Author: Ben Clover, The Post
Publication: icSouthlondon
Date: August 11 2005
URL: http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200southlondonheadlines/tm_objectid=15842539%26method=full%26siteid=50100-name_page.html
Attacks and harassment of Merton's
Hindu community will not stop the annual Ther parade, organisers claim.
Worshippers at the Shree Ghanapathy
Temple on Effra Road, Wimbledon, have reported being abused in the street
and one had his car damaged in attacks police are treating as racially
motivated.
The temple's chief co-ordiantor,
Ranjit Ratsingham, said: "We have had incidents of young boys being attacked
by youths. A lot of people are very, very nervous.
"The police are concerned and it
seems to be coming from the far-Right.
"It's bad enough they are attacking
innocent Muslims, but extending that to the whole Asian community is wholly
despicable."
Merton police confirmed they are
investigating the attacks and are keeping the temple under surveillance
in case of further trouble.
A Hindu boy was hospitalised and
others injured after an attack in nearby Sutton on July 29.
The news comes as Merton's Hindu
community would normally be gearing up for the annual Ther Festival.
In previous years the temple's deities
have been paraded on chariots through central Wimbledon and thousands come
to see the sight.
One parade in east London has already
been cancelled and organisers admitted they had considered cancelling the
Merton parade.