India on Monday strongly condemned the “vandalisation” of “premises and symbols” of Hinduism in Leicester in eastern England and asked authorities in the United Kingdom to immediately act against the culprits.
Leicester of late witnessed sporadic clashes between Hindus and Muslims as tension escalated after following an India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match on August 28. The local police termed the incidents on Saturday and Sunday a “serious disorder” and arrested at least 15 people. “Several incidents of violence and damage have been reported and are being investigated,” Leicester City Police stated.
New Delhi, however, reacted after a saffron flag outside a Hindu temple on Melton Road in Leicester was allegedly pulled down by a mob on Sunday.
“We strongly condemn the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and vandalisation of premises and symbols of Hindu religion," the High Commission of India in London said in a statement it tweeted on Monday.
The local cops said that they were aware of a video showing the man pulling down the flag outside a religious building on Melton Road. “This appears to have taken place while police officers were dealing with public disorder in the area. The incident will be investigated,” the Leicester City Police said in a statement.
The Guardian reported that a group of Hindu men had been filmed on Saturday, marching through Green Lane Road, which had several business owned by the Muslims as well as a Hindu temple close by.
The Federation of Muslim Organization (FMO), UK, criticized the authorities for failing to take action on incitement and deliberately provocative behaviour against “various communities,m Masjids and places of worship”.