Lord Adam Patel, a Labour peer and one of Britain’s most influential Gujarati Muslims, has come under fire from fellow community leaders for meeting the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, on a visit to India, and inviting him to London.
He has been threatened with disciplinary action by the Council of Indian Muslims of which he is the founder and chief patron.
In a strongly-worded statement, its executive committee sought an explanation from Lord Patel as its members accused him of “cosying up” to Mr. Modi.
“In the urgent meeting called to discuss Lord Patel’s reported meeting, EC members expressed, disappointment, dismay and disbelief unanimously agreeing to wait until his return from India and give him an opportunity to explain his position,’’ it said.
Lord Patel led protests against Mr. Modi for his alleged role in the anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat and demanded his arrest during his visit to Britain in 2003. But he is now reported to be in favour of starting a dialogue with the Modi government.
