Tag: Gandhian Peace Society

Neil Lal receives Gandhian Peace Society’s Man of the Decade Award

At the Scottish Parliament on 29 May, Neil Lal received the Gandhian Peace Society’s Man of the Decade Award. Many dignitaries, diplomats, politicians and business and community leaders from all over the world were in attendance.

On behalf of the Gandhian organisation, The Former, Chief Minister of Jersey (Channel Islands) The Honourable John Le Fondre, Ceo of Together UK Foundation, Mr Andrew Grocock presented a Gold plate to Mr Neil Lal and the Counsul General of Hungary Dr Laszlo Kalman.

The Conseller Des Francais de I’Etranger Mr Christian Albussion, along with Foysal Choudhury MSP (Event sponsor), presented a medal to Neil Lal.

All five made speeches and congratulated the achievements of Mr Neil Lal who is also the Chairman and President of The Indian Council of Scotland and the United Kingdom, the leading organisation representing the Indian community in the country.

Ash Regan MSP spoke of Neil Lal’s achievements and in attendance was Vice Consul General of India Amit Chaudhary and many businesscommunity leaders. Former Rangers Legend Gordon Smith attended and praised Neil Lal’s public service.

The Gandhian peace society is under the leadership of Chairman Anuranjan Jha.

The Prestigious honour recognises individuals who have made significant contributions in promoting peace, harmony and social justice in Scotland and across the United Kingdom.

Gandhian peace society explained: “The award is not only bestowed by the Gandhian Peace Society but also endorsed by a diverse group of stakeholders including members of public, religious leaders, politicians and global advocates of Gandhian values.

“The finalist’s included many senior politicians such as former PMs Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak and the current PM Sir Keir Starmer. Neil Lal’s selection of the award is a testament to his outstanding achievements.

“His tireless efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting cultural understanding and advocating for human rights have inspired countless individuals. Neil Lal work with the Indian community in the UK coupled with his unwavering commitment to religious harmonisation and peace building has profoundly impacted our society.

“We are particularly impressed by Neil Lal integrity, fairness and exemplary leadership. His unbiased approach to all communities, faiths and cultures has been instrumental in nation building and bringing diverse groups together. His transparency and accountability have set a high standard for others to follow.

“During the pandemic, Mr Neil Lal generous donations and efforts to bring UK Trade Investment demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the nation. His ongoing work encouraging Trade & Investment in the UK has significantly contributed to economic growth and cross cultural partnerships.

“As part of the award a presentation of £100,000.00 has been awarded to Mr Neil Lal to which he has kindly declined, and he has asked the Gandhian organisations in India to distribute amongst the poor and needy In India.

“This action by Neil Lal speaks volumes. We are honoured to recognise Neil Lal’s exceptional contributions”

Accepting the Award, Neil Lal said: “I am humbled in receiving the Man of The Decade Award and I thank everyone coming today.

“It is not right for me to accept the £100,000.00 prize award as it would be best served to be given to the poor and needy therefore I have declined the prize money.

“I thank all those who have attended including event convenor Sukhi Bains and especially the dignitaries, John Le Fondre, Andrew Grocock, Dr Laszlo Kalman, Christian Albuisson, Foysal Choudhury MSP, Ash Regan MSP, Gordon Smith and many others.

“It has been a great team effort with support from the Indian community such as Baldev Sood, Pravesh Randev, Sunil Marwaha, Sanjay Sharma, Arun Thapar and their families. Let’s all work together for the betterment of humanity.”

Gandhian Ethos echoed in Scottish Parliament

Peace Society Celebrates Legacy and Progress

On 29th May 2025, the Gandhian Peace Society, under the leadership of General Secretary Dhruva Kumar, convened a landmark event at the Fleming Room of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

In an inspiring convergence of values and voices, the Fleming Room at the Scottish Parliament became a sanctuary of peace, non-violence, and unity as the Gandhian Peace Society, led by General Secretary Dhruva Kumar, hosted a landmark event celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring legacy.

The occasion marked a reflection on Gandhian values but also a celebration of a historic milestone: the first-ever motion passed in Scotland against Hinduphobia, community cohesion, unity, and philanthropy works.

A significant highlight of the event was the unanimous appreciation of the Gandhian Peace Society’s role in building intercultural bridges and promoting peace.

It was attended by cross-party parliamentarians, diplomats, and community leaders, the event underscored the resonance of Gandhian ethics in Scotland’s pursuit of social justice and self-determination. Scottish Parliamentarians, speaking from across party lines, endorsed the relevance of Gandhian principles in today’s turbulent global climate.

“In these divisive times, the teachings of Gandhi offer a path not just to peace, but to purpose,”

The Fleming Room, a space typically reserved for parliamentary committee discussions, transformed into a forum for intercultural solidarity.

The Gandhian Society’s event drew MSPs from the Alba Party, SNP, Labour, and Unionist factions, alongside representatives from the Indian Consulate, the French Consulate, the African Consulate, and members of the House of Lords, as well as very high-profile dignitaries across the UK.

This diverse assembly reflected the universal applicability of Gandhi’s teachings, particularly in a nation navigating the complexities of independence aspirations and multicultural cohesion.

General Secretary Dhruva Kumar delivered a rousing address outlining the Society’s initiatives in promoting social unity, mutual respect, and constructive non-violence.

“Gandhiji’s values are not relics of the past but blueprints for a just and inclusive society. In the Scottish aspiration for independence, there lies a parallel quest for dignity and self-determination that echoes Gandhi’s dream for India,” Kumar said.

Dhruva Kumar, a scholar, educationist-turned-activist, political figure and former Alba Party parliamentary candidate, framed the motion as a testament to Gandhi’s relevance in modern governance.

“Non-violence is not passive acceptance but active resistance to injustice,” he asserted, drawing parallels between India’s independence struggle and Scotland’s constitutional ambitions.

His address highlighted how Gandhian principles, decentralised governance, economic equity, and social harmony align with Scotland’s vision of an inclusive, self-determined future.

The Gandhian Society’s advocacy extends beyond legislative change.

“I was honoured to be invited and say a few words at an award ceremony at the Scottish Parliament organised by the Gandhian Society to honour the work done, said Christian Albuisson, Conseiller des Français de l’Etranger.

“I was glad to have the opportunity of meeting people of goodwill from so many different backgrounds and to discover the work done by the society. Let’s work together for a better world!”

The 29th May event transcended ceremonial significance, crystallising a broader movement for equity.

As Scotland contends with independence debates and societal fractures, the Society’s fusion of Gandhian philosophy and pragmatic policy offers a cohesive framework. The true measure of progress, as Kumar noted, lies in “translating parliamentary applause into palpable change”, a task requiring sustained collaboration across political, cultural, and economic spheres.

In the spirit of Gandhi’s satyagraha (truth force), Scotland’s journey toward inclusivity and self-determination continues, guided by the conviction that justice, much like independence, is not bestowed but built.”

Dhruva Kumar

General Secretary, Gandhian Peace Society

Gandhian Peace Society shares new report

THE Gandhian Peace Society (GPS) has shared ‘an urgent and transformative development’ – the recent publication of their new report, Hinduphobia in Scotland: Understanding, Addressing, and Overcoming Prejudice:

As a charity rooted in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, GPS is proud to announce that this pioneering study has been presented to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice of Hinduphobia in the UK (writes DHRUVA KUMAR, General Secretary of Gandhian Peace Society).

Our report, presented to the CPG on 23 January 2024 and discussed in a meeting chaired by Foysol Choudhury MSP and convened by Professor Peter Hopkins, blends rigorous statistical data with firsthand accounts from Scotland’s Hindu population—approximately 0.3% of the country’s 5.4 million residents.

The findings reveal a troubling rise in prejudice and systemic barriers:

  • 56% Surge in Hate Crimes: Police Scotland data shows a 56% increase in charges linked to anti-Hindu prejudice between 2019 and 2021. Notable incidents include the 2021 vandalism of Dundee’s Shree Sanatan Mandir and the 2020 arson attack on Edinburgh’s Radha Krishna Temple.
  • Systemic Workplace Discrimination: Hindus face the lowest public-sector recruitment rates among religious groups—1.99% at NHS Greater Glasgow, 2.7% at Glasgow City Council, and 1.39% at Renfrewshire Council. A 2022 study found that 93% of Hindu employees avoid wearing religious attire at work, while 38% report denied requests for religious holidays.
  • Social Stigma: A survey revealed that 16% of Scots would feel uncomfortable with a relative marrying a Hindu, a higher rate than for Muslims (14%), Jews (11%), or Buddhists (9%).

These findings, compiled over eight months of collaboration with academics, interfaith leaders, and community members, underscore the urgent need for action. Professor Hopkins praised the report’s evidence-based approach, while Peter lauded GPS for bringing Hinduphobia into public discourse.

Beyond documenting these challenges, our report proposes an actionable four-pillar strategy to address Hinduphobia:

  1. Legal Reforms: Strengthen Scotland’s Hate Crime Act to explicitly recognize Hinduphobia as a distinct form of prejudice.
  2. Education: Revise school curricula to include accurate teachings about Hindu history and culture, countering ignorance and stereotypes.
  3. Workplace Policies: Mandate anti-discrimination training and clear guidelines for religious accommodations in public and private sectors.
  4. Community Support: Establish interfaith networks and victim support hubs to foster solidarity and resilience.

As Dhruva Kumar, Sukhi Bains and Neil Lal, authors of the report, aptly stated: “This isn’t a Hindu issue alone. It’s about building a Scotland where diversity is protected.”

The significance of this report extends far beyond Scotland. It has sparked widespread dialogue, with coverage in over 110 media outlets worldwide, including ANI, Press Trust of India, HinduPost The Week, The Tribune, Business Standard, The Print and WashingtonDCDespatch, as well as prominent Asian platforms like Awaz FM.

Dhruva Kumar said: “Scotland has a long tradition of welcoming diversity. We must uphold those values by ensuring that no religious community faces marginalisation or discrimination.”

The full report is available for review here.