New Delhi: Kantilal Bhagabhai Patel, a prominent Kiwi-Indian community leader in New Zealand, has been sacked from the membership of the Wellington Justices of Peace (JP) Association over some of his social media comments deemed as anti-Muslim in nature.
Patel, who was awarded the Queen Service Medal (QSM) in 2004 and Pride of India Award in 2005, is a former General Secretary of Auckland Indian Association and past Assistant Secretary of the Wellington Indian Association.
“The Association received a complaint and it was investigated. Mr Patel is no longer a member of the Wellington JP Association", Ann Clark, who is the Vice President of the Association, said, according to The Indian News.
Kantilal's sacking, a first of its kind in New Zealand, comes in the wake of several Indian expats facing action for their Islamophobic, anti-Islam and anti-Muslims social media posts in Arab and European nations.
Earlier, Canada had also sacked a man of Indian origin for mocking the permission for azaan on loudpseakers given to Muslims during the month of Ramadan observed amidst Coronavirus lockdown.
Ann Clark, who is the Vice President of the Association, said to be appalled because of Kantilal's social media post.
“We were appalled at the posts", she said.
Replying to a complainant of Patel’s posts, Clark informed, “The Association received a complaint and it was investigated. We have completed our investigation and have concluded that these posts were not consistent with the standards expected of a Justice of the Peace. Mr Patel is no longer a member of the Wellington JP Association."
“Wellington Justices of the Peace Association has referred the matter to the national body representing Justices of the Peace and asked them to consult with the Ministry of Justice", she said.
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