:dateline:Labour MP John McDonnell has used his New Year message to thank and pay tribute to the supporters of the Kesri Lehar � �The Wave for Justice� Campaign.
Labour MP had chaired the all-party group on the Panjabi community in Britain. Initially, the group focused on human rights issues during the dangerous, unstable and uncertain period in the Panjab�s history. In 1997 the scope of the group was expanded to include a range of issues affecting the Panjabi community in Britain. The group is now acknowledged as the voice of the Panjabi community in the UK Parliament.
In a New Year message for 2013, British Labour Party Politician for Hayes and Harlington said:
�2012 was a significant year in the history of the Panjabi community in Britain because of the launch of the hugely successful Kesri Lehar campaign. The large number of names on its petition, the effective lobby of Parliament and the involvement of so many young people, all made this �Wave for Justice� campaign a historic event in our country.�
�I want to thank and pay tribute to all those who have supported this critically important campaign. Now we must maintain the momentum of the campaign in 2013. This will mean us all playing our part in the coming year. Our aim must be first to secure the end of the death penalty in India but we must also seek justice for the past and present injustices experienced by the Panjabi community.�
�I pledge myself to continuing to do all I can to support this excellent initiative and of course I wish everybody a Happy and Peaceful New Year.�
Kesri Lehar � The Wave For Justice Campaign
It is notable that the Kesri Lehar campaign was launched by Panjabis living in the UK following the decision Union of States Government of India, in March 2012, to execute Balwant Singh Rajoana in Panjab.
On the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Monday the 10th December 2012, MPs, Peers of the House of Lords and Human Rights activists all came together on International Human Rights Day to submit the historic Kesri Lehar petition to the British Prime Minister to requesting the UK government to persuade the Indian government to renounce capital punishment and address outstanding human rights abuse concerns.
�Labour MP from Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell supported the Kesri Lehar and presented an early motion that has been endorsed by 90 lawmakers so far and this number is up on the rise.� added the organisers of the campaign.
