Thugs disrupted Holi: UK MP calls for action after festival clash in Harrow

A British Conservative MP has urged the Labour government to step in to ease rising community tensions after a group disrupted a Holi celebration in north London, an incident that was raised in the UK Parliament, according to PTI.

Opposition MP Bob Blackman, whose constituency includes Harrow, told the House of Commons that a group of “thugs” disrupted an annual Holi festival event held at a Civic Centre car park last week.

“This event has been run for many years. It is a joyful occasion, and more than a thousand people attended,” Blackman told MPs.

Blackman, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, said the disturbance began when a group left a nearby mosque and interfered with the celebration.

“Thugs from the Central Mosque left the mosque and then decided to disrupt proceedings by pulling over the speakers and disconnecting the audio system,” he said. “They were then chased away by stewards. That was bad enough,” he added.

According to Blackman, the group later returned with reinforcements and attempted to attack people celebrating the festival. “They then came back with 20 more thugs and attempted to attack the people celebrating,” he said.

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT REASSURANCE

Blackman called on the government to make an official statement to reassure residents and ensure such incidents do not happen again.

“This is in Harrow where we have excellent community relations, and I hope this will not happen anywhere else or again,” he said. “But the sad reality is community tensions are rising because of various different things across the world, and it is our responsibility as politicians to cool things down,” Blackman added.

He asked the Leader of the Commons to take steps so that people can “celebrate in peace and harmony”.

GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS RELIGIOUS HATRED

Responding in Parliament, Leader of the Commons Alan Campbell said he was saddened by the reports of disruption but declined to comment directly on the incident because it is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, PTI reported.

“I am sad to hear of the disruption that happened at celebrations in Harrow,” Campbell said.

“However, any form of religious hatred is abhorrent and has no place in our society, wherever it happens,” he added.

Campbell said he would consider the MP’s request regarding social cohesion and look at what steps could be taken in the coming weeks.

Police confirmed officers were called to the scene and a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of affray, according to PTI. Community groups have also urged authorities to ensure safety for those celebrating religious festivals in Britain.

- Ends