London: The Mayor of London has rejected calls to remove the UK branch of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP-UK) from the official organising committee of the City Hall-backed Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square. Critics say the group has historic ties to anti-Muslim violence in India.
The VHP-UK, also known as the World Council of Hindus UK, is part of the Diwali in London Committee, which represents several Hindu and Jain organisations. The controversy arises from a 2002 UK Foreign Office report that found the Indian branch of the VHP responsible for orchestrating anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat, which killed thousands. The report described the violence as an act of “ethnic cleansing.”
Rajiv Sinha from Hindus for Human Rights UK said he was “disgusted” that City Hall continues to work with organisations that promote Hindutva ideology. He urged the Mayor to end ties with the VHP-UK, which he described as part of a “violent Hindu supremacist network” responsible for incidents including the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition and the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The UK Indian Muslim Council called the VHP-UK’s inclusion “an unacceptable lapse of judgment,” warning that it undermines London’s values of unity and inclusion. The group India Labour Solidarity said the association risks normalising caste and communal divisions in the UK.
In response, the Mayor’s spokesperson said Diwali on the Square “welcomes people of all faiths” and is “a beacon of inclusivity,” noting that multiple community groups jointly organise the event.
