The thriving Indian community in London is preparing for one of the biggest festivals of the year as Diwali draws near. But a recent video that Mayor Sadiq Khan posted to promote the “biggest Diwali festival at Trafalgar Square” on October 27 has sparked a flurry of criticism, exposing the bigotry that still exists in the UK’s Indian population.
The promotional video, featuring lively clips of past Diwali celebrations—dancing, singing, and colourful decorations—was meant to celebrate the Festival of Lights and invite Londoners of all backgrounds to join in. Mayor Khan’s heartfelt message, “From my family to yours, Happy Diwali,” aimed to foster inclusivity and community spirit. Unfortunately, the comments section quickly devolved into a torrent of racist remarks.
Despite the Indian community making up 7.5% of London’s population, many people took to social media to voice their disdain. Comments like “Go back to India” and “We don’t want it in our country” starkly highlighted the challenges faced by Indian residents in a city that prides itself on diversity. One user even questioned the effort put into celebrating Diwali compared to Christmas, suggesting a hierarchy of cultural recognition that many find offensive.
The Indian population in the United Kingdom has a long history of encountering racism. South Asians have frequently been the target of bigotry and prejudices since the colonial era. Despite centuries of Indian families living in the UK, the perception of Indians as foreigners endures.
Racist incidents have been documented in a variety of contexts, ranging from minor prejudice in day-to-day encounters to more systemic problems like underrepresentation in politics and the media. These views have been further magnified by the growth of social media, which has made it simpler for people to express hate while hiding behind screens.
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Source: India Tv
