A parliamentary candidate has condemned a leaflet attacking her for Labour’s support of laws to outlaw caste discrimination.

The flyer, which was sent out to voters in Harrow East, attacks Labour and Lib Dem candidates Uma Kumaran and Ross Barlow due to their parties’ support in 2013 for laws to outlaw caste discrimination.

The leaflet was distributed by Dharma Sewa Purvapaksha, an organisation which aims to connect the Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities, and claims the law could inadvertently increase caste stigma.

Uma Kumaran condemned the leaflet as “gutter politics”, adding: “It saddens me that my faith is being used against me.

“In Harrow we’re proud of our diversity and this divisive leaflet seeks to tarnish what we’ve all worked so hard to build.

“I will represent the whole of Harrow East. It needs an MP who will unite our community rather than divide it.”

The leaflet, which encourages people not to vote for Miss Kumaran and Mr Barlow, recommends Tory candidate Bob Blackman on the basis his party had voted against the change.

Mr Blackman said: “I made my position on the divisive and much hated caste legislation, that Labour and the Lib Dems voted through, very clear at a Hindu hustings and a Hindu organisation put out a leaflet on the candidate stances.

“My understanding of the issues of importance to the Hindu community is why I am best placed to represent it."

The Tory candidate, who has held the seat since 2010, claims that he has also been subject of abusive leaflets, adding the police are investigating.