Quarterly meeting of APPG for British Hindus was held in the parliament on 18 March 2025
The meeting was presided by the Chairman of the APPG MP Bob Blackman of Harrow East. A number of parliamentarians from both houses and from different political parties attended the meeting. These included:
- MP Bob Blackman – Conservatives (Harrow East) – Chair
- MP Navendu Mishra – Labour Stockport – Officer
- MP Luke Taylor – LibDem – Sutton and Cheam – Officer
- MP Neil Hudson – Conservatives – Epping Forest
- MP Bobby Dean – LibDem – Carshalton and Wallington
- MP Paula Barker – Labour – Liverpool Wavertree
- MP Louie French – Conservatives – Old Bexley and Sidcup
- MP Jim Dickson – Labour – Dartford
- Baroness Sandeep Verma – Member House of Lords
A number of parliamentary aides also attended the meeting along with British Hindu community organisation representatives including Ms Janhavi Dadarkar, Mr Nitin Palan, Nilesh Solanki, Santosh Patil among others. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Vinod Tikko who coordinates the secretariat of the APPG British Hindus on behalf of ABHI UK.
There was a round table discussion between the members on the topics relevant to the British Hindu community and consensus that more should be done to bridge the gap between the community and the parliament to address issues relevant to the community.
A number of key topics were discussed including the plight of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and it was agreed to issue a letter to the government to look into the issue on priority. There was also discussion on other important topics like the Anti Hindu hatred and the Caste legislation. The MP’s were apprised of the Action 4 Harmony initiative to bring the voice of the community together through the APPG BH. It was agreed to run the APPG BH update meeting on a quarterly basis and also to issue a monthly newsletter to the members.
The APPG British Hindus hosts a variety of events throughout the year with the aim of promoting dialogue and engagement between the British Hindu community and policy-makers. These events provide a valuable opportunity for parliamentarians, community leaders, and members of the public to come together to discuss issues of mutual concern, share ideas, and develop partnerships.
From roundtable discussions, conferences, and workshops to community consultations, the events cover a broad range of topics such as social inclusion, education, healthcare, and community cohesion.
The group also hosts cultural events, including music and dance performances, which showcase the rich and diverse heritage of the British Hindu community.
The events organised by the APPG British Hindus are open to all, and provide an important platform for the community to engage with decision-makers, share their views and concerns, and contribute to the development of policy and legislation. In addition, these events play a vital role in promoting greater understanding and cooperation between different faiths and cultures, and in fostering stronger, more inclusive communities.