Call for calm amid violence in Leicester
FAMILIES URGED TO STOP YOUNGSTERS FROM ATTENDING PROTESTS
I HEARD someone talk about “Hindu areas” and “Muslim areas” in Leicester.
Mercifully, relations between the Indian and Pakistani communities in the UK have on the whole been remarkably harmonious. So community leaders need to move quickly to calm down gangs of youths who were involved in disturbances in Leicester on the eve of the Queen’s funeral when the rest of the UK was observing a period of dignified silence.
Trouble has apparently been brewing in Leicester since August 28 when India narrowly beat Pakistan in Dubai with two balls remaining in the Asia Cup. Pakistan then beat India by five wickets in their opening Super Four game on September 4, to be defeated by Sri Lanka in the final on September 11.
It is a little pointless getting worked up over cricket when the players themselves appear to maintain friendly relations.
Leicestershire Police warned that it would not “tolerate violence or disorder” in the city.
Videos circulated on social media showed cars being damaged, fights and scuffles breaking out and someone apparently tearing down an Om flag at a temple, Shivalaya, belonging to the Leicestershire Brahma Samaj.
As always, social media is adding to the law and order problems. Police said persistent claims of an attack on a mosque were untrue.
According to the Metro, “groups of Hindu men were also seen chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ (Glory/victory to Lord Ram), and throwing bottles, according to witnesses”.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission in London has strongly condemned “the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion. We have strongly taken up this matter with the UK authorities and have sought immediate action against those involved in these attacks. We call on the authorities to provide protection to the affected people.”
Suleman Nagi, from the Federation of Muslims, appealed for calm and urged parents and grandparents to intervene and stop younger people attending protests. He said people from both communities had lived peacefully in Leicester for decades and the tension came from a minority. “We are calling on people to pull back.”
LeicestershireLive, the online edition of the Leicester Mercury newspaper (which campaigned for Ugandan Asians not to come to Leicester in 1972), commented: “Any violence which breaks out on the street between different groups of people is undoubtedly a major cause for concern. Whether its cause is rooted in loyalty to a geographical area or differences in cultural or historical backgrounds, such incidents can often serve to heighten tensions and make innocent members of the public feel unsafe – or worse, put them directly at risk of harm. Leicester is a city that is rightly renowned for its cultural diversity.
“So we have absolutely no hesitation in standing shoulder to shoulder with community leaders and police in calling for calm, tolerance, positive dialogue and an end to the episodes of aggression we have seen in our city over recent days.”