British Indian diaspora groups have raised concerns over the government’s proposed advisory council on Islamophobia, which will be tasked with tackling anti-Muslim hate and also consider a definition of the term “Islamophobia”.
While the Hindu Council UK (HCUK) called for a “measured and evidence-based approach”, INSIGHT UK stressed the government’s commitment to combating religious hate must be “comprehensive and inclusive”.
“The selective focus on protecting one religious group over others disregards the historical injustices, threats, and discrimination faced by Hindus and other communities,” said Dipen Rajyaguru, Director of Diversity & Equality at HCUK.
On the issue of a proposed definition of Islamophobia, he noted: “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 Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) UK has also been campaigning on the issue and had written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the government Faith Minister, Lord Wajid Khan, last year cautioning over “serious implications on free speech, not least the ability to discuss historical truths” with a feared misplaced attempt to define Islamophobia.
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Rayner’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a blog last week in response to media reports of a proposed advisory council on Islamophobia, which is yet to be announced. The blog claimed that the government is firmly committed to tackling “all forms of hatred and division”, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred.
That’s why we regularly engage with a wide variety of faith communities to foster strong working relationships and understand the issues they face, reads the blog.
"No blasphemy laws will be introduced by this government. We are firmly committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim hatred. We will provide further updates on this in due course,” an MHCLG spokesperson said.
