Hindu extremists worsen community ties in UK, reveals British police report
London: A secret report compiled by the National Police Chiefs’ Council), a national body of senior police officers in the United Kingdom, has revealed that Hindu extremists may worsen community relations between Hindus and other faith groups, including Muslims and Sikhs, in Britain.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the NPCC report highlights growing concerns over British Hindu extremists aligning with far-right groups. The report details electoral interference, rising communal tensions and the export of Hindutva ideology separating it from Hinduism and warns of its divisive impact on UK’s religious harmony.
The report was leaked by Daily Mail, one of the leading British tabloids.
This comes two months after a similar ‘rapid sprint’ report by the Home Office on counter-terrorism in the UK, which acknowledged the role of Hindutva in the 2022 Leicester riot.
The NPCC report states that far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has already met with some Hindu groups to “promote anti-Muslim campaigns.”
The attention Robinson received from Indian media outlets shortly after the violence—incited by far-right groups with his involvement—was widely criticised by Indian diaspora communities in the UK.
The controversial invitation he received from Hindutva acolytes to visit India was also widely criticised by individuals and organisations within the Indian diaspora.
“The report is confirming the concerns we shared many months ago. The growing nexus between Hindutva and far-right extremists might wedge the gap and harm the harmonious relations between communities in the UK. We urge the government to take firm actions on the findings, if it is serious,” the UK-IMC (United Kingdom Indian Muslim Council), an Indian Muslim diaspora organisation, told an Indian media outlet.
“His (Robinson’s) presence appeared to be welcomed by the Indian media and a minority of British Hindus,” the NPCC study reportedly added.
The NPCC intelligence study reportedly stated that ‘Jai Sri Ram’ (Hail Lord Ram) had become a popular chant among Hindutva extremists. “It can create tensions between Hindus and members of the Muslim and Sikh communities, particularly when used to assert religious dominance,” it added.
The report also cited the role of Hindutva propaganda films as a major source of tension that led to clashes between Hindus and Sikhs in the streets of Britain.
In January, Sikh groups protested outside cinemas across the UK against the Bollywood film Emergency, alleging it portrayed them negatively. Many films, including Emergency, have been criticised as tools of the Hindu nationalist regime in India to propagate Hindutva ideology.
The report cautioned that the activities of Hindutva forces have sparked fears of religious and sectarian outbreak.
