The Scottish Parliament has passed Motion S6M-17089, becoming the first legislative body in the United Kingdom to formally denounce Hinduphobia. Tabled by Ash Regan, Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Edinburgh Eastern and a member of the Alba Party, it constitutes an important step in dealing with issues of religious discrimination and rights in Scotland's Hindu community.

The motion received wide support across parties, with MSPs Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, and Kevin Stewart supporting it. It noted the "alarming levels of prejudice, marginalisation, and discrimination" against Hindus in Scotland and appreciated the Gandhian Peace Society (GPS) for its essential contribution in bringing about these issues through a detailed report.

“Scotland’s diversity is its strength,” said Regan during her address. “But we cannot celebrate that diversity while ignoring the voices of those harmed by prejudice. This motion isn’t just symbolic—it’s a demand for tangible change.”

The Report That Made a Difference

This motion is based on research titled "Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice." The report was written by Dhruva Kumar, General Secretary and Trustee of GPS; Anuranjan Jha, President of GPS; and the contributors Sukhi Bains, Ajit Trivedi, and Neil Lal, who also serve as President and Chairman of the Indian Council of Scotland and the UK.

This report is the first one to be officially recognised by the UK Parliament. It mentioned serious incidents of anti-Hindu sentiment, including hate crimes, vandalism of temples, exclusion from the workplace, and cultural stigma, that affected approximately 30,000 Hindus in Scotland.

As Scotland reckons with its commitment to inclusivity, Ash Regan’s motion sets a precedent: religious harmony is not passive, it is fought for, legislated and cherished. With global attention from the Indian diaspora and Scottish policymakers alike, this moment transcends borders, proving that justice for one community strengthens the soul of a nation,” Mr Dhruva Kumar, one of the authors of the seminal report “Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice” and a political activist based out of Glasgow, UK, poignantly noted.

Neil Lal said, "When places of worship are vandalised or families face slurs, it’s not just Hindus being attacked—it’s Scotland’s values of tolerance. This report is a mirror held up to our society, urging us to do better.”

“Gandhiji taught us that non-violence includes combating ignorance,” added co-authors Jha and Kumar. “By addressing Hinduphobia, we’re building bridges across all communities.”

Political and Community Support

The united support for the motion led to an exception in the brief history of political unity on the subject of religious and racial equity. The GPS report presented before Holyrood's Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice has begun to shape the national discourse.

Professor Peter Hopkins, convener of the Cross-Party Group, applauded the evidence-based report. Foysol Choudhary, chair of the group, added that it is "a critical tool for policymakers." 

Prominent Indians, including Acharya Dr. Abhishek Joshi, Rashmi Rai, and Poonam Prajapati, welcomed intervention from the Parliament, stating, “This motion isn’t an endpoint—it’s the beginning of a journey toward mutual respect,” they said. “Let it inspire global action.”

Scottish author Aline Dobbie also came forward to support this, saying it's 'a hopeful moment for anyone who believes in a fairer, more inclusive Scotland.'

Path Ahead

The Gandhian Peace Society’s report indicates action points that would turn this motion into new reform. Legal Reform, amending the Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognise Hinduphobia. Education, incorporating accurate teachings of Hinduism into school curricula. Workplace Policy, enforcing religious accommodation and anti-discrimination training. And, Community Support, establishing interfaith networks and victim support hubs.

The report has already attracted international interest and is being discussed in channels like Awaz FM 107.2. Contributors like Sukhi Bains and Acharya Joshi have stressed the need for communication and unity among religions. 

As Motion S6M-17089 moves through Parliament, Gandhian Peace Society is pushing for the public to inform itself about the report and plan initiatives for political reforms.