|
|
 |
| |
No political ties for BWA
• IN response to Councillor Faruque Ansari (Voters who are not the Labour Party’s ‘property’, January 24), Bengali Workers’ Association would like to state the following facts on behalf of the management committee:
BWA is a registered charity and has been operating for the development of local community, in particular Bangladeshi people, in Camden since 1976.
BWA is run by elected members who form a board of directors irrespective of any political affiliation. BWA has a long established history in Camden and has been a key organisation in highlighting the needs of the Bangladeshi community and improving the quality of their lives.
BWA would like to make it clear that it is not affiliated with any political or religious group or activity. BWA does not allow the use of political meetings in the confines of its building as a result.
However, BWA since its establishment has always maintained a close relationship with the local authority, London Borough of Camden, as they have been instrumental in the organisation’s existence in terms of infrastructural support, community development issues including socio-economical development of Camden residents, funding and resources and to this day remain the core funders of this organisation.
We would like to thank them and all of our contributors who have supported our work in the past and who continue to support it today.
BWA rejects all claims of affiliations to political or religious groups by members of the public and Camden councillors.
Abul Rahman
Chairperson
on behalf of the management committee Bengali Workers’ Association, Robert Street, NW1
Throw-back
• Councillor Faruque Ansari’s patronising letter of January 24 has crossed the rubicon of local politics, as I understand it, by impugning a hard working community group for his own political ends.
The truth of the matter is that BWA is a voluntary organisation set up by the local Bengali community.
No local or national political activity has ever taken place there. It provides a valued community space, youth work and welfare advice to members of the Bengali community.
Had Cllr Ansari ever been as involved in the BWA as he boasts in print surely he would have known that.
I am worried that the kind of community politics pursued by Cllr Ansari and his colleagues are against the spirit of good community relations and a throw-back to the worst aspects of the early 1980s. In your paper he has written a number of letters in the last two years attacking our respected elders and others who have entered community life for the betterment of our area.
Instead of political point scoring and plots, why not join with all of those who have been fighting for better housing, better secondary schools and opportunities for local communities?
I understand he is seeking to be deputy mayor of Camden. Perhaps he should first seek to reflect on how he will uphold the public interest, rather than his own political prejudices, before he asks to represent all people and communities in Camden.
Mohammed Joynal Uddin
Stanhope Street, NW1
‘Property’?
• I was surprised to see Councillor Faruque Ansari’s letter (Voters who are not the Labour Party’s ‘property’, January 24).
I have lived in the Regent’s Park estate for the past 24 years and have been a user of the Bengali Worker’s Association during that time but I have never once seen Cllr Ansari.
I would like to update Cllr Ansari about the history of the link between the Bangladeshi community and the Labour Party.
I haven’t always been a supporter of the party.
I, like most Labour Party members, opposed the Iraq War, and so did all the Camden Labour councillors.
You can’t blame Camden Labour councillors for John Stonehouse’s mistake.
My family were supported by the Labour Party in the 1970s and 1980s when we were attacked by the racists and the fascists. Where were the Tories and the Lib Dems? Camden Labour councillors helped my family and provided us with the necessary support that we needed. Camden Labour has been good to the Bangladeshi and BME community.
It was Councillor Theo Blackwell who chaired the first few meetings of the Camden Central Mosque Committee. It was the Labour Party that put halal meals on the school menu. It was the Labour Party that provided free parking outside mosques on all Eid days.
What has Cllr Ansari supported?
A reduction in funding to Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre, cuts to funding for the advice services like Camden Law Centre and Citizen’s Advice Bureau, which all help the Bangladeshi and BME communities.
Runa Begum
Stanhope Street, NW1
A farce
• I am not surprised by Councillor Faruque Ansari’s letter (January 24).
The Bengali community at large in Camden and the BWA, former Bengali Worker Action Group, is not the property of the Labour Party, nor should it be a stronghold of any political party.
I witnessed and also have CCTV coverage of the disruption that occurred at the Surma Centre at the annual general meeting on November 25 that Cllr Ansari described, when some did not like the results of the elections.
I am confused as to how the chair can call a fresh election on February 10.
I don’t understand how election commissioner Richard Lefley decided to organise a fresh election until further investigating the four candidates who raised concerns of being threatened to withdraw their nominations at the AGM.
As a general member of the organisation, I have written to the chair of BWA, Abul Rahman regarding the matter.
In allowing such a farce to happen, Abul Rahman has seriously violated the constitution and the good name and reputation of the BWA.
No political party or individual politicians should be allowed to interfere with the work of the BWA, which was set up to service the needs of the Bengali community.
Neither should it be used as a stronghold for political manipulation which will only seek to damage this vital institution within the Bengali community since it was established in 1976.
Mukul Hira
Chalton Street, NW1
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
