UK riots: Asian immigrants hit, but also emerge heroes

London, Aug 12 (PTI) People with roots in the Indian
sub-continent were some of the worst affected when riots
rocked London and other cities in England, but their
resilience and determination to thwart trouble-makers was soon
hailed as examples of the "best of Britain."
As normalcy returns, the impact of the days and nights of
mayhem is becoming clear, with official estimates of loss
running into hundreds of millions of pounds.
Significantly, so far none of the rioters arrested, named
and shamed is from Britain's Asian community.
Those hit the hardest include scores of Gujarati
businessmen, a Pakistan-origin family and a Sri Lankan
shopkeeper who has been reduced to penury but insists he will
soon be up on his feet with help from neighbours and others
from the wider community.
There have been many inspiring examples of ordinary
people – from all communities – in London and elsewhere,
contributing to cleaning up, countering rioters, helping to
deal with the situation and insisting on peace.
Tariq Jahan, the Pakistan-origin father of 21-year-old
Haroon, who was among three Asian youngsters mowed down by a
speeding car in Birmingham, has been widely hailed as a hero
and as the "true face of Britain" for his efforts to calm
passions after the incident.
Wrote Daniel Johnson in the Daily Telegraph: "The Jahan
family has set an example, not only for their fellow Muslims,
but for Britons of all religions and none."
The Gujarati community in London estimates that at least
10 per cent of the business establishments attacked belonged
to members of the community. The establishments affected
include corner shops, jewellers and an electronics showroom.
Sri Lankan-origin shopkeeper Shiva Kandiah's shop was
ransacked in Hackney, losing over 10,000 pounds worth of
goods.
He did not have contents' insurance, but is touched by
the assistance extended by people in the borough who have
volunteered to help him get back on his feet again.
The example set by hundreds of people in Southall who
rallied together to protect the Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara was
hailed by Prime Minister David Cameron in the House of Commons
yesterday.
Also lauded was the contribution of Birmingham-based
Sangat TV, whose presenter Upinder Randhawa has become the
most recognised face in the west Midlands and beyond.
People have been gathering outside the channel's office
to thank him and the channel for helping deal with the riots
and spread the message of peace amidst passions over the
recent events.
Another immigrant who aroused the sympathy of millions is
Ashraf Rossli, the Malaysian student whose YouTube footage
became a symbol of the riots.
Robbed of his bike by hooded youths with knives, Rossli
was kicked in the face and left bleeding with a broken jaw
that required surgery.
The incident recorded by his friend shows him being
helped to his feet by rioters, who then proceed to steal from
his backpack.
He insisted he still loved Britain and would not return
home before completing his accountancy course, even though his
mother asked him to return.