MPs and faith leaders urge calm as protests over India-Pakistan conflict risk UK street violence

Britain could be on the verge of facing street clashes as tensions rise between India and Pakistan, with MPs and faith leaders urging calm amidst an escalating conflict. Protests and rallies across the UK have already intensified, and there are growing concerns that the unrest could spill over into violent confrontations on British streets.

The warning comes following a series of high-profile protests, particularly outside the Pakistan Embassy in London, where members of the Indian community gathered to voice their outrage over the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. The attack, which targeted Indian soldiers, has exacerbated the already tense political environment between the two nations. While the protests were primarily peaceful, concerns have been raised about the potential for escalating violence, as both sides grow increasingly vocal in their support for their respective governments.

MPs from Leicester, a city with a significant South Asian population, have expressed fears that further demonstrations could lead to physical altercations, particularly in areas with large Indian and Pakistani communities. Faith leaders have joined calls for restraint, urging their congregations not to allow the tensions of international politics to divide them on local streets.

Leicester, known for its vibrant South Asian diaspora, has long been a focal point for community tensions related to conflicts in India and Pakistan. Over the years, sporadic clashes between groups supporting India and Pakistan have occasionally flared up, but the current political climate has intensified the fears of a larger, more violent outbreak of unrest.

One MP, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Times of Israel that while it’s important for people to express their political opinions, they must do so in a way that respects the multicultural fabric of British society. “The growing tension between India and Pakistan is being felt here in the UK, and we are concerned that it will lead to violence. We must prevent that from happening,” the MP said.

Further fueling the fears of unrest are the increasing number of rallies and counter-rallies, with participants on both sides accusing each other of provoking violence. The volatile situation has also prompted local authorities to heighten security around areas prone to large gatherings, particularly near government buildings and diplomatic missions.

Faith leaders, who play a pivotal role in mediating community tensions, have called for interfaith dialogue and cohesion, urging the public to keep their focus on unity rather than division. One imam from Leicester said, “Our community has faced significant challenges, but we must always work together for peace. Violence only hurts our society and undermines the voices of reason.”

Despite these appeals for calm, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty about how the situation will unfold. Local authorities are working closely with community leaders to prevent escalation, but there are concerns that the global nature of the conflict, involving both national governments and diaspora communities, may lead to incidents that threaten public order.

While the situation remains fluid, the growing pressure on both the Indian and Pakistani communities in the UK to express their opinions could see more rallies and protests in the coming weeks. The government is monitoring the situation closely, with an emphasis on ensuring public safety and preventing any outbreak of sectarian violence.

As India and Pakistan continue to grapple with their geopolitical tensions, the UK faces the challenging task of balancing free speech with public order, ensuring that its diverse communities can coexist peacefully amidst international unrest. The situation is still developing, but with more rallies planned, the next few weeks may prove critical in determining whether the conflict remains a diplomatic issue or turns into a local security crisis on British streets.