The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024 was recently launched by the Hindus for Democracy umbrella organisation. The manifesto has been framed by major Hindu organisations across the UK, including INSIGHT UK, NHSF UK, HSS, Hindu Council UK and many more.
This iGlobal series digs deeper, chapter by chapter, through each of the issues highlighted in the first-of-its-kind Hindu Manifesto 2024 – Part 7 and the final chapter is focussed on “Acknowledging and protecting Dharmic values”…
Promoting a culture of respect for diversity, including reasonable accommodation of individuals’ rights to wear religious symbols including tilak, bindi, saree, kalawa (mouli), kada, turban etc
Respect for diversity entails creating an inclusive environment where individuals feel empowered to express their religious identities without fear of discrimination or prejudice
Consulting the community while legislating upon intra-community issues
Community representatives, leaders, and organisations possess invaluable insights into the intricacies of Hindu customs, traditions, and concerns, way of life, making their input crucial for crafting legislation that is sensitive to the community's interests and welfare
Commissioning a memorial for Hindu soldiers who served the UK
During both world wars, the British Army had a large number of soldiers from the Hindu faith, and the Indian Army – the largest force in the war (more than 2,500,000 soldiers – fought for the UK). Large numbers of these soldiers even laid their lives for discharging their duties to serve the UK. However, no memorial has ever been commissioned in the UK to honour these Hindu soldiers. To honour the Hindu soldiers who served and died for the UK in different wars, particularly in the World Wars, a Hindu memorial should be commissioned.
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Facilitating appropriate infrastructure for religious ceremonies including marriage and cremation process
Several religious ceremonies like marriage and cremation arrangements are deeply rooted in religious and cultural traditions, and timely access to infrastructure is essential for honouring these customs. In the UK, Hindus are not able to access the infrastructure and support for these culturally and religiously sensitive events in a timely manner. For instance, delays in the coroners' process and cremation arrangements can pose significant challenges for grieving families, particularly those from UK Hindu communities
Recognising that the connection of UK Hindus to India (Bharat) is spiritual and not political
It is imperative to understand and recognise that the connection of UK Hindus to India (Bharat) is primarily spiritual rather than political. This underscores the deep-seated cultural and religious ties that bind the diaspora to their ancestral homeland.
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Manifesto expectations from candidates contesting in the General Elections 2024:
1. Understand the Dharmic way of life and unity within diversity in the Dharmic way of life.
2. Promote a culture of respect for diversity, including reasonable accommodation of individuals’ rights to wear religious symbols including tilak, bindi, saree, dhoti, kalawa (mouli), shikha, kada, turban etc.
3. Consult the community while legislating upon issues concerning UK Hindus.
4. Commission a memorial for Hindu soldiers who served and even died for the UK.
5. Facilitate infrastructure for culturally sensitive events including marriage, religious ceremonies, and cremation process.
6. Understand that the connection of UK Hindus to India (Bharat) is spiritual and not political.
*Info: Hindu Manifesto 2024