Roundtable: Unpacking communal tension, inequality, and media in Leicester

Hindu-Muslim tensions hit the headlines recently after an India-Pakistan cricket match on 28 August reportedly sparked communal violence in Leicester, a city previously held up as a beacon of diversity and integration amongst its South Asian diasporas.

As the skirmishes continued, however—against a backdrop of fevered social media attention and suggestions that groups from outside the city were targeting Leicester as a site on which to play out other battles—it became clear that this was about more than a cricket match.

What was going on? That’s one of the questions that will be addressed at the inaugural public event of Brunel’s South Asia Research Group (SARG), a roundtable discussion aimed at demonstrating the value of long-term research in understanding the wider causes of such tensions and informing what might be done about them.

Speakers include Ashraf Hoque, who has written about Muslim youth in Luton; Amogh Sharma, whose research includes the role played by social media in South Asian politics; and Kalpana Wilson, a member of South Asia Solidarity Group. Brunel’s own Peggy Froerer, who has worked for decades in central India, will also be on hand to offer some historical context to what has been going on.  

Doors open 6.30pm for refreshments (including samosas) and registration, followed by the roundtable discussion at 7pm.  Audience participation in the Q&A will be encouraged.

Register your interest here