Tension in UK after right-wing Hindutva activists march chanting "Jai Shri Ram" during Muslim prayer
Tense situation was reported in Leicester City in United Kingdom when right-wing Hindutva activists marched and registered an unplanned protest while Muslim diaspora was offering prayers.
Police said two arrests had been made, and that the trouble flared up after the march.
Police said one man was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and another on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.
They remain in police custody.
The incident was reported weeks after a minor clash on August 28, following the cricket match of India, Pakistan.
On 1 September, East Leicester MP Claudia Webbe wrote to the police about violence breaking out on Shaftsbury Avenue, appreciating their actions in engaging with the community to prevent further violence.
"I am also pleased that Leicestershire Police are treating the incident as a hate crime and conducting an investigation to find out who was responsible for the racialised chanting and violence, whilst providing additional patrols in the Belgrave area," Webbe's letter read.
She had highlighted her constituents' concerns that though the "violence was seemingly motivated by nationalist sentiments," they also believed that it was a "consequence of underlying Islamophobia in parts of Leicester's communities, rather than an isolated incident."
In a second letter penned on 14 September, titled 'Incitement to hate and ongoing disturbances in Leicester East,' Webbe informed the police about allegations of hate towards "specific nationalities, race and/or religions" predating the Asia Cup, which implied that the tensions "may be more longstanding" and not related to the cricket tournament.
Webbe went on to inform the police that she had learnt of "fake social media posts" that were designed to entrap locals into attending a "fake and hateful" event, "which was intent on causing unnecessary alarm, fear, and distress."
She had called on the police to ensure that misinformation did not do more harm in the area, and informed them that there might be more "attempts to trigger clashes."
Suleman Nagdi, of the Leicester-based Federation of Muslim Organisations told the BBC: "What we have seen on the streets is very alarming.
"There have been problems in the community since the India and Pakistan cricket match and while that game often sparks gatherings they have not in the past turned this ugly.
"We need calm - the disorder has to stop and it has to stop now. There are some very dissatisfied young men who have been causing havoc," he was quoted as saying in the BBC report.
Sanjiv Patel, who represents Hindu and Jain temples across Leicester, said he was deeply saddened and shocked by Saturday night's disorder.
Later, the police, in statement issued on 18 September, said that its officers attempted to engage with the crowds to maintain control.
Our response to disorder in East Leicester pic.twitter.com/1alu5Q95er
— Leicestershire Police (@leicspolice) September 18, 2022
Hindu right wing diaspora march while Muslims were praying has led to a clash in Leicester, UK. The Indian disease has spread to the UK. pic.twitter.com/Odk5jfhGOk
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) September 17, 2022
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Sculptor Ram Sutar, designer of Statue of Unity, passes away
New Delhi (PTI): Noted sculptor Ram Sutar, known for designing the world's tallest statue — Statue of Unity — in Gujarat, passed away late on Wednesday night at his Noida residence, his son said.
He was 100 and ailing with age-related illnesses.
"It is with profound grief that we inform you of the passing of my father Shri Ram Vanji Sutar on 17th December midnight at our residence," his son Anil Sutar said in a note shared with the press on Thursday.
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Born in a humble family in Gondur village under the Dhule district of present-day Maharashtra on February 19, 1925, Sutar is known to have been drawn to sculpting from his childhood.
A gold medallist from JJ School of Art and Architecture, Mumbai, Sutar, has to his credit a long list of achievements.
The iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a meditating pose and of Chhatrapati Shivaji riding a horse on the Parliament premises rank among his finest creations.
The Statue of Unity honours Sardar Patel, country's first deputy prime minister and home minister.
Sutar was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016.
Recently, Sutar was conferred with the Maharashtra Bhushan Puraskar, the state's highest award.
