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During a protest outside a Hindu temple in Birmingham, there was a “small disorder” that included fireworks aimed towards police officers, which led to the arrest of a man and the use of stop and search powers, according to UK police on Wednesday. Videos of the demonstration on Tuesday outside the Durga Bhawan temple on Spon Lane in the West Midlands city’s Smethwick neighbourhood went viral overnight on social media. In the videos, groups of masked men can be seen yelling and throwing objects. Some of these masked guys were trying to jump the temple barrier, but police officers could be seen tugging and holding them back.
West Midlands Police issued a statement saying, “There was some minor disruption following a protest gathering in Smethwick last night (September 20), and one individual was arrested.”
We had a prepared police presence close to the temple on Spon Lane, where pyrotechnics and projectiles were hurled at several of our officers. The police reported that they are also looking into claims of a “small number” of cars being destroyed, but expressed relief that no one was hurt.
The 18-year-old man who was detained on suspicion of having a weapon is being questioned on Wednesday while still in jail.
In order to reassure the public, we are continue to maintain a noticeable police presence and closely collaborate with community partners and leaders from other faiths. The police announced that they would keep an eye on the situation both locally and regionally.
A Hindu activist from India was supposed to visit the Birmingham temple, but police informed earlier on Tuesday that the visit had been postponed, prompting the protest, according to reports from local Muslim groups.
The local Sandwell Police said on Twitter on Tuesday, “We believe this (protest) is related to concerns over a speaker at the temple in Spon Lane, but we’re informed the event has been cancelled and this person is not remaining in the UK.”
It was thought that the speaker would be Sadhvi Ritambhara, the founder of Param Shakti Peeth, who would be flying from India to the UK. Nevertheless, despite announcements that any such scheduled talk would not occur, the demonstration still took place.
Following a cricket match between India and Pakistan at the end of last month, there were “severe unrest” between Hindu and Muslim groups in the eastern English city of Leicester. 47 people have been arrested as a result of it during the previous few weeks, and on Tuesday, local officials gathered outside a mosque in the city to call for peace.
On Monday, the Indian High Commission in London strongly condemned the attacks on Indian expatriate communities in Leicester. On Tuesday, the Pakistani High Commission in London also strongly condemned attacks on its expats.
