Many people across the world were surprised by the recent riots in the UK that plunged a number of areas into chaos, with far-right activists unleashing a reign of terror in several regions by attacking mosques, asylum centres and immigrant homes.
The riots have triggered a debate about the role of social media in sowing disharmony, hatemongering, integration, the police system, multiculturalism, distortion of history, and underlying socio-economic factors, which paved the way for the violence witnessed following a stabbing incident on July 29.
On that day, a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Hart Street in the country’s Southport area was attacked, leading to three girls under 10 being killed and 10 other people being wounded After the incident, activists from far-right groups attacked a mosque; burnt vehicles; and damaged properties, besides staging violent protests. Counter-protests were held in several parts of the UK, leading to violence in some areas.
The government carried out swift arrests, with many rioters being sentenced. Many believe that the quick action of the government acted as a deterrent, preventing far-right groups from creating more mayhem. But critics say these prompt actions did not deter ultranationalists from staging protests in Belfast and some other areas of the country, suggesting that the state would also have to carry out some real socio-economic reforms to thwart reoccurrence of such incidents.
It is claimed that distortion of history and manipulation of facts is one of the factors contributing to such situations. Left-wing politicians accuse radical nationalists of employing these tactics to fuel hatred.
They argue that far-right ideologues like Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon (known as Tommy Robinson) and Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage never bother to mention the contribution of immigrants towards the protection and betterment of British society. How many British people know about the........