A Journey from Haryana to British Civic Leadership

Thirteen years after leaving their home in Rohtak, Haryana, to build a better future, Parveen Rani and Tushar Kumar have achieved remarkable success in local British governance. The mother-son duo now serve as mayors in the United Kingdom, navigating the complexities of public life, civic duty, and the shifting socio-political landscape of modern Britain.

Rani serves as the Mayor of the Hertsmere Borough Council, while Kumar holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever Mayor of the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council. Reflecting on their journey, the family credits their core values and determination for helping them integrate into British society while retaining their distinct Indian heritage.

Shifting Public Sentiment on Immigration

In recent interviews detailing their experiences, Kumar addressed the evolving discourse surrounding immigration in the UK. He noted that public sentiment has noticeably transformed since the family first arrived in the country in 2013.

"Look, I think public sentiment towards immigration has definitely changed from what it used to be. When we came in 2013, it used to be very different to what it is now. I think it would be wrong of us to turn a blind eye to the fact that there is an immigration problem," Kumar stated.

However, the young mayor emphasized the necessity of separating policy debates from xenophobia. He pointed out that while immigration policies warrant serious discussion, this discourse must not devolve into hostility toward individuals based on their ethnicity or cultural background.

"You don't have to give up your Indian heritage to be more British. You can be British and also be proud of your Indian heritage," Kumar added, noting that despite policy concerns, the British populace remains largely welcoming to newcomers.

Misinformation, Social Unrest, and Rising Racism

Discussing the catalysts behind recent social tensions, Mayor Rani pointed to the dangerous role of misinformation on digital platforms. She referenced the unrest that followed a tragic incident in mid-2024 involving the deaths of three young women, where false social media reports initially misidentified the attacker as an illegal immigrant.

"Sometimes people see misinformation, and they start believing it. Their frustration turned into anger, and they started protesting," Rani explained, highlighting how online falsehoods can severely disrupt community harmony.

Kumar also expressed growing concern over rising instances of casual racism and the routine questioning of minority identities in the UK—even among individuals who were born and raised in the country.

"People didn't use to question people's identity before, as to whether they were English or if they were British or not. I think there are more conversations now than ever questioning people's identity. So yes, we do get cases where people have faced racism, and I think it's really heartbreaking because some of the people have literally been born in the UK," he said.

The Balance of Integration and Heritage

Emphasizing the importance of successful assimilation, Kumar defined integration as understanding the host nation's culture, values, and actively contributing to society, all without abandoning one's foundational morals.

"I've carried those values and those morals with me. And in fact, I think that's helped me shape my public life," Kumar concluded, standing as a testament to the contributions of the Indian diaspora in contemporary British politics.