Tory Candidates Sign 'Hindu Manifesto' Pledge Despite Border Stances
The Manifesto lays out a number of demands for the UK's next administration following the impending elections. Among these are the acknowledgment of anti-Hindu sentiment and the defense of Hindu temples in the United Kingdom. Encouragement to vote for potential parliamentary candidates (PPCs) who pledge to uphold its principles is the goal.
Hindus in the UK are an important part of the country's thriving democracy. With the UK General Election 2024 rapidly approaching, the Hindu community in the UK has produced a vision paper outlining its goals and demands of politicians hoping to win over this large community. We want the candidates running in these elections to support them by making the following seven promises:
1. Recognising anti-Hindu hate as a religious hate crime, and proscribing organisations and individuals engaged in it: By recognising and combating Anti-Hindu hatred as a religious hate crime; by combatting the phenomenon of targeting institutions or individuals for their Hindu-ness; and by proscribing individuals and organisations engaged in anti-Hindu hatred.
2. Protecting Hindu places of worship: By advocating government schemes and funding for the protection of Hindu Mandirs akin to other religious places of worship.
3. Access to fairer education: By supporting the equitable access to education for Hindus by supporting greater availability of Hinduism in Religious Education and consulting the experts from the community while framing its syllabus; by advocating more Hindu Faith Schools in the UK; by supporting the promotion of Indic languages; and by the opening of satellite branches of Grammar schools.
4. Equal representation and opportunities for Hindus: By advocating better representations of Hindus in public institutions and political parties; and by appointing Hindu Chaplains in educational institutions, hospitals, prisons and other relevant places.
5. Streamlining immigration: By addressing the Visa issues of bringing dependents and elderly parents to the UK; by addressing the visa issues of Hindu priests; and by supporting stringent regulation on illegal migration.
6. Healthcare and Social care: By supporting the elderly and disabled care; ensuring the representation of Hindus in Social services and foster care; addressing the issue of loneliness; and advocating the inclusion of resources and ceremonial instruments of the Hindu faith (e.g. Murti/Deities, Scriptures, Holy Books) in prayer rooms at health centres.
7. Acknowledging and protecting Dharmic values: By understanding and respecting our Dharmic way of life; by consulting the community while legislating upon intra-community issues impacting the UK Hindu community; by facilitating infrastructure for culturally sensitive events including marriage, religious ceremonies and cremation process; by commissioning a memorial for Hindu soldiers who served and died for Britain; and by understanding that connect of UK Hindus to India (Bhārat).