Scottish Parliament tables historic motion to combat Hinduphobia
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London: A motion to address rising anti-Hindu prejudice has been tabled in the Scottish Parliament by Ash Regan, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from the Alba Party representing Edinburgh Eastern. The motion, presented in response to a report by the Gandhian Peace Society, commends the society’s work and highlights the increasing levels of prejudice, discrimination, and marginalization faced by Hindus in Scotland.
The report, titled 'Hinduphobia in Scotland', was first presented to the Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice in February. The Gandhian Peace Society, based in Glasgow and promoting the values of peace, non-violence, and harmony, authored the report. Regan’s motion, entitled 'Gandhian Peace Society's Report to Address Prejudice Against Scotland's Hindu Community', praises the society’s efforts in addressing the prejudice against Hindus and underscores the importance of the report's findings.
The motion states that the Parliament commends the Gandhian Peace Society for its work, acknowledging the rising levels of prejudice faced by Scotland’s Hindu community. It also appreciates the society’s advocacy, public engagement, and research in raising awareness, advancing interfaith dialogue, and fostering social cohesion and mutual respect among Scotland’s diverse communities. The motion calls for continued collaboration to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
The Gandhian Peace Society hailed the motion as a “historic” and “landmark move for religious equality.” It recognized the support the motion received from MSPs across party lines, including Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart. The report, which documents the “alarming levels of prejudice, marginalization, and discrimination” faced by Scottish Hindus, was described as a vital step in addressing the issue of Hinduphobia.
The 'Hinduphobia in Scotland' report, authored by Dhruva Kumar, Neil Lal, Sukhi Bains, Anuranjan Jha, and Ajit Trivedi, claims to be the first in-depth study of Hinduphobia in Scotland. The report sheds light on incidents such as hate crimes, cultural insensitivity, media misrepresentations, and discrimination, emphasizing the broader societal impact of Hinduphobia. It also explores the root causes and repercussions of such prejudice.
Lal, the president of the Indian Council of Scotland and UK, remarked, “When places of worship are vandalized or families face slurs, it's not just Hindus being attacked; it’s Scotland’s values of tolerance.” He emphasized that the report serves as a mirror to Scottish society, urging it to do better. Authors Jha and Kumar noted that the report is a call to action for policymakers to safeguard every citizen’s right to practice their faith without fear. “This isn’t about division; it’s about unity. By addressing Hinduphobia, we’re building bridges across all communities,” they said.
The report highlights several specific incidents, including vandalism, physical attacks, discriminatory teaching, and harassment. These acts of prejudice have had a profound impact on individuals and families, contributing to a wider atmosphere of discrimination. The Gandhian Peace Society’s findings urge a concerted effort to tackle Hinduphobia and ensure that all citizens can freely practice their faith in Scotland without fear of persecution.
With PTI inputs
