For the first time, the Scottish Parliament has formally acknowledged rising bias against Hindus, with a new motion tabled that’s already being hailed as a watershed moment in UK politics.
Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern and a member of the Alba Party, brought forward the motion last week, highlighting systemic discrimination against Hindus. It’s the first of its kind in Scotland — and across the European Union — to specifically recognise Hinduphobia as a serious societal issue.
A Motion That Breaks New Ground in Europe
This isn’t just a Scottish affair. Regan’s motion, inspired by a deeply researched report from the Gandhian Peace Society, has made waves far beyond Holyrood. The document, Hinduphobia in Scotland, paints a stark picture of the daily hostility and marginalisation experienced by members of the Hindu community.
Presented to Holyrood’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice in January, the report includes disturbing accounts of temple vandalism, hate speech, and systemic ignorance.
For Scotland’s Hindu population — just 0.3% of the nation’s 5.4 million — the motion signals long-overdue recognition.
The Report Behind the Wake-Up Call
Crafted by authors Dhruva Kumar, Neil Lal, Sukhi Bains, Anuranjan Jha, and Ajit Trivedi, the report isn’t some dry academic piece. It documents, in painful detail, the experiences of Hindus across Scotland facing verbal abuse, social exclusion, and worse.
One sentence from the report cuts deep: “This report is a mirror held up to Scottish society.” That’s how Neil Lal, President of the Indian Council of Scotland and UK, described it.
The report includes first-hand testimonies of:
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Vandalism targeting temples and cultural centres
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Children bullied for wearing religious symbols
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Families harassed in public for speaking Hindi or Gujarati
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Institutional neglect in addressing hate crimes
It’s not just about statistics — it’s about people’s everyday lives being disrupted by bias that often goes unchallenged.
Cross-Party Support Signals Political Shift
This wasn’t a lonely campaign. The motion has already picked up backing from across the political spectrum, including MSPs Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart. That alone sets it apart from many diversity motions that get swept aside.
Let’s be honest — interfaith issues often get lip service. But this time, lawmakers are taking notice. The motion states clearly that the Gandhian Peace Society deserves commendation for its “research, advocacy and public engagement in raising awareness and advancing interfaith dialogue.”
It’s the kind of wording that doesn’t just acknowledge a problem. It urges Parliament to engage with it.
Not Just A Hindu Issue, But A Scottish One
“When places of worship are vandalised or families face slurs, it’s not just Hindus being attacked — it’s Scotland’s values of tolerance,” Lal said.
That hits home.
This motion isn’t about drawing lines between communities. It’s about drawing the line against hatred. And if Scotland wants to call itself a modern, inclusive nation, then turning a blind eye to Hinduphobia just isn’t an option anymore.
Even Gandhian Peace Society representatives were taken aback by the political support. “This is a landmark step,” they said in a statement. “Not just for Hindus, but for religious equality in Scotland.”
A Look at the Numbers That Matter
Though the Hindu population is small, the report outlines some shocking incidents. Here’s a quick snapshot of data points mentioned:
| Key Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hindu Population in Scotland | Approx. 16,200 (0.3% of total population) |
| Date Report Was Accepted by Holyrood CPG | January 23, 2025 |
| Types of Reported Incidents | Vandalism, physical assault, online hate, harassment |
| Supporting MSPs for the Motion | At least 4 (multi-party) |
And that’s just the beginning. The report calls for broader inclusion of Hindu concerns in national diversity strategies, including education, policing, and media representation.
Silence Isn’t Neutral — It’s Complicit
One of the authors, Anuranjan Jha, didn’t mince words.
“Silence in the face of hate is complicity,” he said, stressing how often Hindu voices are ignored even in anti-racism spaces. “We are constantly told to wait our turn.”
But for many Hindus, that wait has stretched too long. Social media’s seen growing support for Regan’s move, especially among second-generation Scottish Hindus who feel politically invisible.
One commenter wrote: “Finally, someone is speaking up for us. We’re not a footnote anymore.”
What Comes Next?
Honestly, nobody’s expecting an overnight revolution. Motions in Parliament don’t carry legal weight. They don’t create new laws. But they do send a message — and this one is loud.
By drawing attention to Hinduphobia in a formal, public way, Scottish lawmakers are shifting the spotlight onto a community long stuck in the shadows.
Ash Regan’s office hasn’t commented on next steps, but civil society groups are already calling for:
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An official Holyrood debate
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Inclusion of Hinduphobia in Scotland’s anti-hate strategy
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More education around Hinduism in schools
Even small symbolic changes — like recognising Hindu festivals in government spaces — could go a long way.
For now, though, the motion has lit a fire. And it’s one that won’t go out easily.
