Hindus ask Sarkozy to resign over Roma fiasco

NEVADA - Hindus want France President Nicolas Sarkozy to resign over the Roma (Gypsy) fiasco.

Eminent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that xenophobia and racism laden policies and comments of Sarkozy around Roma issue were bringing dishonor and humiliation to the great nation of France which was known for its high respect for human rights.

Despite the worldwide criticism, Sarkozy was adamantly continuing to dismantle Roma settlements and expelling them. Not only subscribing to racism and xenophobia, he was trying to export it to other European countries, Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued.

Rajan Zed further said that according to reports over Roma crackdown, Sarkozy created an unprecedented row between France and European Union (EU), had been at odds with his European partners, put words in the mouth of German Chancellor Angela Merkel who later flatly contradicted, clashed with European Commission (EC), had heated exchange with EC President Josi Manuel Barroso who stated that discrimination against ethnic minorities was unacceptable, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding urged EC to take legal action against France over Roma deportations, European Parliament criticized France over Roma expulsions, and a leaked memo apparently showed that French authorities had been instructed to target Roma camps.

Zed pointed out that singling out of helpless Roma was appalling and immoral and asked EC to take fast-track legal disciplinary action against France over Roma expulsions and dismantling of their settlements. Further expulsions should be immediately halted and affected Roma should be provided with adequate compensation.

How long Roma would continue to be scapegoat at the hands of unscrupulous politicians like Sarkozy, Rajan Zed asked.

Since August, France has dismantled about 200 Roma settlements and expelled about 1,000 persons, reports suggest. (ANI)