theSUN
November 02, 2006
FURY erupted today after Guy Fawkes night was banned by “politically correct” council chiefs and replaced by a Bengali folk tale.
Tower Hamlets Council in east London has chosen an “alternative theme” for fireworks night - traditionally based on the attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Instead council bosses have shelled out £75,000 on a fireworks display based on a Bengali tale called Emperor and the Tiger.
Sunday’s display at Hackney's Victoria Park is expected to attract 20,000 but there will no mention of the Guy Fawkes plot.
The move came under fire from George Galloway and campaigners.
Mr Galloway, Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow said: "It beggars belief that this council should organise a Bonfire Night without a bonfire or a Guy."
John Midgley, spokesman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said the council's move would "explode in their faces".
He added: "There's a time and a place for everything and November 5 is for Bonfire Night. It's time for common sense and for people to tell bureaucrats that politically correct actions like these undermine our historic occasions and harm community relations."
Tower Hamlets' Bengali population of 65,000 make up about one third of the London borough.
But Bengalis dominate the council and its cabinet with 31 of the 51 councillors.
Tower Hamlets council insisted they were neither being politically correct nor forgetting the gunpowder plot.
A spokesman said: “Since introducing the themed events four years ago, visitor numbers have increased from 3,000 to a massive 23,000 people at last year's event. Let's judge the event by how much people enjoy themselves on the night."
