Communal clashes in Leicester: what we know so far

What led to clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups in Leicester?

The story so far: The Indian High Commission in London has strongly condemned the violence against the Indian community in United Kingdom’s Leicester, amid reports of “large-scale unrest” and “serious disorder” in the city following communal clashes over the weekend, leading to 47 arrests so far.

In a statement on Twitter on Monday, the Indian High Commission said, “We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion. We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks.” India also urged the UK to protect those affected.

Disturbances in the city of Leicester first began last month after an India and Pakistan cricket match, as per the police. On August 28, fans from Hindu and Muslim communities reportedly clashed after India secured a win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 tournament in Dubai. Eight people were arrested on “suspicion of assault and violent disorder”, as per English media. Several similar incidents of disturbance were reported in the coming days, which led to more arrests. 

Trouble flared up after an “unplanned protest” was taken out in Leicester on Saturday, September 17. According to a report in The Guardian, a group of Hindu men were filmed marching through the city’s Green Lane Road, which has many Muslim-owned businesses and a Hindu temple. One of the Muslim community leaders told The Guardian that loud chants of “Jai Shri Ram” could be heard from streets away. A woman told the BBC that there were people wearing balaclavas or masks over their faces and with hoods pulled up. “They were just everywhere, it was like crowds walking away from a football match,” she was quoted as saying.

Another person, described as community activist Majid Freeman by The Guardian, reportedly filmed disturbances on the city’s Belgrave Road. He posted a video online in which the smashing of glass bottles could be heard. “They were coming past our mosques, taunting the community and physically beating people up randomly,” he said. “That’s when the Muslim community came out and said: ‘We can’t trust the police, we’re going to defend our community ourselves,’” Freeman said. 

The Hindu community in the UK, meanwhile, remains on edge. A former head of a Hindu organisation in the UK, Drishti Mae, alleged that Hindu families were being harassed by some Muslims in the city. “They feel threatened, and attacked,” she alleged, saying the police were failing to protect property, people and places of worship. “We do have a right to protect ourselves,” she said. 

Several videos circulating online show a man pulling down a flag outside a building, while a flag is being burned in another, which prompted the Indian High Commission to release a statement. A man who identified himself as a representative of Hindu temples in the city “confirmed” to The Guardian that the flag outside a temple on Belgrave Road was removed, while another was burned.