Hindu Forum of Britain
Encyclopedia
The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) is an organization that represents over 275 Hindu
groups throughout Great Britain
with joint annual income of at least £34 million.http://www.hinduforum.org/Default.aspx?sID=45&cID=25&ctID=43&lID=0 It provides member organizations an opportunity to mobilize their efforts in informing public policy and assists in the development of community projects.
HFB’s website reports its activities as broadly divided into three areas: public policy and community consultation for the government; capacity building and project development for the Hindu community; and developing good interfaith relations with other faith communities to build a cohesive and inclusive Britain. The HFB says that at the core of the Forum’s activity is a strong belief in the richness and diversity of the Hindu culture, its value system that encompasses for respect for all beings and faiths and a cultural heritage that facilitates community cohesion and coexistence. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Gordon Brown
has praised the work of the HFB in facilitating the integration of the British Hindu community.
, Justice for Gangotri
and many others. They have also protested alliances between the far-right British National Party
and anti-Muslim Sikh and Hindu groups.
and attacks on temples belonging to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
.
, a bull under the protection of Skanda Vale
, a Hindu temple in the region. Welsh farmers alleged had tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, an assertion that was disputed by Skanda Vale.
accused the secretary general, Ramesh Kallidai
, of maintaining a close association with Hindu nationalists in India http://www.hfb.org.uk/Default.aspx?sID=45&cID=182&ctID=43&lID=0 and of defending them in the British Parliament http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=18f83799-43c0-45fc-a1ea-119e9958823b&ParentID=db942155-5814-4b10-bce7-659b75d7e21a&MatchID1=4488&TeamID1=8&TeamID2=10&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1120&PrimaryID=4488&Headline=British+Indian+official+linked+to+VHP. In a press release, the HFB said that the report was "full of fundamental factual inaccuracies and unsubstantiated accusations" and "implies HFB's and Kallidai's guilt by association".
A group of British academics of mostly Indian origin led by Chetan Bhatt, who is accused of gender discrimination by colleagues in the UK have claimed the existence of links between the HFB and the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
and furthermore that the HFB is promoting Hindu extremism in Britain. The HFB both disputes and condemns these allegations.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
groups throughout Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
with joint annual income of at least £34 million.http://www.hinduforum.org/Default.aspx?sID=45&cID=25&ctID=43&lID=0 It provides member organizations an opportunity to mobilize their efforts in informing public policy and assists in the development of community projects.
HFB’s website reports its activities as broadly divided into three areas: public policy and community consultation for the government; capacity building and project development for the Hindu community; and developing good interfaith relations with other faith communities to build a cohesive and inclusive Britain. The HFB says that at the core of the Forum’s activity is a strong belief in the richness and diversity of the Hindu culture, its value system that encompasses for respect for all beings and faiths and a cultural heritage that facilitates community cohesion and coexistence. Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
has praised the work of the HFB in facilitating the integration of the British Hindu community.
Campaigns
HFB have launched high-profile campaigns that include safeguarding the use of Hindu images and icons in commerce and arts, the Defend Russian Hindus campaign, persecution of Hindu rights in Bangladesh, changes to immigration laws for Hindu priests entering Britain, Save the Hindu Swastika campaign, ShamboShambo
"Shambo" was a black Friesian bull living in the Hindu Skanda Vale Temple near Llanpumsaint in Wales, who had been adopted by the local Hindu community as a sacred animal...
, Justice for Gangotri
Gangotri (cow)
Gangotri, a famous cow that lived at Bhaktivedanta Manor, was killed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in December 2007...
and many others. They have also protested alliances between the far-right British National Party
British National Party
The British National Party is a British far-right political party formed as a splinter group from the National Front by John Tyndall in 1982...
and anti-Muslim Sikh and Hindu groups.
Cultural activity
In early 2006, it had demanded closure of London's Asia House Gallery, stating that it contained "obscene images of Hindu goddesses". The organization also tried to mobilise support to protest against the blockbuster French comedy Les Bronzés 3: Amis Pour La Vie for alleged denigration of idols. A statement by British-based Indian academics, after a vandal incident in the gallery, denounced the Hindu Forum of Britain. It argued that these organisations were using the same tactics as Hindu fundamentalist organisations in India, thereby undermining the nation's constitutional right to freedom of thought and expression.Anti-terrorism
The Hindu Forum of Britain has condemned many acts of terrorism including the 7 July 2005 London bombings7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
and attacks on temples belonging to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
.
Cow protection
The organization had protested against the Welsh government in a campaign to prevent slaughter of ShamboShambo
"Shambo" was a black Friesian bull living in the Hindu Skanda Vale Temple near Llanpumsaint in Wales, who had been adopted by the local Hindu community as a sacred animal...
, a bull under the protection of Skanda Vale
Skanda Vale
Skanda Vale is a Hindu Temple/Monastery in Llanpumsaint community, Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales. The temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, who is also known as Skanda, Karttikeya, and Muruga...
, a Hindu temple in the region. Welsh farmers alleged had tested positive for bovine tuberculosis, an assertion that was disputed by Skanda Vale.
Alleged fundamentalism
The Evening StandardEvening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
accused the secretary general, Ramesh Kallidai
Ramesh Kallidai
Ramesh Kallidai is the Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain which is the largest umbrella body representing British Hindus. Ramesh Kallidai was the first Secretary General of the organisation and has continued in this role while introducing different projects and raising the profile of...
, of maintaining a close association with Hindu nationalists in India http://www.hfb.org.uk/Default.aspx?sID=45&cID=182&ctID=43&lID=0 and of defending them in the British Parliament http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=18f83799-43c0-45fc-a1ea-119e9958823b&ParentID=db942155-5814-4b10-bce7-659b75d7e21a&MatchID1=4488&TeamID1=8&TeamID2=10&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1120&PrimaryID=4488&Headline=British+Indian+official+linked+to+VHP. In a press release, the HFB said that the report was "full of fundamental factual inaccuracies and unsubstantiated accusations" and "implies HFB's and Kallidai's guilt by association".
A group of British academics of mostly Indian origin led by Chetan Bhatt, who is accused of gender discrimination by colleagues in the UK have claimed the existence of links between the HFB and the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or National Patriotic Organization), also known the Sangh, is a right-wing Hindu nationalist, paramilitary, volunteer, and allegedly militant organization for Hindu males in India...
and furthermore that the HFB is promoting Hindu extremism in Britain. The HFB both disputes and condemns these allegations.