The Scottish Hindu Foundation (SHF), in partnership with Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) Bob Doris, successfully hosted a landmark parliamentary event on Hinduphobia at the Scottish Parliament last week.
The Scottish Parliament recently passed the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, aimed at tackling hate crimes and fostering greater inclusivity and equality. The act consolidates and modernises existing laws, adding protections for various groups including hate based on religion. It represents a significant step towards ensuring a safer and more inclusive Scotland for all communities.
The event, chaired by Doris, brought together policymakers, community leaders, and members of the public to address the critical issue of Hinduphobia. Through insightful discussions and keynote speeches, the reception aimed to foster understanding and promote solutions to combat prejudice against the Hindu community in Scotland and beyond.
First Minister John Swinney congratulated the SHF on this achievement and sent his apologies for not being able to attend. Prominent Members of the Scottish Parliament, including Foysol Choudhury MBE MSP, Pam Gosal MBE MSP, Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, and former MP Martyn Day, were present at the event, lending their support to this vital cause. SHF said their presence underscored the cross-party commitment to addressing Hinduphobia and fostering an inclusive society.
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In addition to MSPs, distinguished speakers and guests included Lt Cdr Robert Swift (Royal Navy), Else Kek (Operations Manager for Interfaith Scotland), Harry Dunlop (Programme Manager for Interfaith Glasgow), and Sergeant Valerie Gray (Police Scotland). Each provided valuable insights, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors and communities to combat discrimination and promote mutual understanding.
Bob Doris MSP, a vocal advocate for inclusivity, highlighted the need for collective action to build a harmonious society. The event featured expert perspectives, personal testimonies, and opportunities for meaningful dialogue, inspiring attendees to take proactive steps toward inclusivity and respect.
Guests praised the reception as a critical step in raising awareness and building bridges between communities.
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In a follow-up meeting hosted by Doris, SHF worked collaboratively with key stakeholders to identify actionable steps to address challenges facing Scotland’s Hindu community:
Standardising Hindu Education: SHF will work with COSLA to ensure Hinduism is taught accurately, with educational materials accredited by SHF.
Respect for Hindu Festivals: need to ensure Hindu festivals are recognized as religiously significant and not reduced to cultural celebrations.
Strengthening Hindu Representation: Members advocated for interfaith hindu representatives to formally join SHF, ensuring unified and accountable representation in hate crime partnership groups and other collaborations with Police Scotland.
Police Scotland Data Recording: SHF urged Police Scotland to include religion in hate crime data to identify patterns effectively, proposing Mandirs as hubs for reporting hate crimes.
Accurate Hinduism Teaching in Schools: SHF emphasised the need for standardised Hinduism teaching in schools to prevent perpetuation of stereotypes, citing an APPG report highlighting issues in Aberdeen schools.
*Info: Scottish Hindu Foundation