A series of increasingly violent clashes between youths from the two communities recently resulted in the injury of 25 police officers and led to 47 arrests. Trouble initially erupted after a T20 cricket match between India and Pakistan held in Dubai on 28 August. But locals claim tensions have been simmering for months, fueled by inflammatory rhetoric coming out of the subcontinent. Members of the Muslim community in Leicester claim that British-based Hindu nationalists – who are supporters of Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister – have fueled tensions by marching through their areas shouting racist slogans. However, the city’s Hindus have blamed Muslim outsiders who they claim traveled to Leicester from other cities, including Bradford and Birmingham, to cause trouble. Videos posted on social media have further fueled tensions, with unsubstantiated reports of attacks on local mosques and temples. The violence, which peaked on Saturday night, made headlines in newspapers that support Hindu nationalists in India. Police and community leaders in Leicester appealed for calm, but there are fears that Tuesday’s interventions by Delhi and Islamabad could further strain fragile relations.
“We will not tolerate this turmoil”
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said: “We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and the vandalism of sites and symbols of the Hindu religion. “We have vigorously discussed this matter with the UK authorities and have called for immediate action against those involved in these attacks. We call on the authorities to provide protection to those affected.” However, the Pakistan High Commission in London also issued a statement which claimed that the Muslim community in Leicester had succumbed to Islamophobia. The statement read: “We strongly condemn the campaign of violence and intimidation that has been unleashed against Muslims in the region. This is not the first time such Islamophobic incidents have been reported in Leicester.” The UNHCR went on to say it had confidence in the UK authorities to deal with those responsible and called on all communities to “refrain from actions that inflame religious sentiment and undermine social harmony”. Jonathan Ashworth, Labor MP for Leicester South, described the problems as a “dark episode” in a city renowned for its diversity. He said: “Attempts to sow division, including those with extremist views, will fail and are roundly condemned across Leicester. “We absolutely condemn violent incidents on our streets, marches with provocative slogans that incite hatred, attacks on places of worship, symbols or religion.”
