‘It was very upsetting’: India Day returns a year after being cancelled due to attacks

India Day celebration returns to Trim Castle a year after cancellation due to rising attacks

Trim Castle in County Meath hosted the annual India Day festival on Sunday, marking its return after a one-year hiatus caused by a surge in attacks and abuse targeting members of Ireland’s Indian community.

Organised by the Ireland India Council (IIC), the event has taken place every year since 2015, celebrating cultural ties and fostering connections between Ireland and India. Last year’s cancellation followed a series of incidents, including a violent assault on an Indian man in Tallaght, Dublin, and hostile messages directed at the IIC through social media and phone lines.

Aparna Shukla, cultural co-ordinator for India Day and a long-time resident of Ireland, described last year’s environment as deeply distressing. “It was very upsetting for the whole team,” she said. “Every day we were debating whether we should or shouldn’t do it, but the attacks were increasing in number.” She noted that community reports indicated the hostility was spreading across Ireland and that online abuse targeting the council had intensified.

Shukla, who moved to Ireland in 2002 when the Indian community numbered only a few thousand, has witnessed its growth to over 80,000 people today. While she initially found Irish people welcoming, she believes the recent wave of hostility was orchestrated. “Last year was anomalous,” she said. “In my opinion, it was the result of some kind of funded agenda carried out by people recruited for a campaign.”

The IIC reported that most hostile phone calls originated from the United States, with some abusive social media comments linked to supporters of the Make America Great Again movement. Despite the challenges, Shukla emphasized the importance of proceeding with the event this year. “Everybody missed last year, and we got such an overwhelming response when we released this event,” she said. “We received calls saying, ‘You are so welcome in this country and we are so happy that you are celebrating this year.’”

Prashant Shukla, co-chairman of the IIC alongside Damien Nee, reported significant improvement over the past 12 months. “There have been no significant incidents of violence towards the Indian community so far this year,” he said. He credited the Irish Government for its support in creating a welcoming atmosphere. “In many countries, violence has happened against the Indian community, but no country in the world actually tackled it the way Ireland tackled it,” he added.

The event also highlighted the newly signed EU-India Free Trade Agreement, which European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described as “the mother of all deals.” The IIC is urging Ireland to take a leading role in implementing the agreement over the coming years.

A trade and investment forum with networking opportunities was part of the day’s activities, attended by Irish companies including AIB, Bank of Ireland, Kildare Village, and Forever Health Foods. Political representatives, including members of Meath County Council, were also present.

The cultural performances, including Bharatanatyam dance and fashion shows featuring traditional Indian attire like saris and lehengas, reflected the community’s integration in Ireland. Local musicians and Co Kerry-born singer-songwriter Francie Conway joined Indian artists in performances. Aparna Shukla emphasized the role of culture in building understanding. “Culture creates understanding and understanding builds relationships,” she said. “I feel India is like a cultural capital of the world.”

#IndiaDay #TrimCastle #IrelandIndiaCouncil #IndianCommunityIreland #EUIndiaTrade #CulturalIntegration #CountyMeath #AparnaShukla