An operation to crackdown on dodgy taxi drivers has sparked accusations of racism against a city council in the UK.
Milton Keynes council launched ‘Operation India’ jointly with the Thames Valley Police to reign in cab drivers flouting safety guidelines.
But according to media reports, naming the operation after India is proving very controversial.
“Just to use the word.. it’s like they are implying criminal drivers are Indian. Why did they have to use a country or race?” a man who did not wish to be named told the newspaper.
"I don’t have a problem with the police and council coming to check that our taxis are legal and safe. However to use 'India' as the name of the operation is racially insensitive and it should be retracted," he added.
"It’s essentially blaming all Indian taxi drivers... these are good hard-working people who work unsocial hours to make sure people get home safely. This name must be reconsidered - people will be outraged and it does not send a good message about ethnic minorities." Milton Keynes councillor Mohammed Khan said.
Milton Keynes Equality Council’s boss Navrita Atwal who is also of Indian descent, slammed the decision. She said the name ‘Operation India’ is misleading and encouraged preconceived notions about communities.
"We would always encourage using names for projects that build and create good community relations. We are living in sensitive times and should exercise double cautious as to not cause offence or mistrust as community relations take a long time to build."
However, the council has defended naming it ‘Operation India’.
A spokesperson told that it was a common practice to use internationally recognised phonetic alphabets in naming such joint operations.
"The previous three operations were called Operation Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel. It is a very common practice and the next one will be called Operation Juliet.
