The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024

Credit: Hindus for Democracy (https://hindusfordemocracy.org.uk)

According to the UK Census 2021, UK Hindus comprise approximately 1.7% of the UK population, that is around 1 million. In 2024, this figure would have reached over a million. 

Even with such a small number, our contribution to the British economy through our taxes is amongst the highest across all ethnic and religious minority groups. Our contribution to the National Health Service (NHS) is immense through our doctors, nurses, engineers and other staff. Our businesses provide employment to hundreds of thousands of people.

We are high achievers in education with the majority of UK Hindus going on to further and higher education. We are hard-working and as a result, we have become self-sufficient, independent and affluent.

At the other end of the spectrum, we are the most well-behaved community making up less than 0.3 percent of the British prison population.

We contribute, we cooperate, we coexist – we are an asset within the United Kingdom and have been for decades.

The Hindu Manifesto UK 2024 was officially launched on 6th June 2024. INSIGHT UK is proud to be part of the many organisations presenting the manifesto. It is a long overdue manifesto that outlines the key aspirations of the UK Hindu community for the upcoming general elections and beyond. Developed by major Hindu organisations in the UK, this manifesto seeks to ensure the protection, promotion, and progress of Hindu values and interests within British society. Here are the seven key assurances proposed:

1. Recognition of Anti-Hindu Hate as a Religious Hate Crime: The manifesto calls for the recognition and criminalisation of anti-Hindu hate, along with the prosecution of individuals and the proscription of organisations involved in anti-Hindu hate.
2. Protection of Hindu Places of Worship: Similar to the protection afforded to other religious institutions, the manifesto advocates for exclusive government schemes and funding to safeguard Hindu temples across the UK. Hindu temples have been targeted and attacked in towns and cities across the country such as Leicester, Birmingham, Nottingham, London etc.
3. Access to Fairer Education: The manifesto promotes equitable access to education for Hindus, including more and better representation of Hinduism in Religious Education, the establishment of more Hindu faith schools, the promotion of Indic languages, and the creation of satellite branches of grammar schools.
4. Equal Representation and Opportunities for Hindus: The manifesto urges better representation of Hindus in public institutions and political parties, and the appointment of Hindu chaplains in educational institutions, hospitals, and prisons.
5. Streamlining Immigration: It addresses visa issues related to bringing dependents and elderly parents to the UK, as well as visa issues for Hindu priests while supporting strict regulations on illegal migration.
6. Healthcare and Social Care: This includes support for elderly and disabled care within the Hindu community, representation in social services, and ensuring culturally sensitive resources in healthcare settings.
7. Acknowledging and Protecting Dharmic Values: The manifesto calls for respect and understanding of Dharmic ways of life, community consultation on legislation affecting Hindus, infrastructure for culturally sensitive events, and a memorial for Hindu soldiers who served Britain.

This manifesto has already garnered support from various parliamentary candidates, indicating its significance in the upcoming elections. It reflects the collective voice of the UK Hindu community, aiming to integrate our needs and values within the broader British societal framework.

It is also important to note that the Hindu Manifesto in no way compromises British values, but on the contrary complements them and further empowers our democracy. 

It calls for strict controls against illegal migration, seeks funding equivalent to other religious groups so that we are on a level playing ground and only seeks help on migration for skilled migrants.

For further details on the Hindu Manifest and the general election 2024, visit https://hindusfordemocracy.org.uk.