Mob Attacks Hindu Temple in UK's Smethwick as Police Stand Nearby - Reports
10:15 GMT 21.09.2022 (Updated: 14:10 GMT 14.02.2023)
© Photo : Jyot Jeet/twitter
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The attack comes after another Hindu temple was vandalized in the British city of Leicester after clashes between local Hindu and Muslim communities following India’s cricket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup in Dubai last month. At least 47 people have been arrested so far in connection with the riots.
Days after violence erupted in the UK city of Leicester, around 200 people have attacked a Hindu temple in nearby Smethwick in England's West Midlands.
The Durga Bhawan Hindu Centre temple is located on the town's Spon Lane. As per the Birmingham World, social media account Apna Muslims called for a “peaceful protest” outside the temple on Tuesday. The protest quickly turned violent, however, with videos from the scene going viral on Wednesday in which the vandals were heard chanting “Allahu Akbar”.
Around 200 people, mainly Muslims, have arrived outside the Durga Bhawan Hindu Centre in Smethwick, West Mids
— Shashank Rai (@AryavirShashank) September 21, 2022
one bottle has been thrown,
Hindu temple targeted by Islamists in UK in the presence of Police. This is appalling! pic.twitter.com/kLLvYEYj79
BREAKING :
— Jan Ki Baat (@jankibaat1) September 21, 2022
First Leicester, now Smethwick. Where next?
After #Leicester, Tensions flare up now in #Smethwick as a large crowd allegedly belonging to the minority community marched towards Durga Bhawan Hindu Centre in Spon Lane. They were heard raising religious slogans. pic.twitter.com/fXpVZ7QM9r
Scenes from inside the compound of the Hindu centre as the baying mob of Islamists turned up throwing bottles, all masked up, police stand to the side! pic.twitter.com/JfYFv82B2Y
— AwesomeMughals (@AwesomeMughals) September 21, 2022
Another Hindu temple was vandalized and a saffron flag symbolizing Hindu faith desecrated on Saturday in Leicester, which had also seen violent clashes between Hindu and Muslim youths after the India-Pakistan match held on August 28.
In a statement issued after the Leicester incident, the Indian High Commission in London condemned the violence against the Indian community and called for protection for those affected.
Meanwhile, leaders of Hindu and Muslim communities also gathered on Tuesday on the steps of a mosque in Leicester and issued a joint statement urging calm, peace and harmony. They also called for an immediate end to "provocation and violence".
