LI Network
Published on: 21 April, 2025 07:36 IST
Edinburgh, Scotland– In a historic and unprecedented move, the Scottish Parliament has passed Motion S6M-17089, officially condemning Hinduphobia– marking the first time such a declaration has been made in Scottish or UK parliamentary history.
The motion, introduced by Ash Regan, Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Eastern and a prominent member of the Alba Party, received broad cross-party support from legislators including Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart. It explicitly acknowledges the “alarming levels of prejudice, marginalisation, and discrimination” endured by Scotland’s Hindu community and calls for tangible action.
“This motion isn’t just symbolic—it’s a demand for tangible change,” said Regan during her address. “Scotland’s diversity is its strength, but we cannot celebrate that diversity while ignoring the voices of those harmed by prejudice.”
Spotlight on the Groundbreaking Report
At the heart of this legislative milestone lies a pioneering study titled “Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice.” The report, published by the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS), was co-authored by Dhruva Kumar (General Secretary and Trustee of GPS), Anuranjan Jha (President of GPS), Sukhi Bains, Ajit Trivedi, and Neil Lal (President & Chairman of the Indian Council of Scotland and UK).
The report represents the first UK parliamentary-recognised investigation into anti-Hindu discrimination, painting a sobering picture of the challenges faced by the nation’s approximately 30,000 Hindus—including hate crimes, temple vandalism, workplace exclusion, and deeply entrenched cultural stigmas.
“This is not just about Hindus being attacked—it’s about Scotland’s values of tolerance being tested,” said Neil Lal. “This report is a mirror held up to our society, urging us all to do better.”
A Framework for Reform
The GPS report outlines a comprehensive action plan for tackling Hinduphobia, including:
- Legal Reform: Amend the Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognise Hinduphobia.
- Educational Initiatives: Integrate accurate and respectful teachings of Hinduism into school curricula.
- Workplace Policy Changes: Implement anti-discrimination training and ensure religious accommodations.
- Community Outreach: Create interfaith networks and establish victim support services.
Co-authors Kumar and Jha noted, “Gandhiji taught us that non-violence includes combating ignorance. By addressing Hinduphobia, we’re building bridges across communities.”
The report has already sparked international attention, including coverage and discussions across platforms like Awaz FM 107.2, where contributors such as Sukhi Bains and Acharya Joshi advocated for deeper interfaith dialogue and collective action.
A Cultural Turning Point
“As Scotland reckons with its commitment to inclusivity, Ash Regan’s motion sets a precedent: religious harmony is not passive—it is fought for, legislated, and cherished,” said Dhruva Kumar, who is also a political activist based in Glasgow.
The Gandhian Peace Society is now calling on all Scots to engage with the report’s findings and support inclusive policy reforms. As Motion S6M-17089 progresses through parliamentary stages, its impact is already being felt—not just in legislation, but in the hearts and minds of citizens across Scotland and beyond.
This is more than a political development—it is a cultural shift. A new chapter has begun, one where no one in Scotland should live in fear for practising their faith. The road ahead may be long, but a decisive step has been taken.