Rotherham, a UK town infamous for the grooming gang scandal involving predominantly British-Pakistani men, has appointed Rukhsana Ismail—a British-Pakistani woman—as mayor. Though chosen by council members, not public vote, the move sparked backlash online. Critics argue it's insensitive to victims, calling it a "cruel twist" and accusing the UK of cultural erasure. Others defend Ismail’s appointment as merit-based and unrelated to past crimes. The controversy reignites debates around identity, justice, and Islamophobia in a deeply fractured political climate.
