Saffron flag branded 'extremist'; Hindu group lodges complaint

LONDON: A group of Hindu organisations in Leicester has filed a police complaint against Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation, for allegedly stoking religious disharmony by claiming that saffron flags are “extremist”.

A Ganesh Chaturthi car procession in Leicester last week featured two cars bearing saffron flags.

In a statement issued on Aug 28, MCB sought “urgent action” from authorities, claiming the flags associated with “Hindutva” at the celebration had sparked “concern” among local communities as they are allegedly tied to an extremist movement.

In its complaint to Leicester Police, Hindu Community Organisations Group (HCOG) — which represents 40 Hindu organisations across Leicester — termed MCB’s statement about the saffron flags as “factually incorrect, inflammatory and offensive to the Hindu community” and a gross misrepresentation of one of Hinduism’s most sacred religious symbols.

The complaint claimed MCB’s statement could lead to hostility towards Hindus and undermine community cohesion.

“The saffron flag (Bhagwa Dhwaj) is a sacred emblem of Hinduism, revered for centuries. It represents peace, sacrifice, courage, and the pursuit of truth. To equate this sacred religious symbol with extremism is not only inaccurate but also a direct affront to religious freedoms enshrined in UK law,” HCOG convenor Vinod Popat said.