In a major development, the United Kingdom Government has appointed a panel of experts to investigate the causes of the anti-Hindu Leicester violence and vandalism seen across the east of Leicester following a cricket match between Pakistan and India in September 2022. The Secretary of State for communities Michael Gove announced on May 26 that the investigation will find ways for Leicester to improve relations between the Muslim and Hindu communities, reported leicestermercury.co.uk on May 26.
As per the UK Government Press release, an independent review into the unrest that occurred in Leicester has been commissioned by Secretary of State for Communities Michael Gove.
“In September 2022, community tensions led to a spate of vandalism, assaults, and attacks on places of worship and other properties in Leicester, in some cases highlighting divisions between different groups across the city and beyond. During the height of the unrest, the government worked closely with the local police force, Leicester City Council and other local partners to bring calm to the situation and protect communities from across the city,” the release reads.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove has now commissioned an Independent Review into the disorder and has appointed Lord (Ian) Austin as chair. Lord Austin is a former Minister for Housing and Planning and former Minister for the West Midlands. He will lead an independent panel of experts – which will be appointed in due course – to work on understanding the origins of the unrest and explore how similar events can be prevented in the future, both in Leicester and elsewhere, the release reads.
Secretary of State for Communities Michael Gove said, “Leicester has a proud history of community cohesion, which makes last year’s disorder all the more shocking and upsetting.This review will build a thorough understanding of the specific events that took place and what can be learned from them.”
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said, “I welcome the government’s announcement. I hope the review can move forward as swiftly as possible whilst, of course, being thorough and given the attention it deserves.”
Notably, the cycle of violence was triggered on August 28 after India won the Asia Cup T20 match against Pakistan. A clash broke out among groups of young men in Leicestershire, according to the Leicestershire police statement.
During the violence, a Hindu temple was vandalised, and a saffron flag outside it was pulled down by unidentified persons in East Leicester. A video of the incident showed a man pulling down a saffron flag while onlookers cheered him on. The temple was targeted in the police presence.
The Indian High Commission also condemned the violence perpetrated against the Indian community in Leicester and sought immediate action against those involved in the attacks.
The Leicester Police Department clearly stated that Hindus had ‘no involvement’ in any kind of violence, while the mob had been dog-whistled from different counties and cities of England to converge on planned dates and behave rowdily.
