Kamal Ghorui
Overseas Friends of BJP UK has written a letter to the High Commissioner of India in London expressing serious concern over the disturbance reported during the Holi / Holika Dahan celebration in Harrow on 3 March 2026. In Harrow, a brawl broke out between Muslim youths and Hindus at a Holika Dahan celebration after three teenagers forcefully stopped the music at the event.Addressing that incident, OFBJPUK requested appropriate diplomatic engagement to ensure a thorough investigation, accountability for those responsible, and stronger protection for cultural and religious events of the Indian diaspora in the UK. “We also request that the broader issue of security for Hindu temples, religious gatherings and community institutions in the United Kingdom be discussed with the UK Government. While security support has been extended to some religious institutions, members of the Hindu community believe that comparable protection and funding for Hindu temples and community organisations facing hate incidents remains limited. This issue has become particularly sensitive following earlier tensions affecting Hindu communities in parts of the Midlands and Leicester,” it said. “It would also be valuable if the High Commission could engage with local Indian residents, businesses and community organisations in Harrow to help restore confidence. Overseas Friends of BJP UK stands ready to work with the High Commission and diaspora organisations to facilitate peace meetings, dialogue and constructive community engagement to ensure lasting safety and harmony for the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom. Our collective objective is to ensure that cultural celebrations such as Holi continue to be celebrated peacefully and that the Indian diaspora remains secure, respected and confident,” it added.
What happened on that day?
The Holika event was organised by the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre at the Harrow Civic Centre car park turned tense after a group of youths allegedly disrupted the celebrations. The Holika Dahan gathering, attended by nearly 1,000 people including local mayors and councillors, began around 7 pm with prayers and the ceremonial lighting of the Holika fire. According to centre founder Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, three teenagers arrived around 8:30 pm and pulled out the sound system wires, damaging the speakers. Minutes later, they reportedly returned with 15–20 others, some wearing balaclavas and one carrying a sword. They allegedly threw beer cans and glass bottles into the fire and clashed with security before fleeing when police sirens were heard.The violence led to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy.
