Insight UK, a non-profit organisation, recently held their first-ever national conclave in London, which was attended by nearly 300 diaspora members from across the UK.
The focus of the gathering was to draw attention to key issues and challenges faced by the British Hindu and Indian (BHI) communities, as well as exploring potential ways to tackle them. The event attracted prominent speakers and community leaders who participated in invigorating debates and panel discussions.
Countering Hinduphobia
The conclave covered three engaging panel discussions, with the opening panel entitled ‘Media and BHI Community’ involving researcher and journalist Charlotte Littlewood and well-known Indian journalist Nupur J. Sharma, who joined virtually. The discussion analysed the media’s relationship with the BHI community through the lens of the violence against Hindus in Leicester.
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The second panel centred around ‘Hinduphobia’, and involved Pandit Satish Sharma, an esteemed scholar on Hindu Dharma and philosophy, Rashmi Samant, the young Hindu human rights activist, and Bhavya Shah, from National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF), as panellists. The informative discussion included insights into how to identify and tackle Hinduphobia.
The final panel, entitled ‘British Politics and the BHI Community’, involved British parliamentarians including Tory MP Theresa Villiers and Lord Rami Ranger as well as Councillor Hemant Rae Bhatia. They were asked about pressing issues such as the representation of the Hindu voice in the Parliament, handling disinformation on the Kashmir issue and more.
All the discussions were followed by audience questions and engagement, giving an opportunity for members of the diaspora to raise issues that matter to them the most.
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Battling persecution
Following the lunch break, which also provided an opportunity for networking among diaspora group members from around the UK, attendees were grouped into several breakout sessions. The sessions, which allowed for a broad range of topics to be addressed in a short space of time, covered a range of topics including Jammu and Kashmir, Khalistan issues, the persecution of Hindus, anti-BHI activities at universities, caste, religious conversion in the UK and opportunities to enhance community representation.
These well-designed sessions were delivered by specific area experts and allowed for a more intimate conversation of the issues raised during the panel discussions.
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