In a significant development shaking the British Indian community and raising questions about free speech, King Charles III has revoked the honors of two prominent figures: Lord Rami Ranger, a Conservative peer and multi-millionaire businessman, and Anil Bhanot, a managing trustee of the Hindu Council UK. Lord Ranger’s Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and Bhanot’s Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) have been formally annulled, as reported in the London Gazette. This dramatic action necessitates the return of their insignia to Buckingham Palace and prohibits any future reference to their former titles.
The British honours system, established by King George V during World War I, initially recognized contributions to the war effort. Today, these awards celebrate significant positive impact across various fields. Lord Ranger received his CBE in 2015 for services to British business and community cohesion, while Bhanot received his OBE in 2010 for services to the Hindu community and interfaith relations. Both men’s journeys are noteworthy: Lord Ranger, born in Gujranwala (now Pakistan), built a successful FMCG company, Sun Mark, after immigrating to the UK. He has also been a significant donor to the Conservative Party and a member of the House of Lords. Bhanot, a chartered accountant, is a founding member of the Hindu Council UK and runs a community arts centre in Leicester.
The revocation of their honors stems from separate investigations by the Forfeiture Committee, which reviews allegations of bringing the honors system into disrepute. The Committee doesn’t determine guilt or innocence but assesses whether actions damage the integrity of the awards system. In Lord Ranger’s case, the investigation centered on accusations of bullying and offensive tweets targeting Indian journalist Poonam Joshi, where he used highly derogatory language. Further controversy arose from his questioning of BBC staff’s origins in relation to a documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his comments about Sikhs for Justice, a US-based organization banned in India. A complaint was also lodged regarding a tweet about a Southall gurdwara trustee. Lord Ranger’s spokesperson strongly condemned the decision, characterizing it as an unjust attack on free speech and vowing to pursue legal options.
Anil Bhanot’s case involves complaints related to tweets he posted in 2021 concerning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. While previously cleared by the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Charity Commission, the Forfeiture Committee received a complaint alleging Islamophobia. Bhanot maintains he was simply expressing empathy for victims and advocating for dialogue and legislative action, vehemently denying any Islamophobic intent. He expresses deep disappointment, viewing the revocation as an infringement on free speech, particularly concerning the political nature of the honors system.
This situation highlights the complex interplay between freedom of expression, the integrity of the British honors system, and the consequences of online actions for public figures. The actions taken by King Charles III, based on the Forfeiture Committee’s recommendations, will undoubtedly fuel ongoing discussions about the balance between individual rights and the standards expected of those recognized with prestigious national awards.
