Colour, Controversy and Culture: Manchester's Hindu Community in the Spotlight

Manchester's Hindu community finds itself at the heart of two very different but equally important conversations this week — one a jubilant celebration of colour and tradition, the other a sobering question about who is welcome in its sacred spaces.

🎨 Holi Brings Colour to the North-West

The ancient Hindu festival of Holi, which marks the end of winter and celebrates the victory of good over evil, is being observed with a wave of events across the north-west of England over the coming ten days. Traditionally, people gather to throw brightly coloured powders and water over one another, while also offering prayers and sharing traditional foods and sweets. This year the festival itself fell on a Wednesday, but the wider celebrations — featuring music, dancing and singing — are set to continue well beyond that date. For Manchester's South Asian community, it represents one of the most joyful and visible moments in the Hindu calendar. [1]

🕌 Bajrang Dal Listing at Manchester Temple Sparks Alarm

Hindus for Human Rights has raised serious concerns after the organisation Bajrang Dal was found to be listed in connection with a Manchester Hindu temple. Bajrang Dal is widely regarded as a Hindu nationalist militia group linked to violence against religious minorities in India, and its presence on a British temple's listings has prompted calls for urgent clarification and accountability. The advocacy group argues that allowing such an association normalises extremist ideology within diaspora religious institutions. The concerns reflect a broader tension within British Hindu communities about the influence of Hindu nationalist organisations on local temples and community spaces. [2]

Sources: [1] BBC · [2] Hindus for Human Rights