The city of Leicester has been troubled by gangs of Hindu youth that would target Muslims. The levels of violence and harassment are escalating, threatening the peace and well-being for everyone in the city.

Video evidence circulating on social media shows the gangs of drunken Hindu youths have been terrorizing Muslims in Leicester.

Tensions began in May when a 19-year-old Muslim man was attacked with bats and rods by a gang of around 30 Hindu youths. They also attacked a man who was trying to protect the victim in his house.

The 19-year-old was hospitalized and the incident was reported to the police, but the perpetrators have yet to be charged.

On August 28, after an India-Pakistan cricket match, a large group of Hindutva men marched through the streets in Leicester chanting “Death to Pakistan,” which led to clashes. A Sikh man who was trying to stop the chants was assaulted as was a police officer.

According to locals, two days ago another Muslim was attacked by a gang of Hindutva men after he went out to smoke a cigarette late at night. The incident happened after another Pakistan-India cricket match.

Social activist Majid Freemen told: “Something like this has never happened in this area; it’s very shocking. These gangs have been causing different types of issues for a long time, anti-social behavior such as urinating in the streets and getting drunk. But now they’re attacking Muslims. Muslim women in the area say they’re being intimidated by Hindus and locals feel like the police aren’t taking it seriously.”

“Muslims and Hindus have been living in peace here for years. They’ve never had any issues. But this specific group of youngsters who support Hindutva ideology, are going around getting drunk and beating people up and it’s causing disunity in the community. If the police had done their job, they could have nipped it in the bud. There is a total lack of communication with the community about what is actually happening.”

He added: “The Muslims in the area didn’t respond to these provocations because the family of the victim of the attack in May told them they’d gone through the proper channels. But the attacks haven’t stopped. These gangs are picking Muslims off “30 on one” late at night.

“At the meeting last night, the Muslims made it clear that they have no problem with Hindus. But what we will not accept is our kids getting beaten up repeatedly and nothing happening about it.”

There are concerns among Muslims in Leicester that the rise of Hindutva supremacism in India is being mirrored by a corresponding growth of extremism in the Indian diaspora, particularly in the UK.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the original authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect or endorsed by the management, committee, donors or other partners of 12ummah.com
 
Source:  Five Pillars UK   |   The Times of India

عربي    |    Türkiye