India alerts missions against separatist events planned

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

Amid the row with UK with a pro-Khalistan rally to be held in Trafalgar Square on August 12, India has sent out directives to select missions to keep a close watch on similar developments in countries where separatist Sikh elements are active.

According to sources, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has instructed the Indian missions in countries like Canada, Australia, US, with large Sikh diaspora presence that radical outfits could try to hold similar events on those countries aimed at fanning secessionist sentiments. The directives include asking the missions to be alert and sensitising the host countries about India’s grave security concerns. 

“We are aware that something similar is being planned in some other location. We have written to our missions to take it up with foreign offices of respective countries. Investigative agencies have to looking into issues of funding of such groups,” said Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson. 

This even as London turned down India’s three demarches and a note verbale asking to deny permission to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from holding the London rally citing right of people in UK ‘to gather together and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law’.

“We have drawn attention to the fact that the event in London is a separatist activity which impinges on India’s territorial integrity. We have said it seeks to propagate violence, secessionism and hatred. We expect them (UK) to take into account the larger perspective of the relationship when they take a decision in such matters,” said Raveesh Kumar underlining India’s objection to the SFJ rally that is aimed at shaping up the ‘London Declaration On Referendum 2020 campaign’.

Meanwhile, on Friday peaceful protests have been planned outside the British High Commission in New Delhi. Led by Chairman MS Bitta, activists of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front will protest outside the UK High Commission against the Referendum 2020 Campaign. Bitta will also hand over a memorandum addressed to High Commissioner Dominic Asquith condemning the malicious intent to ‘mislead the Sikh community and spread disharmony across the world’.