Hindus in the World

Hindu Manifesto UK-2024

Hindus in the UK form a strong pillar of the vibrant UK democracy. As the UK General Election 2024 is approaching, the UK Hindu community has created this vision document, reflecting its aspirations, and expectations from politicians seeking support from this sizable community, for the Election. We seek the candidates contesting these elections to champion them by committing to seven pledges:

CAA: Are India's claims about minorities in other countries true?

Upon reviewing the provided BBC article on India's Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), it's important to consider the following points:

• Language and Tone: Analyze whether the language used in the article carries any implicit bias or a particular perspective. Look for emotionally charged words or phrases that might sway the reader's opinion.
• Framing of the Issue: Consider how the BBC presents the CAA and its implications. Is the framing balanced, or does it seem to favor one viewpoint over another? Look for any omissions or oversimplifications that might skew the reader's understanding of the issue.
• Selection of Sources: Check whether the article includes a diverse range of perspectives and voices. Are both proponents and critics of the CAA given equal opportunity to present their views? Bias can arise if certain viewpoints are disproportionately represented or if key stakeholders are omitted from the discussion.
• Contextual Information: Assess whether the article provides sufficient background information and context to help readers understand the complexities of the CAA and its socio-political implications. Lack of context can contribute to bias by presenting a distorted or incomplete picture of the issue.
• Fact-Checking: Verify the accuracy of the information presented in the article. Misleading or false claims can contribute to bias by shaping readers' perceptions based on inaccurate information.
• Headline and Subheadings: Evaluate whether the headline and subheadings accurately reflect the content of the article. Biased framing can sometimes be evident in the way a story is presented at a glance.

After examining these aspects of the BBC article, you can form your own assessment of whether or not bias is present. It's important to approach media analysis with a critical eye and to consider multiple sources and perspectives when forming opinions on complex issues like the CAA.

HIndu Forum of Europe Celebrates Diwali 2023 at the European Parliament

We are excited to share with you a glimpse of our Diwali 2023 celebration at the European Parliament. Click the link below to view images capturing the vibrant festivities and the joyous moments shared during this special occasion. Join us in reliving the spirit of this Hindu Forum of Europe Diwali celebration

PM Modi in France - Indian Army Marches On Champs Elysees During Bastille Day Parade

French Embassy in India twitted 

A warm welcome to France for the tri-force contingent that will march in the #BastilleDay parade on July 14! We feel especially honored to welcome soldiers from the Punjab Regiment, whose valorous history includes fighting alongside troops in WWI.

PM Modi, Guest Of Honour, Indian Forces Take Part In Bastille Day Celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the guest of honour at the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, which began around 1.40 pm Indian time and saw four Rafale fighter jets and two C-17 Globemasters participate in the flypast.

A 269-member contingent of the Indian Armed Forces also marched alongside their counterparts from the French forces in the Bastille Day parade. 

French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour - the highest French honour in military or civilian orders - on PM Modi yesterday. The Prime Minister, who became the first Indian PM to receive the award, thanked President Macron on behalf of the people of India

The Blood Review - An independent review into how government engages with faith

The Bloom Reviwe:- Chapter 6: Hindu Nationalism:  Click Here For THE BLOOM REVIEW

Bloom Report Response from the Hindu Perspective by Insight UK 

We appreciate the government's intent behind the independent review examining how the government should engage with faith groups in England. Any such study is of great importance if the UK is to uphold its reputation as a successful, diverse, and multi-faith country, which protects its people's rights to practise their religion, faith or beliefs.

As INSIGHT UK, a social movement of British Hindus and British Indians we broadly welcome the report though feel some issues facing the community have been underestimated and certain reflections about the community need re-examination for they are misinformed and misplaced.

INSIGHT UK is concerned with the rise in anti-Hindu hate as reported all across the country. The cases of attacks and vandalism of our temples are on the rise, as are incidents of targeted grooming and conversions of Hindus. It is worrisome that these anti-Hindu hate incidents are under-reported or misreported. The media bias, gaslighting of Hindu victims by systematically making false allegations against them and victim blaming is an extension of this, and aids the failure to recognise hate crimes against Hindus in this country. In this context, we feel that the report has underestimated the problem of radical Islam and its impact on religious minorities.

We are glad to see the Report identifying the presence and impact of the violent Khalistan movement in the UK, and terror groups like Babbar Khalsa whose members have been given refuge by Pakistan. The recognition of the terror tactics employed by them, such as the extreme content being posted by Khalistan extremists to silence the majority Sikh community, fuelling hate towards the Hindu community and all those who do not subscribe to their violent ideology, is a first step towards eliminating this menace. The issue of Khalistan extremists disturbing peace and posing a serious threat to British Sikhs and British Hindus needs constant monitoring and immediate countermeasures.

The nature of conversions and attempts to convert British Hindus to Christianity as reported in some recent cases have included provocative messaging by aggressive missionaries. The suggestions made are that the Christian faith is the only way to receive forgiveness for one’s sins and the only way to receive eternal life. Mindful of the psychological pressure on individuals subject to such conversion attempts and resultant disharmony among families and the wider Hindu community, we urge that an impact study be conducted on this particular issue.

While we appreciate the importance of addressing extremist ideologies, we believe it is essential to approach the subject matter with accuracy and fairness. We were surprised to find the British Hindu community who have no history of association with any form of extremism, being mentioned at all in Chapter 6 of the the report which deals with faith based extremism The two paragraphs and fifteen lines highlighting ‘Hindu Nationalism’ without a shred of evidence not only seem forced but reflect misinformation, poor research and what could be best described as an attempt to monkey balance and play to a certain gallery.

It is troubling that an independent review would use terms often used by radical elements and Islamists with a history of inciting violence against the British Hindu and British Indian community. ‘Hindu Nationalism’ has been used to gaslight Hindus and especially victims of anti-Hindu hate in UK.

India is the birthplace of Sanatan Dharma, the Hindu faith and philosophy. It is this vibrant religious culture and the extensive stretch of Hindu pilgrimage places across the length and breadth of the country that makes India a sacred geography for all Hindus. The significance of and the connection to the landscape of India for British Hindus and Hindus all over the world is deeply spiritual and beyond the notion of a modern nation state. This connection is vital for all Hindus to enhance and strengthen their spiritual practices and it promotes cultural pride and preservation. The report has grossly misread this natural attachment to what is a holy land for Hindus.

Contrary to an apt example of extremism, the bombing of Air India Flight 182 by Sikh Khalistani extremists, the report mentions ‘extreme Hindu nationalism’ but fails to provide any evidence of extremism linked to this phenomenon. The report thus draws a false equivalence between religious extremism and Hindu nationalism. The allegation is baseless and the recommendations irrelevant. It is worrying that this can perpetuate stereotypes and contribute to the marginalisation of a peaceful community. Hindu faith is founded on principles of peace, compassion, and tolerance.

It is stated that the review is the result of consultations with thousands of faith leaders, however there is no reference to any feedback from Hindu faith leaders in the report, nor to the findings of credible independent think tanks who have studied the victimisation of Hindus in the UK. It is important to know who was consulted in relation to the UK Hindu Faith Community.

Unbelievably the report mentions two references, one a BBC story covering an interview with Majid Freeman, a known extremist and fake news peddler, and another article written by Sunny Hundal who has previously been known to have peddled fake news about the Leicester incident. Not only is this very shallow research, but is deeply problematic because a known Islamist and supporter of radical terror organisations such as ISIS and the Taliban, Majid Freeman, has been cited as a reference. Multiple independent think tanks and our own investigation revealed that Majid Freeman was actively spreading misinformation on social media about the Hindu community, potentially triggering further unrest, tension and violence against Hindus.

The other name cited is Sunny Hundal (extreme left-leaning journalist, former deputy editor for the Independent), who was one of the many others on social media stoking the flames of religious hatred by falsely equating the cricket fans as Hindus, the Hindu community, and nonexistent Hindu extremists. Warnings were made on social media that violence will soon be coming from the Muslim community. Nothing against Muslims or Islam had been uttered, but the false narrative spread like wildfire

There have been reports from reputable sources that clearly demonstrate the role of Islamists and the weaponisation of social media to incite further hate against the Hindus by spreading lies. On the contrary the recent Leicester incident was proven to have no links to Hindu nationalism by both UK and international research organisations. Sharing three reports and our own investigations which establish these links and the victimisation of Hindus:

1. Hindu-Muslim civil unrest in Leicester: “Hindutva” and the creation of a false narrative by the Henry Jackson Society: https:// henryjacksonsociety.org/publications/hindu-muslim-civil-unrestin-leicester-hindutva-and-the-creation-of-a-false-narrative/

1. Cyber Social Swarming Precedes Real World Riots in Leicester:

How Social Media Became a Weapon for Violence by the Network Contagion Research Institute Report (NCRI): https:// networkcontagion.us/reports/11-16-22-cyber-social-swarmingprecedes-real-world-riots-in-leicester-how-social-media-becamea-weapon-for-violence/?ref=quillette.com

1. Fact-finding report on Leicester violence 2022 by The Centre for Democracy Pluralism and Human Rights (CDPHR): https:// www.cdphr.org/Report-Final.pdf

2. How fake news was spread to incite hate and attacks on Hindus in Leicester- https://insightuk.org/how-fake-news-was-used-toincite-hate-and-attacks-on-hindus

We would like to emphasise the need for balanced and evidence-based reporting. It is crucial to provide accurate information to the public and policymakers, as inaccurate or biased reports can have far-reaching consequences. Such reports can lead to further stigmatisation, discrimination, and a negative impact on interfaith relations.

We kindly request that you reconsider the inclusion of Hindu nationalism as a major issue in your report unless there is compelling evidence to substantiate such claims. By doing so, you would be taking an important step towards ensuring that your report accurately reflects the realities of the current global threat landscape.

We request a meeting with you to discuss at length the Hindu community’s concerns. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust that you will give due consideration to the issues raised and our requests. We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Best Regards, INSIGHT UK Team

Now it seems that British Hindus don’t count

Last summer, more than 600 people took to the streets of Leicester in violent protest against alleged “Hindutva”, a term unfamiliar to many. To some it means Hindu nationalism, to others simply outward expression of “Hinduness”. While Muslim and Hindu youths had fought in what looked like gang-style territorial violence, there was little evidence of any political nationalist allegiances with India.

Instead, concern over Hindu extremism lead to threats to find Hindus and “chop them up”, to “chase Hindus out of Leicester like they were chased out of Kashmir”, vandalism of vehicles and homes that displayed Hindu symbols and attacks on Hindu temples — all while the majority of mainstream media seemed to comment on any aspect other than Hindu-hate.

"Colonial Oppression and Humanitarian Crisis: The Great Famine of Madras in 1877.”

The Great Famine of Madras in 1877, during the dark ages of colonial India, was a catastrophic event that brought untold misery and suffering to the people of the region. The famine, triggered by a combination of factors including prolonged drought, failed monsoons, and widespread crop failure, resulted in widespread starvation, disease, and death.

As the harsh drought persisted, rivers and lakes dried up, leaving parched lands and withering crops. Agricultural communities were devastated, and food became scarce and unaffordable. People were forced to sell their possessions, beg, or resort to extreme measures to survive. Hunger and malnutrition were rampant, leading to widespread health issues and diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

The British colonial administration, which controlled the region, proved ineffective in addressing the crisis. Relief efforts were poorly organized and insufficient, failing to reach many of those in need. The suffering was exacerbated by the exploitation of the poor by the rich, who hoarded food and raised prices to exorbitant levels.

The famine took a heavy toll on the vulnerable, including children, women, and the elderly. Many families were torn apart, as people migrated in search of food and water, leaving behind their homes and loved ones. The scenes of suffering were heart-wrenching, with emaciated bodies, despairing faces, and cries of anguish echoing through the streets.

The Great Famine of Madras in 1877 left a lasting impact on the region, as countless lives were lost, communities were shattered, and the socio-economic fabric was severely damaged. It stands as a tragic reminder of the suffering and neglect faced by the Indian population during the dark ages of colonial rule, and the urgent need for equitable and just governance.

Open Letter To The BBC - Oct 2022

The misinformation that has circulated on social media sites regarding these attacks has portrayed the Hindu community as perpetrators of this violence.  Much of it has been instigated by the actual offenders, Islamists who wish to destabilise the peaceful co-existence of diverse religions, and worse still, increase the incidence of Hinduphobia in our communities.

BBC documentary on PM Modi 'badly researched', doesn't represent UK govt's view: British MP

New Delhi: BBC documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “is a hatchet job. It was poor journalism, badly researched and casts smears against PM Modi which are completely unjustified,” says UK MP Bob Blackman.

The lawmaker further said the broadcaster (BBC) “does not represent views of the British government.”

Speaking to News18, Blackman said the two episode docu-series also “sought to demonstrate that the Indian judicial system could not be trusted and I am afraid that the judicial system in India is based on the British system, completely separate from politics and completely independent.”

A Case Study of Religious Harmony and Dialogue

Among many examples of positive progress towards religious harmony and mutual respect is BAPS – a socio-spiritual organisation which has led the effort to bring about dialogue between different faiths and promote the values of unity in diversity.

I have experienced racism in my life, says UK PM Rishi Sunak

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has revealed that he experienced racism growing up in the UK but the country has made incredible progress since then in confronting the issue. 

The British Indian leader was speaking to reporters on Thursday night in the wake of a racism row at Buckingham Palace, which saw the resignation of Prince William's godmother after it emerged that the senior palace aide had repeatedly questioned a black British charity worker about where she was "really from". .

How British colonialism killed 100 million Indians in 40 years

Between 1880 to 1920, British colonial policies in India claimed more lives than all famines in the Soviet Union, Maoist China and North Korea combined.

Recent years have seen a resurgence in nostalgia for the British empire. High-profile books such as Niall Ferguson’s Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World, and Bruce Gilley’s The Last Imperialist, have claimed that British colonialism brought prosperity and development to India and other colonies. Two years ago, a YouGov poll found that 32 percent of people in Britain are actively proud of the nation’s colonial history.

British Indians protest outside Pakistan High Commission on 26/11 anniversary

The Indian diaspora in Britain protested outside Pakistan High Commission in London on 26/11 anniversary. Protesters shouted slogans against Pakistan over the cross-border terrorism emanating from the country. They said Pakistan is not only responsible for 26/11 but numerous other terror attacks across the world. On 26 November 2008, 10 terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-E-Taiba terror group killed 166 people in Mumbai. 9 terrorists were killed by security forces, while one attacker Kasab was sentenced to death

Incidents Where Hindus, Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma, etc are Attacked

Freedom of Hindu Beliefs  sign-posts some of the incidents where Hindus, Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma, etc are attacked but either not covered by the main stream media or if covered suppressed by ALL major search engines.  Analysis conducted in 2022, showed how Google promoted ‘left’ biased news stories from certain publishers like The Guardian and the BBC.

Incidents Where Hindus, Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma, Are Attacked

This website sign-posts some of the incidents where Hindus, Hinduism, Sanatan Dharma, etc are attacked but either not covered by the main stream media or if covered suppressed by ALL major search engines.  Analysis conducted in 2022, showed how Google promoted ‘left’ biased news stories from certain publishers like The Guardian and the BBC.

Hindu New Year's Message

Never to be Forgotten - or are they?

It was in amazement to hear that Google Doodle celebrated the 80th birthday of an Indian swimmer. It is a story that most people would not have heard about and certainly most Indians would be very proud of – if they knew! So, thank you Google.  

Hindu Temples and Organisations

List of Hindu Temples and Organisations in the UK