Elham Asaad Buaras
A confidential police intelligence report has revealed that British Hindu extremists are forming alliances with far-right groups over their shared anti-Muslim sentiments, sparking concerns of potential religious unrest.
The report, leaked by the Mail on Sunday on March 30, further suggests that these extremists—who align themselves with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hardline policies—may also be attempting to influence British elections by directing Hindu voters on which political parties to support or avoid.
Compiled by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the report warns that Hindutva—a nationalist ideology distinct from Hinduism—could exacerbate tensions between Hindus and other religious communities, including Muslims and Sikhs.
The NPCC’s National Community Tension Team produced the report just two months after the UK Home Office completed its “rapid sprint” review of extremism, which, for the first time, officially identified Hindutva as an emerging extremist concern. The review referenced its role in fuelling the violent clashes in Leicester in the summer of 2022.
The report states: “Hindutva is a political movement distinct from Hinduism which advocates for the hegemony of Indian Hindus and the establishment of a monolithic Hindu rastra or state in India. Tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in the UK are still evident, and the events in Leicester show how disinformation can play a role in offline action.”
The report notes that his efforts have been well-received by certain Indian media outlets and a segment of British Hindus.
The growing alignment between British Hindu extremists and far-right groups has reignited memories of the violent clashes that erupted in Leicester in September 2022.
The riots saw masked mobs taking to the streets in a wave of sectarian violence, leaving 25 police officers injured and resulting in 47 arrests. The unrest was initially linked to a cricket match between India and Pakistan but quickly escalated due to deep-seated communal tensions.
Footage from that period showed large groups of people marching through eastern Leicester, with minimal police presence to contain the situation. The NPCC warns that such incidents could become more frequent if extremist factions continue to forge alliances.
The intelligence report also raises concerns over alleged attempts by Hindutva extremists to interfere in UK elections. It cites the 2019 General Election, when targeted WhatsApp campaigns urged Britain’s estimated one million Hindus to vote for the Conservative Party instead of Labour, which was perceived as “anti-Hindu” under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
The report states: “Supporters of PM Modi reportedly disseminated materials throughout Leicester and other UK cities telling Hindus to vote for the Conservative Party. This comes after the revelation that the UK branch of the Overseas Friends of the BJP, India’s governing party, campaigned for the Conservatives in 48 marginal seats.”
The NPCC highlights how the chant “Jai Shri Ram” (“Hail Lord Ram”), a religious slogan popular among Hindutva supporters, has become a source of tension between Hindus and other communities. The report suggests that the phrase, much like “Allahu Akbar” in radical Islamist circles, has been appropriated by extremists to assert religious dominance.
Additionally, the report points to certain Bollywood films that propagate Hindutva ideology as a catalyst for unrest in the UK. In January 2025, Sikh groups staged protests outside cinemas screening Emergency, a Bollywood film they claimed misrepresented their community. Hadiya Masieh, founder of counter-extremism group Groundswell, emphasized that Hindutva does not reflect mainstream Hindu beliefs. “Hindutva is not supported by most mainstream Hindus who will always say it is not representative of Hinduism,” she said. She added: “The Leicester riots were caused by both Hindu and Muslim extremists, not just one.”
The NPCC declined to comment on the leaked report, with a spokesperson telling The Muslim News, “We don’t comment on leaked information.”
Photo: The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) HQ in central London.
