Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is facing backlash after supporting comments made by Indian lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi, who blamed Pakistan for grooming gang issues in the UK. Chaturvedi, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist group with a controversial history, claimed that the problem should not reflect on all of Asia but on “one rogue nation”—Pakistan.
Musk echoed Chaturvedi’s statement on social media, calling it “true.” His remarks have drawn attention due to the RSS’s documented admiration for Nazi ideology, as highlighted in a book by its former leader M.S. Golwalkar, which advocated for a Hindu-only nation. The RSS has been criticized for promoting Hindu supremacy and marginalizing minorities.
The controversy comes amid heated debates in the UK over grooming gangs. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently spoke about his role in prosecuting an Asian grooming gang during his time as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Starmer has faced criticism for opposing a new inquiry into grooming gangs, instead urging the implementation of recommendations from a prior investigation.
Chaturvedi questioned Starmer’s stance, arguing that it unfairly labels entire ethnic groups. Her remarks have been embraced by far-right groups, and Musk’s endorsement has added fuel to the fire. Critics have pointed out that Musk’s comments may align with harmful stereotypes often used to divide communities.
Adding another layer to the story, Musk’s company, Starlink, is reportedly negotiating licensing agreements with Pakistani authorities for satellite internet services. Some observers speculate that his remarks could be an attempt to pressure Pakistan during these discussions.
However, a 2020 UK Home Office report challenges the narrative linking grooming gangs predominantly to Pakistani men. While some high-profile cases involved individuals of Pakistani origin, the report found that most child sexual exploitation gangs in the UK consist of white men under 30. Experts have warned that associating these crimes with a single community fuels division and hampers child protection efforts.
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