Islamabad: Rishi Sunak created history by becoming the first Hindu and first person of colour to become Prime Minister of UK. His crowing moment was all the more special as it coincided with Diwali celebrations in India and elsewhere.
India and Pakistan are on the cusp of history to share the pride of Rishi Sunak becoming Britain’s first non-White Prime Minister. Sunak’s grandparents originated from British India but their birthplace, Gujranwala, lies in modern-day Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Sunak, in an odd way, is both an Indian and a Pakistani by heritage. He is a practising Hindu and takes his Commons oath on the Bhagavad Gita.
The 42-year-old was born in Southampton to Hindu-Punjabi parents but his grandparents were born and raised in the city of Gujranwala in Punjab province, as per media reports.
Grandparents leave Gujranwala
His paternal grandfather Ramdas Sunak left Gujranwala to work as a clerk in Nairobi in 1935. His wife, Suhag Rani Sunak, moved to Delhi first from Gujranwala, along with her mother-in-law, before travelling to Kenya in 1937 to join her husband.
Ramdas and Suhag Rani had six children, three sons and three daughters.
Rishi Sunak's father Yashveer Sunak was born in 1949 in Nairobi. He arrived in Liverpool in 1966 and went on to study medicine at the University of Liverpool. Yashveer married Usha in Leicester in 1977.
Rishi's birth and childhood
Three years later, Rishi was born in 1980 in Southampton. His parents ran a successful pharmacy business till their retirement.
Netizens express their views
So far, scanty details about his ancestry are available only on social media. That is where both Indians and Pakistanis are expressing their views.
"The Sunaks are a Punjabi Khatri family from Gujranwala, now in Pakistan," said a Twitter user, adding, "Ramdas Sunak, Rishi's paternal grandfather, left Gujranwala to work as a clerk in Nairobi in 1935."
As soon as it became clear that Rishi will become the next Prime Minister, Pakistani netizens on Twitter laid claim to the incoming British leader.
"I think Pakistan should also lay claim on Rishi Sunak because his paternal grandparents were from Gujranwala who from there migrated to Kenya and then to Britain," one user tweeted.
Another said, "Wow! What a tremendous achievement. A Pakistani has now ascended to the highest office in England. Anything is possible if you believe."
Some suggested that it was a moment of joy for broth India and Pakistan.
"Going to bed in the US with hopes that a Punjabi from Gujranwala will be the prime minister of the UK in the morning! Both Pakistan and India should be jointly proud of this moment!" one user said.
"Since Gujranwala is in Pakistan, anyone who belonged to this city even 100 years ago is a Pakistani today," tweeted another.
Gujranwala- before and after partition
Gujranwala, known for its good food and culture of wrestling, is located about 1.5 hours from Lahore.
Before partition, when Rishi's grandparents used to live in Gujranwala, the city used to be a locality surrounded by at least seven gates, used as entry and exit points to it, as reported by the media.
Today's Gujranwala is a congested, densely populated city surrounded by narrow streets, filled with shops of clothes, jewellery, electronics and others. Before partition, the city had a large and thriving Hindu community.
When the communal riots erupted in British India (today's India and Pakistan), many Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims were forced to migrate and relocate. Many Muslim and Hindu families left today's India and Pakistan for Kenya and other countries, Geo News reported.
History made
In Britain, Asian and rights groups have hailed the rise of Rishi as hopeful and the dawn of a new era.
Sunder Katwala, director of British Future, told the media, "Rishi Sunak becoming the first British Indian Prime Minister is a historic moment. This simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago. It shows that public service in the highest office in Britain can be open to those of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds."
The 1928 Institute, a University of Oxford-backed British Indian think tank, told, "It is incredible to see a British Indian as PM. Many of our grandparents were British subjects and now to see someone of Indian heritage in the UK's highest office is truly wonderful."
"It shows how our community has come a long way and will be an inspiration for the next generation, although some will still attack Rishi Sunak for his heritage. Breaking this glass ceiling is a major achievement but we need more diversity in our government. We will judge Rishi by his policies and hope that our shared values across the diaspora such as seva, particularly with regards to minority and marginalised communities, are part of his leadership."
