UK report flags 'pro-Khalistan, Hindu nationalist extremism' as threats
London, Jan 30 (PTI): Two types of extremism with their origins in the Indian subcontinent -- pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism -- have been flagged as threats to “understand” in a leaked report into the UK government’s ‘Extremism Review’.
‘Extremely Confused: The government’s new counter-extremism review revealed’, authored by Andrew Gilligan and Dr Paul Scott for the Policy Exchange think tank released earlier this week, claims 'Hindu nationalist extremism' has found a mention in such a review for the first time.
UK Home Office Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Tuesday that it was “not entirely clear which version of the report was leaked” and stressed that its claims did not represent government policy.
It follows Home Secretary Yvette Cooper ordering a ‘Rapid Analytical Sprint’ last August to determine the Labour government’s policy on extremism.
As per the leaked report, the longest section is labelled “Understand” and lists nine types of extremism in the following order – “Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme misogyny, pro-Khalistan extremism, Hindu nationalist extremism, environmental extremism, Left wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism (LASI), violence fascination and conspiracy theories”.
“Pages 17-18 of ‘Understand’ are devoted to two types of extremism which have their origins in the Indian subcontinent – what is described as pro-Khalistan extremism and Hindu nationalist extremism. With regards to the former, the report offers the caveat that support for a Sikh state of Khalistan is not necessarily extremist; the problem is when this outlook leads to the advocacy of violence in support of that cause,” reads the Policy Exchange report.
“That is a logical position for the UK government to take. However much more controversial will be the assessment of a ‘growing portfolio of actors of concern’ within the Khalistan movement; and reference to activism which contributes to ‘the demonisation of Muslim communities, in particular about child sexual exploitation allegations’ and what are seen as conspiracy theories alleging collusion between the British and Indian Governments," it reads.
The report does however recognise that concerns exist about the Indian government’s "overseas role", including accusations of Indian involvement in "deadly violence against Sikhs in Canada and the United States".
It adds: “Hindu nationalist extremism (also referred to as Hindutva, which roughly translates as ‘Hinduness’) was not mentioned in the 2023 Independent Review of Prevent – something that with hindsight can be seen as a mistake. Given the violence which occurred in Leicester in September 2022 between Hindus and Muslims, the government is correct to place Hindu nationalist extremism under the spotlight – not least as knowledge of it is generally low.
“Equally notable here is the declaration that in Leicester ‘key voices within both Muslim and Hindu communities also played a significant role in opportunistically exploiting tensions and inciting hate among the local communities’.”
The Opposition Conservative Party raised the leaked report's findings in Parliament, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp questioning the government’s approach towards tackling different forms of extremism.
“As we have said repeatedly, Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism are the biggest threats we face... Ideology, particularly Islamist extremism followed by far-right extremism, continues to be at the heart of our approach to countering extremism and terrorism,” stated Dan Jarvis, on behalf of the government.
The Home Office also reiterated that the findings of the ‘Rapid Analytical Sprint’ “have not been formally agreed by ministers” as the government considers a “wide range of potential next steps arising from that work”.
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Mangaluru Konkani writer H.M. Pernal wins 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award
Mangaluru: Noted Konkani writer and journalist H.M. Pernal (Henry Mendonca) from Mangaluru has been selected for the 2025 Sahitya Akademi Award for his acclaimed literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
The Sahitya Akademi Award is one of the highest literary honours given by the Government of India. Every year, the Akademi recognises outstanding literary works in 24 languages, including 22 scheduled languages along with English and Rajasthani.
Konkani has been a scheduled language since 1992 and is spoken in five states — Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The language had received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi in 1975. From 1977 onwards, the Akademi has been presenting awards to notable works in Konkani literature.
From Mangaluru, Cha. Fra. D’Costa (1992) and Melvyn Rodrigues (2011) had earlier received the Sahitya Akademi Award for their poetry collections, while Edwin J.F.D. Souza was honoured with the award in 2016 for his novel. With this recognition, H.M. Pernal becomes the fourth Konkani writer from Karnataka to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award.
His book Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam has created a historic milestone as the first Konkani work in the literary criticism category to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award. Earlier, the book had received the Best Book Award from the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023.
The book carries an extensive foreword written by Jnanpith award-winning Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo and has been published by Kavita Publications of Mangaluru.
Henry Mendonca was born in Pernal in Udupi district. He completed his schooling at Hindu Junior College in Shirva and pursued his degree at MSRS College, before obtaining his postgraduate education in Mumbai. Professionally, he is a commercial accountant.
He began his writing career in Kannada through magazines such as Taranga, Sankramana and Shudra. In the early 1980s, he entered Konkani literature as a cartoonist in the magazine Yuvak. Over the years, he has established himself as a short story writer, poet, critic, editor and publisher.
In 2011, he founded the literary online magazine Kitaal, which has been publishing continuously for the past fourteen years and has become a prominent platform for both senior and emerging writers in the digital Konkani literary space.
In 2013, he started the literary magazine Arso as a fortnightly publication. It is now being published as a monthly magazine in its twelfth year under the editorship of poet Wilson Katil. The annual special issues of Arso have gained special recognition in literary circles.
Through his own publishing house Kitaal Prakashan, Pernal has published more than 15 original literary works.
So far, he has published four poetry collections — Chalyank Chatray (1999), Kaydyacho Kavita (2004), Bhamunanchem Chedum (2006) and Janel (2025). He has also published two short story collections — Devak Sodullo Pado (2002) and Beeg Ani Bigat (2016), along with the award-winning literary criticism work Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam (2021).
His short story collection Beeg Ani Bigat received the Shrimati Vimala V. Pai Best Literary Work Award in 2017, presented by the Vishwa Konkani Kendra in memory of the mother of noted entrepreneur T.V. Mohandas Pai. For his contribution to Konkani poetry, he received the Mathayas Family Endowment Poetry Award from Kavita Trust in 2018.
He was also honoured with the Best Book Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2021 for Konkani Kavyem: Rupam Ani Rupakam, the Konkani Sahitya Gaurav Award by the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi in 2022, the Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award in 2023 for his contributions to Konkani literature and journalism, and the Best Book Award from the Goa Konkani Akademi in 2023 for the same book.
Pernal has written more than 850 poems, over 100 short stories and more than 2,000 articles. Through print and digital media, he has consistently contributed to the growth of Konkani literature.
Since 2012, he has been identifying and encouraging emerging writers by presenting the Kitaal Yuva Puraskar every year. The award is sponsored by the family of Abu Dhabi-based entrepreneur and philanthropist Leo Rodrigues and includes a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000.
At present, Pernal is the chief editor of the Vision Konkani Book Grant Project initiated by Michael D’Souza. Under this scheme, Konkani writers are provided financial assistance of up to Rs 40,000 for the publication of a book.
The project, with a total budget of Rs 40 lakh, is fully sponsored by NRI entrepreneur and Konkani language patron Michael D’Souza. It is being implemented under the supervision of the Vishwa Konkani Kendra and aims to support the publication of 100 books over a five-year period.
A committed leader in the Konkani literary community, Pernal served as the working president of the All India Silver Jubilee Konkani Literary Conference held in Mangaluru in 2023. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the All India Konkani Parishad.
He has also served as the president of the Konkani Writers’ Union and is presently a member of the Konkani Language Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi.
