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TMI BlogPioneering Study on Hinduphobia by Gandhian Peace Society, Highlights Systemic ChallengesX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... Pioneering Study on Hinduphobia by Gandhian Peace Society, Highlights Systemic Challenges X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... comprehensive report documenting anti-Hindu discrimination in Scotland. Titled “Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice”, the study by the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS) is the first UK parliamentary-recognized analysis of its kind, blending statistical data with firsthand accounts from Scotland’s Hindu community. The report, presented by Anuranjan Jha (Preside ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... nt of GPS), Dhruva Kumar, Sukhi Singh Bains, and contributed by Ajit Trivedi, with special input from Neil Lal, President of the Indian Council of Scotland, was discussed at the Cross-Party Group meeting chaired by Foysol Choudhary and convened by Professor Peter Hopkins. The group includes representatives from the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities, emphasising a cross-cultural dialogue on pre ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... judice and religious discrimination. Professor Peter Hopkins commended the report's comprehensive nature, while Foysol Choudhary praised the Gandhian Peace Society for bringing Hinduphobia into public discourse. Dhruva Kumar, General Secretary of the Gandhian Peace Society, emphasised the significance of addressing Hinduphobia, noting its impact on daily life, workplaces, and educational institu ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... tions. Key Findings: Rising Prejudice and Institutional Gaps The report, presented to the CPG on 23 January, reveals systemic challenges faced by Scotland’s Hindu population, which constitutes 0.3% of the country’s 5.4 million residents. Key findings include: • Surge in Hate Crimes: Police records show a 56% increase in charges linked to anti-Hindu prejudice between 2019–2021. Incidents range fr ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... om the 2021 vandalism of Dundee’s Shree Sanatan Mandir with anti-Hindu graffiti to a 2020 arson attack on Edinburgh’s Radha Krishna Temple. • Workplace Discrimination: Hindus face the lowest public-sector recruitment rates among religious groups—1.99% at NHS Greater Glasgow, 2.7% at Glasgow City Council, and 1.39% at Renfrewshire Council. A 2022 study found 93% of Hindu employees avoid religious ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... attire at work, while 38% report denied religious holiday requests. • Social Stigma: 16% of Scots surveyed expressed discomfort with a relative marrying a Hindu, surpassing rates for Muslims (14%), Jews (11%), or Buddhists (9%). Collaborative Research and Parliamentary Response The GPS, a charity founded on Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, collaborated with academics, interfaith le ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... aders, and Hindu community members over 8 months to compile the report. Prof Dhruva Kumar, GPS General Secretary and former parliamentary candidate, spearheaded the research. “This report isn’t just about data—it’s about lived experiences,” said Kumar. “From temple attacks to workplace bias, Scottish Hindus deserve safety and dignity.” The CPG, praised the study as “a critical tool for policymak ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ers,” adding that it “bridges gaps in understanding religious discrimination.” Professor Peter Hopkins, CPG Convenor, emphasised its “evidence-based approach” to fostering inclusive policies. Recommendations for Action The report proposes a four-pillar strategy: 1. Legal Reforms: Strengthen Scotland’s Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognize Hinduphobia. 2. Education: Revise school curricula to ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... include accurate Hindu teachings and history. 3. Workplace Policies: Mandate anti-discrimination training and religious accommodation guidelines. 4. Community Support: Establish interfaith networks and victim support hubs. Sukhi Bains, a diversity consultant and co-author, stressed collaboration: “This isn’t a Hindu issue alone. It’s about building a Scotland where diversity is protected.” G ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... lobal Context and Grassroots Impact While small in number, Scottish Hindus have contributed significantly to sectors like healthcare, education, and technology. The report has garnered attention from 100+ media outlets globally, including ANI and ThePrint. The report has sparked widespread public dialogue, with its findings and implications discussed on Awaz FM 107.2 by Dhruva Kumar, Sukhi Bains ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... , and Acharya Abhishek Joshi. Their discussions focused on the need for societal change, garnering strong support from listeners across Scotland. Indian community members Acharya Abhishek Josi, Awaz FM co-presenter Rishab Choudhary, renowned surgeon and devout Hindu Dr. Sanjeev Chitnis, and Poonam Prajapati, a leading figure in Hindi education in Scotland, expressed their strong appreciation for ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... the report and shared their experiences on Awaz FM, a prominent Asian radio station in Scotland. Next Steps The GPS plans to lobby Holyrood for policy reforms and expand partnerships with international groups. The full report is accessible here. https://gandhi.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Hinduphobia-in-Scotland_Final-Report_Gandhian-Peace-Society_CPG-1_compressed-1.pdf About the Gan ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... dhian Peace Society: Gandhian Peace Society, SC052875 is an official registered charity in the United Kingdom, the first of its kind in Scotland. The mission of the Gandhian Peace Society is to promote the idea that non-violence is the most effective means of achieving social change. The organisation accomplishes this mission through various programs and initiatives, including educational programs ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... , national, international and local community outreach, diplomacy and advocacy.
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