Police investigate suspected racially aggravated attack on two men after Telugu Hindu community event in Ossett
Two British Indian men were assaulted outside a community hall in Ossett, West Yorkshire, during Dussehra and Bathukamma celebrations, with police investigating the incident as a suspected racially aggravated attack.
The incident took place on Saturday, October 17, outside Ossett Town Hall, where local Telugu Hindu community groups had organised the festival celebrations. Both men sustained injuries to their heads and faces, according to media reports.
The assaults reportedly occurred between 9.15 pm and 10.15 pm as attendees were leaving the venue. One of the victims, a 51-year-old British Indian man originally from the Hyderabad region, said he and a friend encountered a group of around eight to 10 youths, some of whom were wearing black balaclavas.
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The man alleged that the group verbally abused them before attacking them
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He was reportedly struck on the head, possibly with a bottle, and suffered facial injuries after falling to the ground
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His companion also sustained a head injury and other injuries in the assault
Earlier, a larger group of youths had reportedly gathered outside the hall and attempted to enter the venue but were prevented from doing so by security personnel.
West Yorkshire Police are investigating the incident. Inspector Andrew Dickinson said the force recognised the distress caused by the assaults to the wider Hindu community and was treating the matter seriously.
The investigation will seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible. The available reports did not confirm any arrests at the time of publication.
The incident has raised concerns among members of the Indian-origin community about safety at cultural and religious gatherings in Britain. Dussehra, which marks the victory of good over evil, and Bathukamma, a floral festival celebrated particularly in Telangana, are observed by Telugu communities in Britain and elsewhere as a way of maintaining cultural traditions abroad.
Police have urged that the incident be treated seriously while investigations continue.
