UK's Labour Party leader vows to combat 'Hinduphobia', calls Hindu community integral part of Britain

Addressing a Navratri event, Labour Leader Keir Starmer said that he was determined to put an end to "divisive politics" and extremist elements exploiting social media to spread hatred within communities.

In its first direct reference to the term "Hinduphobia", the UK's Opposition Labour Party committed itself to fighting against hate crimes of all kinds following communal clashes in Leicester and Birmingham in the wake of an India-Pakistan cricket match.

Addressing one of Europe's largest Navratri celebrations here on Wednesday evening, Labour Leader Keir Starmer told a gathering of hundreds of British Indians that he was determined to put an end to "divisive politics" and extremist elements exploiting social media to spread hatred within communities. Some diaspora organisations in the UK have claimed the disorder in Leicester last month reflected Hinduphobia, or hate crimes targeted at Hindus, intensified by social media disinformation.

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"Hinduphobia has absolutely no place in our society anywhere and we must all fight this together," said Starmer, amid cheers.

"I know that many people are targeted based on their religion and there's been a rise in hate crimes in recent years. I'm so tired of our divisive politics. I'm saddened by the division we have seen on the streets of Leicester and Birmingham in recent weeks; violence and hatred spread by extremists exploiting social media. We must all together stand firm against all attempts to spread hate," he said.

"Nor will we tolerate the far right attempting to exploit grievances. We have more that unites us than divides us. Our religion, places and symbols of worship must and will be respected. A Labour government will bring people back together and end this divisive politics," he added.

The Opposition leader, who has been quite obviously attempting to reverse predecessor Jeremy Corbyn's stance towards India and its diaspora perceived as less India-friendly, noted that it was his first time attending Dussehra celebrations in London and spoke of the deeper significance of Navratri as embodied in Goddess Durga's resilience and strength, which signifies the importance of the female divine and women's empowerment.