A British Asian dentist who was the victim of an attack by a neo-Nazi has spoken out about how the British media and general public treat racially motivated attacks and called out the double-standard of who is labelled a terrorist.
Dr Sarandev Bhambra was attacked with a machete in a branch of Tesco in Flintshire in January.
On Friday, Zack Davies, who screamed “white power” as he attempted to behead Dr Bhambra, was handed a life sentence and will serve at least 14 years behind bars.
Davies said it was a racially motivated revenge attack for the murder of Lee Rigby, and at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands said Davies had extreme racist views and hoped to draw attention to himself.
Dr Sarandev Bhambra: neo-nazi attack was terrorism
"Why was he not considered a terrorist given his political ideals? Neo-nazis and racists like Davies propagate extreme violence against non-white UK citizens."Zack Davies is given a life-sentence today for attempting to decapitate Dr Sarandev Bhambra in a racially-motivated attack – he says the attack should have been treated as terrorism. Read more: http://www.channel4.com/news/zack-davies-life-sentence-for-lee-rigby-revenge-murder
Posted by Channel 4 News on Friday, 11 September 2015
Speaking outside the courtroom, Dr Bhambra, who is recovering from his injuries, said:
Had this attempted murder been committed by a non-white, the collected media and indeed the investigating authorities would have dealt with this as an act of terrorism. Davies said he was known to the police, why was he not considered a terrorist given his political ideals?
Neo-Nazis and racists like Davies propagate extreme violence against non-White UK citizens. The threat this poses to minorities, in my opinion, is not taken seriously.
This isn’t the first time questions have been raised about some people’s reluctance to label white attackers as “terrorists”. Despite holding clear extremist, racist views, for instance, the likes of mass murderer Anders Breivik and Charleston shooter Dylann Roof were not widely referred to as terrorists in the press.
Something to think about…