'Recognise Anti-Hindu Hate': Hindu Groups Launch Separate 'Manifesto' Ahead of UK Polls

London: The general elections in the United Kingdom scheduled for July 4 witnessed protests across the country by the Hindu organisations who launched ‘The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024’ seeking recognition of anti-Hindu hate as a religious hate crime.

The manifesto includes seven key demands from the parliamentary candidate and the government to come. 

Apart from recognition of anti-Hindu hate as a religious hate crime, the manifesto outlines protecting places of Hindu worship, access to fairer education, equal representation and opportunities for Hindus, streamlining immigration, healthcare and social care and acknowledging and protecting dharmic values.

The manifesto, released on June 8, claimed the support of several parliamentary candidates.  

"The manifesto ushers a unified voice of the UK Hindu community as representatives from diverse backgrounds and regions come together to champion the seven assurances," said the Hindu organisations in a statement.

The manifesto further sought all parliamentary candidates to support and back the Hindu community in their respective constituencies. 

The UK witnessed a nationwide celebration of the consecration of a Lord Ram idol in Ayodhya by over 200 Hindu groups who expressed hopes that the country would commemorate the event. 

Anti-Hindu Hate Crimes In UK

Last year, a British-Indian London Assembly member tabled a motion seeking the Metropolitan Police to include the breakdown of hate crimes by religion to tackle growing instances of anti-Hindu hate.

Krupesh Hirani addressed the assembly, which deals with issues affecting Londoners as part of the Mayor of London-run Greater London Authority, to bring instances of “Hinduphobia” to the fore. The motion urged the Met Police to work with Hindu communities to encourage confidence in reporting hate crimes against Hindus.