The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024, launched by the Hindus for Democracy umbrella organisation over the weekend, marks a significant milestone in the collective advocacy efforts of major Hindu organisations across the UK.
This long-awaited manifesto underscores a shared commitment not only to the advancement of British Hindus but also to the overall progress of the entire UK nation and its people. Comprising seven key assurances, the Hindu Manifesto 2024 outlines the aspirations of the UK's Hindu community for parliamentary candidates and the future government to be elected in the July 4 General Election. These assurances aim to safeguard, promote, and advance Hindu values and interests within the broader framework of British society.
The Seven Assurances outlined in the manifesto form a comprehensive framework dedicated to safeguarding the rights and interests of the Hindu community in the UK and are detailed as below:
Recognition of Anti-Hindu Hate as a Religious Hate Crime: At the forefront of the manifesto's demands is the recognition of anti-Hindu hate as religiously motivated crimes. This involves the designation of organisations and individuals involved in perpetrating such offenses.
Protection of Places of Hindu Worship: Another crucial aspect of the manifesto is ensuring the security and preservation of Hindu temples and places of worship throughout the UK.
Access to Fairer Education: The manifesto advocates for equitable access to education for Hindu students, free from discrimination or bias.
Equal Representation and Opportunities: Promoting equal opportunities and representation for Hindus across various sectors, including employment, politics, and public service, is a key demand of the manifesto.
Streamlining Immigration Processes: Simplifying and streamlining immigration procedures to facilitate the entry of Hindu migrants and their families into the UK is emphasised as a pressing need.
Improving Healthcare and Social Care: Ensuring access to high-quality healthcare and social welfare services for members of the Hindu community is a prominent objective of the manifesto.
Acknowledging and Protecting Dharmic Values: Recognising and upholding Hindus' cultural and religious heritage, including the principles and values embedded in Dharma, is essential for fostering social cohesion and inclusivity.
Already endorsed by a number of parliamentary candidates, the Hindu Manifesto 2024 has garnered widespread support for its goals, reflecting a unified voice of the UK Hindu community. Representatives from diverse backgrounds and regions have come together to champion these seven assurances, signalling a collective effort towards positive change and progress.
The release of the Hindu Manifesto UK 2024 coincides with escalating worries regarding the surge in anti-Hindu hate crimes across the UK. In response to this concerning development, concerted efforts have been made to confront and counteract such occurrences. Notably, last year, a British-Indian London Assembly member proposed a motion urging the Metropolitan Police to provide a detailed breakdown of hate crimes by religion, particularly targeting the issue of "Hinduphobia."
This initiative sought to address the increasing prevalence of anti-Hindu hate crimes and foster a sense of assurance within Hindu communities to report such incidents.