Say No to Islamophobia and all forms of Hate speech
We, the undersigned UK Muslims, are distraught with what has happening in India by Hindu Extremists sponsored by the current extremist government.
There have been countless deaths including innocent women, children and pensioners in India. These outrageous acts are being stoked by Islamophobic media articles, politicians and celebrities however our cause of concern has been the most recent deeply upsetting and totally inexcusable comments by Anil Bhanot ‘Director of the Hindu Council of UK’ calling islam an evil and violent religion and describes Muslim as devils.
It is thus imperative that any UK institute should only be allowed to operate if they do not cause harm to other UK citizens. I call upon the Hindu Council of UK to distance themselves from this highly toxic trustee and make a statement renouncing these comments. It unfortunately has become pervasive worldwide and the hatred it creates has not only prejudiced the ordinary life of the mass majority of peace-loving Muslims and has brought a deadly consequence.
It is under this backdrop we, peace loving Muslims, wish to voice out and raise our concern on the rise of Islamophobia in India and the UK itself which must be arrested and opposed before it gets out of hand.
It is highly regrettable that for the past few months, islamophobia has wrested its ugly head prominently in India and the comments made by Anil Bhanot will cause nothing further tensions here in the UK.
The UK law recognises five types of hate crime on the basis of:
·       Religion
·       Race
·       Disability
·       Sexual orientation 
·       Transgender identity
Any crime can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has either:
·       demonstrated hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity
Or
·       been motivated by hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity

This is a crime and is covered by legislation (Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and section 66 of the Sentencing Act 2020) which allows prosecutors to apply for an uplift in sentence for those convicted of a hate crime.
The police and the CPS have agreed the following definition for identifying and flagging hate crimes:
"Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person's disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity."
There is no legal definition of hostility so we use the everyday understanding of the word which includes ill-will, spite, contempt, prejudice, unfriendliness, antagonism, resentment and dislike.
A police report has been filed and I call upon all people who wish to promote peace, harmony and togetherness to sign this petition and show that people like Anil Bhanot are not speaking for Hindus or the UK population.