Desi DNA

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Identity Crisis

Sonia Deol investigates why a growing number of British Asians do not want to be called 'Asian' anymore and asks if it has more to do with personal politics or prejudice? 


After being under the umbrella term 'Asian' for more than 30 years why has it suddenly become a dirty word? Are we having an identity crisis or is it political correctness gone mad? Where has the backlash come from?
Sikh and Hindu frustration with the term 'Asian' did not however begin with September 11th. Earlier the same year the reporting of racial disturbances between gangs of young men in the streets of Oldham and Bradford turned up the heat on the use of the term 'Asian'.

And what will happen if the term 'Asian' is broken down even further?

On the show presenter Sonia Deol meets…

Davinderjit Singh, Vice Chair of the Sikh Federation, who feels Sikhs have the right to a specific religious identity as being grouped with Muslims is frustrating.

Savita Vij, founding member of Cultivasian, an online magazine that explores culture and politics

Ricki Sehgal, a Hindu businessman who believes his community have added value culturally and economically to British society but are ignored in the eyes of the media.

Karen Chauhan, anti racism campaigner and director of the 1990 Trust, who feels there is a need of solidarity with Muslims to tackle racism and fear of attacks.

Omar Waraich, Muslim journalist who has worked for the Guardian, USA Today and currently writes for the New Statesman.

Sonia also carries out an experiment to find out if people could tell the Asian community apart and identify their religions.

    Your comments

    Share your comments on the Asian Identity Crisis feature in this edition of Desi DNA and we'll publish the best comments here.

    Disclaimer: The BBC will put up as many of your comments as possible but we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments that are published.

    Read what others have said..

    Muslim, Wales
    It would have been nice if they had a Muslim on the show who could have given their say too and backed us up!!....to be honest the programme was very biased with various "ASIANS" talking against Muslims...and you blame muslims for religious conflict....doesnt seem that way having read the email above!

    Roberto: Miami Florida
    I am proud of what I am. A Human Being who is a US Latin and accepts people for what they are on the inside instead of the outside.

    British Asian, Cardiff
    I think people are unnecessarily drawing up lines of segregation here by wanting to be known as Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims. An Indian Parsi or Sikh would be quite happy to be identified as an Indian, and that would suffice as an identity tag. How often do you get Danish Kaneria (Hindu Pakistani Cricketer) beating the drum that he is a Pakistani Hindu? We should just be called British and shouldnt dwell too much on our religous differences, we all look the same!

    P, NW London
    Asia itself is a huge continent which includes Japan, China, parts of Russia and so on......So how can anyone identify themselves as British Asian. We Asians need to identify each other individually, like British Indian/ Pakistani/ Chinese, but for some it goes much deeper and identity is an important factor now-a-days. Most Indian/Hindu youth would like to be called British Hindus or British Indian, but not Asian. Anything that happens in UK from riots in Bradford to terrorism is just pinned on Asians. Last year August when a terror alert at Heathrow Airport happened, my house got egged twice on the same day, when i reported it the police they have the nerve to ask if it was in relation to the terror alert. My house has clear Hindu symbols such as a OM or Swastika on display, which anyone can view from the windows. So why was it egged, maybe due to the me being ASIAN and not Hindu or Indian. Some people in UK still cant identify Hindus from Muslims.

    Natasha, Manchester
    I thought individuals like Mr. Sehgal came across very poorly. They seemed to be petty and, dare I say it, spineless. Sonia raised an excellent point at the start of the segment, these very people are being racist towards other Asians.

    Raj from birmingham
    Some girls in my 6th form randomly asked if i was Asian which confused me and asked why, as they aren't girls i talk to. They just wanted to know so i answered straight Yes. The point they made was one of their friends said she was 'Sikh' not 'Asian'. So there are people who would deny the 'Asian' label. I have never seen a problem with the term and i think i would say im 'Asian' being Sikh is my religion. I'm surprised at the fact people want this separation. I've not heard of Europeans saying they don't want this label upon them. If hindhus, sikhs and muslims want to demolish the term 'asian' they are demolishing any unity between us. Why the need to separate from each other? What will it even achieve?

    David, Derby
    This is ridiculous! White British people don't go around saying 'I'm a British Christian' or 'I'm a British Catholic'. How much of an identity do we need to shove into people's faces? I'm a white, British, Christian, vegetarian, Male? What's wrong with 'I'm just ME!!!'?

    Bal, London
    I'm a sikh, born in Britain, family from the Punjab and yes I don't like being clumped into the 'Asian' mould. For various reasons we 'Asians' are all very different. I don't like the negative associations with Muslims especially and do not want to be perceived as the same.

    Adil Ray

    Adil Ray
    Weekdays, 15.00 - 19.00, BBC Asian Network
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      Nihal

      Nihal
      Weekdays, 09.00 - 12.00, BBC Asian Network
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