Skip to main content

Advatage separatists? Leeds violence warning signal for European nations, Canada

By NS Venkataraman*
In what appears to be an unprecedented situation in Europe  during  the last several years, mob violence and riots have now taken place in Leeds, UK, with violent mob burning buses and damaging public property.  What is particularly shocking is that these riots have taken place on a flimsy issue and it was organised  at a very short notice  by the rioters. 
It is reported by the UK police that the riots were organised by those belonging to  some Islamic groups. At the same time, another riot has taken place in UK, when Bangladeshi migrants organised violent demonstration in support of their ongoing agitation in Bangladesh. 
The deep underlying reasons  fo such disturbing incidents need to be carefully understood and steps have to be taken by  the governments in Europe and Canada, as these countries  are now tending to become susceptible to mob violence.
Around a decade back, the former Chancellor of Germany  Angela Merkel   opened the flood gates to migrants in Germany,  thinking that it was a humanitarian act to safeguard the interests of migrants from poverty conditions in their countries.  With this move  of the former German Chancellor, the   demographic balance of Europe started getting  disturbed with  these migrants freely moving from one country to another in Europe.  Obviously, these  migrants will never go back to their native countries and would settle down in Europe for all time to come.
It is not uncommon for people to migrate from one country to another for employment or other reasons and this has been the trend for hundreds of years. However, the situation is different in Europe now as migrants from several  Asia countries are entering Europe in a big way.
One thing obvious about these migrants: migrants is that their loyalty to country ti which they belong  is much more stronger and emotional than the loyalty to the country  to which they migrate. The other problem is that most of these migrants who entered Europe do not have  any particular skill in tune with the modern trends and they are virtually unemployable in highly developed countries in Europe. The third issue is that they have no faith in restricting the family size and multiply their population over the years. The fourth issue is due to difference in culture ,  traditional practices and value system of the migrant population , which are different from  the  practices in traditional Europe.   Another  issue is that they tend to flock together and are unable to or do not want to integrate themselves in the mainstream of  the countries to which they migrate.
In the last several years, after massive migration started in Europe, there have been serious law and order issue   in number of European countries and development of  sense of hatred  amongst the natives against the migrant population. This leads to friction in relationships   between the people.  In such situation, the societal values in Europe are   changing for the worse.
In democratic regimes in Europe, many say,  it is likely  that  sooner or later, migrant population will get a decisive say in the overall political and cultural sphere in European countries.
Many people now wonder whether Europe has already brought on itself enormous political and social burden by allowing the migrants and nobody seems to have any idea as to whether European countries can get rid of this  emerging chaotic scenario.
The scenario in Canada is  no better. Canada is also now   facing  murky conditions due to the liberal and almost unchecked migrant policy of the government.  The problems in Canada now are there for all to see.
Further, in the name of allowing freedom of speech, countries in Europe and Canada are permitting separatist groups from other countries to operate on their soil, which is disturbing the world peace.  
LTTE, the militant Sri Lankan separatist group was able to strengthen itself  and operate war in Sri Lanka mainly due to the base given to them by European countries and Canada. 
In Canada, the Khalistani  separatists are very active, and there is a  view that the Prime Minister of Canada is ignoring the problem being created by such groups, which is threatening the sovereignty of India. Repeated protests from the Indian government have been ignored by the Canadian government so far.
Governments in European  countries and Canada should realise that when they allow separatist groups from other countries to operate on their soil, it would   affect not only other countries but also European countries and Canada , as such separatist groups are often involved in violent activities disturbing the peace . Allowing separatists to operate is a self-inflicted wound.
It appears that before long, European countries  and Canada would be negatively overwhelmed by the increasingly assertive migrant communities,  that may result in a scenario, where European countries and Canada would become a hotbed of political and social  stress and    unrest that may become beyond the control of the governments to manage and govern.  
The present violence in Leeds in UK and similar other mob actions in other countries in Europe in recent time and the violent incidents in Canada are   warning signals that can be ignored by European countries and Canada only at their peril.
---
Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, 
Chennai

Comments

TRENDING

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

CFA flags ‘welfare retreat’ in Union Budget 2026–27, alleges corporate bias

By Jag Jivan  The advocacy group Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) has sharply criticised the Union Budget 2026–27 , calling it a “budget sans kartavya” that weakens public welfare while favouring private corporations, even as inequality, climate risks and social distress deepen across the country.

From water scarcity to sustainable livelihoods: The turnaround of Salaiya Maaf

By Bharat Dogra   We were sitting at a central place in Salaiya Maaf village, located in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, for a group discussion when an elderly woman said in an emotional voice, “It is so good that you people came. Land on which nothing grew can now produce good crops.”

When free trade meets unequal fields: The India–US agriculture question

By Vikas Meshram   The proposed trade agreement between India and the United States has triggered intense debate across the country. This agreement is not merely an attempt to expand bilateral trade; it is directly linked to Indian agriculture, the rural economy, democratic processes, and global geopolitics. Free trade agreements (FTAs) may appear attractive on the surface, but the political economy and social consequences behind them are often unequal and controversial. Once again, a fundamental question has surfaced: who will benefit from this agreement, and who will pay its price?

Why Russian oil has emerged as the flashpoint in India–US trade talks

By N.S. Venkataraman*  In recent years, India has entered into trade agreements with several countries, the latest being agreements with the European Union and the United States. While the India–EU trade agreement has been widely viewed in India as mutually beneficial and balanced, the trade agreement with the United States has generated comparatively greater debate and scrutiny.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup*  Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay. 

From Puri to the State: How Odisha turned the dream of drinkable tap water into policy

By Hans Harelimana Hirwa, Mansee Bal Bhargava   Drinking water directly from the tap is generally associated with developed countries where it is considered safe and potable. Only about 50 countries around the world offer drinkable tap water, with the majority located in Europe and North America, and a few in Asia and Oceania. Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, and Singapore have the highest-quality tap water, followed by Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the USA, Australia, the UK, Costa Rica, and Chile.

Mark Tully: The voice that humanised India, yet soft-pedalled Hindutva

By Harsh Thakor*  Sir Mark Tully, the British broadcaster whose voice pierced the fog of Indian history like a monsoon rain, died on January 25, 2026, at 90, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped investigative journalism. Born in the fading twilight of the Raj in 1935, in Tollygunge, Calcutta, Tully's life was a bridge between empires and republics, a testament to how one man's curiosity could humanize a nation's chaos. 

Territorial greed of Trump, Xi Jinping, and Putin could make 2026 toxic

By N.S. Venkataraman*  The year 2025 closed with bloody conflicts across nations and groups, while the United Nations continued to appear ineffective—reduced to a debate forum with little impact on global peace and harmony.