The Platform for Indian Democracy, a prominent British Indian community organization representing mainly second and third-generation British Indians, has called for urgent action to combat disinformation on social media, which has fueled far-right violence against minority communities across the UK.
The violence, which began after a Southport knife attack on children during a dance class, was exacerbated by false claims identifying the suspect as an immigrant and Muslim. This misinformation incited far-right extremists to target mosques, asylum-seeker accommodations, migration lawyers, and other minority groups.
Suresh Grover, Co-Director of The Monitoring Group and advisor to the Platform for Indian Democracy, warned about the rapid spread of disinformation on social media and its translation into violent far-right actions. He stated, “Governments must urgently address the misinformation radicalizing our politics, threatening minority rights, and destabilizing democracies in Europe, the US, and India. In our interconnected world, harmful views about different ethnic groups and religions can spread rapidly, endangering communities everywhere. The rhetoric and actions seen in these riots do not reflect the true spirit of the UK. We must stand united to uphold our shared values and support those affected by these attacks.”
Raul Lai, leader of the Platform for Indian Democracy, condemned the violence, saying, “The horrific acts we’ve witnessed across the UK have no place in our democracy. We heard similar stories from our parents who faced hatred in the 80s. Today’s Britain should not tolerate such brutality. Democratic values of inclusivity and diversity strengthen communities, not destroy them. These values must be defended against racism and misinformation. British Indians have made significant contributions to the UK in various fields, including business, the NHS, academia, and public service. The global majority communities in the UK demonstrate the vital role of immigration in enriching our society. The far-right’s global campaign against minorities, amplified by social media, must be countered.”
The Platform for Indian Democracy calls for decisive action to address misinformation, protect vulnerable communities, and reaffirm the democratic principles that unite us. Lai added, “We must collectively tackle the root causes of this unrest and work towards a more inclusive and harmonious society.”
