NEW DELHI: Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday seconded Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi after she objected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for using the generic term ‘Asian’ with reference to child sexual abuse scandal across different parts of England. The accused gangs involved men of Pakistani origin.
In a social media post on X, Chaturvedi said, “Repeat after me, they aren’t ASIAN Grooming Gangs but PAKISTANI grooming gangs.”
“Why should Asians take the fall for one absolute rogue nation?” She added.
Soon, Musk reacted to Chaturvedi’s post and said “True.”
Meanwhile, British Indians and other South Asian communities in the UK are voicing growing frustration with UK PM Starmer. The recent use of the term “Asian grooming gangs” has sparked outrage, with community leaders accusing him of unfairly implicating diverse Asian ethnicities in crimes predominantly committed by individuals of Pakistani heritage.
This controversy follows last year’s backlash over Starmer’s culturally insensitive Diwali reception at Downing Street, where alcohol and meat were served, further alienating British Hindus.
The term “Asian grooming gangs” came under scrutiny again after Starmer used it while defending his record as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from 2008 to 2013.
This also followed sharp criticism from billionaire Elon Musk, who accused Starmer of failing to address systemic issues related to grooming gangs during his tenure.
British Indian and Sikh leaders argue that such terminology unfairly stigmatizes entire Asian communities, including Indians, Sri Lankans, and others, for crimes predominantly linked to men of Pakistani heritage. “We are dismayed that the PM chose to whitewash this heinous atrocity with the word ‘Asian,’” said Krishna Bhan, Chair of the Hindu Council UK. “Our Hindu and Sikh girls were also victims of these grooming gangs, and using this vague term insults all Asians.”
