Idi Amin: Mixed feelings among British Asians By Prasun Sonwalkar, Indo-Asian News Service
London, Aug 16 (IANS) Asians who were expelled from Uganda in the 1970s and took refuge in Britain reacted with mixed feelings on Saturday following the death of their tormentor: former dictator Idi Amin. Over the years, most Ugandan Asians have prospered in Britain and revitalized what were then economically deprived towns such as Leicester. Many of them keep in close touch with developments in Africa. They have followed news about Amin's exile in Saudi Arabia, his illness and his death. There is a section among Britain's Ugandan Asians that had wanted Amin to be tried for crimes against humanity, but there are others who had felt he should be forgiven. Amin was responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of Ugandans, besides the expulsion of Asians. The news of his death was the topic of discussion in virtually all homes of Ugandan Asians. Prabin Hazarika, brother of noted Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika, was among those from Uganda who came to Britain and settled in Leicester in the prime of their lives. Hazarika, a retired schoolteacher who was highly respected in Uganda, told IANS that he still vividly remembered the day he was asked to leave Uganda. "He was a monstrous person. No one would rejoice at his death but in the heart of hearts they will feel it is good he died," he said. "He destroyed the intellectual side of Uganda by expelling not only Asians but also Africans." His wife Trisha, however, expressed strong feelings: "He did not get any punishment for all that he did. He didn't pay for the atrocities he committed. He lived a luxurious life throughout and died a natural death. There is neither joy nor sorrow at his death." However, some like Natwar Vithlani, now 61, believe he should be forgiven. In fact, many feel they should thank the dictator for giving them an opportunity to start a new and prosperous life in the West. "I have no hard feelings towards Idi Amin. I was obviously upset at the prospect of leaving the country I had made my home. I had never thought of coming to Britain. It was heaven in Africa. "But now I have retired comfortably and have three successful daughters, I am happy," Vithlani said. According to Krishnan Gurumurthy, anchor of Channel 4 news, Amin was just as brutal as Saddam Hussein and just as monstrous as Osama bin Laden. In the end, he feels that Amin made Britain's economy stronger, thanks to the enterprise of Ugandan Asians here. "Just why he never understood that expelling Asians would certainly cripple the Ugandan economy is a mystery. They came to Britain and prospered. Many began businesses, some entered politics or the media, and others became professionals. "Today they are sewn into the fabric of the British Asian experience... So there was a plus side after all to the madness of Idi Amin", he said. A large number of Ugandan Asians, mainly of Gujarati origin, settled in Leicester. In Leicester, the local city council takes pride in their prosperity. Several local Asian radio stations opened their airwaves to reactions and comments from Ugandan Asians on Amin's death. In July, old wounds of the early 1970s were reopened when secret government documents were declassified under the 30-year rule. The documents showed that the British government was reluctant to take responsibility for the 28,000 Ugandan Asians who held British passports. --Indo-Asian News Service ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
