Multiculturalism in the UK - The Hindu perspective

The demographic diversity of the United Kingdom has grown significantly over the last 70 years. The 2021 Census points to a twenty-year decline in residents of England and Wales identifying with an ‘English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish or British’ identity. Immigrant communities from across the world, especially from the former Commonwealth have found their homes here and become a vital part of British society.

Recent events in Leicester and Birmingham have, however, revealed that community cohesion issues are still alive in the UK today. The spotlight therefore falls on the idea of ‘multiculturalism’. What does it mean? What view does it offer of how different communities with different values and worldviews should interact to create a cohesive yet plural British society, and does it still provide a viable framework for the UK to flourish? In particular, how has the UK’s Hindu community built relationships with the rest of British society, and how do ideas of multiculturalism stand up today in the light of the Hindu values of liberty, equality and pluralism? Come and join us to discuss this crucial issue in Vichaar Manthan’s first in-person panel discussion of 2023.