A Hindu community celebration of Dussehra and Bathukamma was disrupted by a group of masked individuals at Ossett Town Hall in the Wakefield district of West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, on Saturday evening, October 17, 2026. Two devotees were allegedly assaulted and left bleeding, prompting a police response.
According to an account issued by the organisers, Hindu families, including women and children, had gathered at the venue to celebrate the festivals when groups of individuals allegedly began threatening people outside the hall.
West Yorkshire Police subsequently arrived at the venue, spoke to the injured devotees and recorded statements, according to the organisers.
Masked individuals questioned organisers
The organisers stated that at around 8:30 pm, an organiser who stepped outside the hall encountered several individuals wearing balaclavas. They allegedly questioned him about the event, the number of people attending and whether children and young people were present.
In a separate incident, a volunteer carrying a box outside to collect plates was approached by three individuals riding electric bikes. They questioned him about the contents of the box and allegedly attempted to attack him before leaving.
The situation escalated when two devotees went to collect their car. The organisers said the pair had been warned about the situation outside and advised against leaving with their families at that time.
According to their account, the devotees encountered a group of approximately 10 people, believed to be between 16 and 20 years old. One individual allegedly shouted at them and demanded to know what they were doing at the venue before the group attacked them. One devotee was struck in the face and the other on the head. Both fell to the ground bleeding.
Police called as more people gather outside hall
The organisers said the police were first contacted after another group of approximately 15 to 20 people gathered outside the building. Some were reportedly riding bikes, while others allegedly attempted to enter the venue, provoked security staff and made gestures towards people inside.
Stewards and volunteers remained at the venue while waiting for police officers, according to the statement. Several further calls were reportedly made over the following hour.
Two officers arrived about an hour later and took statements from the injured devotees. Two community officers subsequently arrived and escorted devotees to their parked cars.
Organisers demand hate crime investigation
The organisers have urged West Yorkshire Police to investigate whether the incident involved a hate-related or discriminatory motive. They have also requested crime reference numbers, formal statements from the injured devotees and witnesses, and the preservation of CCTV footage from Ossett Town Hall and nearby streets.
They have asked the local council and venue management to formally record the incident, retain relevant CCTV and access records, and review security arrangements for future events.
The organisers warned that footage could be overwritten under routine retention policies and called for its prompt preservation.
The allegations and circumstances of the incident require investigation by the police. The organisers have called for the evidence to be collected and examined to establish what happened and whether the attack was motivated by religious hatred.
Similar cases from the past
The disruption of Hindu festivals in the UK has also been reported in earlier incidents. On March 3, 2026, a Holika Dahan celebration organised by the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre at the former Harrow Civic Centre in northwest London was reportedly disrupted by groups of youths. Organisers said individuals initially interfered with the sound system before returning with a larger group, throwing bottles and other objects. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray and a racially aggravated hate crime. The incident was also raised in Parliament by Harrow East MP Bob Blackman, while Hindu community groups called for stronger security at religious events.
Leicester witnessed a wider outbreak of unrest in August and September 2022, amid tensions between sections of the Hindu and Muslim communities. During the period, reports emerged of a Hindu household celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi being pelted with eggs, attacks on individuals, and the tearing down and burning of flags outside Hindu temples. Masked groups were also involved in street violence, vandalism and clashes with police. The wider unrest resulted in 47 arrests and injuries to 25 police officers. While violence and provocations were reported on both sides, Hindu religious celebrations and symbols were among the reported targets, with social media contributing to the escalation of tensions.
These incidents have heightened concerns among sections of the British Hindu community about the safety of religious gatherings and the protection of Hindu places of worship. Community representatives have called for investigations into anti-Hindu incidents, the preservation of evidence and stronger security arrangements for festivals and public celebrations.
