The Hindu Council UK (HCUK) acknowledges the importance of addressing discrimination and hatred against any religious group, including Islamophobia. As an organisation committed to the principles of justice and equality, we unequivocally condemn hatred towards any belief system and firmly reject violence in all its forms, adhering to the core Hindu principle of Ahimsa (non-violence). However, we are deeply concerned about the Government’s consideration of adopting a rigid and controversial definition of Islamophobia without adequately assessing its broader impact on other religious communities and on the fundamental principle of freedom of speech, including for those who do not adhere to any religious belief.
Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions, has always encouraged free thought, critical questioning, and diverse interpretations of philosophical and theological ideas. This open discourse is central to a thriving, democratic society. While efforts to combat anti-Muslim hatred are commendable, it is essential to ensure that the legitimate critique of extremist ideologies is not conflated with bigotry against Muslims as a whole. This distinction is crucial to safeguarding both religious and intellectual freedoms.
The Government must take a measured and evidence-based approach rather than uncritically endorsing the findings of the 2018 All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) report on Islamophobia, which is serving to religiously persecute others of free thinking. Addressing the real socio-economic and systemic challenges faced by British Muslims should be prioritised over the imposition of a theological definition that risks curtailing open discourse and creating an imbalanced framework of protection.
A pressing concern arises when we observe the asymmetry in how different religious identities are treated in political and public discourse. The term ‘Hindutva,’ which fundamentally means ‘Hindu-ness’, or the essence of Hinduism barring caste divisions has often been misrepresented and manipulated to equate to Hindu extremism. While we acknowledge that individuals may exploit religious ideologies for personal or political gain, as evidenced in crime and terrorism statistics across various faiths, the weaponisation of terminology to malign an entire religious identity is deeply troubling. Historically, such tactics have been employed by fascist and colonialist regimes to marginalise and control communities. It is imperative that the Government remains vigilant against linguistic manipulation that fosters division rather than unity.
The proposal to align Islamophobia with racism is particularly problematic. Islam, like Hinduism, is a religion that welcomes adherents from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Recognising religion as a choice—one protected by the Human Rights Act—while race remains an inherent, unchangeable characteristic, is fundamental to an accurate and fair discussion on discrimination. Conflating religious identity with racial identity risks undermining the very principles of equal protection under the law and could inadvertently lead to legal and societal inconsistencies.
The selective focus on protecting one religious group over others disregards the historical injustices, threats, and discrimination faced by Hindus and other communities. The Hindu Council UK has long advocated for the recognition of ‘Hindumisia,’ a term that more accurately describes the hatred against Hindus, rather than ‘Hinduphobia,’ as there is little evidence in the UK of a genuine, rational or irrational, fear of Hindus. Despite Hinduism’s origins in India—a civilization that has never initiated or engaged in forced conversions—Hindus have faced systemic persecution and discrimination, both historically and in modern times. Any governmental framework addressing religious discrimination must ensure parity among all faith groups rather than privileging one at the expense of others.
The introduction of a definition of Islamophobia that equates criticism of religious doctrines with racial hatred sets a dangerous precedent. It risks serving as a gateway to de facto blasphemy laws, curtailing legitimate discussions about religion, ideology, and policy. Such measures would not only be detrimental to broader societal cohesion but also potentially counterproductive to the very communities they seek to protect.
The Hindu Council UK urges the Government to adopt a balanced, inclusive approach that ensures all religious communities are treated with equal respect and consideration. Addressing discrimination should not come at the cost of fundamental freedoms or create hierarchical protections that undermine the principles of justice and equality. Any policy adopted must reflect the values of an open and democratic society—one that upholds the right to question, critique, and engage in meaningful discourse without fear of reprisal.
In striving for a more just and equitable society, the Government must ensure that measures to combat religious discrimination do not inadvertently foster division, suppress legitimate debate, or reinforce double standards. We believe the current definition of Islamophobia has protected one community to the suppression of other communities and that is why the community cohesion started under the last Labour Government has now been scuppered altogether – it has given a rise to fear in the British society. The Hindu Council UK remains committed to working collaboratively to address religious discrimination while safeguarding the principles of free thought and equality for all communities.
We recommend to the Government to create a definition on anti-Muslim hatred and simultaneously on HinduMisia and anti-Sikh hatred and so on, as rightly so for the small Jewish minority the antisemitism definition but now also include a definition on anti-unbelief hatred – we have come across cases where apostasy is hated even at workplaces. Hindu Council UK worked on prayer guidance at workplaces two decades ago which we believe with the protections offered by Islamophobia has reversed its peace aims to now lead to fear and suppression of others, particularly those with no-belief.
Dipen Rajyaguru
Director of Diversity & Equality
Hindu Council UK