'UK Hindus feel ignored, demand recognition'

London, Jul 12: British Hindus feel they are ignored and lack the political influence to match their economic clout, a survey showed.

They do not like being called Asians, prefer the religious label Hindu and complain that other faiths like Muslims get more attention because they shout louder.

Britain's 500,000 Hindus, the third largest religious group after Christians and Muslims, revealed a growing sense of frustration in the survey commissioned by the Hindu Forum of Britain umbrella group, released here yesterday.

''They don't feel they are recognised as Hindus. That comes out quite strongly in the report,'' Forum spokesman Sanjay Mistry told Reuters.

''Hindus have made a large contribution to UK society and that has not been recognised. They don't feel they have the right support from political leaders,'' he added. ''It seems those who speak loudest tend to get the support.'' Surveys show that more than four percent of businesses in London are owned by Hindus with the Hinduja brothers and steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal among Britain's most prominent billionaires. Parliament has two Hindu deputies.

The need for integration in multi-ethnic Britain is a highly sensitive political issue with Prime Minister Tony Blair urging Muslim moderates to root out and isolate extremists after last year's suicide bomb attacks on London's transport system.

''Relations with Muslims are good but there has always been an undercurrent of tension,'' Mistry said. ''There is a sense that support seems to be going more to Muslims than it does to Hindus.'' The survey consulted 800 Hindus in online surveys and focus group meetings with a typical reaction from one participant being cited in the report: ''Hindus require recognition. Hindus are not being recognised for their contribution to society, to the economics of this country, to the social fabric.'' Citing two areas of contention for Hindus, Mistry said they had been campaigning for 20 years for proper Hindu cremation facilities and for the setting up of Hindu schools.

''For the first time, British Hindus have said they want their own identity. Call us Hindus or Indians,'' he said.

''This is the first time anyone has bothered to ask Hindus their views. We are now prepared to raise our voices.''

REUTERS