Anil Bhanot, Director-Trustee, Hindu Council UK, quits when called out for Islamophobia

Hindu Council UK
Image Courtesy:5pillarsuk.com

Hindutva hardliner Anil Bhanot has stepped down as the director and trustee of the Hindu Council United Kingdom, a charity founded for the purpose of “giving the UK Hindus an effective voice on policy matters with the Government of the day whilst enhancing mutual understanding among the major faiths predominant in the UK.”

Bhanot was called out worldwide for posting a series of appalling tweets on his now deleted social media handle, and subsequently was left with no option but to quit from his post. According to screen shots shared by 5Pillars website, Bhanot had openly spread hate against Islam by calling it “evil” and “an invasion into minds”. To make things worse, he even called for legislation against the religion.

Anil Bhanot

Meanwhile the Hindu Council UK distanced itself from Bhanot and erased all traces of him from its website.

1/2 It has been brought to our notice objectionable views expressed by one of our Directors which we distance ourselves from and assure all these are not HCUK views.
— HinduCouncilUK (@hindu_counciluk) February 25, 2022

However, he still has his OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) which is considered to be the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award. Bhanot, a chartered accountant, is also under investigation by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Moreover, he still remains associated with organisations such as Diversity UK and the Ethnic Inclusion Foundation.

According to 5Pillars, Hindu Council UK Chairperson responded saying, “It has been brought to our notice objectionable views expressed by one of our Directors which we distance ourselves from and assure all these are not HCUK views. We wish to reassure all our commitments in working together with all faiths and communities and deal with any differences respectfully. We are committed to our vision of VASUDEV KUTUMBAKAM (The entire world is a family).”

On being confronted by a complainant, Bhanot had reportedly said, “Thank you for your email and the attachments which have shocked me as you showed them. I think ever since the Bangladesh violence of killing Hindus I felt a gross injustice against them and here even the BBC did not report. As I followed some handles my vocal replies became like this, but I should’ve known better. I have deleted these and more, there is no point bringing the subcontinent politics here. So I shall be more careful about what I post from now on. My philosophy is to respect all religions as they all have spirituality in them and probably get annoyed and angry when one religion tries to convert another and any unnecessary violence against humanity. Anyway thanks for making me aware of my own limitations/failings as a faith person.”