Today, the UK’s multicultural society status is at stake, and it’s vital we work together to preserve it.
The recent outbreak of far-right violence and anti-immigration sentiment in the UK represents a critical challenge to the social fabric of the country but also to its identity as a multicultural society. What began with the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport has blown out of proportion into nationwide rioting as far-right groups use misinformation to incite xenophobic attacks, which is exposing high risks not only to the safety of minorities but also to the values of inclusivity and unity that underpin both British and Indian identities.
The violence has been largely fuelled by the spread of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Telegram. The false claims regarding the Southport attacker’s identity and background have quickly gone viral, fueling a wave of anti-immigrant protests. Far-right influencers have leveraged these narratives to incite violence against targets they have directed their anger at: immigrants and asylum seekers.
The lessons of this phenomenon underline the urgent need for stronger countermeasures against online disinformation and for bringing digital platforms to take accountability for the spread of hazardous material. The UK government’s response, including arrests and a legal crackdown on rioters, is only an interim step with hopes towards a long-term solution that focuses on addressing the very roots of far-right radicalisation and the platforms that enable it.
The Government should consider expanding the scope of the Online Safety Act to cover societal, not just individual, harm and to define ‘false communications’ so it adequately covers disinformation, extending a responsibility for social cohesion not just towards individuals, but social media platforms and unmoderated online forums.
But citizens also have a responsibility to collective action. Individuals should prioritise trusted and credible sources of information only, sharing responsibly online and helping ensuring the flow of false information is minimised.
The outcome of this disruption has, however, been even worse for immigrant communities, like the large Indian diaspora living in the UK. Students from India who were to travel to the UK for their studies are showing great apprehension over this issue of safety. Many are reconsidering their plan for studying in the UK. This anxiety is compounded by the broader environment of hostility toward immigrants, which threatens to erode the trust and sense of belonging that are crucial to community cohesion. We cannot live in a society where children fear stepping out of their own houses.
That’s why organisations like Bridge India call for renewed efforts to support and protect minority communities. What this recent violence reminds us of is just how fragile social cohesion can be during times of crisis. We must continue working to build bridges between communities in the UK and India.
By doing so, we can ensure that the values of inclusivity and diversity continue to lie at the heart of our societies.
If you have been affected by the riots and would like to work with Bridge India on anything discussed above, please contact me at timsa@bridgeindia.org.uk.
