Representatives of the Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) and the Sikh community met officers of the Public Order, Special Branch and the Race and Diversity Units of the Metropolitan Police on July 19, 2004 to discuss a strategy for dealing with the Annual Rally for Islam.

The rally is organised by the group calling itself, Al Muhajiroun, who have issued a press release calling all Hindus and Sikhs to convert to Islam. The rally is organised to take place on July 25 in Trafalgar Square. The language used by Al Muhajiroun has caused great offence to the sentiments of British Hindus and Sikhs.

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that Trafalgar Square has already been booked on the same day to host an opera show, which is not connected in any way with the Al Muhajiroun. Furthermore, it has emerged that the Al Muhajiroun does not have permission to organise such a rally.

"The police are deeply concerned about the sensitivities of the Hindu and Sikh communities in Britain and will take appropriate action," confirmed Robert Pull of the Race and Diversity Unit.

The HFB had brought this rally to the attention of the Metropolitan Police. "We informed the Metropolitan Police as early as last week about our grave concerns regarding the rally, but neither they nor the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), who were also informed, appreciated the scale of sentiment being expressed in our community. We did not see any proactive action in the first instance," said Ramesh Kallidai Secretary General of the HFB.

Arjan Vekaria, Security Secretary of the HFB added, "It was only when we informed them that we had received information of vast numbers of Hindus and Sikhs planning to congregate in Trafalgar Square to show their displeasure, that the police responded. We are not sure if the police understood the gravity and seriousness of the feelings within the community. Many leaders of the community have expressed grave doubts to me about the ability of the police to deal with race and religious hate crimes."

"The police have urged the British Hindu and Sikh community not to organise a protest march on the same day in order to maintain public order," continued Ramesh Kallidai, "We are committed to maintaining peace and harmony whilst also making a strong statement about the dangers of extreme views. We therefore urge our community NOT to congregate at Trafalgar Square."

In view of the prevailing situation, Ishwer Tailor MBE, President of the HFB urged all Hindus to maintain peace and calm. "It is important that Hindus and Sikhs react in a manner that is responsible but also firm. The police are adequately equipped to handle the situation and therefore we will allow the law to takes it course."

"The community believes that the police have not shown the right degree of seriousness in responding to the situation. This is extremely worrying and deeply disturbing," said Indarjit Singh, Director Network of Sikh Organisations. He added, "We look forward to much better communications between the police and the faith communities."

"I attended the meeting with the police and the Hindu and Sikh communities on July 19," said Harmander Singh, Principal Advisor to the Sikhs in England group. "I was pleased that the communities were united and vociferous in raising their concerns to the police and did not take kindly to the police response. Their response was lacking and our concerns were also expressed about lack of CPS response."

Other members of the Hindu community reacted strongly by highlighting confidence issues in the ability of the police to handle hate crimes. "The fact that it took the police more than 5 days to register the gravity of the situation does concern everyone in the community," commented Jyotsna Thanki, President of Hindu Council of Birmingham.

"The confidence the community should have in the police is very important, and it is our wish that the emerging partnerships with the police be further strengthened to address this and other such issues."

These sentiments are not just confined to one group in one part of the country. Venilal Vaghela, Chairman of Hindu Council of Brent said, "The reaction of the police is rather disappointing to what is fast becoming a very serious issue on public order. The community in North London need the Met to respond in a fashion that strengthens their confidence and shows a high level of commitment."

Roshan Bhabutta, President of Milton Keynes Hindu Association said, "The community place their trust in the police in the knowledge that they are the protectors of the whole society, and it is important that we address the issue of extreme views so that all law abiding citizens feel protected."

"Organisations with extreme views do much damage to community, race and faith relations," commented Raman Barber President of Shree Sanathan Mandir Leicester. "In Leicester the faith communities work well together to create a climate of confidence and good race relations."

He was supported in his views by Rami Ranger of the Punjabi Society of the British Isles who said, "It is important for the police and the Government to take threats resulting from such extreme views seriously. We have a diverse multi faith society and it is important that these groups are not allowed to disrespect the major faiths in Britain."

Swami Nirliptanada, Secretary to London Sevashram Sangh commented, "The richness of the diverse cultures in Britain is of great value. With this, we have the values of the many faiths that are also represented. In light of this, it is indeed sad that we have to witness such extreme views that have caused much resentment and offence in other faiths."

Mahesh Bhatt, representing the Federation of Brahman Associations of Europe explained, "The Hindu community is very tolerant and we have always worked with leading agencies when the opportunity is presented to us, I am rather shocked at what this group is promoting and do hope that the vast majority of people in the country will disassociated themselves from such views."

The Chair of the HFB Patrons Council, C B Patel stated, "We have communicated our concerns to the police, the CPS, leading members of Parliament and other leading agencies - it is noteworthy that there appears to be a deafening silence from all of them. This is of grave concern to us and in my view totally unacceptable."

Al Muhajiroun appears to have been operating for a number of years and has been the subject of intense scrutiny. Their website, http://www.muhajiroun.com/about_us exhibits their views and their dedication to convert all non-Muslims to Islam.

"The Metropolitan Police has made some progress by producing a manual that covers issues emerging out of race and religious hatred," commented Ramesh Kallidai. "However, it is not clear what their long term strategy or policy is in relation to tackling such issues strategically."

Stuart Cornish of New Scotland Yard stated, "The Metropolitan Police are aware that this rally has been advertised. The organisers have not been given permission to hold a rally on Trafalgar Square. The website has been examined and the Crown Prosecution Service are being consulted. I would like to reassure you that a policing operation is currently being planned to deal with the event in the appropriate way."

The HFB has been in discussions with the Metropolitan Police looking at ways in which the Hindu Community can be better represented in an advisory role, as well as taking part in official bodies such as the Independent Advisory Group, so that positive working partnership may be forged.

"I feel that we are beginning to develop a partnership with the police of common knowledge, understanding and also, the level of insecurity felt by the community at large in relation to race and religious incitement of hatred. The HFB are keen to work proactively with the police so that we can better manage such threats and support the whole community," concluded Ramesh Kallidai.