmund]

Little bit of a silly comparison but anyway.

I was only taking the michael.

[AoWW]

Can Leicester have a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, please - it's got pigeons innit?

[Ultra]

Who conducted these polls? Who answered them? Was it a cross-section of different communities or was one particular community disproportionately represented? Poll results are after all statistics, and as has been said before, statistics cannot always be trusted. If you were to ask 1000 Tories if they'd like to see a statue of Margaret Thatcher near the clock tower, you could bet your arse the answer would overwhelmingly be yes. Would that be representative of my views? Of yours? No. Website polls are completely untrustworthy as well, as we saw with the Blank Shirt/Forever Foxes fiasco on the OS, how can we be sure that the people voting were even from Leicester?

From the report to the Council planning committee (page 26)

There have been 17 representations received objecting to the statue and 4 petitions supporting the proposal with a total of 797 signatures.

Further to this there are 3 electronic petitions registered on the internet: Two petitions are registered on the Prime Ministers website, one for and one against; one

petition has been registered with PetitionOnline.com against the proposal

The figures were given at the meeting and clearly showed a majority in support of the statue, not that it would have mattered if the vote had been the other way.

As with all planning applications, all interested parties were given the chance to have their say, and the Councillors took the decision based on the information submitted to them.

Although there were four parties represented on that Committee and representatives of various faiths (though not Sikh as I reported earlier - apologies), the decision in favour was unanimous.

[Edmund]

Rememebr the Ted Bates (Milan Mandaric) statue in Southampton. :giggle:

[Babylon]

The figures were given at the meeting and clearly showed a majority in support of the statue, not that it would have mattered if the vote had been the other way.

Let me get this right... you are saying that the majority were for the statue, so it's ok. But even if the majority had voted no, it still would have got the go ahead anyway.

What a democracy we live in.

[Ultra]

Let me get this right... you are saying that the majority were for the statue, so it's ok. But even if the majority had voted no, it still would have got the go ahead anyway.

What a democracy we live in.

The figures related to internet votes, which could have come from anywhere on the planet.

No self-respecting elected authority would have been guided by them. I only referred to them to kill the myth, which has resurfaced on this thread, that the council was acting against the public's wishes.

[Edmund]

Statue of an international statesman and modern-day saint in a city with a large Indian population - what doesn't make sense?

On that basis we should build a statue of Winston Chrurchill in Costa Del Sol.

[Alexikokopops]

Jade Goody would be turning in her box if she could read how off topic this thread has gone! Sick individuals. I blame you Ultra for this.

He obviously didn't write enough WORDS in capitals.

[Flynny]

On that basis we should build a statue of Winston Chrurchill in Costa Del Sol.

Hahaha, why not?

He obviously didn't write enough WORDS in capitals.

That's how the GAS do it in BRISTOL.

[Dr The Singh]

Ultra,

First source, the UK Sikh Federation, the largest Sikh organisation outside of the hindustan, various other banner organisations including BOSS (British Organisation of Sikh Students, the largest Youth Sikh Body outside of the hindustan).

These guys have grown to be very powerful as a voice of the Sikhs, and have been taken very seriously buy our ruler Gordon and the future one David!!

Majority of Sikh Temples and Sikh Human Rights groups also come under this banner, majority come under the banner of the SIkh Coalition, this shows the organisations in which the Sikhs are entwinned and have a common thought, I would presume the sentiments would ressinate accross all of the coalition, have a look and see who's in it and see how many UK Temples are part of it for yourself, they also have many articles which discredit gandhi and his mohatma status, comfirming what i'm saying

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/miramax_details.asp

Back to UKSF from there website, alhough not related to the statue of Leicester, I would presume it would have the same result:

The Sikh Federation (UK) also provided the Mayor with useful information for him to consider why it is not appropriate to support a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square. Prior to the meeting the Mayor’s Office were made aware of factual information on www.gandhism.net. It is almost certain the idea of a statue of Gandhi, which has also been strongly opposed by Westminster City Council is now permanently off the agenda.

http://www.sikhfederation.com/index.php?op...atid=37:archive

Ultra, it's your lucky day, you asked for 'source' i'm willing to give yo a first hand source, ME!! Unfortunately I don't think any SIkh temple or group were ever interviewed regarding the matter (as far as i know), and if they were, the remarks would probably be far too controversial for the likes of the Leicester Mercury.

My family have a long history with majorirty of the SIkh temples and know commity members of most. If you really want to see for yourself, why don't I take you to my local Sikh Temple (Holy Bones), maybe before a city game, you can visit the first Sikh Museum outside of hindustan and partake in some free food (curry) which is open for all, worshippers and non worshippers alike. I know the community\congregation well, they all are from the narborough road area and I have grew up with whose on the commitee, infact the president (Ajmer Basra) only lives around the corner to me. My mother, every morning, cooks and cleans at the free kitchen, my kids go punjabi school and I go to there gym, so you could say this temple is integral part of my life and integral to the Sikh community around that area!!

Firstly you will notice in the musuem, all the freedom fighters, martyrs etc, many pics also are of hindus and muslims, funnily enough some brits. Gandhi supposedly being father of the nation (india)and the one who got us\sikhs freedom from the british, you would expect to his picture????? Not even one, I have never been to any Sikh temple in my life with his picture in it, there are many other hindu's even muslims but never that bold twat...........that my friend speaks louder then any statue or website link!!!

Before you say this is not the only temple, I will show my relationship with them and how they all are interlinked. My family is entwined with most:

Ramgharhia Board, Meynell Road, my family were one of the first members of this temple and have been for 35 years, my family built this temple, they did alot of the carpentry and metal work. This temple is very inclusive, and has a close nit inner circle, my uncles Mr Sev and Kalsi are on the board!! This temple shy itself from 'politics', but they participate in many functions held by BOSS, and UKSF. Again no Gandhi pics, and have participated in many human rights rallies against hindustan!!!

Guru Tegh Bahadur, probably the largest Sikh Temple in Leicester, I don't have much to do with this temple to be honest, but they have a Sikh library and a Sikh gallery containing Martyrs, Freedom Fighters etc, again NO Gandhi!!! They are connected with many Sikh Youth organisations including BOSS and Sikhsangat. And have had affiliations with the Sikh Coalition and UKSF

Sikh Temple, Asford Road, this temple is privately funded Sikh Temple by a Priest, being based in India, they would never openly admit to anything anit indian, in fear of being aressted and tortured in India. Having said that, they have had guest many guest speakers which have lashed out against the Gandhi regime. Again no Gandhi pics!! My sister is getting married at this temple and trust me if it were pro gandhian, no way would she get married here!!!

Gurdwara Dashmesh, Gypsy Lane, my boy goes martial arts training here (Shin Kin), it's heavily infused with BOSS, and many of the students where alot of clothing with Babbar Khalsa and Sant Jarnail Singh on it, bith which have a fondness for being anti gandhi!!

Just as alittle proof, the Shin Kin propogates the Sikh National Anthem, how anti India of them:

http://www.shin-kin.com/articles/sikh-national-anthem.html

Ravidass, and any others are very small interms of community members, but all take part in the Sikh Parade, where all Martyrs are remembered, No Gandhi obviously!!!

This is not just a UK thing, his statue is also being out up in the US, Sikhs have also opposed that one aswell

http://www.hvk.org/articles/0801/51.html

http://sikhsinkuwait.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/219/

I ASK YOU ULTRA NAME ME ONE MAJOR SIKH ORGANISATION THAT GAVE THERE BLESSING TO THE MONSTERS STATUE

Again Ultra, like I have said, stop trying to be a smart arse, and try act like you know something you know fook all about!!!