TENSIONS over Protest-ant Orange marches in Belfast have claimed some unlikely victims – the city’s Indians.
Ashok Sharma of north Belfast’s Indian Community Centre informed Metro Éireann that the centre, which is next door to a Protestant Orange Lodge and opposite the Catholic New Lodge area, has been caught in an annual crossfire of tension before the marching season in July each year.
Widespread media coverage in Ireland, Britain and even India last week pointed to an alleged racist attack on the Clifton Street centre. But Sharma said that the incident – which involved stone throwing – is a regular occurrence before 12 July marches, given its location.
During the annual 12 July celebrations, members of a protestant Orange Order march through various towns and cities in Northern Ireland, marking the day in 1690 when the protestant Prince William of Orange overcame Catholic King James II in the famous Battle of the Boyne. But the political and religious undertones of the celebrations have led to regular violent flashpoints in the North.
“For us it is a normal thing,” explained Sharma, who added that reports that a Hindu priest fled the centre were “hysterical”.
According to Sharma, the priest had not been present in the centre at the time, but his wife was left shaken by the stone throwing.
Sharma said a newer member of staff had misinterpreted the incident, and issued a statement.
“The media reports were not accurate and exaggerated,” he added.
Sharma also defended the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), with which the Indian community has “good relations” but he added: “The police just stopped and passed and didn’t come in. They didn’t know if someone was in the building. The police regret that.”
He said Indians in the area generally fare well.
The allegation of racism against the Hindu priest was reported by major news outlets including the BBC and also featured on Indian TV.
