On 19 September, a police officer named Adam Ahmed allegedly used excessive force on an elderly priest during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Leicester, UK. Videos of the incident went viral on social media, sparking outrage. Apparently, this wasn't Ahmed's first incident; previously he was allegedly seen manhandling Hindu devotees at a Ram Katha event. This week's tensions come a year after large-scale disorder in the east of the city involving mainly young men from sections of the Muslim and Hindu communities which led to dozens of arrests after days of vandalism, assaults, and attacks on property.
The incident led to questions about the behaviour of the police officer and concerns about Hinduophobia. In July, Jix5A shared videos on X (previously Twitter) of Ahmed's alleged mistreatment of Hindu devotees at the Ram Katha event. Attacks on Hindus in the UK have been on the rise since August 2022, with some Hindu families leaving Leicester due to violence and property damage.
In response, police have called for community cooperation to prevent tensions during religious festivals. Leicestershire Police urged event organisers to provide advance notice for gatherings and processions. During a recent unplanned procession, a 55-year-old community leader Dharmesh Lakhani was arrested, leading to allegations of police heavy-handedness. Police are investigating the complaint.
This incident occurred a year after a large-scale disorder in Leicester, involving young men from Muslim and Hindu communities, resulting in numerous arrests due to vandalism, assaults, and property damage. It underscores the need for peaceful celebrations and community engagement to prevent such tensions in the future.
In its latest statement, Leicestershire Police reportedly said: "We want all communities to celebrate festivals safely, which is why we encourage organisers to give prior notification to the police and council of any processions, celebrations or events in advance. "Local officers continue to engage with the local community and those involved in any celebrations to ensure that everyone is able to celebrate safely." The force added extra patrols would be carried out in the East Leicester area on Wednesday night to prevent any further issues.
Asian Voice reached out to Leicestershire Police for a comment but didn’t hear from them until we went to press on Tuesday.
Online petition in favour of the alleged victims
In an online petition on Change.org started by Jyotsna Pala, a member of the Hindu community has expressed outrage in the comments. The petition said, “We the undersigned were shocked at the events that occurred in Leicester outside the Shivalaya Temple on the evening of Monday 18th September 2023. We condemn the actions of Sergeant Adam Ahmed, in the way in which he treated Mr Dharmesh Lakhani a heart patient and Pandit Shastri Ji, the elderly Priest at the Temple. We welcome the investigation that has been initiated by Leicestershire Police in order to ascertain the facts and to reassure not just the Hindu Community but the whole city. However, we believe that the best course of action is for an independent inquiry into the actions of this Police Officer. In the meantime, until the matter has been concluded Sgt. Ahmed should be immediately suspended from his post.”
Community members stand in solidarity
Former Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said, “Leicester is a great city. It's a city that passionately celebrates festivals, be it Vaisakhi, Eid, Diwali, or Christmas. An event occurred earlier this week during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. At that event, many of us have seen the way in which one particular officer has dealt with two individuals whom I have known for many years. One is a priest at the Shivalaya temple. Someone who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the local community. Pandit Shastri ji, the other was Dharmesh Lakhani, a person whom I have known for the last 35 years. He's peaceful, law-abiding, strong, but non-aggressive. A pillar of our community and someone who believes passionately and strongly in the unity of Leicester. We in this country and in Leicester, have policing by consent. Many of us were shocked by what we saw happening outside the temple on Monday as we would be outside any place of worship in Leicester or anywhere else. That is why I'm glad that the Leicestershire police will be holding a full, detailed, transparent inquiry into the actions of its officer and in particular, take into account the complaints that have been made about the way one particular officer behaved. Let us enjoy the rest of this very important festival. Let us then move on to celebrate the next festival and celebrate a city that brings all communities together.”
Vinod Kotecha, Ex-Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of Indian Organisations (UK) said, “Leicester is truly a multicultural & diverse city and people of different faiths and races have been living peacefully for decades. It is the city which celebrates different festivals be it Diwali, Vaishakhi, Eid, Ganesh Chaturthi & Christmas. The incident that happened on 19 September 2023 at Shivalaya Temple on Belgrave Road in Leicester was very alarming, unfortunate & unwanted. The joyous celebrations were abruptly disrupted when the police intervened. Shockingly, during this religious festival, a member of the Labour Councillor Dharmesh was arrested. What's even more concerning is that this arrest came at the hands of the same Somali officer who had previously arrested a member at Bhageshwer Dham Prajapati Hall. It seems apparent that this particular officer has had multiple interactions with the Hindu community, and tensions appear to be escalating. Given these recurring incidents, it is imperative that everyone affected or concerned about these actions should consider making a formal complaint against the officer. This not only helps address potential issues within the community-police relationship but also ensures that the rights and freedoms of all community members, regardless of their background, are respected and protected.”
Shital from INSIGHT UK said, “On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, we went and spoke with Shastriji. He was very upset and saddened by the whole incident that had happened. It's a very sad state of affairs that the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration was disrupted by the police. As INSIGHT UK Leicester, we have reassured him. We will be following up on the matter with the police to see how we can all work together in harmony so that this sort of incident does not occur again.”
Community leader Nitin Mehta told us, “Do not let this incident drag on. The Police have promised to look into it. We must not let this destroy our trust in the police. Also, we must respect the conditions laid out by the police about how to take out processions. Also, we must not celebrate festivals or cricket match victories on the streets on a whim. We have to ensure our reputation is good with the people of the country.”
