England Still Playing Dirty : Permits Anti India Protests By Pakistanis In London
The Indian Government hit out at the UK for permitting an anti-India protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on January 26, saying such incidents create difficulties in the functioning of the mission. These anti-India protests are being organised by Pakistani groups as well as a few Khalistanis and Kashmiri separatist outfits over the Indian administrative actions on Jammu and Kashmir.
India had taken up the matter strongly with the British High Commission here and asked it to not allow such activities in future.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK Ruchi Ghanshyam met Home Secretary Priti Patel last week and conveyed the security and safety concerns flowing from the planned protests outside the Indian mission.
“We have taken up the issue with the British government. These incidents create difficulties in functioning of our High Commission,” said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. He hoped that anti-India protests in London are not repeated in the future.
Hundreds of people held a protest outside the Indian High Commission, slamming India for withdrawing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and demanding an end to the ongoing “crackdown” in the region.
There have been similar protests in London in the past and India has taken up the matter very strongly with the UK Foreign Office.
India had conveyed its concerns to the UK over incidents of violence during a protest by Pakistani supporters outside the Indian High Commission on the Independence Day last year.
Violent clashes took place outside the mission when thousands of people converged there for pre-planned protests and counter-demonstrations.
Time has come to clearly warn the Government of England to desist from such kind of games with India. In case they do not crack down on such protests then India too will retaliate. India is already in tournament mode of this kind of game initiated by Malaysia and Turkey. It will be very difficult for UK to continue to play such games against India.
