Elham Asaad Buaras
A Daily Mail article alleging that British Hindu extremists were forming alliances with European far-right groups based on a “shared hatred of Muslims” did not breach journalistic standards, the UK’s press watchdog has ruled.
In a letter dated April 16, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) informed complainant Vinod Popat, convenor of the Hindu Community Organisations Group (HCOG), that the article did not “raise a possible breach of the Editors’ Code.”
Popat had raised multiple objections, including that the article made unverified claims about links between British Hindus and far-right groups and alleged interference in UK elections. He argued the piece was based on “unsubstantiated and unverifiable evidence.” However, IPSO rejected this, noting that the article was based on findings from a confidential National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) report.
The report cited Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik’s stated inspiration from Hindutva ideology, as well as from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). IPSO concluded that referencing the NPCC report did not render the article misleading.
Popat also objected to the use of the term “Hindu extremism — which is known as Hindutva,” arguing that it failed to reflect the term’s broader meanings. IPSO acknowledged that “Hindutva carries multiple meanings,” but maintained that omitting alternative definitions did not make the article inaccurate.
Another of Popat’s complaints centred on the article’s lack of input from British Hindu voices. IPSO responded that under the Editors’ Code, there is no obligation for articles to be balanced or to include comments from specific parties unless significant inaccuracies are present.
Addressing claims that the article was discriminatory towards British Hindus, IPSO found no breach of its guidelines. It further advised that any concerns about the article inciting racial or religious hatred should be referred to the police.
Despite the ruling, Popat has appealed to IPSO’s Complaints Committee. He argues that the article vilified the wider British Hindu community and lacked crucial context regarding the credibility and implications of the NPCC report.
