British Hindus’ APPG elects Bob Blackman as chair, outlines action plan

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) outlined a six-month action plan, with a follow-up plan to be discussed at future meetings.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus has been reconstituted following the 2024 UK general elections, with new members joining the group. The first Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place on September 11, 2024, in Parliament, where Bob Blackman, the former chairman, was re-elected to his position. The meeting saw cross-party participation, with eight MPs in attendance, including representatives from the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties.

At the AGM, the group reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the concerns of the British Hindu community. New parliamentary members were introduced, and the group discussed plans for the future. The Advocacy for British Hindus and Indians (ABHI) was confirmed as the group’s secretariat, responsible for advising on Hindu festivals, community activities, and supporting the APPG’s work.

The meeting also saw the election of four officers: Bob Blackman as Chairman, Navendu Mishra as Officer, Shivani Raja as Officer, and Luke Taylor as Officer. The AGM outlined a six-month action plan, with a follow-up plan to be discussed at future meetings. Additional members are expected to join the APPG in the coming days.

The attending MPs included Bob Blackman (Conservative), Luke Taylor (Liberal Democrat), Jim Dickson (Labour), Barry Gardiner (Labour), Navendu Mishra (Labour), Bobby Dean (Liberal Democrat), Shivani Raja (Conservative), and Deirdre Costigan (Labour).