Concerns Over Hinduphobia Discussed at London City Hall Event
Hindu community members gather to address under-reporting of faith-based hate crimes.
In a notable gathering organized by Krupesh Hirani, a member of the London Assembly representing Brent and Harrow, individuals from the city's Hindu community convened at City Hall to voice their concerns about the prevalence of Hinduphobia and to raise awareness regarding the issue.
Mr. Hirani emphasized the importance of safety for all faiths, stating, "No one should feel unsafe because of their faith" and highlighted that Hinduphobia remains a significant yet underreported problem.
During the event, Mr. Hirani discussed challenges associated with the reporting and classification of hate crimes.
He pointed out discrepancies in how incidents are documented by the Metropolitan Police, contributing to a lack of accurate data on the issue.
The gathering attracted interest from various stakeholders, reflecting a collective desire to address and mitigate the problem of Hinduphobia.
Key participants included Kaya Comer-Schwartz, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, representatives from the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the Community Security Trust (CST).
The discussions revealed a shared commitment to enhancing the response to hate crimes.
Rajrajeshwar Guruji, a prominent spiritual leader from the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, expressed concerns regarding law enforcement's prior responses to faith-based hate crimes.
He remarked on the potential for repeat offenses if swift action is not taken against perpetrators.
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Owen Renowden acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the police to address hate crimes.
He stated that the force is increasing resources and capabilities for neighborhood officers to effectively combat hate crimes where they occur.
Superintendent Renowden emphasized the role of dedicated faith officers, who engage closely with local communities to better understand and respond to their needs.
The superintendent recognized the under-reporting of hate crimes as a significant issue, attributing the lack of reports not to the communities themselves but to the need for greater trust and assurance in policing.
He noted a rise in reported Hinduphobic incidents, while also requesting continued collaboration with communities to encourage reporting.
Varinder Hayre, a district crown prosecutor at the CPS, reinforced the commitment of the judicial system to prosecute hate crimes against any faith or protected characteristic.
Hayre acknowledged the detrimental effects of hate crimes on victims and wider communities, outlining ongoing cooperation with police and local groups to ensure justice for affected individuals.
He pointed out that the CPS seeks to impose serious penalties in hate crime cases, including the use of Community Impact Statements to illustrate the broader societal effects of such offenses.
Mr. Hirani emphasized the importance of safety for all faiths, stating, "No one should feel unsafe because of their faith" and highlighted that Hinduphobia remains a significant yet underreported problem.
During the event, Mr. Hirani discussed challenges associated with the reporting and classification of hate crimes.
He pointed out discrepancies in how incidents are documented by the Metropolitan Police, contributing to a lack of accurate data on the issue.
The gathering attracted interest from various stakeholders, reflecting a collective desire to address and mitigate the problem of Hinduphobia.
Key participants included Kaya Comer-Schwartz, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, representatives from the Metropolitan Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the Community Security Trust (CST).
The discussions revealed a shared commitment to enhancing the response to hate crimes.
Rajrajeshwar Guruji, a prominent spiritual leader from the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, expressed concerns regarding law enforcement's prior responses to faith-based hate crimes.
He remarked on the potential for repeat offenses if swift action is not taken against perpetrators.
Metropolitan Police Superintendent Owen Renowden acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the police to address hate crimes.
He stated that the force is increasing resources and capabilities for neighborhood officers to effectively combat hate crimes where they occur.
Superintendent Renowden emphasized the role of dedicated faith officers, who engage closely with local communities to better understand and respond to their needs.
The superintendent recognized the under-reporting of hate crimes as a significant issue, attributing the lack of reports not to the communities themselves but to the need for greater trust and assurance in policing.
He noted a rise in reported Hinduphobic incidents, while also requesting continued collaboration with communities to encourage reporting.
Varinder Hayre, a district crown prosecutor at the CPS, reinforced the commitment of the judicial system to prosecute hate crimes against any faith or protected characteristic.
Hayre acknowledged the detrimental effects of hate crimes on victims and wider communities, outlining ongoing cooperation with police and local groups to ensure justice for affected individuals.
He pointed out that the CPS seeks to impose serious penalties in hate crime cases, including the use of Community Impact Statements to illustrate the broader societal effects of such offenses.
