The anti-Hindu violence in Leicester two years ago serves as a stark reminder of the use of disinformation as a weapon to ignite conflict, stir inter-communal tension, and incite violence. On September 9, 2024, Majid Freeman, the Islamist who played a key role in instigating violence against Hindus by deliberately spreading false information, was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison. He was charged with attempting to incite “immediate unlawful violence” during the anti-Hindu riots.
District Judge Amar Mehta of Northampton Magistrates Court found him guilty, marking a significant, though long-overdue, response to the unrest. Through his manipulation of mainstream media and social media platforms, including the BBC, The Guardian, and Sky News, Freeman spread false information that led to targeted attacks against Hindus, their properties, and at least two Hindu temples. The violence he incited serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of using fake news as a weapon to sow discord among communities.
The spread of violence in Leicester was fuelled by rumours spread by Islamist factions, including individuals like Freeman. Tensions escalated on August 28, 2022, following an India-Pakistan cricket match, with confrontations erupting over the alleged desecration of the Indian flag. While the situation initially seemed to de-escalate, with Hindus playing a key role in calming tensions, Freeman exploited the incident through his social media networks. Without providing any evidence, he asserted that Hindus had chanted “death to Muslims.” Although law enforcement and investigative teams later refuted this claim, the damage was already done.
Given the speed of modern communication, a lie can spread like wildfire the moment it’s uttered or written. Freeman’s unfounded accusations against Hindus in Leicester led to a surge in hate and violence. His exploitation of social media to incite this animosity demonstrated the potency and rapid dissemination of disinformation. On 30 August, his baseless claims that Hindus had desecrated the Quran instantly inflamed tensions between communities. While investigative reports later debunked these accusations, the damage was already done, highlighting the enduring impact of social media misinformation.
Freeman’s malicious dissemination of falsehoods was not limited to isolated incidents. His persistent propagation of such harmful narratives created a climate of fear and hostility, directly endangering the Hindu community.
The peak of violence against Hindus occurred on September 4, 2022, when their homes and temples were attacked by a frenzied Islamist mob. Freeman’s fabricated claims that Hindus were pursuing a Muslim adolescent only exacerbated the situation. This dangerous act of disinformation and miscommunication instilled fear, suspicion, and violence. The spread of these lies had real-world consequences, as seen in the disturbing Islamist attacks targeting Hindus in their homes and on the streets of Leicester from September 4 to 7. Violent acts such as the brutal stabbing of a Hindu man and the vandalism of a temple were directly linked to the toxic atmosphere fostered by Freeman’s falsehoods. His persistent use of social media to incite further violence revealed a calculated attempt to sow discord and hatred.
Freeman’s activities extended beyond Leicester, with their effects reaching other areas. His disturbing pattern of radicalisation is evident from his frequent endorsements of terrorist groups and individuals, such as Hamas and the Al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar Al-Awlaki. Freeman’s affiliations with these outfits were not coincidental but rather a reflection of a broader religious perspective he has long supported. His advocacy for violence against non-Muslims and jihad aligns with the terrorism that continues to threaten international peace and security.
In July 2023, Freeman faced accusations of inciting terrorism and providing support to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group. These charges highlighted the more insidious aspects of Freeman’s agenda and his influence beyond localised activities. In court, Freeman admitted to his repeated verbal support for Hamas between December 2022 and June 2023. His open endorsement of this terrorist organisation revealed that his intentions extended far beyond local disputes, aiming instead to promote broader radical and violent objectives.
Freeman’s case reflects the damaging real-world effects of hate speech when allowed to spread unchecked. His sentencing to 22 weeks in prison for inciting “immediate unlawful violence” is a step toward justice, but the term is insufficient given the extent of the harm he caused. His lies directly led to the destruction of property, attacks on Hindus, and damage to their places of worship. Communities that had previously lived in relative peace have been permanently scarred by the animosity, distrust, and violence that Freeman instigated by manipulating both mainstream and social media.
This brings into question the role of the mainstream media, including Sky News, The Guardian, and the BBC, which provided Freeman with a platform to spread his misinformation. Whether through negligence or bias, these media outlets were instrumental in lending legitimacy to Freeman’s falsehoods. Consciously or otherwise, they played a significant role in exacerbating violence against the Hindu community. In this case, the media bears a large share of the blame, as they failed to scrutinise Freeman’s claims adequately, which contributed to the escalation of violence. Will Sky News, The Guardian, and the BBC be held accountable by British courts?
It is crucial to recognise that irresponsible media reporting can be as harmful as the misinformation spread by extremists. By giving Freeman a platform, these outlets amplified his dangerous rhetoric. They transformed a local issue into a national and global spectacle, fuelling communal unrest. The consequences of this negligence are evident in the loss of innocent lives, the destruction of homes, the disillusionment of families, and the desecration of temples. The media’s role in inciting violence against Hindus cannot be overlooked.
A core principle of any democratic society is freedom of speech, but this should never be exploited to defend individuals like Freeman, who deliberately incited hatred, propagated a terrorist agenda, and encouraged violence against the Hindu community through social media.
For the victims of the Leicester riots, Freeman’s sentence may provide some solace. However, the deeper issues that enabled such violence still need addressing. Modern societies face significant challenges in tackling extremism, as evidenced by the media’s spread of disinformation and the role of social media in disseminating falsehoods.
Traditional and social media must take responsibility, as the need for truthfulness, accuracy, and conscientious reporting becomes more critical than ever. Communities worldwide will face severe consequences if the lessons from the Leicester tragedy are not learned. Otherwise, the vicious cycle of hatred and misinformation will persist.
The author is a doctoral fellow at Amity University in Gwalior, content manager at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
Comments
0 comment