The South Asian Heritage Trust has urged Brummies to 'reach out' during South Asian Heritage Month, which runs from July 1 to July 31, amid what it describes as a 'volatile' climate. This year's theme, Unity in Diversity, encourages all cultures and communities to come together to celebrate and learn about South Asian heritage in Britain and beyond.
Programme Director Advises Sticking Together
Harvinder Poonian, programme director for the South Asian Heritage Trust, told BirminghamLive of the importance of Brummies sticking together, particularly during South Asian Heritage Month. She advised anyone who may feel scared or worried in the current climate to 'reach out.'
'This is the third year we're seeing a volatile situation,' Harvinder said. '[In 2024] we had the summer riots and it was actually during South Asian Heritage Month.' In the summer of 2024, widespread disorder occurred across Britain following the deaths of three girls in Southport, with many anti-racism groups gathering after fears of far-right protests in Birmingham city centre.
Feeling Unsafe: A Personal Account
Harvinder described how the 2024 theme was Free To Be Me, but many South Asians felt uneasy due to the ongoing riots. 'It was at a time when not many South Asians were feeling free to be themselves. They were feeling unsafe,' she said. 'For me personally, it was only probably last year the first time I actually felt unsafe. It's a really uncomfortable feeling.'
Over recent months, unease has spread across the country for many ethnic minorities as far-right groups visited different cities, including Birmingham. Just last month, the far-right group Britain First held a rally in Birmingham, prompting numerous anti-racism counter-protesters to attend.
Advice: You Are Not Alone
Issuing advice to South Asians and other ethnic minorities in Birmingham, Harvinder reiterated that they are 'not alone.' She encouraged anyone feeling worried to 'reach out.'
'Reach out to someone. I think the whole point of unity and diversity is let's come together. You're not in this alone. You can always send us a message, but also reach out to other groups - there's so many South Asians,' she said. She added, 'Not even [just] South Asian communities, [there's] so many community groups. It's about finding them and finding your people and let's go out together and celebrate together.'
South Asian Heritage Month: Three Aims
Speaking of South Asian Heritage Month, Harvinder noted that everyone is welcome to participate, with dozens of activities scheduled this month. 'South Asian Heritage Month has three aims around it - celebrating South Asian heritage, educating each other and the wider community. The more we understand each other, the more we can [have open conversations [and] the better we get on.'
The third aim is commemorating and appreciating the long history South Asians have in Britain. 'Remembering that heritage and the journey that South Asians have been on to the UK is quite important for us to remember,' she said. 'We all have a shared history, a shared heritage, but it's our differences that we come together on and recognise and work together in a community.'
