UK regrets Kashmiris, Sikhs’ anti-India protests

Published January 29, 2019
This is not the first time that such a thing has happened in the UK. — File photo
This is not the first time that such a thing has happened in the UK. — File photo

NEW DELHI: The UK government on Monday exp­r­e­s­­­­sed regret after media rep­orts emerged that Ind­ia’s national flag was burnt during a demonstration by separatist groups outside the India High Commission in London on Republic Day, The Indian Express said quoting Press Trust of India (PTI).

“We are disappointed that anyone would choose to burn the Indian flag on any day, let alone the celebration of Republic Day, and we regret the upset that this will have caused,” a Foreign and Com­monwealth Office (FCO) spo­kesperson was quoted as saying.

The spokesperson added: “We congratulate India on … Republic Day celebration, and look forward to deepening our relationship further as we prepare to leave the European Union and forge new partnerships with key global allies.”

Videos and images of the protests showed a small group of pro-Khalistan supporters and Kashmiri outfit activists gathered outside the India House in Central London on Jan 26 waving placards against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chanting anti-India slogans, the report said.

Acknowledging that they had been made aware of the planned demonstration, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “On Saturday, 26 January a demonstration took place outside India House in Aldwych, WC2. An appropriate policing plan was in place.”

“There were no incidents of note and no arrests. No allegations of crime have been reported. We are aware of a social media video that appears to be from the demonstration outside India House in Aldwych on Saturday, 26 January. We are working to establish the exact circumstances of it,” the statement said.

The latest development, according to PTI, came after the FCO had earlier stated that Britain “does not condone” the burning of national flags.

“We are proud to be a country that fiercely protects the rights of individuals to peaceful protest and free speech as essential parts of a vibrant democracy, provided that demonstrators act within the law. We do not condone the burning of national flags, which is deeply offensive to most people,” an FCO spokesperson had said.

This is not the first time that such a thing has happened in the UK.

During Modi’s visit in April last year, pro-Khalis­tani demonstrators along with Kashmiri gro­­­­­ups had assembled und­er the banner of a so-called ‘Mi­­norities Against Modi’ group and desecrated the Indian flag in Parliament Square.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...