Eyewitness accounts suggest Islamists attacked Holi celebrations in London | Timeline and Updates
6th March, 2026
Last updated: 6th March 2026, 15.57
On Tuesday, 3rd March, according to eyewitness, a peaceful Holi celebration attended by hundreds of Hindu devotees in Harrow, London, was disrupted when a group of Islamist youths attacked the gathering.
Islamists attack Holi festival in Harrow
People who were present for the Holi celebration have spoken to INSIGHT UK and narrated the incident.
Organised by the Siddhashram Shakti Centre, the event, which had prior permission from the local council and was taking place in the car park of the Harrow Civic Centre, which was attended by some VIP guests including two Mayors, Harrow Council Portfolio holders, the London Fire Brigade Commander, former Mayors, Councillors, and Labour Group leader – it was reported that all VIP guests had left by 8 pm.
At around 8.35 pm as the event was coming to a close, initially three youths approached and reportedly attempted to intimidate participants, including pushing over speakers.
Witnesses said the youths were driven away but at around 8.45 pm, returned with a larger group of approximately 15–16 individuals, after which members of the gathering were allegedly attacked. Police were called and arrived within 15 minutes. Officers took statements from those present and arrested a 14-year-old in connection with the incident.
The disruption has raised concerns among members of the local Hindu community about the safety of religious celebrations and the need for authorities to ensure that all communities can observe their festivals peacefully.
Updates
Friday 6th March
3.06 pm: Siddhashram Shakti Centre released statement contradicting the statement published by West Harrow Met Engage in relation to the attackers and their motives. See below extract;
“However, towards the end of the event, around 8:35 pm, three youths arrived near the venue and began to disturb the sound system. They were identified as a Muslim group. They were reportedly carrying sticks and a sword. Our volunteers and security team approached them calmly and respectfully requested that they allow the peaceful religious gathering to conclude without disruption. Unfortunately, the individuals did not cooperate and damaged the sound equipment, including speakers, which were thrown to the ground and broken, before leaving the immediate area.
Shortly afterward 10 minutes, from the roadside of the Mosque, a larger group of approximately 15–16 youths approached the vicinity, creating further disturbance and terror by throwing glass bottles, sticks and other objects, causing fear among attendees and attempting to intimidate devotees. Our security personnel and volunteers acted responsibly to protect attendees and prevent escalation, ensuring the safety of those present. Our security personnel also got hurt.
The Metropolitan Police were immediately contacted, and officers arrived promptly within approximately 10 to 15 minutes. With the assistance of members of the community, one individual was detained and handed over to the police, and an arrest was subsequently made.
During the incident, Our Spiritual and Community leader HH Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji personally contacted senior police officials, including Superintendent Zubin Writer, who provided prompt support and ensured that additional officers were present at the site until the situation was fully under control and the event concluded safely.“
12.00 pm: INSIGHT UK sends email to Harrow West MP, Gareth Thomas for intervention and clarification
9.57 am: INSIGHT UK send an email to West Harrow Met Engage team (WestHarrow@contact.metengage.co.uk) for clarification as their statement contradicts reports from eyewitnesses.
“14-year-old boy on suspicion of affray and a racially aggravated hate crime offence as he was heard making racial slurs towards the black community.
“I am aware of speculation circulating on social media and that there are concerns that Hindu phobic language was used.
I have been in regular contact with the investigation team, who inform me that this is not the case and that this incident was not targeted at Hindu or Islamic communities.”
11.40 am: INSIGHT UK contacts the organisers again and speaks to a volunteer who confirmed that the incident took place but did not have full details. Volunteer said they will pass on the message and get someone to contact us back.
KEY UPDATE 1.47 pm: INSIGHT UK speaks to the head organiser and gets detailed account of the events. Confirming that;
the attackers were Islamist youth
initially 3 to 4 came and disrupted the event but did not get too far into the main celebration area where the Holika Dahan (bonfire) was taking place
after being driven away, the Islamist youths came back with approximately 15 to 20 more boys and things escalated
police were called and arrived within 15 minutes
statements were taken from witnesses by the police
a follow up by the organisers and the police was scheduled for Friday 6th March
Wednesday 4th March
11.33 am: Reports circulated online of a “brawl” at Harrow Civic
1.59 pm: INSIGHT UK was alerted of the incident and start investigating the reported incident
3.58 pm: INSIGHT UK ascertains the video of the incident
4.14 pm: INSIGHT UK is sent eye witness accounts from those who attended
4.19 pm: INSIGHT UK receives confirmation from eyewitnesses of the religious identity of the perpetrators
5.18 pm: INSIGHT UK gets confirmation that the Holi event has prior permission from the council to hold the celebration
6.25 pm: INSIGHT UK shares the video of the incident on its social media platforms
8.21 pm: INSIGHT UK attempts to contact the organisers of the Holi event but no response (likely due to them being closed).
Tuesday 3rd March, Evening Holi celebrations at the Harrow Civic Centre carpark in the evening which was attended by some VIP guests including two Mayors, Harrow Council Portfolio holders, the London Fire Brigade Commander, former Mayors, Councillors, and Labour Group leader – it was reported that all VIP guests had left by 8 pm.
The attack by Islamist youth occurred at around 8.35 PM and 8.50 pm as the Holi event came to a close.
