- Sunday, May 05, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Leaders of Hindu and Muslim communities in the city of Leicester in eastern England on Tuesday (20) presented a united front as they appealed for harmony in the wake of violence that started following an India-Pakistan cricket match last month.
The local police have made 47 arrests in connection to the disorder.
Pradyumna Das, president of the city’s ISKCON Temple, read out a statement joined by community leaders outside a mosque in the city to express “sadness” over the violence which escalated over the weekend.
The community leaders wanted the “inciters of hatred” leave Leicester alone and called for an immediate cessation of provocation and violence, both in thought and behaviour.
“Our message to anyone that sows disharmony between us is clear: we will not let you succeed. We ask all to respect the sanctity of religious places, both mosques and mandirs alike — whether provocation with loud music, flag bearing, derogatory chants or physical attacks against the fabric of worship. This is not acceptable nor upheld by our faiths,” the statement said.
“We are a strong family, we will work together to resolve whatever concern may arise — we do not need to call up any assistance from outside our city. Leicester has no place for any foreign extremist ideology that causes division,” he said, highlighting that Hindus and Muslims have lived “harmoniously” in the city for over half a century.
It came as police patrols continued in the city as the Indian high commission in London issued a strongly worded statement condemning the violence against the Indian community and called for protection for those affected.
Leicestershire Police said a 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon during clashes in the city.
Amos Noronha from the local area appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court after his arrest during Saturday’s (17) incident and was quickly charged due to “overwhelming evidence”.
“The sentence is reflective of the fact that this was a serious offence and he has ended up with time in prison,” said Rob Nixon, temporary chief constable at Leicestershire Police.
“We will not stand for this unrest in our city. There is an extensive policing operation ongoing, acting on information and reports of gatherings and offering community reassurance. Be reassured: we are working to keep you safe and to arrest and bring to justice those that are causing harm in our communities,” he said.
[With PTI inputs]
