UK press regulator rejects complaint into Mail article linking British Hindus with far right

NAOMI CANTON / TNN / Apr 18, 2025, 00:41 IST

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The UK's press regulator, IPSO, has dismissed a complaint from the Hindu Community Organisations Group (HCOG) regarding a "Daily Mail" article. The article alleged links between British Hindu extremists and far-right European groups, citing a shared animosity towards Muslims. IPSO found no breach of the Editors' Code, stating the article accurately reported on a National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) report.

UK press regulator rejects complaint into Mail article linking British Hindus with far right

Leichester during unrest

LONDON: The UK’s press regulator has rejected a complaint by the Hindu Community Organisations Group (HCOG) Leicester about a “Daily Mail” article that claimed British Hindu extremists were forming alliances with far-right groups in Europe over their “common hatred of Muslims”, sparking fears of religious brawls.
The IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) wrote to HCOG convenor Vinod Popat on April 16 saying the article did not “raise a possible breach of the Editors’ Code”. TOI has seen the response, which rejects his complaint about the phrase “Hindu extremism — which is known as Hindutva” being used. IPSO said: “Hindutva carries multiple meanings, omitting to mention other definitions did not make the article inaccurate.”
Popat also complained the article made claims about ties between British Hindus and far-right groups, and it suggested UK election interference by British Hindus “without credible or verifiable evidence.” IPSO rebuffed this too, saying the article was reporting on a National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) report. Stating that the secret report said Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik was inspired by Hindutva, BJP, and RSS was not inaccurate or misleading, IPSO said.
Popat pointed out the article failed to have any input from British Hindus. IPSO rejected this, saying: “Under the Editors’ Code, articles do not need to be balanced, nor do specific interested parties need to be consulted ahead of an article’s publication… the opportunity to respond does not apply unless a published article includes significant inaccuracies.”

IPSO dismissed his claim that the article discriminated against British Hindus and said if he felt it was inciting racial hatred, he should call the police.
Popat has appealed their response with IPSO’s Complaints Committee, writing that the article fails to contextualise the credibility or status of the NPCC report and insinuates widespread community complicity, vilifying the whole community.

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