In Leicester, England, after a cricket match between India and Pakistan, a mob of militants attacked a Shiva temple, ransacked a Shiva temple and also brought down the saffron flag above the temple. In the UK, where the death of Queen Elizabeth II is being mourned, suddenly such a hateful incident has shocked the whole world. Meanwhile, Britain’s Muslim Council has condemned the targeting of the Muslim community by right-wing groups in this matter.
Muslim Council Secretary General Zara Mohammed said that the agenda spread by right-wing groups of India is now visible on the streets of Britain. People from many communities have come to me and expressed concern about this in the past. Muslims, Sikhs and other minorities have been targeted by this agenda, which has sparked a fight between the two communities in Leicester.
Zara Mohammed further said that we do not believe that these people are reflecting the views of the larger Hindu community, which have good relations not only with Muslims but also with other people including Sikhs in Britain and Leicester has been a historical example of this. Zara Mohammad further said that we condemn the attack on any religious place, because there is no place for hatred in our society.
Zara Mohammed further said that we have called all the communities for talks to establish peace in Leicester. These include the police and politicians, so that they listen to local issues and work on fixing the situation. He further said that as we have always been one for years, we have to stay in the same way and not be divided among ourselves because of the hatred coming from outside.
PRESS RELEASE: Muslim Council of Britain calls for action against far-right Hindutva extremism in #Leicester , 19th September 2022
Read online: pic.twitter.com/hDLGm3hJgi
— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) September 19, 2022
Indians furious over the statement of Muslim Council
Indians have expressed their displeasure over the statement of the Muslim Council. A user named Saurav Dutt has tweeted and described the press release of the council as shameful.
In one shameful press release these charlatans disparage Hindu polity, without bothering to define Hindutva because they don’t know what it is, and then say they don’t mean ALL Hindus. Meanwhile it’s ALL Hindus in Leicester being harassed by Islamist harassment squads. Shameful! pic.twitter.com/xEh0EJ1yjG
— Saurav Dutt (@sd_saurav) September 19, 2022
On the other hand, another user, while replying to Sourav, said that, because they have more population in the world than us, that is why they are harassing us. But whether he wants it or not, Hindutva will surely rise.
Because there is population is way more than us in world, that’s why they can exploit us. Whether they want or not Hindutva will Rise.
— Priyanshu Kumar (@blackk__mamba) September 20, 2022
At the same time, a user Sonam Mahajan did not take a dig and said that yes, the RSS is also responsible for the Islamic violence in Leicester. Sonam further said that not only Leicester but Shia and Sunni conflicts in Pakistan, Muslims and Leftists in China, Muslims and Buddhists in Myanmar, Muslims and Jews in Israel, Muslim and Christian communities in Greece, Armenia, Turkey, France and Sudan The RSS is also responsible for the quarrels of the people.
Yes, the RSS is responsible for the Islamist violence in Leicester.
It’s also the cause of Sunnis vs Shias in Pakistan, Muslims vs communists in China, Muslims vs Buddhists in Myanmar, Muslims vs Jews in Israel, Muslims vs Christians in Greece, Armenia, Turkey, France, Sweden….
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) September 19, 2022
India expressed strong opposition to the demolition of the temple
The Indian High Commissioner in London has strongly condemned the vandalism of the Hindu temple. Giving a statement, the Indian High Commissioner said that immediate action should be taken against those who are involved in this attack.
Issuing a statement on Monday, the Indian High Commissioner said that we have strongly raised this matter with the UK government and demanded action against those involved in the attack. Along with this, the people who are affected by it, have been asked to provide security.
Security in the city increased after the temple incident
Security has been beefed up especially in the eastern part of the city after the temple vandalism incident. Police is continuously patrolling the areas. On the other hand, the police is also taking action against those involved in the tension.
So far the police have arrested 47 people. Apart from this, people who created ruckus are also being searched.
How did such a big controversy happen in quiet Britain?
The dispute started with the match between India and Pakistan held on 28 August. After India won the match, the tension started spreading with the comments of the two communities on each other. The tension gradually increased, after which a community mob attacked the Shiva temple in Leicester on Saturday. The temple was vandalized and the saffron flag was thrown down. However, this is not the first clash between the two communities in the UK.
In fact, a large number of people from Muslim and Hindu communities live in the UK, mostly migrants from India, Pakistan or other countries. In the past also there have been reports of fights between the two communities from many parts of the UK. Especially in situations like India and Pakistan, the possibility of tension remains high.