From Rohtak to the UK: How a Mother-Son Duo Climbed the Political Ladder

Thirteen years after moving from Rohtak, Haryana, to the United Kingdom in search of a better future, a mother-son duo has achieved a rare political feat. Parveen Rani and Tushar Kumar have both been elected as mayors in their respective UK towns, marking a journey defined by resilience, cultural integration, and a deep-seated commitment to public service.

Tushar Kumar currently serves as the youngest-ever Mayor of the Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, while his mother, Parveen Rani, holds the position of Mayor of the Hertsmere Borough Council. Their rise to prominence offers a unique perspective on the immigrant experience in Britain, navigating the balance between maintaining Indian heritage and embracing their new home.

The Shifting Landscape of Immigration

Reflecting on their arrival in 2013, Kumar notes that the social climate in the UK has undergone a significant transformation. While he acknowledges that the country is currently navigating complex immigration challenges, he emphasizes the importance of nuanced discourse.

“There definitely is an immigration problem, but we must distinguish between debating policy and exhibiting hostility toward individuals based on their ethnicity,” Kumar stated. He highlighted that immigrants often arrive with aspirations for growth and stability, and that the narrative surrounding these individuals has grown increasingly polarized.

Both leaders pointed toward the influence of misinformation, particularly following civil unrest in the UK in mid-2024. During this period, false reports circulating on social media wrongly attributed criminal activities to illegal migrants, leading to widespread public anger. Rani emphasized that such misinformation fuels unnecessary division, noting that the reality of the situation often contradicts the viral rhetoric that sparks social volatility.

Integrating Values and Identity

For both Rani and Kumar, success has come from a philosophy of active contribution. Moving from Haryana, they brought with them a cultural emphasis on hard work and community support.

“I always believed we should contribute and be a part of society rather than just migrating and existing,” Rani explained. Her transition into local politics began through volunteerism, where she focused on helping residents—a practice she views as a natural extension of the values she inherited from her upbringing in India.

Kumar echoes this sentiment, championing the idea that one does not need to discard their cultural identity to be truly “British.” He argues that being proud of one’s Indian heritage is not mutually exclusive with participating fully in the British democratic process. “Integration is about understanding the values of the country you move to, but it is not about giving up your morals,” he added.

Facing the Challenges of Racism

Despite their professional success, the duo does not shy away from the harsh realities of living in a foreign nation. Kumar expressed concern over the rising frequency of identity-based questioning. He noted that there is an increasing trend of people being challenged on their “Englishness” or “Britishness,” regardless of whether they have spent their entire lives in the country.

“It is heartbreaking when people who were born here and consider this their only home face racism,” Kumar said.

Recalling his own experience as a ten-year-old immigrant who arrived with little knowledge of the English language, Kumar admits the early years were difficult. However, he remains optimistic about the fundamental character of the British people, noting that his journey from struggling with the language and feeling homesick to becoming a mayor would not have been possible without the welcoming nature of the local community. Ultimately, their story serves as a testament to the power of assimilation without erasure, providing a roadmap for future generations of immigrants navigating life in a new land.

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