Leicester Muslim activist Majid Freeman has been fully exonerated after a court quashed his conviction for a public order offence following a retrial related to the 2022 Hindutva-inspired Leicester riots.
Freeman was jailed in 2024 after being convicted of “intending immediate unlawful violence” and using abusive words to a police officer during Hindutva-inspired riots in 2022.
But today, Judge Robert Brown at Leicester Crown Court found that there was no evidence to prove that conviction and praised Freeman for his positive work in the community.
“We have listened with great care to the evidence provided by Mr Freeman. As a witness he has impressed us. He was measured, restrained and showed humility when providing evidence. And it is apparent to us that he has been, on multiple occasions, a bridge-builder, working with the police, to ensure there was harmony in his community.
“We are not satisfied that the Crown has proven to us that Mr Freeman had acted with intent in relation to his conviction. We have allowed Mr Freeman his appeal against this conviction and we now quash that conviction.”
Judge Brown also praised the effort of the police officers who were active on the day but did not feel that evidence provided by the Crown was sufficient. The claims made against Mr Freeman, which were defended in court, were that he pushed an officer, swore at police and incited for a fight with his language on the day of the unrest.
Mr Freeman admitted to using bad language but according to the judge there is a clear difference between using bad language in a heated situation and threatening behaviour.
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Speaking outside the court, Mr Freeman gave a statement to a crowd of supporters.
“Today I stand fully exonerated after a long and deeply distressing prosecution by Leicestershire Police. For more than three years, this case has hung over me and my family, causing immense anxiety and strain. No one should have to endure such a prolonged ordeal for standing with their community and working to prevent harm.
“Despite serious provocation, I consistently called for calm and, as the court heard today, I helped save the life of a young Hindu man on the night of the unrest. I worked alongside community leaders, councillors and the police to de-escalate tensions and protect life. The evidence made that clear.
“It is deeply troubling that I was prosecuted at all. I did not incite disorder. Rather, ordinary people were left to protect their communities when the police failed to keep the peace. Instead of reflecting on their own failings, Leicestershire Police chose to pursue someone they had previously relied upon. I am relieved this ordeal has ended. I hope today’s outcome leads to serious reflection and that the real threat of Hindutva extremism is no longer ignored.”
The 2022 Leicester unrest
In September 2022, Leicester experienced heightened religious tensions between Muslims and Hindus following a cricket match between Pakistan and India.
These tensions were inflamed by largely young Hindus who adhere to the Hindutva ideology, a Hindu supremacist political ideology which originates from India.
The Hindutva ideology is a form of extremist Hindu nationalism, a political ideology that dates back to the 19th century. It encompassed a broad range of groups but at its core is a belief that Indian national identity and culture are inseparable from the Hindu religion and that other religions need to be purged.
The unrest lasted for some days and even spread to near by Birmingham before eventually cooling off.
The violence appeared to have erupted out of nowhere but, as 5Pillars reported at the time, tensions between the two communities had worsened following the arrival of the Hindutva ideology to Britain’s streets via the Indian diaspora.
The day which saw a sizeable portion of the violence was September 17, where a mob of around 300 Hindu men marched on a Muslim area of Leicester. They confronted local Muslims who mobilised after locals noticed the Hindutva mob chanting sectarian slogans and marching in an intimidating way.
Missiles were thrown, locals were injured and police were forced to intervene to keep rival sides from engaging in violent clashes. Bricks were torn off a local mosque and used as projectiles during the clash.
Freeman, who was instrumental in exposing Hindutva violence during the Leicester riots, was later sentenced at Northampton Magistrates Court after being convicted during a trial in June 2024.
The conviction was related to an incident of public disorder in Leicester on September 17. The court decided that Freeman intended “immediate unlawful violence” and used “abusive words with the intention that violence would be provoked.” This has now since been fully overruled.
Heroism and injustice
During the retrial, several witnesses were heard including police officers who policed the fighting which erupted on September 17, 2022, the day which Mr Freeman was also accused of committing a crime.
Also numerous locals and eyewitnesses to the trouble spoke to the court.
Defending Mr Freeman was a local Leicester Hindu named Ajay Nagla. Mr Nagla grew up in the same area as Mr Freeman and knew him well. He witnessed the violent events on 17 September and played a role in calming tensions.
“I was visiting my mum but as I headed home I stopped off at a shop near the Belgrave area. Speaking to people I knew locally, they were talking about things that happened recently in the local area. After, I heard lots of noise from outside so headed over to investigate. There were crowds of Muslims, people from my community was there. I saw Majid too and the other side. They are people who I call the right-wing who follow Indian politics.”
When asked what he saw Freeman was doing during the nights events, Mr Nagla replied: “He was doing what I was doing. Trying to defuse the situation.” When asked whether he saw Majid use violence he said “no.”
A video was also played out during the retrial which showcased a Sky News report from 2022 which detailed a story of heroism from the riots. It was Majid Freeman’s efforts to save a local Hindu from a vicious beating during the unrest.
The video also shows Ram Keshwala being attacked by a group of Muslim men. Freeman stood in front of the car and protected Mr Keshwala as his car was attacked.
Another prominent voice to defend Freeman was former MP Claudia Webbe who served as a Labour MP in Leicester (2019-2024) during the time of the riots. She didn’t appear in person for the retrail but a statement was read out to Judge Robert Brown.
“Majid is someone that I saw as a trusted mediator in the community whom I had previously contacted when incidents occurred. For example, I had contacted Majid on 30 August 2022 to obtain his understanding of the disorder that occurred on the night of Sunday 28 August 2022 in the Belgrave area of my then constituency of Leicester East.
“It is my impression that Majid Freeman is someone who seeks to bring harmony to communities. He was a community organiser doing good deeds. He is an anti-knife crime campaigner and has twice invited me to speak at major events that he had organised to prevent crime and knife crime in particular.”
Various other local Muslims came to vouch for Majid, claiming he is a beloved member of his community who plays a positive role as an activist, community leader and neighbour.
Outside court, Mr Freeman pledged to continue engaging in activism to empower local Muslims, build bridges between different groups and to defend the Palestinian cause.
In a statement sent to 5Pillars after the result, Claudia Webbe said: “As a former MP for Leicester East, I regarded Majid Freeman as a trusted mediator, anti-knife crime campaigner, and community organiser doing good deeds who sought to bring harmony to communities. I welcome his acquittal and was pleased to provide evidence in support”
