There is a new Anti-Hindu Hate Monitor, marking one of the most significant announcements for the Hindu community in recent years.
This is such an important moment, not only for Hindus across London, but for communities across the UK. At a time when concerns around religious hate are real, we are witnessing our first steps towards actual improvement. Improvement in reporting, in ensuring our communities are heard and, most importantly, in protection.
From speaking with many of you over the years, I know that too often those of you who have experienced intimidation or abuse simply because of your faith have felt there was no clear route to report it. That was also evident at the launch event, where various attendees shared their experiences of struggling to raise concerns either for themselves or others. As hate crime statistics across the country continue to rise, anti-Hindu hate incidents remain mostly missing from official reporting. Without the proper records, communities cannot have full confidence that these crimes are being taken seriously.
This new Anti-Hindu Hate Monitor begins to change that.
Developed by the International Centre for Sustainability, the platform provides, for the first time, a dedicated system for reporting anti-Hindu hate incidents both online and offline. The tool is inclusive of dharmic faith traditions meaning key groups such as Jains can also use the tool to report hate crimes. Crucially, it also offers clearer definitions of what constitutes anti-Hindu hate, helping to improve how these incidents are identified before they are even recorded. This is not just a new technical development, but a public declaration that our community is united in standing against hate.
The importance of such a tool cannot be overstated. Hindus across this country’s history have contributed enormously to its success for generations, from business to education and public service. Yet many families are increasingly concerned about rising abuse, especially online. Every community deserves to have confidence that discrimination against them will be treated with serious action.
That is why I am calling on the Metropolitan Police to utilise this new data to address the clear gap in reporting and tackling anti-Hindu hate incidents. I am also encouraging everyone in the community to ensure the tool is promoted and used to record hate crimes. The first step in confronting this hatred is giving people the confidence to come forward and report it, but it is equally important that strong action follows. Only then can we lead by example and send a clear message that anti-Hindu hate will not be tolerated.
The Monitor sends a simple but powerful message to British Hindus that your experiences matter and your voices must be heard. Visit: https://ahhm.co.uk/
