LONDON: The UK’s press regulator has rejected a complaint by the Hindu Community Organisations Group (HCOG) Leicester about a “Daily Mail” article that claimed British Hindu extremists were forming alliances with far-right groups in Europe over their “common hatred of Muslims”, sparking fears of religious brawls.
The IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) wrote to HCOG convenor Vinod Popat on April 16 saying the article did not “raise a possible breach of the Editors’ Code”. TOI has seen the response, which rejects his complaint about the phrase “Hindu extremism — which is known as Hindutva” being used. IPSO said: “Hindutva carries multiple meanings, omitting to mention other definitions did not make the article inaccurate.”
Popat also complained the article made claims about ties between British Hindus and far-right groups, and it suggested UK election interference by British Hindus “without credible or verifiable evidence.” IPSO rebuffed this too, saying the article was reporting on a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) report. Stating that the secret report said Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik was inspired by Hindutva, BJP, and RSS was not inaccurate or misleading, IPSO said.
Popat pointed out the article failed to have any input from British Hindus. IPSO rejected this, saying: “Under the Editors’ Code, articles do not need to be balanced, nor do specific interested parties need to be consulted ahead of an article’s publication… the opportunity to respond does not apply unless a published article includes significant inaccuracies.”
IPSO dismissed his claim that the article discriminated against British Hindus and said if he felt it was inciting racial hatred, he should call the police.
Popat has appealed their response with IPSO’s Complaints Committee, writing that the article fails to contextualise the credibility or status of the NPCC report and insinuates widespread community complicity, vilifying the whole community.
