Why is prince's 'Paki' comment any more offensive than 'Brit' or 'Aussie'?

Published on Monday 12 January 2009 20:47

If there is one positive thing to come out of the current storm in a teacup over comments Prince Harry made two years ago (your report, 12 January), it will be the end of the myth that "Paki" is offensive.

To call the term "Paki" offensive is to accept a con perpetuated by self-appointed "community spokespersons" and race relations "experts" whose careers rely on keeping the melting pot boiling over. The word means "pure" (spiritually) in Sanskrit – the Indo-Asian equivalent to Latin – thus Pakistan means "land of the pure". Hardly offensive, is it?

No-one objects to the word "Desi" – a term for all South Asians – being appropriated along with the hundreds of other Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit words that have become part and parcel of English (such as Paki's Hindi equivalent, "Pukka"), nor do white Britons object to being called Goras (which means "pale skinned") by their Desi friends and neighbours.

So let's stop this faux offendedness.

MARK BOYLE

Linn Park Gardens

Johnstone, Renfrewshire

The remarks Prince Harry made several years ago were not public utterances, but private chatter between soldiers. Obviously, it would have been better had the comment not been made, and the prince has apologised. It would also have been better had the rather unintelligible conversation not been filmed and extracts later broadcast throughout the world.

"Paki" was, of course, used as an abbreviation of Pakistani. I now wonder how many Britons will take offence at being called "Brits", Australians "Aussies" and so on?

PHILIP BENWELL

Chairman, Australian Monarchist League

South Sydney NSW, Australia

Prince Harry used the word "Paki" in what everyone accepts was a situation where he intended no offence.

The humbug and over-reaction is best exemplified by Keith Vaz MP, who on Monday's Radio 4 Today programme attacked the comments of Prince Harry because he was "third in line to the English throne".

Frankly, many of the Scots, Irish and Welsh will find this far more offensive than Prince Harry's "barracks" banter.

Prince Harry has apologised for any offence these out-of-context remarks may have caused and the matter should be left at that. Will Mr Vaz apologise for his offence?

PHILIP LARDNER

Parkinch

Erskine, Renfrewshire

When I was young, nearly 60 years ago, in the Highlands there were two shops in the main town run by Pakistani families, selling quality clothes at affordable prices. Even then each was referred to as the Paki's shop, not as an insult but as one of endearment because they gave such good value.

I have also looked up an old encyclopaedia and it states the name Pakistan comes from the meaning for "land of the Pakis". So when did it become offensive? My late parents and the rest of our family certainly meant no offence.

TERRY DUNCAN

Greame Road

Bridlington, East Yorkshire