Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Hindu community in this country are seriously concerned about their safety,' says Conservative MP Bob Blackman

The parliamentarian, who is known to be a friend of India, has also given recommendations to the UK government for improving the community’s security arrangements during the upcoming festive season.

'Hindu community in this country are seriously concerned about their safety,' says Conservative MP Bob Blackman

British member of parliament (MP) Bob Blackman on Thursday (22) came forward in support of the Hindu community after violence between Hindu and Muslim communities have affected areas such as Leicester, saying he condemned "violent attacks on Hindu temples in Leicester and Smethwick" and cautioned that the Hindu festivals of Navratri, Diwali are about to happen soon.

The 66-year-old Conservative parliamentarian for East Harrow, who is also the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, said in his address to the parliament, “The Hindu community in this country are seriously concerned about their safety in going about their celebrations."


On Friday (23), Blackman wrote a letter to British home secretary Suella Baverman over the communal tension and gave her recommendations over improving the security arrangements to avert more such tensions, particularly in times of the Hindu festivals.

He said, "Navratri begins next week and lasts for 10 days, Diwali occurs on the 24th of October with Hindu New Year on the 25th of October. These are key festivals for Hindus and a serious threat to security. The safety of those celebrating raises serious concerns. In your role as Home Secretary, I urge you to consider the following recommendations:

"- Expansions on the security that is available to protect the British Hindu community through increased police presence in densely Hindu populated areas. I am confident that local Hindu organisations would be happy to liaise and assist in the coordination of this, particularly surrounding celebratory times, including that of Diwali and Navratri.

"- increase the provision of security and police at Hindu temples across the country.

" - Encourage Ministers to provide urgent reassurances, acknowledging these instances of Hinduphobia and that they are working persistently to tackle the issue."

Who is Bob Blackman?

Blackman, who was born in Kensington, has been elected as an MP for East Harrow since 2010. He has also served as the joint executive secretary of the 1922 Committee since 2012. He was a member of the London Assembly for Brent and Harrow between 2004 and 2008.

Blackman, who studied at the University of Liverpool, had worked in various sales and management roles prior to his political career.

Blackman is known to be a 'friend of India' who has spoken over the exodus of Hindus from Kashmir and has slammed Pakistan on a number of occasions.

He was also felicitated with India's Padma Shri Award in 2020 and last year, he tabled a motion in the UK parliament to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

In September last year, Blackman defended the Narendra Modi government's decision to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, saying it restored local governance in the former state.

More For You

John Major

Major said that American isolationism under President Donald Trump is creating a power vacuum that benefits Russia and China. (Photo: Getty Images)

John Major warns US isolation strengthens Russia and China

FORMER prime minister Sir John Major has warned that democracy is under threat as the United States retreats from its global leadership role.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, Major said that American isolationism under President Donald Trump is creating a power vacuum that benefits Russia and China.

Keep ReadingShow less
Birmingham-stabbing

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed on Saturday afternoon in Bordesley Green. (Photo: X/@MarioNawfal)

Stabbings on the rise as Birmingham residents protest attack on teen

A RISE in stabbing incidents across the country has raised concerns, with another attack in Birmingham prompting a protest by local residents.

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed on Saturday afternoon in Bordesley Green. West Midlands Police said he was attacked at about 15:30 GMT and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He is now in stable condition.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian court sentences man to life for rape, murder of Irish woman
McLaughlin, 28, from County Donegal, was found dead in a field in Goa in March 2017. (Photo credit: Twitter)

Indian court sentences man to life for rape, murder of Irish woman

A COURT in India’s Goa state has sentenced a 31-year-old man to life in prison for the rape and murder of an Irish woman in 2017. The verdict was delivered on Monday, nearly eight years after the crime.

The body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was found in March 2017 on a beach popular with tourists. An autopsy confirmed that cerebral damage and constriction of the neck caused her death.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael O’Sullivan

Over his career, Michael O’Sullivan rode 95 winners in Ireland and Britain, including 14 in Ireland and two in Britain this season. (Photo: X/@irishracing)

Irish jockey Michael O’Sullivan dies after fall at Thurles

IRISH jockey Michael O’Sullivan has died after sustaining injuries in a fall at Thurles, Ireland, on 6 February. The 24-year-old had been in an induced coma in intensive care at Cork University Hospital since the incident.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s (IHRB) chief medical officer, Dr Jennifer Pugh, confirmed his passing early Sunday morning, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rizwana Bokhari

Rizwana Bokhari passed away on 10 February 2025, at the age of 73.

Hundreds attend funeral of Rizwana Bokhari in London

OVER 700 people attended the funeral of Rizwana Bokhari at Balham Mosque, the oldest mosque in South London, on Friday, 14 February.

Mourners included faith leaders from across the UK, international guests from America and Asia, and political figures.

Keep ReadingShow less