British Hindus object to ‘police report’ claiming they are aligned with far right

LONDON: British Hindu groups have condemned a leaked police report which allegedly states that “British Hindu extremists” are forming alliances with far-right groups in Europe “over their common hatred of Muslims”, saying it is completely untrue, misleading and baseless.
The Mail on Sunday claimed to have got hold of a secret UK intel report which says Hindu groups have met with far-right activist Tommy Robinson to “promote anti-Muslim campaigns” and pockets of Hindutva supporters are aligning with the extreme right in Europe. The study claims that Norwegian far-right terrorist Anders Breivik was inspired by “Hindutva ideology”, that Hindutva extremists are interfering in UK polls, and that Bollywood films such as “Emergency” “carry a Hindutva ideology“, causing clashes between British Hindus and Sikhs.
INSIGHT UK said they are filing a complaint with the Mail and press regulator IPSO. They also plan to file an FOI (freedom of information) request to see the report. “It is baseless and without evidence. This article is making Hindus feel less safe in the UK,” their spokesperson said.
Neeraj Patil, chair of Hindus for Labour, said: “No credible Hindu organisation in the UK, or major Hindu confederation, has aligned itself with any right-wing British Hindu group. Those making such claims should be asked to provide concrete evidence. These narratives are part of an anti-Hindu agenda promoted by certain elements who resent the growing influence of British Hindus.”
Kuldeep Shekhawat, president of OFBJP-UK, which campaigned against Labour in the 2019 UK election, said: “We are British Hindus so we can campaign for who we like. How can that be interference?” The Hindu Community Organisation Groups Leicester has written to the Mail calling the article inflammatory and misleading, adding it could marginalise the entire community and links to Breivik are “offensive”.