UK identifies Hindu nationalism and Khalistani extremism as new threats
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A report commissioned by UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in August 2024 identified Hindu nationalism and Khalistani extremism as emerging threats in the UK, categorising Hindu nationalist extremism as an extremist ideology alongside Khalistani extremism.
For the first time, Hindu nationalist extremism and the ideology of Hindutva have been officially acknowledged as threats, highlighting the increasing prominence of Khalistani extremism within the UK’s security landscape.
The report, which has been leaked to the right-leaning thinktank Policy Exchange, further explores the ideological toxicity of both right-wing extremist narratives and misogynistic subcultures, including the ‘manosphere,’ which blends misogynistic views with extreme right-wing ideologies, The Guardian reported.
The rise of online communities espousing hatred towards women and minorities has been highlighted as an increasingly dangerous trend, with connections drawn between incel beliefs and far-right rhetoric. These narratives, according to the report, often overlap with those espoused by Hindu extremist groups, as they also tap into grievances around identity, culture, and perceived threats from multiculturalism.
The report commissioned after violent riots in the wake of the Southport murders last year suggests that extremism should be tackled through a "behaviour-based and ideologically agnostic approach," rather than targeting specific ideologies. However, Cooper and other officials are concerned that shifting the focus could dilute resources and lead to ineffective countermeasures.
One of the most controversial aspects of the leaked report is its claim that accusations of "two-tier policing" in the UK, particularly regarding the handling of pro-Palestinian protests, are rooted in a right-wing extremist narrative.
The report emphasizes that the far-right continues to exploit narratives around grooming gangs and immigration, portraying them as part of a broader ‘civilisational struggle.’
In addition to its focus on far-right and Islamist extremism, the report also identifies the potential dangers of Hindu extremism, particularly in response to tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities in Leicester in 2022.
In response to the findings, security officials, including the government’s security minister Dan Jarvis, have reiterated that Islamist and far-right extremism remain the primary concerns of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy.