In a historic move, the Scottish Parliament passed Motion S6M-17089, officially condemning Hinduphobia for the first time in the history of both Scotland and the UK. This has to be one of the most significant step taken by the Scottish Parliament given the rise of Hinduphobia and Anti-Hindu hatred around the world. Tabled by Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern and a member of the Alba Party, this motion marks a significant step forward in the fight against religious discrimination in the country. The motion received broad cross-party support from various MSPs, including Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart. It specifically calls attention to the “alarming levels of prejudice, marginalisation, and discrimination” experienced by Scotland’s Hindu community. Furthermore, it acknowledges the important work of the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS), which played a central role in exposing these issues and pushing for significant change.
“This motion isn’t just symbolic it’s a demand for tangible change,” said Ash Regan in her address, emphasizing that Scotland’s celebrated diversity cannot be fully realized unless it is inclusive and free of prejudice. Regan’s statement underscores the moral imperative of acknowledging and combating Hinduphobia alongside other forms of discrimination. The motion stems from a comprehensive and pivotal report, titled “Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice,” which was authored by Dhruva Kumar, Anuranjan Jha, Sukhi Bains, Ajit Trivedi, and Neil Lal, and recognized by the UK parliament for the first time. This report is the first-ever in the UK to analyze and document anti-Hindu discrimination in depth, making it a cornerstone of the ongoing efforts to promote equality and social justice in the country.
The report paints a bleak picture of the challenges faced by the Hindu community in Scotland, which comprises around 30,000 people. Through a combination of statistical analysis, testimonies, and firsthand accounts, the report highlights a range of issues, including hate crimes, temple vandalism, exclusion in the workplace, and cultural stigmas that persist against Hindus. “When places of worship are vandalized or families face slurs, it’s not just Hindus being attacked—it’s Scotland’s values of tolerance,” said Neil Lal, one of the authors of the report. The findings have prompted calls for concrete policy changes, including legal reform, education initiatives, and community support systems.
The motion and the report received backing from leaders across political and cultural lines, reflecting a rare consensus on the need for racial and religious equality. The Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice, convened by Professor Peter Hopkins, has hailed the evidence-based approach of the report, which also received praise from Chair Foysol Choudhary for its potential as a “critical tool for policymakers.” The motion has further garnered widespread support from Indian diaspora leaders, scholars, and community activists, who view it as a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive society.
In addition to its political impact, the report outlines several concrete steps for addressing Hinduphobia. These include advocating for amendments to the Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognize Hinduphobia, incorporating accurate teachings of Hinduism into school curricula, enforcing religious accommodation and anti-discrimination training in workplaces, and creating interfaith networks and victim support hubs.
