LABOUR shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has said that the values of the Hindu community and the Labour party are very similar, as the party is trying to get the Indian diaspora voters back.
Speaking at the Hindus for Labour fringe event on Wednesday (29), during the Labour party conference in Brighton, Reed added that UK should not interfere in the politics of India, reported the Times of India.
"Some of the motions passed at Labour conference were unhelpful. Given our colonial history, to interfere in the politics of India, absolutely that is not appropriate," Reed was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Established in February, the Hindus for Labour is a friends group approved by the party.
"The Hindu community is well represented in professions, the arts and science. It is clear aspiration matters immensely to the Hindu community — that also is what we are for to open up opportunities to everyone regardless of background, and also values of family and fairness matter immensely to both of us. These are strong foundations on which the relationship between Labour and the Hindu community can be built," he said.
According to Reed, the formation of the group would help re-establish and open contacts, friendship, communication, and mutual understanding between the party and the Hindu community in the UK.
He further said that the Labour party lost support from not only the Hindu community but also from every single community in the last general election.
"Hindus make up 1.5 per cent of British community but contribute 6 per cent to GDP. It is remarkable. The Labour party was always an anti-colonialist party and had played a role supporting those great towering figures of Indian independence, primarily Gandhi. Hinduism is the third-biggest religion in the UK and it is important it is represented inside our party," he said.
While speaking during the event, Dr Neeraj Patil, chairman, Hindus for Labour said that there is no place for anti-Hinduism or any kind of prejudice in the Labour party.
"Labour has always been on the side of the Hindu community but unfortunately something happened in 2019 and the Conservatives got hold of the right-wing elements in the Hindu community and launched a massive social media propaganda against the party," Dr Patil was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)